Washington DC Museums
(Washington, District of Columbia - DC, USA)
As the American capital city, the museums of Washington document much of the city's national heritage and important presidential moments in history. This is particularly so at the National Archives Museum, which stands along Constitution Avenue and is unusually both fireproof and bombproof.
For something a little less formal and more interactive, the impressive National Air and Science Museum is situated within the National Mall district and is one of Washington's most visited, being highly suitable for families staying in the city. Opened in 1976, this huge complex receives over ten million visitors each year.
Located on the northern side of Washington and near to the Rock Creek Park, the period antiques and furnishings at Hillwood House are also worth searching out, as is the exceptional movie memorabilia at the National Museum of American History.
National Air and Science Museum
Address: 6th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20560, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 2214
The National Air and Science Museum houses missiles, aircraft, including the 1903 Wright Flyer - the first piloted craft to maintain controlled and sustained flight, space stations and moon rock stations, where visitors can actually touch a piece of lunar rock acquired on the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. Permanent exhibitions at the National Air and Science Museum detail the history of jet aviation and satellite communications. There are numerous attractions for children and these include many hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Albert Einstein Planetarium, which shows regular 30-minute films about the stars and space, the IMAX Langley Theater, screening films about space travel and exploration, and also the original Star Trek model of the USS Enterprise. The National Mall Metro station stands nearby for those arriving by subway train.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: free
National Archives Museum
Address: Constitution Avenue, Northwest, (between 7th and 9th Streets), Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20408, USA
Tel: +1 202 501 5200
Washington's National Archives Museum houses some of America's most important documents and this large building is very distinctive. The most famous of these documents include the legendary US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and copies of the Magna Carta and the Emancipation Proclamation. Visitors will also be able to view the actual gun that was used in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Of particular interest are the display cabinets themselves, which actually sink into the floor every night for safe keeping. This popular attraction is easy to reach and stands close to the National Mall Metro station.
Open hours: March to August, daily - 10:00 to 19:00; September to February, daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: free
National Museum of American History
Address: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20001, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 1000
The National Museum of American History is home to many interesting items that reflect aspects of American culture over the years. Noteworthy exhibits include Mohammed Ali's boxing gloves, ball gowns worn by many of America's First Ladies, Judy Garland's ruby slippers from the famous Wizard of Oz movie, military history, science and technology displays, and a large section on the American Presidency, which features the Star-Spangled Flag exhibitions. The Smithsonian and Federal Triangle Metro stations are to be found close by, while the US Capitol Gatehouses and the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium are within walking distance.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: free
Hillwood House Museum
Address: 4155 Linnean Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20008, USA
Tel: +1 202 686 5807
A recent renovation has added an extra sparkle to this already stunning, 40-room Georgian mansion in the Cleveland Park area of Washington. Hillwood House was purchased by cereal heir Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1955, to house her large collection of French and Russian decorative art. Exhibits include portraits of many Russian czars, palace furnishings, a porcelain service that was commissioned by Catherine the Great, numerous tapestries and many spectacular Faberge eggs, all displayed in Hillwood's gilt and wood-panelled rooms.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Selected Sundays - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested
Other interesting museums in the area include:
- Anacostia Community Museum
Address: 1901 Fort Place, Southeast Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20020, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 4820
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
- National Building Museum
Address: 401 F Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20001, USA
Tel: +1 202 272 2448
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
- Arts and Industries Building
Address: 900 Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., USA
Tel: +1 202 633 1000
- Department of the Interior Museum
Address: 1849 C Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20240, USA
Tel: +1 202 208 4743
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
- Drug Enforcement Administration Museum and Visitors Center
Address: 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia VA, 22202, USA
Tel: +1 202 307 3463
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
- Jewish Historical Society of Great Washington - Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum
Address: 701 3rd Street and G Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20001, USA
Tel: +1 202 789 0900
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 13:00 to 16:00 or by appointment
- National Museum of Natural History
Address: 10th Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20560, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 1000
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
- National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Address: 1811 R Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20009, USA
Tel: +1 202 265 6280
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
- National Postal Museum
Address: 2 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20002, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 5555
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
- Newseum
Address: 555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20001, USA
Tel: +1 202 639 7386
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
- Textile Museum
Address: 2320 South Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20008, USA
Tel: +1 202 667 0441
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20004, USA
Tel: +1 202 488 0400
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30