I found this to be a really great benefit: visiting a museum for free! And I can assure you this saves a lot of money! The Smithsonian Institution is an American educational and research institution with associated museum complex founded in 1846 Washington D.C. The Smithsonian consists of 19 museums especially located on the National Mall. I visited four in total; National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of African American History and Culture. I loved them all; big, well set up, good explanations, nice exhibits, all impressive. Most of the museum you will find at the National Mall between the Capitol and Lincon Memorial. When a there is a waiting line, just walk to the next one.
National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
I love Indians so also found the American Indian Museum remarkably interesting. When I was young I loved the Indian and Cowboy movies, I always was in favor of the Indians. The Indians are the reason why I started horseback riding as well! The Indian ornaments, headpieces, weapons, clothing all you can see in the museum.
The museum building is also very striking and beautiful shaped and inside they have one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including original objects, photographs and archives. The NMAI is not only for Indian lovers, but great to see that the ingenious people of America are recognized and explained!
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
After visiting the NMAI, I walked over to the Air and Space Museum, but that was fully booked and a line. Since there are so many museums next to each other I walk over to The Hirshorn. The round building appealed to me, no waiting line and something different, modern art.
The Hirshhorn features international modern and contemporary art in the celebrated Gordon Bunshaft designed cylindrical building, adjoining plaza, and sunken sculpture garden. The museum is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time
In the museum is round so you walk in a circle so easy to find the beginning and end. The exhibitions change, but I love the Laurie Anderson; The Weather. A large gallery, where she painted stories, lyrics, jokes and commentary directly on the walls and floor of the museum. All in black and white with sketches and drawings, to many to read all. Very nicely done!
On the other levels you can see also different artist with more modern art.
National Museum of Natural History
I love nature and the beauty of it, when entering the museum I already walked into the Ocean Hall of the Museum, including a big hanging whale at the ceiling! The museum gives great understanding of the natural world and our place in it. The story of the beginning of our planet, from the beginnings to the transformation nowadays, including a hallway with dinosaurs. More exhibitions on coral reef, fossils, animals, insects (including butterfly garden), but loved the stones and gems part. Don’t miss the giant African Elephant at the entrance of the museum. The museum is huge and you really need to take your time to see all!
Check the shark in the restaurant area! Good place for a coffee or lunch as well!
If you go with children I would definitely go to Natural History: watching dinosaurs is great fun
Did you know in the film Night at the Museum II: Battle of the Smithsonian, the National Museum of Natural History, among others, is used as the setting?!
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
This African American museum in particular was very impressive, I had tears in my eyes at many of the exhibitions. Very touching and well explained with interactive demonstrations. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The museum has collected more than 40,000 artifacts and is the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution. The building, opened in 2016, itself is already striking and unique at the National Mall. I definitely understand that this museum is one of the most popular one in Washington!
The best way to get a coffee or lunch are the Restaurants in the Museums, in the area around are not to many beside the food trucks in the street.
Next time National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Air and Space Museum are on the schedule!
