Smithsonian Museums, Washington DC – A guide to the must visit museums
Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or prefer the beauty of engineering, these Smithsonian museums are engaging for everyone.
The Smithsonian, founded in 1846, houses 21 museums and the National Zoo, making it the world’s largest museum complex. With over 154 million items in its collection, we have compiled some of our favorites which shouldn’t be missed while visiting the wonderful city of Washington DC.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Laurie Anderson – Four Talks exhibit. Hirshhorn museum, Washington DC. Credit: Carry on Caro
Located besides the National Mall, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden features an amazing collection of international modern and contemporary art. The museum, housed in the cylindrical building designed by Gordon Bunshaft, is among the most visited modern art museums in the United States.
We recommend you visit the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to see some of the most important artists of the 21st century through exhibitions and events. Digital media, video and technology exhibits, make this museum one of the most forward-thinking art institutions in the whole world. The museum’s outdoor sculpture garden is also a must-visit.
Read blog: Hirshhorn Museum, Washington Dc: A must-visit hub for cutting-edge art
National Museum of American History
Museum of American history. Washington DC. Credit: Carry on Caro
The National Museum of Natural History is home to a collection of 1.7 million objects and artifacts that explain the history of the country. Through several interactive exhibitions, this museum explains fundamental American ideals and values.
A few of the coolest things to see at this museum are Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, Prince’s gold guitar, Michael Jordan’s championship jersey and the gowns of the First Ladies. The 750,000 square feet museum has 3 floors so plan to be there for a couple of hours at least.
Read blog: The Smithsonian Museum of American History: How to plan your visit
Featured tours
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
The Castle is the Smithsonian’s oldest building, officially opening its doors in 1855. It was designed by prominent New York architect James Renwick, Jr and sits on the southern side of the Mall, in the center of other Smithsonian museums. The Castle closed in early 2023 to undergo its first major renovation in more than 50 years and will last approximately 5 years.
The Castle was the first building to house Smithsonian exhibits of natural history, art and anthropology. Until it closed for renovation, the Castle housed administrative offices, an information center, exhibits, and the crypt of James Smithson.
Renwick gallery
Renwick Gallery. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro
Located in the heart of Washington DC and only steps away from the White House, the Renwick Gallery features American craft and decorative arts from the 19th to 21st century.
Expect to encounter forward-thinking exhibitions – from contemporary and modern American artists – who are pushing the boundaries while redefining our idea of “craft”. Exhibits feature different handcrafted objects, from quilts, bowl to masks – all prompting the question on the meaning of what craft is. This museum is quite small so set aside a couple of hours and combine it with a visit to the White House.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Head to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, one of the newest and most visually prominent museums, to learn about the history and culture of the African American.
This museum is the only one exclusive dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture and has a collection of more than 40,000 artifacts including Michael Jackson’s fedora, Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, a plantation cabin from South Carolina and Nat Turner’s bible.
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is by far one of the most popular museums in DC and in the world. There is so much demand for more exhibits, the museum is now undergoing a multi-year renovation to feature new galleries.
This museum features an amazing collection of hundreds of aviation and space artifacts. Expect to see astronaut Neil Armstrong spacesuit which he wore during his mission to the moon, touch a sample of lunar rock, and marvel at the 1903 Wright Flyer and the first aircraft to complete a nonstop flight from New York to Paris. Don’t forget to catch a show at the museum’s legendary IMAX theater for a mind-blowing experience.
Keep in mind that free timed-entry passes are required to visit the National Air and Space Museum.
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian. Washington, DC. Credit: Carry on Caro
Located on Washington DC’s national mall, the National Museum of the American Indian, is housed in a striking building designed entirely by Native architects. Featuring a curvilinear structure and materials resembling rock formations, this building will immediately catch your attention.
This museum, which is dedicated to bringing Native voices to life, features of the world’s most expansive collection of native artifacts – including archives, media, photographs and other objects which provide a comprehensive catalogue of Native American culture. In fact, this museum’s collection will let you walk through 12,000 years of history across 1,200-plus indigenous cultures from the Americas.
National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art. Washington DC, United States. Credit: Carry on Caro
The National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the whole country which is dedicated to the collection of the arts in Africa. Featuring a collection of African Art artifacts representing featuring nearly every region of the African continent, this museum provides a comprehensive overview of artistic expressions in Africa.
In addition to featuring over 9,000 ancient and contemporary artifacts, the National Museum of African Art showcases photographs, and 50,000 library volumes. The museum houses a large variety of media and art forms including textiles, photography, sculpture, pottery, painting and jewelry and video art. Don’t miss the film screenings and panel discussions that are offered which serve to increase the dialogue surrounding African art.
National Museum of Natural History
Featuring a collection of 148 million science specimens and artifacts, the National Museum of Natural History tells the story about how the environment and humans interrelate with each other, letting us discover the natural world. Here expect to find dinosaur fossils, rare gems, human origins and replicas of whales, and other marine life.
You can spend quite a few hours at the National Museum of Natural History as its size is comparable to the size of 18 football fields. Note that is it among the most visited Smithsonian museums so it can get pretty packed.
Portrait Gallery
A historic art museum, the National Portrait Gallery aims to tell the story of the United States by portraying famous individuals — including artists, politicians, scientists, inventors, activists, and performers—who played a key role in shaping America’s history, development and culture.
The National Portrait Gallery showcases a compilation 23,000 items in all media, including paintings, prints, drawings, and engravings, performing arts along with new media. Here you can explore several exhibits including The Struggle for Justice focusing on Civil Rights leaders, 20th Century Americans which showcases important figures from the past century as well as America’s Presidents, a complete collection of presidential portraits.
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