Washington DC Science Museums, 2022
The National Mall is home to three science museums, including The National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History, two of the most iconic Smithsonian Institutions. At the East end of the Mall, next to the Capitol, is the United States Botanic Garden. From the Smithsonian Metro station, you can easily get to the Zoo with just one switch to the Red Line at Metro Center station.
I’m sharing my experiences from visiting the Smithsonian Museums and Washington DC for nearly two decades. While many of the permanent exhibits remain static over time, some of the photos and information may not accurately represent the current museums.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History houses collections ranging from dinosaur fossils to precious gems. The largest exhibit halls include the Ocean Hall, the Hall of Fossils, and the Hall of Mammals (mainly taxidermy).
First Floor Highlights
The Hall of Human origins extensively explains the timeline of human evolution with interactive exhibits.
The Hall of Gems displays an overwhelming number of both uncut and cut gems and minerals, including the Hope Diamond. The “Insect Zoo” offers few living insects, with the exception of a live butterfly house (which requires an additional ticket and fee).
New in 2025–
United States Botanic Garden
The US Botanic Garden is a multi-room conservatory that takes you through spaces with plants displayed by various themes, including a desert, orchid display, and medicinal plant collection. The large Rainforest Conservatory includes a canopy walk. In the central Garden Court we usually find bananas, chocolate, papayas and other edible plants.
Two galleries hold rotating exhibitions, including the annual Winter Holiday train display, once our family Thanksgiving tradition. Artists use natural items to make miniature displays around the train track using one central theme (in past years they have included “National Parks,” “Pollinators,” and “US Roadside Attractions.”)
Outdoor Gardens
Conservatory
New in 2024- Fierce Flora
Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum has undergone major renovations since 2020. During my winter 2022 visit, timed entry tickets were required and sold out quickly, they could be acquired at 8:30am the day of entry.
I’m going to be honest, as a natural sciences girl, Air and Space isn’t really my thing. The National Air and Space Museum has been under a huge renovation, and I look forward to seeing how they may be making the static exhibits more interactive when they reopen this summer. Admittedly, I am always impressed by the scale of the museum and the aircrafts and spacecrafts displayed inside. An interactive children’s area introduces them to physics and aerodynamics concepts. It’s also a great place to introduce your child to the space museum gift shop rite of passage; the Astronaut Ice Cream.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The National Zoo is in the hilly Woodley Park section of Washington DC. The Zoo itself (like other Smithsonian Museums) is free to enter, but there is a (currently $30) parking fee. The DC Metro’s Woodley Park stop gets you within a mile walk from the main pedestrian entrance. The Zoo’s previous main attraction, the Pandas, have been returned to China.
One of our favorite sections is the Amazon exhibit; the volts generated by the electric eels are actually used to power lights, and they flash as the eels become more animated in the aquarium. We also enjoyed the newish bee themed playground, adjacent to the farm area.
Let me help plan your trip to Washington DC
You May Also Like
Space Needle- Seattle Spring Break 2023
Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter
