Museums & Galleries

The African American Civil War Museum is dedicated to preserving and telling the stories of the United States Colored Troops involvement in the American Civil War.

The Sackler Gallery joins the Freer Gallery of Art to form the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art for the United States of America.

The Smithsonian Castle looks like it should housing exotic treasures. But it doesn't really--at least, not many and not any more. The Smithsonian now sprawls across 19 different facilities, but this is the original building.

Originally opened in 1923 to display the collections of Charles Lang Freer, the Freer Gallery has since been merged with the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery to form the National Museum of Asian Art for the United States of America.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, out the back of the Smithsonian Castle, showcases ancient and modern African art.

The Reynolds Center, in the heart of downtown Washington DC, combines two museums in one: it houses both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. It has paintings, sculptures, photos, and drawings ranging from classical oil paintings to folk art to modern art.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History, on the National Mall in Washington DC, is dedicated to all aspects of American history and culture.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo isn't the biggest zoo in the country. But it is well worth a visit, especially during the warmer months when the outdoor exhibits are at their best.

The Newseum is a celebration of Freedom of the Press, featuring exhibits focusing on print, radio, and television media. It also features exhibits of superb photography, a section of the Berlin Wall, and a large collection of historic newspapers.

While it's not especially well known even to locals, the original National Aquarium is still in the heart of downtown Washington DC. It's nowhere near the biggest public aquarium in the United States, but it is the oldest. And it's in a place you would never expect.

If there's a combination that can draw the museum crowds almost as much as spaceships and airplanes, it's dinosaurs and whopping huge diamonds. And having a life-size elephant just inside the main entrance doesn't hurt either.

The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC houses one of the finest collections of paintings and sculptures in the world. On permanent display are works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Goya, Manet, Monet, Rodin, Degas, and many, many more.

There are only a handful of museums in the world that get more visitors than the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. It's a wonderful showcase of all things to do with space exploration and flight.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center is an impressive and large addition to the museum's exhibit space.