Museum trips in D.C. are an absolute must. The immense amount of information and fun interactive exhibitions you can view during your time in D.C. is incredible! In this post I compiled a list of some of the most interesting museums to check out when visiting D.C.
Spoiler: I did not include any art museums! I think the list of art museums is another extensive category that deserves its own post. Let me know if you’d like a list of the art museums in D.C. I’d recommend!
International Spy Museum
Channel your inner spy at the International Spy Museum. Explore the different exhibitions ranging from espionage artifacts, accounts from top intelligence officers, realistic spy simulators, and more. This cool niche museum is a must-visit place for both children and adults.
Check out their site: https://www.spymuseum.org/
Cost: $17-$27 (depending on age)
Planet Word
Learn the history and beauty of words and language: semantics, phonology, pragmatics, the list goes on. At this museum, you can truly explore in-depth the languages of the world and interact with an immersive language experience. This cool museum offers a puzzle room, visual word exhibitions, and a foreign cuisine-inspired cafe.
Check out their site: https://planetwordmuseum.org/
Cost: Pay what you want!
National Air and Space Museum
Reach the stars at the national air and space museum. You can view different real-life artifacts revealing the scientific revolution over time. This includes pioneering propeller-driven aviators, cold war technology, Space Race space suits, and much more! Try out the different cool interactive activities including science demonstrations, tours, IMAX screenings, and virtual reality simulators. The history is rich in this museum and is a must-visit for space and automobile fanatics. The museum is currently undergoing a large-scale renovation that will introduce all-new galleries and public space and will reopen in fall 2022.
Check out their site: https://airandspace.si.edu/
Cost: Free! But you pay for viewings in the planetarium/IMAX theater
National Museum of Natural History
Fossils? Butterflies? Gems? Live Insects? The list goes on! This museum is the hallmark of D.C. museums. You can’t miss it. The extensive museum has several exhibitions that are both interactive and fun. You can see ancient artifacts, cool fossils, rare gems, and much more! I used to always go to this museum as a child, and every time I went had a new thing to offer and show. It is a large museum with a couple of floors and immensely interesting exhibitions about a variety of topics. Definitely recommend. Try to go on a weekday because weekends will most likely be very crowded.
Check out their site: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/
Cost: Free!
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Don’t forget to stop by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This rich museum has three main collections of exhibitions: cultural, history, and community. These exhibitions have rich content, artifacts, and multimedia regarding the past of African American individuals. I would definitely recommend you go to this museum and learn about the history and see artifacts up close. This beautiful museum has several floors, be prepared to walk a ton!
Check out their site: https://nmaahc.si.edu/
Cost: Free! (Make sure to reserve tickets because they’re timed-entry passes)
Holocaust Museum
I would definitely recommend that you stop by the Holocaust museum on your way to D.C. The museum has various in-depth exhibitions that showcase different artifacts, stories, and footage that will teach you about the Holocaust. Seeing the artifacts in person was very solemn. You can learn so much from this museum.
Check out their site: https://www.ushmm.org/
Cost: Free! (Make sure to reserve tickets because they’re timed-entry passes)
The list of museums in D.C. is vast, so I highly recommend you to do more research and find which you are interested in visiting. Honestly, I’d recommend you try and visit as many as possible!