Savor Free Community Day At The National Museum Of Women In The Arts
On the first Sunday of the month, one of the Districts most intriguing museums waives its admission charge. During Free Community Day, the National Museum of Women in the Arts opens up its collection and features programs that connect to its current exhibitions, helping you to discover the immense impact that women have on the world of art.
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The National Museum Of American History
See the original Star-Spangled Banner, Thomas Edisons first light bulb. Or how about Kermit the Frog? This museum is jam-packed full of historical objects and artefacts that will grab your interest, or raise a smile. One must-see exhibit is America on the Move, showing how transport has evolved from 1903 to the present day.
Find the nearest Big Bus Stop to Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Choose any of these museums and youre bound to have a great time experiencing some of the most engaging and informative things to do in DC. If you plan to spend the afternoon exploring the various exhibits we suggest reflecting on the day at one of the Best Restaurants in Washington DC when the sun sets
The Smithsonian Has Scaled Back Its Hours
Positive coronavirus tests have led to severe staff shortages at the Smithsonian since late 2021. In early January, the Smithsonian announced it was temporarily closing some museums and scaling back opening hours at others.
The last three museums reopened in early March: TheAnacostia Community Museum reopened March 9, and theNational Air and Space Museum and theNational Postal Museum reopened March 11. The Air and Space Museum will close again on March 28 for previously scheduled renovations, which are expected to be completed in the fall.
Of all the Smithsonian museums and facilities, only four are open daily: The National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoo, theAir and Space Museums Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, and theSmithsonian Institution Building, known as the Castle. The other big museums on the Mall American History andAfrican American History and Culture are open five days per week.
Most other facilities, including Air and Space, the Hirshhorn and the National Portrait Gallery, are now open Thursday through Sunday. The full schedule is available on si.edu/visit. Only the African American Museum and the Zoo require passes to enter.
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Some Museums Still Ask For Proof Of Vaccination
Museums werent covered by D.C.’s proof-of-vaccination mandate, which ended Feb. 15, but the mayors order allows businesses and private buildings to set stricter entry requirements. The Phillips Collection and Kreeger Museumrequire proof of vaccination for visitors , though they accept negative same-day tests. Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Posts Northwest D.C. estate, requires proof of vaccination for visitors 12 and older to enter the gardens as well as the mansion.
National Gallery Of Art
View timeless works of art from renowned European and American artists.
| Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: Daily 10 AM- 5 PM
The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC is a haven for art lovers. Their permanent collection of over 150,000 artworks spans two buildings separated by 4th street NW. You wont have to cross the street to get to the other building. The East building and West building are connected by an illuminated underground walkway.
The fine collection in this art museum is comprised of European and American art. It includes a few presidential portraits of George Washington and others. There are also works from Da Vinci, Chardin, Monet, Rothko, and Kandinsky. Despite the expensive art, admission to this museum is free and no passes are needed to attend.
The National Gallery of Art is open 363 days out of the year and offers free hour-long guided tours each day. A full list of the guided tours is available on the gallerys website and each one begins in the West building rotunda.
The closest metro stops for this gallery are the Archives, Navy Memorial, and Penn Quarter stations.
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Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture
Delve into African American History with over 40,000 artifacts ranging from enslavement, emancipation, and the civil rights movement, up to modern history.
African American History Museum at Sunrise
| Museum Website | Cost: Free but requires a timed pass | Hours: Daily 10 AM to 5:30 PM
This Smithsonian museum was a highly anticipated addition to Chocolate Citys collection of museums even before it opened in 2016. Their free timed passes were almost impossible to get for the first year. Even now, you risk not getting a timed pass if you wait too long. Its quickly become one of the most visited museums on the National Mall.
There are over 85,000 feet of exhibition space, so you likely wont get through the whole thing in one day. This museum doesnt cut any cards when retelling the pained experiences of Black people in this country. It also doesnt skip over their achievements, resilience, and power. As such, you should come prepared for a moving experience.
As you work your way up the building, you make the journey from oppression to triumph. Its a masterpiece in storytelling told through a collection of over 40,000 artifacts. Your time here isnt complete without visiting The Sweet Home Cafe. It ties African American history to the food culture behind traditional dishes.
Us Holocaust Memorial Museum
This museum is technically free, but advanced reservations are required during peak travel dates if you want to visit the permanent exhibit.
There are still a number of smaller exhibits and events you can explore if you do not get tickets.
The USHMM explores in chronological order the events leading up to, during, and the aftermath of the Holocaust.
