Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. — a visitor’s guide
Washington, D.C., is home to the largest museum complex in the world: the Smithsonian Institution. With artifacts ranging from dinosaur bones to Dorothy’s ruby slippers, the Smithsonian offers something for everyone.
As of this writing, there are 16 Smithsonian museums open in Washington. All are free of charge to explore, but two currently require timed-entry passes; there are also ticket fees for certain special exhibitions.
You won’t be able to explore them fully in a single visit. I’ve lived in the Washington area off and on since college, and I haven’t been able to explore them fully. I recommend that you plan on visiting one or two buildings per day of your visit. The purpose of this post is to help you navigate the Smithsonian’s highlights, choose the best museums for you, and make the most of your time.
The following Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., are currently open to the public:
The Archives of American Art houses papers and other primary records related to the visual arts in America.
The National Portrait Gallery showcases the likenesses of the people who’ve shaped America, from politicians to poets. The Gallery maintains the only complete set of presidential portraits in the United States outside the White House.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum displays the works of artists including John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
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The Archives of American Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum are housed in the elegant Old Patent Office Building.
The best hotel within half a mile is the Riggs Washington D.C. Michelin restaurants nearby include: Mediterranean Zaytinya and contemporary French Café Riggs, inside the Riggs Hotel.
The Renwick Gallery is a separate branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum which features contemporary works. My favorite hotel within half a mile is The Hay-Adams. Michelin restaurants nearby include: French La Bise and Indian The Bombay Club.
The Freer Gallery of Art showcases Asian paintings, sculptures, ceramics, lacquers, and metalware and 19th-century American pieces, including works by James Whistler. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is the place for fans of modern and contemporary art. As of this writing, the Sculpture Garden is closed for “revitalization”. The best hotel within half a mile is the Salamander Washington D.C.
The National Air and Space Museum is a treasure trove of flight-related artifacts including planes, rockets, and Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit. Timed-entry passes are required. The best hotel within half a mile is the Hilton Washington D.C. National Mall the Wharf.
The Museum also has a large annex, the Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture features artifacts related to the black experience in America, including Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, Emmett Till’s coffin, and Jackie Robinson’s Dodgers jersey. Timed-entry passes are required. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Willard InterContinental Washington.
The National Museum of African Art houses traditional and contemporary works including masks, baskets, and jewelry from Africa. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The National Museum of American History showcases artifacts tracing the American experiment from colonial times, including George Washington’s uniform, Thomas Jefferson’s lap desk, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Willard InterContinental Washington.
The National Museum of the American Indian maintains one of the most extensive collections of native art and artifacts in the world. Its collection features objects from virtually the entire Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Cape Horn. My favorite hotel within a mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The National Museum of Natural History is the place for science buffs, with artifacts ranging from Egyptian mummies to the Hope Diamond. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The National Postal Museum houses artifacts related to the history of the mail and its delivery, from Colonial times to the present. Its collection features rare stamps, cards and letters, and vehicles including a stagecoach. The best hotel within a mile is the Riggs Washington D.C. Michelin restaurants nearby include: Asian Bar Chinois and Italian L’Ardente.
The S. Dillon Ripley Center houses a Discovery Theater and a small selection of changing exhibitions. I’ve taken two photography classes here. The building connects underground to the Sackler Gallery and the National Museum of African Art. My favorite hotel within one mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery features South Asian sculpture, modern Japanese ceramics, and ancient Chinese jades and bronzes. My favorite hotel within half a mile is the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The Anacostia Community Museum explores the impact of social issues on urban communities. My favorite hotel within three miles is the Pendry Washington D.C. — the Wharf.
A visit to the Smithsonian museums is a journey across the centuries through American and world culture. And no matter how much you see, there’s always more to explore.
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Continue your adventure in Washington, D.C.
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