National Museum Of African Art
A trip to D.C. is not complete without a visit to the National Museum of African Art. This world-renowned museum is home to a vast collection of African art, ranging from ancient sculptures to modern paintings.
With so much to see, you could easily spend an entire day here exploring all the different galleries. Trust us, its worth the visit!
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Freer And Sackler Galleries
About: These two galleries on the Smithsonian Castle campus focus on Asian art and artifacts. I love these museums because they are never busy, have beautiful surprises around each corner, and are one of the only Smithsonian that has a kids’ guide at the info desk.
Mom Tip: Definitely check out the Peacock Room in the Freer Gallery!
Address: 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560
The Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates American artists from the colonial era to the present. It was created by an act of Congress on August 18, 1846, under the leadership of James Smithson.
The museums collections are comprised of more than 3 million objects and over 1,600 artworks with 4,500 paintings, sketches and sculptures. The museum also has over 140-period rooms that represent domestic life from the early 1600s to 1915.
The collections include works by many renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell and Edgar Degas.
SAAMs Renwick Gallery branches out from it and the two together hold one of the worlds most comprehensive collections of art from the American colonial period to the present day.
Using engaging and reflective interactive tours and live video conferences, students are introduced to American history through American art.
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The Arthur M Sackler Gallery And Freer Gallery Of Art
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art are part of the Smithsonian Institutions Asian art museums. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery has decorative and devotional objects from Asian cultures, and the Freer Gallery of Art is exclusively Asian artwork. Combined, the galleries hold over 25,000 artifacts that span over 6,000 years, including Islamic, Near Eastern, Chinese, and Himalayan artwork. There are also exhibits on luxury metalwork from ancient Iran and the Perspectives series of art installations.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Honor the victims of the Holocaust and contribute to the museums mission of activism in ending genocides across the world.
| Museum Website | Cost: Free. Timed passes required | Hours: Daily 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Theres no doubt that the Holocaust is a heavy subject. As such, this museum is only suggested for children aged 11 and older. Three floors within the permanent exhibit tell of the events and ideals leading up to the genocide. Then it moves through the horrors that happened, and the aftermath.
While this isnt in the same vein as a fun weekend escape, everyone has a duty to avoid repeating humanitys mistakes by reflecting, confronting, and remembering them.
This museum is a solemn space dedicated to honoring the victims of the Holocaust and preventing genocide worldwide. This National Mall memorial and museum is particularly popular, so getting free timed passes can be difficult.
Spring break, winter break, and summertime are the most crowded. Grab your tickets when theyre first released and go on a weekday during the off-season for a less crowded experience.
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Where To Stay In Washington Dc
When choosing accommodation for Washington DC, its best to look for a hotel within walking distance to the National Mall. Especially, if your stay is short and its most focused on the popular DC attractions in this area. If traveling a little further out, youll also want accommodation close to a Metro station. Parking is at a premium in DC, so we dont recommend driving around.
Here are some hotel recommendations from us:
- We stayed at The Madison Hotel on 15th street only a couple of blocks away from the White House. We could walk everywhere Georgetown was even a 3-minute walk from our hotel. The room was comfortable but most important of all, was the convenient location. Book your stay here.
- The Duo Nomad Hostel is a great budget accommodation option for those wanting to stay in the city.
- Previously, weve stayed at The Hilton Garden Inn in the Georgetown area / west end of downtown when we visited the White House, which met all our needs as a tourist AND business traveler.
- I also love the look of the Kimpton Banneker its our favorite hotel brand and within walking distance to the National Mall. You will have amenity fees at this hotel, however, so will need to factor that into your budget.
Full List Of The Museums For Kids In Dc
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National Air And Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is one of the best museums in Washington D.C. and boasts three galleries of aviation and space exhibits. Wonderful for kids and adults alike, the museum has aircraft, space memorabilia, missiles, and more, all of which chronicle the history of air and space travel. Some highlights include a lunar sample from the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, Charles Lindberghs Spirit of St. Louis, the 1903 Wright Flyer, and the U.S. Pershing-II nuclear missile.
