Widely known for its diverse array of museums focused on product development, art, history, science and culture, Washington, D.C. History or art or science lover, the nation’s capital provides a museum for every interest. Here is a closer look at 30 of the best museums in Washington, D.C., each of which will give you something special to explore and experience.
Best Museums in Washington DC
There are many museums in Washington DC. If you are interested in visiting museum and finding interesting stuff in it then you must visit these below museums –
National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
NMAAHC opened in 2016 and is the nation’s largest museum devoted to African American life, history and culture. The 10-story building contains more than 40,000 artifacts, among them the casket of Emmett Till and the segregated rail car that Rosa Parks rode.
National Museum of American History
This museum tells the story of America’s varied past, with national treasures like the original Star-Spangled Banner and the First Ladies’ Inaugural Gowns. Its exhibits explore subjects ranging from the American Revolution to pop culture.
National Gallery of Art
The museum is split into two primary structures: the West Building (home to classical art) and East Building (which houses modern art) and contains the works of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Jackson Pollock.
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) I like the old, dusty ones.
Also serving as the headquarters of the Smithsonian institutions, The Castle provides visitors with information on the different museums and is a conduit to the National Mall.
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian
Occupying the historic Old U.S. Custom House, this museum tells the story of Native American history, culture, and art through collections that represent indigenous people from across the continent.
National Air and Space Museum
One of the world’s most-visited museums, it includes artifacts such as the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer and the command module of Apollo 11. The museum is being renovated with full completion anticipated for 2026.
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
With the legendary Hope Diamond and a huge collection of dinosaur fossils, this museum provides a look at the natural wonders of the Earth, from deep-sea life to ancient cultures.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The Hirshhorn is the Smithsonian’s museum of modern art, with work by artists including Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. Its open-air sculpture garden is a calm within the cityscape.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
A living memorial of the Holocaust, this museum teaches the dangers of hate, prejudice and apathy with compelling exhibits and testimony from survivors.
National Portrait Gallery
This museum hosts portraits of notables, from US presidents to cultural figures, providing a visual history of the leaders and the driven of the nation.
International Spy Museum
Unleash your inner espionage self with interactive exhibits featuring the latest spy gadgets, a stash of treasures and uncovering the works of the intelligence agencies of the past.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
With more than 40,000 works of art, this museum provides a broad overview of American art from the colonial period to modern times.
National Museum of African Art
Featuring a collection of over 11,000 items, from classic sculptures to modern art, this museum showcases the diversity of African art.
National Building Museum
This museum, which celebrates architecture and design, hosts exhibitions on urban planning, engineering and the built world in a beautiful 19th century structure.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, this estate features Russian imperial art, French 18th-century decorative art and pretty gardens.
Newseum (Note: It was closed in 2019)
The Newseum, which shuttered its brick-and-mortar location in 2019, was devoted to the history of journalism and the First Amendment, with interactive exhibits that focused on news events and media.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The only major museum in existence that is dedicated to advancing and championing women through the arts, it is home to artists like Mary Cassatt and Georgia O’Keeffe.
United States Capitol Visitors Center
The Visitor Center provides exhibits on the legislative process and the history of the Capitol building as an extension to its function as a congressional office building.
National Museum of the US Navy
Housed at the Washington Navy Yard, this museum covers the history of the U.S. Navy with artifacts that date to 1794. Note: This museum is only available with an escort.
Smithsonian Gardens
A series of gardens in several sites, including the Enid A. Haupt Garden, this beautiful display of horticulture is also a reflection of the Smithsonian’s environmental teaching efforts.
The Phillips Collection
America’s original museum of modern art, it has works by artists like Renoir, Rothko and Van Gogh in an intimate space.
National Postal Museum
Explore the history of mail delivery in the U.S., with displays about stamp collecting, postal history and the development of mail transportation.
Mo National Museum of Civil War Medicine Go.
This museum, founded during the Civil War, exhibits the history of medicine, such as medical tools and anatomical specimens.
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) U.S. National Register of Historic Places U.S. Historic district Contributing property CastleShot25 edit3.JPG The Castle, completed in 1855, sits just east of the National Mall Location Washington, D.C Coordinates: 38.888N77.026W Area 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) Built 1855 Architect James Renwick, Jr.
In addition to acting as the headquarters of the Smithsonian, The Castle provides guests with information on the museums, and is the first port-of-call for guests visiting.
