Smithsonian Institution

The American History Museum is just fascinating. I have been going there since I was a child, but I am still finding new and interesting things. My favorite is all the gowns of the First Ladies. There are a lot of interactive sections, so you can make it very educational and fun for children.

The Smithsonian is home to some of the most famous exhibits throughout the world. Particularly notable is the Hope Diamond, the most expensive and largest deep blue diamond in the world. It's home to Mercury Friendship 7, the aircraft John Glenn used to circle the earth three times in just five hours. It has special exhibits all the time, as well as these classic pieces that will remain locked inside for all of history.

Wow! The Natural History Museum is large. There is so much to see that it would take an entire day to look at everything. I went to this museum with my family and thoroughly enjoyed every inch of it. Some of my favorite exhibits are the Hope Diamond, Pacific Culture and Artifacts, Famous First Ladies, The Coins of the World and the Collection of Nostalgic Lunch Boxes. There were many more exhibits that I liked also. The fast food restaurant downstairs wasn't bad either but it was pricey!

This is one of our family's favorites. The dinosaurs and gems are located here. (Along with the huge elephant that is displayed in the rotunda.) A few hands on activities for the kids, would love to see more. The price is great - free. A lot of walking involved if you were not able to park close. Rest assured there's plenty of seating inside. The food court in here is not to be missed. Very good quality food but as with everything in DC a little pricey.

this place is a must see for all tourists...as well as all the other smithsonian museums! so many exhibits and interesting artifacts to see! there is a lot of walking involved, so i highly recommend wearing comfy shoes...because i learned the hard way :(

NMAI is the Smithsonian's hottest new attractions. Its magnificent structure makes one think of the windswept canyons of the Southwest. Its landscaping attempts to recapture the ecology of the Potomac wetlands and the respect for the Earth prized by native peoples. And its displays are offered with a respect for native traditions--past and present--that are too often missing from traditional anthropological museums.

The museum includes a theater, workshop areas, and a spectacular ceremonial area. It includes galleries for exhibiting the work of featured native artists, and its permanent displays house innovative mixed-media displays on native history and culture.

The nontraditional museum experience offered by NMAI is off-putting to some visitors who come expecting the usual museum treatment of the Native American past. That's a shame because this museum is all about celebrating ongoing and living cultures, not trying to capture vignettes of a dead past. Come armed with an open, inquisitive mind and you'll not be disappointed.

Like all Smithsonian museums, NMAI is free. During peak seasons and weekend, however, visitors are wise to obtain timed passes. Call 1-866-400-6624 for information.

PROS: Exciting, dramatic, informative
CONS: It took to long to evolve

I love the American History Museum. I never get tired of visiting it when in DC. I love to see the Archie Bunker chair and Fonzies jacket. The first ladies dresses are simply beautiful.
It is always clean and also always crowded.

This is really one of the world's best museums - they have history, art, and science all housed in exquisite and spacious buildings. Not to mention, the museums are right by all the government buildings and monuments which is a gorgeous area and you can't help but feel just a bit patriotic as you walk through a world of heroes past.

Should you ever visit our nation's capitol, you absolutely MUST visit one of the Smithsonian museums - in fact, if you do any sightseeing in D.C. at all, you'd be hard pressed to miss them. With sixteen museums (and a zoo) including the Air and Space, American History and Natural History museums, the Smithsonian offers something for everyone.

My husband gravitated immediately toward the National Air and Space Museum, where we saw the Wright Brothers' and Amelia Earhardt's planes, among other historical crafts. I was drawn first to the Natural History museum to see the dinosaur bones, cultural exhibits and the Hope Diamond. The American History Museum is quite a bit more thrilling than it sounds, with exhibits ranging from gowns worn by former First Ladies to the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. For my little girl, we headed the National Zoo, where we fell in love with the pandas. Okay, so the zoo was more for me too...

The Smithsonian contains a vast array of intriguing, amazing and weird exhibits - definitely take time to visit, even if you can only see one or two of the museums.

PROS: Something for everyone; free admission.
CONS: N/A

If you ever go to Washington, DC, you simply must visit at least one Smithsonian Museum. There are so many to choose from: The Air & Space Museum, Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, National Zoo, American History Museum... The list goes on and on! Since they are located right near the National Mall, you can spend your day hopping from museum to museum. They are very easy to get to, and there is a lot of on-street parking. The museums are also accessible via Metro.

Each museum has a place to eat. If you don't want to eat inside the museum, there are plenty of restaurants and vendors around. There is something for everyone within the Smithsonian system. It's free, too!

PROS: Free, lots to do, lots to see, something for everyone
CONS: very tourist-y during the summer and holidays

I really liked the Air and Space Museum, also the Natural History Museum where the Dinosaur Bones are. My only complaint is it was hard to find the giant squid.

PROS: Free! Lots of Stuff! Dinosaurs and Spaceships!
CONS: Where do they hide the giant squid?

The Smithsonian is the best out there! It has exhibits on every facet of world history, amazing simulations, enthralling showcases, and a sheer mass of information so great that it takes a whole day to really absorb it. DEFINITELY see this before you die. The museum is top of the line in every way imagineable, and you simply can't be dissapointed. Admission is free, if I remember correctly, with an advised donation. See it, and you won't regret it.

The Smithsonian Institution has fantastic museums that the public can enjoy for FREE! This is your tax dollars at work. The best bets for those with families include the Natural History Museum and the National Zoo. My personal favorite is the Modern Art Museum. Their standing collections are wonderful and they get fantastic exhibits. A special Smithsonian treat is the annual Folk Life Festival, which happens each year in late June and early July. They focus on different cultures, each year.