Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America, is known for its large number of fascinating museums and art galleries. These fascinating museums house some of the capital’s finest art and historical works, making them a must-see attraction for every traveller. Visitors can choose from several publicly funded museums as well as free ones. Museum in Washington DC. Here is a list of the top 10 museums in Washington that you should visit on your trip to America.
Top 10 Museums in Washington DC
Below is a detailed guide to Washington DC museums. Please visit these museums early in the morning as they may get extremely crowded in the evening:
1. National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History houses more than three million artifacts showcasing the capital’s rich cultural history. Many national treasures such as the First Lady’s dresses, Julia Child’s Kitchen and many others can be seen and admired here. It is one of the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC.
Place: 1300, Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
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2. National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and is famous for the variety of creative artifacts displayed here, which attracts tourists of all kinds. There are many halls displaying different and unique art. Children especially enjoy marveling at the dinosaur exhibits. The main attractions of this museum are the Family Hall of Mammals and the St. Ocean Hall.
Place: 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
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3. National Air and Space Museum
This spectacular space museum in Washington DC gives visitors an up-close experience of air and space travel. There are totally 22 galleries with over hundreds of artefacts on display. Some original models are also on display here for visitors such as the original Wright 1903 Flyer and the original command module of Apollo 11. Popular exhibits at this science museum in Washington DC include How Things Fly, Golden Age of Flight, Boeing Milestones of Flight. Hall, The Wright Brother and the Invasion of the Aerial Age. The planetarium at the NASA Museum in Washington DC is great for visitors of all ages.
Place: 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
4. Museum of the Bible
The Museum of the Bible in Washington DC provides a remarkable experience for every visitor. A narrative history of the great Bible is displayed in this museum. It has three permanent galleries which display excellent exhibitions. One can also visit temporary exhibitions on a rotating slate, with something new offered every day. By purchasing a ticket, one gets the best experience of the museum through its main galleries and exhibitions.
Place: 400 4th St SW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: INR 1480/-
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5. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
People from all corners of the world come to this world-famous place to witness the interactive experience presented by wax statues of world-famous people. The Presidential Gallery here offers a unique experience which houses wax sculptures of 44 US Presidents. This wax museum in Washington DC also displays wax statues of many famous personalities of the world like Jennifer Lopez, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Fallon and many others.
Place: 1001 F St. NW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: INR 1800/-
6. US Holocaust Memorial Museum
It is a memorial museum dedicated to the millions of Jews murdered in Germany during the Nazi regime during World War II. The exhibits here tell the horrific story of a massacre caused by unnecessary hatred and prejudice. Most of the exhibits do not allow small children to visit, but there is a separate section that displays a narrative story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a small child. This Jewish Museum in Washington DC is only suitable for visitors over the age of 8.
Place: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am – 5:20 pm
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7. Newseum
The Newseum is a magnificent 6-floor building with interactive exhibits and tracking of news from the 16th century to the present day. The Pulitzer Prize Gallery is a must-see area of this museum that displays award-winning photographs that have been taken from the 1940s to the present day. There are a total of 15 theaters in this unique museum. It also features an interactive and immersive 4D experience where one can easily spend hours piecing together recorded footage of many major events that have occurred in history.
Place: 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC
Newseum Washington DC Museum Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: INR 1900/-
8. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
This magnificent museum cum garden displays modern yet contemporary art in the most beautiful way. This Smithsonian museum is one of the popular free museums in Washington DC, located in a uniquely shaped building, which resembles a drum. In the lower level lobby, one can purchase many unique gifts for their family and friends at home.
Place: Independence Ave SW and 7th St SW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
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9. National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is one of the best museums in Washington DC, with exhibits spread across two connected buildings. These two connected buildings are known as the East Wing and West Wing of the Art Gallery. Many hundreds of artworks by the most famous creators and artists of all time such as Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, Raphael, Henri Matisse, John Singleton Copley and many others are displayed here. The museum also has a spectacular sculpture garden that hosts the “Jazz in the Garden” performance which is popular around the world.
Place: 6th & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
10. National Museum of African American History and Culture
This national Smithsonian museum is one of the newest museums in the United States. This large and spacious museum is spread over an area of 400,000 square feet, displaying over 37,000 interesting artefacts. Some of the famous exhibits here include Rosa Parks’ dress, a World War II plane used by the Tuskegee Airmen, and Nat Turner’s Bible. As soon as this museum opened, it has become quite famous among the tourists as well as the local people.
Place: 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
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The Smithsonian Museums are the most popular and informative museums in Washington DC. Our list of museums in Washington DC includes some of the capital’s must-sees. Book a trip to USA as soon as possible and experience the amazing art and architecture of the wonderful capital, Washington DC.
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