We went here with some friend while visiting the DC. area. It was very fun and interesting I wish I…read moretook more pictures. They had a room with a digital globe in it where you learned about different languages. Another room talked about telling jokes and you would sit and tell jokes to one another. There was a karaoke room where you learned about how music is constructed. There was a library which is like a Harry Potter room with a hidden door to a poetry nook. I would definitely recommend this place for $15.

Really lovely museum and experience. Beautiful exhibits and super interactive as well. Really…read moreenjoyed being able to learn the origins of words. Good for adults and kids alike. Great for people who love books or are just looking for a nice museum. Store was also very adorable and fun! Free tickets no reservation required. Very clean, new building as well. Good signage everywhere.

To me the Smithsonian can do no wrong. The exhibits are so well curated and really hold your…read moreattention. I probably love the Henry Winston Gallery the most...I mean who doesn't love seeing the Hope Diamond in all of its glory? Can't forget the ginormous elephant there to greet you in the lobby. Love that thing! It's really cool getting to see tools and such from ancient times and ponder how humans were able to accomplish all they did with what they had. Another museum where I could spend hours getting lost in all of the collections and exhibits. And, as always, free admission.

You really can't go wrong with any Smithsonian museum, especially when admission is free, but we…read morereally enjoyed the Natural History museum. We got through security quickly and found the museum very clean and easy to navigate considering how much there is to see inside. You could easily spend several hours here and still not see everything. We spent most of our time in the fossil and gem sections. My favorite was definitely the Hope Diamond. If you're visiting Washington, DC, I would absolutely go to the Natural History Museum but give yourself plenty of time because there is a lot to see.

Heart this museum that use to be the Riggs National Bank built in 1899 and is also known as the…read morepresidents bank of which over half of the U.S. presidents use to bank. It's steps from the White House and U.S. Treasury. Heart the interactive museum that celebrates the successes of entrepreneurs and the opportunities, innovation and statements and videos of personal achievements. The museum has photos, original documents from the past history of the bank, and two original bank vaults. The tree of generations greets you as you enter the main floor and is interactive, so you and your family can post instantly your digital pic. I recommend this museum to everyone and you'll feel inspired & motivated after visiting this new museum.

I visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream last weekend with my husband, and it…read morewas interesting. So what is it? It's a new museum that opened in the fall of 2025, just steps from the White House and the U.S. Treasury. It touts itself as an interactive museum which highlights the successes of American capitalism, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking institutions. The museum's namesake is Michael Milken, who partly curated and controls the museum. Located in five historic buildings, rumor has it the museum cost $500 million. Exploring the museum, I was conflicted. I love museums, and I think you should keep an open mind and learn what you can everywhere, from anyone, for your whole life. I value curiosity and critical thinking above many other things. However, this is definitely a museum with a point of view, and it's probably good to know that going in. Michael Milken is an American financier mostly known for his role in the development of the market for high-yield bonds (junk bonds), leading to his reputation as the "Junk Bond King," and his conviction and sentence on felony charges for violating securities laws. He was sentenced to 10 years (he served 2) and fined $600 million. He was pardoned by President Trump in 2020 and is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world (with an estimated net worth of $6 billion). None of this is to say you can't enjoy or learn from or even love the Milken Center. I just think it's relevant information to know going in as the museum deals with American financial markets and capitalism. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking your most progressive or democratic socialist friends to this museum. The museum is free to visit, but you do need to make an reservation for a timed entry (I'm not sure why, because they were not busy at all on a Sunday afternoon when we visited). There is an add on experience (the Holodeck Experience) which has an associated cost of $15 per person. We probably spent an hour and a half at the museum. You can certainly see where they spent the alleged $500 million. It's shiny and new and has lots of interactive aspects and exhibits. If you're into historical artifacts, this is not the museum for you. (They did have an iron lung, and since I'd only ever seen one other, that was a pretty interesting artifact to see.) This museum is full of videos and holograms and signs (and some art as well) but light on artifacts for sure. We wandered around the museum, not really sure what the highlights were that we shouldn't miss (we ended up missing the hologram gallery that many other reviews mention). Most of the financial floors of the museum weren't of very much interest to me, although I could see how it would be interesting/educational for kids (for example, there was an interactive quiz where you choose how much a young person with their first job should save, spend on trips, etc., and then you see how well they're doing after a bit of time). The highlights of the museum for me were the building itself and the art. The Basil Kincaid quilts are massive and and jaw dropping where they hang over the Tree of Generations. And two art-related exhibits really caught my attention: "Celebrating 250 Years: A Journey Through America with Robert Freimark" (which showcased abstract prints the artist made, each representing one of the 50 states) and "Visualizing Impact" (an exhibit showcasing art made by young artists in grades 6-12 focus on unsung heroes in history). We also did the Holodeck Experience - the add on experience for $15 per person. From their website: "It's more than just a movie--it's an unforgettable multisensory adventure held in a unique 360-degree megapixel environment. You're invited to embark on a new journey in the Perpetual Story Machine by Moment Factory, a mind-bending fusion of technology and imagination. Dive into stories of perseverance, innovation, determination, and mentorship at the breathtaking Kenneth C. Griffin Holodeck Experience. Are you ready to take the leap?" That's vague, but it's a hard experience to describe. I actually think children might enjoy it more than adults, because we found it a little silly (especially the parts where you have to "help" the Machine before the more movie-like part begins). We were alone at the experience, so it there were two staff members for the two of us. I did learn about three very different and interesting American experiences, but ultimately I found it a bit cheesy. The Milken Center is free, so I encourage anyone with some spare time to check it out for themselves. But it's not the museum for me. Some of the smaller art exhibits caught my eye, but the majority of the museum felt a bit off to me. Maybe I'm just not into these newer "museums" without artifacts. More like immersive experiences with informational signs. I doubt I'll be back, but you might get more out of it or enjoy more than I did. Who knows?

One of my favorite museums. It's easily accessible from the National Mall…read more There is an east and west building as well as the outdoor sculpture garden. There are so many pieces of art to see including a rare da Vinci. Absolutely breathtaking art from French Impressionism to Dutch Baroque. As with most DC museums, admission is free.

Gigantic gallery, and before you go, pick a few areas that are must see. It's a bit difficult to…read morecomplete the whole museum in one day. There is an east wing, west wing, and an outdoor sculpture ground as well. Map layout is very clear and the exhibits are very well marked. Highly recommend if you get lost to ask a docent or one of the guards in the rooms. Often they will do special exhibitions featuring artists, so look online for the specific dates you are planning your visit for. Cafes and bathroom spread throughout the museum. Multiple gift shops. The main cafeteria is between the east and west wing on the basement and so is the main gift shop. Parking is paid on the street.

As a self-professed plant geek, I enjoyed my trip to the US Botanical Garden. They have curated an…read moreimpressive number of specimens, sorted by biome. While it is smaller than you might imagine, there is a nice indoor area with tropical, desert, Mediterranean, and other climates. I am a collector of Tillandsia species, and they had some nice ones in the tropical areas. Probably worth a few trips at different times of year to see the different blooms, etc. Free, like most DC museums.

I don't know how I hadn't visited the United States Botanic Garden until last weekend with how much…read moretime I've spent in DC in the last five years, but I hadn't! It's wild - because it's just off the National Mall, and I must have walked by dozens of times. I finally visited last weekend with a friend, and I had a pretty good time. It's free to visit, like a lot of the attractions on the Mall. We spent maybe a half hour to an hour exploring. This botanic garden is contained within two separate sections. The section that is north of Independence Avenue has some outdoor gardens and the conservatory. The section south of Independence Avenue has Bartholdi Fountain and another garden. They are connected, and you do have to cross Independence Avenue to visit both sections. It's not a large botanic garden; I've definitely visited larger. But as it's free, it's a great place to wander if you're in the area. The highlight for was actually the Bartholdi Fountain section. The fountain is beautiful and peaceful, and the Capitol building peaks through in the prettiest way in photos. If you visit lots of botanic gardens, this one might not wow as much as others. But it's yet another place that's worth a visit on the National Mall.