/10 Hirshhorn Museum And Sculpture Garden
Lovers of contemporary and modern art need not look farther than this unique museum. Featuring current, international artists, the museum provides a platform for the artists and their art that are here and now, rather than long gone. From the building itself to the sunken sculpture garden, everything has been artistically designed with the theme and tone in mind, giving visitors an interesting and in-depth experience from the moment they park until they drive away.
With more than 9,000 works of art, this African art museum showcases nearly every part of the African continent. Containing a wide range of art forms and media over the course of human history to today, it is the only museum of its kind in the United States. It is dedicated to sharing the beauty, power, and diversity of not only the art but the culture of African communities worldwide. They also offer panel discussions and film screenings to increase the conversation around African art and culture.
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White House Visitor Center
Rest assured, even if you dont have tickets to visit the White House, one of the top Washington D.C. attractions, you still can have a White House experienceat the White House Visitor Centers fun, hands-on museum on Pennsylvania Avenue. Exhibits present the history of the Executive Mansion, behind-the-scenes stories , and a touchscreen tour of the White House. Youll learn what it takes to move one President out and one President in on moving day favorite presidential snacks and personal insights from past presidents on what it means to live in Americas most famous residence.
General Admission: Free.
INSIDER TIPAcross the street stands the venerable Willard Intercontinental, one of the best hotels in Washington D.C. with a ton of history. Open for 200 years and counting, its lobby is said to have inspired the term lobbyist, for the people who came to plead their cases to President Grant as he relaxed there with a cigar.
General Admission: Free
National Museum Of Health And Medicine
The exhibits at the National Museum of Health and Medicine are truly fascinating, especially to those with a particular interest in war history, but its definitely not for the faint of heart. Both human and animal remains, as well as all kinds of wild medical utensils, are on full display within these walls.
It actually used to be a military medical museum, created after the civil war in order to showcase the types of extreme medical procedures that often have to be undertaken in wartime.
The museums collections are separated as follows:
Historical: The oldest item in these collections is a microscope which dates back to the year 1660. Much of what youll find here are items from major wars like the Civil War or World War 1.
Anatomical: Heres where those with a weak stomach really ought to be careful. The stuff in here pretty much ranges from slimey to gooey although it is absolutely vital to the advancement of research in the fields of forensic medicine, anthropology, pathology, paleopathology, and military medicine.
Neuroanatomical: In laymens terms, this collection deals with everything that is the brain. Normal, pathological, and comparative specimens are stored here.
Human Developmental Anatomy Center: This collection contains the largest archives of human and comparative developmental material in the entire United States.
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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.
Art Museums & Galleries
DC has a number of art museums to cover an array of tastes. We have a guide to the art museums of DC here.
- American Art Museum– This is the nation’s first collection of American art and is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. here
- African Art– This is the only national museum in the United States dedicated to the collection, exhibition, conservation, and study of the arts of Africa and the exhibits expand all of Africa in its examples of traditional and contemporary art.
- Portrait Gallery– This museum balances both traditional and contemporary art exhibits, and is best known for housing the largest collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House.
- Archives of American Art– With over 16 million items and growing, this is the world’s largest and most widely used resource dedicated to collecting and preserving the papers and primary records of the visual arts in America.
- Freer Gallery of Art & Sackler Gallery– These are the Smithsonian’s two Asian art museums.
- Hirshhorn– If you love contemporary art, this one’s for you. The unique cylindrical building is impossible to miss and houses unique contemporary art and includes a sunken sculpture garden.
- Renwick Gallery– This museum is located right across from the White House and houses contemporary art. It is also the first building in the United States built specifically to be an art museum.
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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.
The National Museum Of African American History And Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution museum established in 2003 by an Act of Congress.
Its the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, art, history, and culture.
