Washington, D.C. has a lot to offer visitors. From the National Mall to the Smithsonian Museums, hiking opportunities, and more, there is plenty of history, culture, and new things to explore. Whether you are looking for a quick tour or want to spend all day exploring new exhibits, Washington DC has something for everyone. In this blog post we will go over five of the best museums in Washington D.C., so you can decide which ones are worth visiting on your next trip!
Smithsonian Natural History Museum
The first on our list is the Natural History Museum. This museum has a really impressive collection of over 126 million specimens. The museum has exhibitions that focus on the earth, ocean and climate change along with other topics like dinosaurs or gems and minerals. This is perfect for anyone visiting Washington D.C., since it covers so many different aspects of natural history!
Some of the exhibits include the “Tyrannosaurus Rex” and the “Hall of North American Forests,” and “Deep Time,” a 31,000-square-foot fossil hall that takes you back in time to over 4 billion years ago.
This museum is a definite must-see during your trip to DC!
National Gallery of Art
The second on our list is the National Gallery of Art. It has a collection that ranges from ancient art to modern day art with a variety of paintings and sculptures. Some beautiful exhibits include paintings by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. The National Gallery has something for everyone!
We cannot forget to mention the concerts in the Sculpture Garden! Every other Thursday throughout the summer, the National Gallery of Art has an outdoor concert that is free and open to all. These concerts are a great way to enjoy some music at night after visiting our museums during the day!
National Museum of the American Indian
The next is the National Museum of the American Indian, with a location in DC and NYC. It has exhibits that span over 11,000 years and it has an extensive collection of artifacts from North America’s indigenous people.
The museum features a variety of exhibitions including “Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations” and “Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake.”
Be sure to check out their calendar of events to see what exciting things are happening during your visit! There are currently a lot of virtual events held due to COVID-19.
Don’t miss out on this special museum – add the National Museum of the American Indian to your list of attractions!
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The fourth on our list is one for everyone who loves airplanes or space travel–the National Air and Space Museum. This is definitely a favorite for locals and visitors. The museum has a huge collection of aircraft and spacecrafts, including the original Wright Brothers’ airplane. It also has a lot of hands-on exhibits and interactive games for children.
Some current exhibits include “Clouds in a Bag,” which portrays the excitement from the invention of the hot air balloon over 200 years ago; “Time and Navigation,” which illustrates how changes in timekeeping over a period of 300 years have led us to where we are today in accurate navigation; and “Moving Beyond Earth,” which gives a glimpse into recent spaceflight achievements. There is much to see and experience at this special museum!
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The fifth on our list is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum was opened by President Barack Obama in September 2016, and it includes nearly 36,000 artifacts. It tells the story of what African Americans have gone through from slavery to modern day America.
This museum includes the first African American White House Curator, Lonnie Bunch. It is also home to some of the most famous pieces in all of America’s history – Harriet Tubman’s shawl and a pen used by Frederick Douglass are both on display here.
This museum has so much to offer and is a must-visit for anyone who wants to educate themselves on this very important part of our country’s history. Make it part of your DC trip!
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