The Hirshhorn Museum is easily one of my favorite modern art museums in Washington, DC. Every visit…read moreoffers something new to discover, and the museum itself is as impressive as many of the exhibits it houses. A few highlights from my visit: Beautiful, clean, and modern space that complements the artwork perfectly. The museum's unique multi-level circular layout makes it easy to navigate and explore. Every turn seems to reveal a new exhibit, installation, or piece of art that invites you to stop and reflect. A great mix of modern and contemporary works that appeal to both casual visitors and art enthusiasts. Clean, well-maintained facilities throughout the museum. Bathrooms are conveniently located on the lower level and easy to find. Free admission makes it an easy recommendation for anyone visiting the National Mall. One of my favorite aspects of the Hirshhorn is how immersive the experience feels. As you move through the circular galleries, each corner offers something different to see and experience. The museum encourages exploration, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering between exhibits. Overall, the Hirshhorn is a must-visit for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art. Between its striking architecture, thoughtfully curated exhibits, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a place I return to whenever I'm in DC.

This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

On Aug 6th 2026 the elevators to the Luce Foundation stacks were not operating. Otherwise the…read morevisit was nice.

This place is HUGE! I would highly recommend stopping by the volunteer desk on your way in for a…read moremap and to hear about some highlights. The woman at the desk gave me her opinion on where to start, what I couldn't miss, etc. This was super helpful when I was an hour in and starting to have museum-fatigue, so I just hit some of her favorites that she had circled for me. I loved getting to see some of the presidential portraits, but this was only a small part of the museum. So many incredible things to see, and so much diversity. I found the upper floors to have much cooler architecture than lower ones, so make sure you look up there. There was some construction happening when I was there, so some staircases led to locked doors and some hallways led nowhere. I am sure this is common, and was all part of the adventure.

I found this place by randomly zooming in on Google Maps! TikTok kept recommending all the popular…read morespots in D.C., but this turned out to be a true hidden gem. I loved exploring the different artifacts and seeing how they represent cultures from various time periods around the world. The exhibits are incredibly unique, diverse, and thoughtfully displayed. It may not look like much from the outside, but once you step in, you'll be surprised by how spacious it is. Definitely worth a visit! Your friendly neighborhood museum, with items you wouldn't expect to see. All the items are incredibly beautiful!

I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

I could spend all day here exploring all of the artifacts. Allow some time for this museum. Even…read moreyour children will enjoy this one! The food at the Jazz Cafe is pricey so pack some snacks. Don't miss Dorothy's ruby red slippers. Love it!

There is so much to see at this museum. Literally over a million items spanning from Dorothy's…read moreslippers (Wizard of Oz) to microscopes, war an military objects, adverts and Bert & Ernie. The collections housed here are extensive, complex, and mesmerizing. Anything and everything that makes America what it is today. One of my favorite exhibits was First Lady Dresses. So cool to see the way fashion changes through the years. You can get lost in this museum for hours and believe me I have. To me, it's a vital part of our history. Whether you're visiting DC for the first time or the 100th time, it's always worth it. Plus, like most of the museums in DC, it's free!

The illusions here are fantastic, but what made the experience even better was the staff. If you…read moredon't quite know how to pull off one of the illusions, they're genuinely excited to demonstrate it, help you figure it out, and even help families get the perfect photos. They didn't just point us toward the exhibits and leave us to figure things out. It felt like a full, immersive experience rather than simply walking through a museum and looking at exhibits. We were able to really participate, play around, take photos, and enjoy every part of it.

Had to come here since I've always seen the pictures online! Plenty of things to do inside and look…read moreat, but you can be in and out very quickly if you came for photo ops and that's it. Employee at the desk upon entering wasn't very friendly or welcoming. Didn't have much to say and no personality, too busy on their phone. Please do better when you are working with the public! Cool experience if you're needing something to do to waste time on a trip out of town, otherwise wouldn't spend my money on this.