Smithsonian Museums You Should Not Miss in Washington, D.C.
Few cities bring together science, history, art, and culture quite like Washington, D.C. Home to 17 Smithsonian museums, the nation’s capital invites visitors to spend a day moving between prehistoric discoveries, renowned artifacts, and stories that continue to shape the world around us.
Among the hotels near Smithsonian museums, Hotel Madera in Dupont Circle puts many of the city’s most celebrated collections within easy reach, making it easy to spend your days exploring before returning to one of Washington, D.C.’s most walkable neighborhoods.
Whether you’re drawn to iconic exhibits or quieter galleries, here are seven Smithsonian museums to add to your Washington, D.C. itinerary.
National Museum of Natural History: Wonders of the World
Curiosity comes naturally at the National Museum of Natural History, where millions of years of history unfold through prehistoric life, rare gemstones, and ancient civilizations. Alongside beloved displays like the Hope Diamond and the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time, the new From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage exhibit offers a fresh perspective on the connections between people, nature, and culture.
Don’t miss: one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever discovered, the country’s only display of two giant squid, and the chance to touch a real American mastodon tooth.
National Museum of Asian Art: A Slower Pace of Discovery
The National Museum of Asian Art, the nation’s first national art museum, offers a more contemplative museum experience shaped by centuries of paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and decorative arts from across Asia. Its intimate gallery spaces create a sense of calm focus, where form, texture, and craftsmanship take center stage.
Don’t miss: the iconic Peacock Room, a special installation of Do Ho Suh’s Public Figures overlooking the National Mall, and the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia.
National Air and Space Museum: Flight, Then and Now
From the Wright brothers’ first successful flight to humanity’s return to the Moon and beyond, the National Air and Space Museum celebrates the innovations that have shaped how we explore our world and all that’s still to come. As the museum nears completion of its multi-year renovation, its 13 newly reimagined exhibitions trace the history of flight, space exploration, and the future of aerospace, with an additional five galleries opening July 1 in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary.
Don’t miss: the original 1903 Wright Flyer, the Bell X-1, and Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit alongside the Columbia command module.
National Postal Museum: More Than Just the Mail
The National Postal Museum might be Washington, D.C.’s most unexpected Smithsonian experience, where historic vehicles, immersive galleries, and personal stories reveal how the postal system has connected communities across the country and transported some of history’s most valuable treasures.
Don’t miss: the ordinary brown package that delivered the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian, the world’s largest stamp gallery, and a walk through an authentic Railway Mail Service railcar.
National Museum of American History: America’s Story, Revisited
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the National Museum of American History anchors the Smithsonian’s commemoration with In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness, a museum-wide exhibition featuring 250 objects from the Smithsonian collection. Permanent galleries explore transportation, democracy, food, innovation, and everyday American life.
Don’t miss: the George Washington sculpture, the John Bull locomotive, the Greensboro lunch counter, and Thomas Jefferson's portable writing desk.
National Portrait Gallery: History in Influential Faces
History takes on a more personal perspective at the National Portrait Gallery, where the faces behind America’s most influential stories come into focus across politics, innovation, art, sports, and activism. Housed in the same historic building as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it’s easy to extend your visit and explore both collections in one stop.
Don’t miss: the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House, a newly installed life-size portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and representations of legendary athletes and entertainers.
National Museum of African American History & Culture: A Powerful Perspective
The National Museum of African American History & Culture explores the resilience, creativity, and enduring impact of African American communities. Through immersive galleries, visitors encounter stories of innovation, artistry, activism, and perseverance across generations. New this year, Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction and Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design work together to bring contemporary perspectives to the museum’s collection.
Don’t miss: Jimi Hendrix’s speakerbox, Harriet Tubman's shawl gifted by Queen Victoria, and Whitney Houston’s Soul Train Artist of the Decade trophy.
Your Washington, D.C. Home Base for Smithsonian Exploration
The Smithsonian’s remarkable collection of museums is one of the city’s greatest draws, and Hotel Madera puts many of them within easy reach. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, our 4-star hotel in Washington, D.C. offers the perfect home base for days of discovery in Dupont Circle and beyond. Reserve one of our hotel rooms in Washington, D.C., and experience the stories waiting just beyond your doorstep.