It is an intensely moving experience and if you have younger kids, you may want to skip the permanent exhibit and explore the children geared Daniel’s Story exhibit instead
We explain how to get tickets and what exhibits you can visit in our Guide to the USHMM.
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Visit The Smithsonian Museums
Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo. Each one is free to enter, and across the spectrum, you can learn about the origins of man, the wonders of art, the history and future of flight and so much more.
How Does The Sightseeing Pass Work
If you want to make the most of your vacation in Washington sightseeing and you are going to spend several days in the city, then I advise you to get the Washington Sightseeing Pass, a tourist card with which you can access the main tourist attractions and that will also save you money and time.
The operation of the Washington Sightseeing Pass is very simple. You can choose between a 1, 2 or 3 day tourist pass and it is activated the first time you use it, from then on you can visit as many places as you want!
With this tourist card you will have access to more than 15 attractions and includes a 24-hour tourist bus ticket to travel around Washington without leaving your seat or to use it as a means of transportation to move between different parts of the city.
In addition, by presenting the Washington Sightseeing pass at certain restaurants and stores you can take advantage of the interesting discounts offered by this pass and save a little more during your trip. It’s all advantages!
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Your Guide To The Attractions In Dc That Are Free And Which Require Tickets
Many of Washington, DC’s major attractions are open to the public and do not require tickets, including the Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, and the monuments and memorials on the National Mall. Entry to the Smithsonian Zoo is free but requires an entry pass.
You can buy tickets for some of Washington, DC’s most popular ticketed attractions including Ford’s Theatre at the venue or on their website. Some attractions offer discounts to those who buy tickets online ahead of their visit including the Presidents Gallery by Madame Tussauds Washington, DC. You can also purchase 24 or 48-hour, hop-on, hop-off bus tour tickets with Big Bus Tours, which will allow you to view the wonders of the National Mall at your own convenience.
National Air and Space Museum reopens on October 14th and will require tickets to see its eight new exhibits.
While some attractions are free, they require timed passes to save visitors from waiting in long lines. Timed passes are available to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a limited amount of same-day passes are available online the day of your visit. The passes are printed featuring a one-hour time range, within which you may enter the museum.
Tickets To Attractions And Museums In Washington
The best ways to get to the must-see sights in Washington. Read this complete guide and save time and money on your trip to Washington.
Isabel Catalán
7 min read
Washington is a city with a lot of history and great monuments. To make the most of your vacation in the capital of the United States, I will tell you which museums and attractions you can’t miss.
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Us Capitol Visitor Center
Similar to the White House, you need tickets to enter the actual Capitol Building – but these are relatively easy to come by and are included on our Capitol Hill Walking Tour.
But you do not need tickets to enter the free Visitor Center which houses an interactive and video filled education center.
If you want to view the House or Senate Gallery, passes are required. These are still free but require contacting your congressperson or the International Visitors Desk to get them.
Hirshhorn Museum And Sculpture Garden
Immerse yourself in contemporary art exhibits that feature some of the most important artists of this century.
A sculpture entitled Eros, Inside Eros
| Museum Website | Cost: Free. Timed passes required for exhibits | Hours: 10 AM to 5:30 PM Daily
The Hirshhorn Museum is a contemporary art showcase in Washington DC that hosts many immersive exhibits. Most recently, its been home to the infamous Yayoi Kusamas One With Eternity, Barbara Krugers Belief and Doubt, and Laurie Andersons The Weather.
These immersive spaces are meant to transport you into the artists mind. Theyre a wonder to experience whether youre an art lover or just want some fantastic pictures.
Most of the temporary exhibits offered by the Hirshhorn require timed same-day passes. These can only be claimed in person beginning at 9:30 AM. The passes are free, but youll need to get in line early for the most popular exhibits.
The art doesnt stop once you exit the museum doors. Theres also a sunken sculpture garden within a short walk from the museum. It features several works of art including Wish Tree for Washington DC by Yoko Ono, and Are Years What? By Mark Di Suvero. You wont need any timed passes for the sculpture garden. So feel free to visit at your leisure.
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Find Out Why Dc Is The Capital Of Free Museums And Interactive Exhibits From Groundbreaking Cultural Museums To Art Galleries And So Much More
Washington, DC is filled with free museums, from Smithsonians including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum, to art-filled museums like the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Art. Free museum experiences should be part of any trip to DC, and we have laid out some of our favorites below.
