Washington, D.C., is a city known for its beautiful monuments, historic memorials and abundance of museums. With museums focused on topics ranging from science and history to art and religion, you’re sure to find one that piques your interest. Not to mention, all Smithsonian museums are free of charge to visit.
Read on to discover the 13 best museums in Washington, D.C. to check out during your trip.
1. National Museum of African American History and Culture
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free timed-entry passes
Founded in 2003, the National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates the contributions of American Americans to society. Through a wide range of exhibitions exploring culture and community, the museum tells the stories of African Americans throughout history.
Topics you will learn about during your visit include slavery, the Civil Rights Movement and the steps it took to open the museum itself. Plus, you’ll explore how African Americans have influenced music, film, theater and dance. Following your visit, enjoy a meal at Sweet Home Café, which features traditional African American dishes.
2. National Museum of Natural History
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free timed-entry passes
Located on the National Mall, the National Museum of Natural History provides visitors with the story of our natural world. This vast museum is home to exhibits about mammals, fossils, evolution, geology and insects. A favorite display among visitors is The Hope Diamond—a 45.5-carat blue diamond that boasts a captivating history dating back to 1668.
The National Museum of Natural History is the most visited Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C., with a whopping 4,400,000 visits in 2023.
3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free timed-entry passes
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was founded to educate people about the Holocaust, honor the victims and prevent future genocide. Inside the museum, visitors will learn about the history of antisemitism and the events that led up to the Holocaust. Exhibitions feature videos, artifacts and personal narratives of those who experienced the Holocaust.
4. National Air and Space Museum
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free timed-entry passes
With two locations in Washington D.C. and Chantilly, VA, the National Air and Space Museum takes you on a journey through the history of aviation and space exploration. Exhibitions include the history of the first flights, a look at the moon landing and a gallery that explores the solar system.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy the interactive elements the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia offers, including space missions, flight simulators and an immersive virtual reality experience. Plus, the location also features an IMAX theater that shows a variety of documentaries and adventure films.
5. International Spy Museum
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Average ticket price is approximately $30
The International Spy Museum is an immersive experience where visitors can learn about the history of spying and view international artifacts. The Undercover Mission exhibit gives you the chance to put your spy abilities to the test through tasks that range from blending into your surroundings to locating dead drop sites. At the end, you’ll discover whether or not your mission was successful.
6. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required
Art enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to see powerful modern and contemporary art. The museum boasts over 12,000 pieces of artwork from twentieth-century and contemporary artists. Collection highlights include works from Alexander Calder, Ron Mueck, Arthur Jafa, Ann Hamilton and Damien Hirst.
7. National Museum of the American Indian
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required
Created to spotlight Native American voices and experiences, the National Museum of the American Indian features the largest assortment of Native artifacts and images in the world. Through interesting exhibits, you can learn about relationships between the United States and the Native American nations and how Native American influence has shaped modern life.
After exploring the museum, stop by the Mitsitam Cafe to enjoy a Native-inspired meal—it’s widely regarded as the best Smithsonian cafe.
Note: The Mitsitam Cafe is closed for renovations until late spring 2024.
8. National Portrait Gallery
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required
The National Portrait Gallery was established with the mission of sharing the American story by highlighting the individuals who made an impact on the nation. The exhibition “America's Presidents" is the most well-known, featuring a gallery of presidential portraits. With over 150,000 pieces of artwork on display, visitors should allow at least two hours to explore the museum.
9. National Museum of African Art
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required
The National Museum of African Art is the first museum in the country dedicated to celebrating modern and contemporary African art. At the museum entrance, you’ll be greeted by Yinka Shonibare's Wind Sculpture VII, which uses vibrant colors to celebrate African people who have made their mark on the United States. Inside, you’ll find videos, photos, sculptures, paintings and objects from notable African artists.
10. National Children's Museum
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $18.95 for everyone over one year old
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly museum, look no further than the National Children’s Museum. With exhibits focused on the arts and sciences, a visit to this museum can ignite curiosity and creativity in your child.
The National Children’s Museum has ADA-compliant exhibits available for infants, toddlers and school-aged children. Plus, the museum offers a mother’s room, and sensory backpacks and wheelchairs are available upon request.
11. National Museum of American History
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required.
The National Museum of American History was created to tell the story of the United States. The exhibitions explore various historical events, starting with the American Revolution. Visitors can also expect to learn about various other topics ranging from culture and art to food and religion.
The museum also boasts a variety of notable artifacts, including the Star-Spangled Banner, a piece of the Berlin Wall and Dorthy’s ruby slippers from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
12. National Museum of Asian Art
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Entry is free and no tickets are required
As the first Smithsonian fine art museum, the National Museum of Asian Art has a century-long history of displaying Asian art collections. With a combination of ancient and modern objects in its collection, visitors can browse artwork from South Asia, the Middle East, Egypt, China, Japan and Korea.
13. Museum of the Bible
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Adult: $29.99; Youth: $19.99; Children: Free
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most technologically innovative museums, the museum delves into the history of the Bible through immersive exhibits. The Museum of the Bible features artifacts that date back 4,000 years and welcomes both religious and nonreligious visitors to see how the Bible has and continues to influence the world.
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Ready to visit the best museums in Washington, D.C.? Start planning your trip to the nation’s capital. With so many things to do in Washington, D.C., it’s a great vacation destination for solo travelers, couples and families alike.
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