This museum takes visitors on an incredible journey through 400 years of history from slavery to modern-day America. Visitors can explore 13 galleries with over 3600 artifacts highlighting African American achievements in society such as sports, music, and entertainment.
African American music history is explained through the Musical Crossroads exhibit, from the arrival of the first Africans until today.
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Best Museums In Dc For Kids
There are so many wonderful museums for kids in DC that I knew we needed them all in one place! After 12 years living in the area, below are details on my top 20 museums for kids, and 17 of them are FREE. A note for 2022: Make sure to check each museum’s website for up-to-date opening hours info as many are operating at different schedules.
National Museum Of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is an impressive collection with artifacts and exhibits on natural history, ranging from animal specimens to geology and botany exhibits. One of the most impressive features of the museum is the Kenneth E. Behring Hall of Mammals, which features nearly 300 taxidermy display animals in interactive exhibits. You could also see the 45.52-carat cut blue Hope Diamond, marine science exhibits in the Sant Ocean Hall, an insect petting zoo in the Insect Zoo, and the Dinosaur Hall, which features dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric animals.
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The White House Visitor Center
With multiple interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike, the White House Visitor Center is home to a variety of activities.
Play a game where you have to guess who ordered various plates of food on display. Watch a film about the process of the presidency in the U.S., and read letters written to past presidents from children.
/10 The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Designed as a living memorial to those who were affected and killed during the Holocaust, this museum was built to inspire people around the world to confront hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. The museum is a raw and powerful reminder of the fragile freedom most enjoy and the eternal need for vigilance and education in preserving everyone’s rights and values. It also works to make sure that current and future generations remember the horrors and lessons brought forth by the Holocaust, as many have already started to deny its existence.
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The Wilderness Society Gallery
Specialty Museum
The Wilderness Society Gallery, located on the first floor of The Wilderness Societys national headquarters building in Washington DC, is home to an in-depth collection of Ansel Adams photographs. Ansel Adams, the world-famous landscape Photographer, was a Wilderness Society council member.
Highlights
Here are some of the “must see” items at The Wilderness Society Gallery.
- The Ansel Adams Collection
Smithsonian National Museum Of American History
The Smithsonian Institution is often referred to as the nations attic. Theres no place more obvious of this fact than at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, a repository of Americas most important artifacts. Were talking amazing stuff like the Star-Spangled Banner, Julia Childs Kitchen, Abraham Lincolns Top Hat, Judy Garlands Ruby Red Slippers, even the First Ladies Inaugural Gowns. A recent acquisition includes personal items from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away in 2020. The museum, covering everything from transportation to food to the Presidents role to innovation, has three million artifacts in total, with only three to five percent on display at any one time.
General Admission: Free
INSIDER TIPAudio guide rentals are currently not available, but access select free audio tours on your own device here.
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Top 10 Museums In Washington Dc
Why the hell is the Spy Museum on here!?!?! That place is TERRIBAD.
Going once is more than enough.
I disagree. Its a bit juvenile at times but has some nice exhibits about WWII spying and whatnot. The cost sucks, but otherwise
For picking up hot tourist ass?
If it were free it would be ok, but yeah for $20 it isnt worth it.
The first part with the spytech is cool but too small to justify the purchase. The rest just sucks.
Natural History is still cool. Yes, it is dated and there is better, but it is still fun.
Airspace is a blast, but too crowded. Oh god is it crowded.
Spy Museum is cool in the first part where they show the real gadgets. However, it is a small portion of the museum. Once you get to the historic spying part it goes down hill. I could care less about the James Bond exhibit.
Ive heard Holocaust is an experience. Ive actually never made it there and always plan to but you know how it goes. You live in the city and never go anywhere.
Into The Living Memorial That Is The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Washington, DC
Dedicated to one of the worst tragedies in world history, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum educates its visitors on the dangers of hatred and the atrocities of genocide, as well as how society can confront challenges to freedom and human dignity. Its in-depth exhibits form some of the most essential viewing that DCs museums have to offer.
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