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Smithsonian National Museum Of Natural History
Discover the worlds greatest natural wonders! Fossils, diamonds, reptiles, super germs, and the rise of mankind. Built for curious humans of all ages.
| Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: seven days a week 10 AM- 5:30 PM
The natural history museum is one of the best museums in Washington DC. Upon entering the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History youre greeted by its iconic taxidermied African Bush Elephant. This is one of many natural wonders of the world contained in its three floors.
Theres everything from dinosaur fossils, mammals, sea monsters, and even live insects. Some of the main attractions here are the Hope Diamond, an Easter Island Moai statue, and the Hall of Fossils.
As one of the most popular museums on the National Mall, this place is always crowded. At any given time its filled with school groups and visiting tourists. Your best bet is to make this free museum your first stop of the day and make a beeline to the exhibits on your list.
Theyre open seven days a week and the fastest way to get there is by taking the metro to the Federal Triangle station.
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See Planes Rockets And Spaceships At The Udvar
Part of the Smithsonians Air and Space Museum, the jumbo Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center collection houses all sorts of flying machines and gears, filling two enormous hangars with crafts like the space shuttle Voyager and a Concorde jet, as well as oddities like a flying car. Add an IMAX theater, an observation deck and flight simulators, and its no surprise that, along with its sister museum on the National Mall, this place draws eight million visitors annually.
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National Museum Of Natural History
1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Hours: Wednesday Sunday, 10:00 AM 5:30 PM
The artifacts contained within the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History tell the story of our planet and the ways in which humans have interacted with it throughout history. With a collection that includes over 145 million objects, the Natural History Museum provides a one-of kind-adventure which is sure to deepen anyones appreciation for the natural world.
Since the museum opened its doors in 1910, the list of artifacts has done nothing but grow from the original 10 million objects on display. Today you can gaze at the Hope Diamond, view a coral reef, take a photo from inside the jaws of a megalodon, and touch a live tarantula all in just a few hours.
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How To Book Tickets To Washington Monuments
There are travelers who like to travel the world with an open and flexible plan, seeing tourist attractions as they go. There is no doubt that this is an exciting way to get to know new places, since there is nothing scheduled and unexpected surprises can always arise.
However, this way you run certain risks because unexpected situations can occur when trying to buy tickets to visit a monument once at the destination, these have been exhausted after an endless queue at the box office. The nightmare of any tourist!
Washington is a city that receives many visitors and where long lines often form at the ticket offices of its monuments and museums. To avoid being immersed in a scenario like the above, my advice is to book your tickets to the monuments of Washington online and in advance of your travel date.
Nothing gives greater peace of mind when traveling than having everything well tied from home, don’t you think? In Hellotickets you can compare prices, schedules and availability of tickets and tours for monuments and museums in Washington, you will surely find the one that best suits you!
Gather Fellow Art Lovers And Head To Glenstone
Located just outside of DC in Potomac, Md., Glenstone Museum combines art, architecture and landscape to create a seamless, open museum-going experience that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Post-World War II art fills marvelously designed indoor and outdoor spaces on a 100-plus acre plot that also features paths, trails, streams and meadows. The museum’s exciting expansion opened to the public on on Oct. 4, 2018 with an all-new building and new outdoor sculptures. Glenstone is open from Thursday Sunday from 10 a.m. 5 p.m., with visits scheduled on the hour. Make sure to book yours before you go.
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Free Museums To Visit In Washington Dc
December 13, 2021by The HUMD Team
The variety and quality of free Museums in Washington D.C. attracts academics, researchers, tourists, and locals to our Nations Capital every day. But with so many options, planning an itinerary can be daunting! To make your decision a little easier, weve compiled a list of the 12 best free museums you should visit during your trip to Washington D.C.
National Museum Of African Art
950 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Hours: Wednesday Sunday, 10:00 AM 5:30 PM
Located in the former townhome of Frederick Douglass and with a mission of teaching visitors how to look at African art in a way that promotes cross-cultural communication, the Museum of African Art began as a private education institution in 1964. In 1981 it transitioned to a public institution, was renamed the National Museum of African Art, and became another free museum in Washington D.C.
Between the collections, research facilities, conservation lab, exhibits, education, and public outreach programs, the Museum has expanded its reach and provides a rich assortment of artistic traditions. Exhibitions range from historic recapturings like Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time, to modern collections such as I AmContemporary Women Artists of Africa. Each brings a unique perspective to conversations about the beauty, power, and diversity of African culture.
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