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| *Travel Tips>>>Washington, D.C. Travel Tips |
What museums does Washington, D.C. have, and which are the best? |
Travel Info What museums does Washington, D.C. have, and which are the best? Travel Tips Starting with the Smithsonian, check out http://www.si.edu/museums/ for a list and some info, The major ones are: Air & Space - two museums, one on the Mall and the other at Dulles airport. The one on the Mall tends to be more interactive, the one at Dulles airport has the bigger planes, e.g. the Space Shuttle and SR-71 Blackbird. Both have IMAX theaters, and the one at Dulles has flight simulators. I like the one on the Mall better, but both are excellent. Natural History - from dinosuars to gems to animals of all varieties, a great place to spend an afternoon, or perhaps a whole day. More IMAX theaters. Freer Gallery - American and Asian art, a lot of cool stuff here. National Portrait Gallery - Well, portraits of famous Americans. Well worth a stop. Native American museum - Have not made it here yet (it was very crowded when it first opened). I heard good things about it, although some said it was designed to make you feel guilty. There are other Smithsonian mueums, but these are the best known. In addition, some other museums of note: The Spy Museum ( http://www.spymuseum.org/ ) - located just off the Mall, this was an excellent museum on spys, espionage, and the like. Lots of interactive exhibits, including getting a 'cover' that you had to memorize and then recite to various kiosks throughout the museum. Reserve tickets in advance, and expect crowds. The Holocaust Museum ( http://www.ushmm.org/ ) - another excellent museum detailing the history of the Holocaust, including *many* artifacts. There are more, but these are the highlights and should probably cover a few days to a week. :) Source(s): Resident Other Travel Tips When it comes to museums in DC, there's only one word you need to know - SMITHSONIAN!. The Smithsonian museums are huge collections, with sections ranging from art to space travel to natural history. You could spend WEEKS there without seeing everything; I've heard it said that at any given time, there's only about one percent of their total collection actually on display, it's so vast. http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=mu... There are more than 80 museums in the US. Which are best depends on your point of view, and what you like. here are a few, and some information/my opinion of them. A couple I have not been to, and I'll tell you that. The Smithsonian - this is the most famous museum complex. The museums are on the mall, at the Smithsonian metro stop, unless noted otherwise. National Air and Space Museum - Center of the Mall, this is the most visited museum in the world. Exhibits trace the history and science of flight and space flight, and include things like moon lander, Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, World War II planes, replica of Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, original Starship Enterprise model from Star Trek. They also have a planetarium and IMAX Theatre. National Museum of the American Indian - Three or four exhibits (large) on the cultures of the Native America. Very well done and interesting museum. Hirschorn Museum - Modern Art, fantastic Picasso Exhibit, also good collection of sculpture. They have an outdoor sculpture garden which is very good to stop at. Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art - two museums that make up the National Museum of Asian Art. Named after two benefactors. I haven't yet visited the Sackler, but the Freer has some wonderful Ceramics, and also includes American Art, specifically the peacock Room of James McNeil Whister. National Museum of African Art - Great survey of art from the African continent. Exhibits change, but they go from traditional, cultural and historic art, to very modern installations (this last exhibit is a great modern art exhibit). National Museum of Natural History - This is partiallly under construction, but it is great for kids. Exhibits include one on Mammals, the Dinosaurs, several culture exhibits, including one on Sikh culture and one on the African diaspora, as well as the gems and minerals, and the history of the development of trade (Mummies included). National Museum of American History - this one is closed right now. Smithsonian Museums off the Mall Renwick Gallery - On Lafayette Square, near the White House (McPherson Square Metro) include American art, particularly folk art and decorative arts. National Postal Museum - Union Station metro stop, across 1st street from the station. I've seen part of the collection when it was at the American History Museum, stamps, mailng, postal history. National Museum of American Art/National Portrait Gallery (Gallery Place/Chinatown metro)- two museums in one building, they tend to intertwine. The highlights are no doubt the portraits of presidents, the art through the many stages of the American story. Non-Smithsonian Museums on or near the Mall The National Gallery of Art - the person who said that the Smithsonian was it, has forgotten this world class museum. The East Building is a wonder of architecture, designed my I.M. Pei, and has a collection partially created for it. The West Building includes many wonderful pieces from art, great impressionists, the only DaVinci in the Western Hemisphere, several Rembrandts. etc. etc. This is where you go to see the old masters! The American Holocaust Memorial Museum - This is a must see museum in my opinion. It tells the story of the Holocaust very movingly. There is a children's exhibit, "Daniel's Story" and a memorial, and occasional special exhibits. Non-Smithsonian Museums off the mall Corcoran Gallery - Wonderful Art Museum, I have only been there once, but will be going fairly soon. Phillips Collection - Art Museum, great Impressionist collection, I have not been there. Spy Museum - (Gallery Place) This museum is just fun, and worth it. Lots of exhibits on spys and spying, both (mostly) in reality and in fiction (Get Smart, James Bond, etc) and in the public imagination. They have some great interactive exhibits! Hillwood Museum and Gardens (Van Ness/UDC metro stop) - Marjorie Merriwether Post's collection of decorative arts, especially 17th and 18th century French, and Russian, including Russian LIturgical items. The House and Gardens are as fascinating and beautiful as the collection. Other, smaller museums include The African American Civil War Museum, Dunbarton Oaks (currently closed), Frederick Douglas Museum, The National Buiding Museum, The Octagon (Architecture). the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Pan American Art Museum, Anacostia Museum (Smithsonian), Kreeger Museum, etc. etc. I could go on and on. http://www.washingtontravelcast.com... - Our podcast, with virtual tours through many of these. http://www.si.edu - Smithsonian Institution http://www.nga.gov/ - National Gallery of Art http://www.ushmm.org/ - Holocaust Museum http://www.spymuseum.org/ - Spy Museum http://www.corcoran.org/ - Corcoran Gallery go to the mall and check out all the museums. they are fantastic. natural history, space, american indian. |
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