Known for its world-class museums, there is no shortage of incredible museums to visit in Washington DC. But what if you have only a few days to spare for museums in the city and want to just visit the best of the best? Well, we've got that covered here in the article.
From well-known museums like the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to the lesser-known ones like Renwick Gallery, here are some of my favorite museums in Washington DC that you should definitely not miss.
Washington DC Best Museums Map
8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC
1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is probably my favorite museum of all. It showcases the history of U.S. aviation and space exploration with an incredible collection of real vehicles that you might recognize from history books, all on display.
From the first successful powered airplane, invented by the Wright brothers over 100 years ago, to the actual Apollo 11 Command Module that journeyed to the moon and back, you can see and inspect these historic artifacts up close at this museum. As a big history fan, being able to finally see these iconic items with my own eyes nearly brought me to tears.
For me, the space exhibition is my favorite as I am a huge fan of astronomy and being able to see the actual Saturn capsules that were left in the ocean for decades and were only recently fetched from the seafloor by none other than Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Blue Origin who subsequently donated them to the Smithsonian Museum.
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The actual engine of the Saturn V first stage rocket, the F-1 engine, generated more power than 85 Hoover Dams and played a crucial role in taking the Apollo astronauts to the moon. In fact, you can stand directly beneath it and be blown away by its sheer scale.
While you're at the space exhibition, don't miss the chance to see the actual spacesuit worn by none other than Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon. I've heard the story of the moon landing all my life, but seeing the actual spacesuit in person was absolutely surreal.
There is also an entire section dedicated to aviation, featuring actual airplanes hanging from the ceiling, several types of airplane engines cut in half to reveal their inner workings, and a variety of cockpits that you can see up close. If this doesn't spark your curiosity about modern technology, I don't know what will!
If you like cars, you're in for a treat! There is a permanent exhibition aptly named "Need for Speed" which highlights the history of American sports cars that took the world by storm starting in the 1920s and have captured the imaginations of both adults and kids ever since. You can even listen to the different car engines on display, which I think is pretty cool.
Although entry to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is free, you will need to book a time slot to visit. If you know exactly when you'll be arriving, you can book a time slot online here or you can go to the museum first and book the next available time slot via the same website. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM every day.
2. National Gallery of Art
If you are a fan of art, you might want to visit the National Gallery of Art, which houses a massive collection of European and American artworks across various styles. The museum is divided into wings connected by a grand rotunda, adorned with a beautiful garden and centerpiece artworks. The interior is a work of art in itself.
Oftentimes, art galleries are overly focused on European artworks from the Renaissance, which, to their credit, are among the finest pieces of art in the world, but it was such a breath of fresh air to stumble upon an American art exhibition that spans from the country's founding all the way to modern America in this museum.
The whole vibe of American art during the founding period was so anti-colonialism, so hopeful and cheery, that I found it captured the American spirit very well. The museum is pretty big, so expect to spend at least an hour or 2 here. Even if you're not particularly interested in art, the building itself is worth a visit.
The museum is free to visit and open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Unlike the Space and Aviation Museum, you don't need to book a time slot to visit the art gallery, you can simply show up at the gate and walk right in.
3. National Museum of Natural History
Another amazing Smithsonian museum you definitely shouldn't miss is the National Museum of Natural History, which houses a vast collection of items that celebrate the incredible natural world we live in. From the well-preserved dinosaur bones to the breathtaking, life-size taxidermy displays of animals and marine life that fill several halls, you will be absolutely blown away by its awesome array of exhibitions.
The moment you enter the museum, you will be greeted with an open hallway with a massive taxidermy of an African elephant right in the center, staring you down. Now that's how you make a great first impression! The museum features a variety of exhibitions spread across its two floors, mostly organized by ecosystem and historical period, all connected via this main hall.
One of my favorite exhibitions is the Hall of Fossils that will take you back more than 4.6 billion years to see some of the finest prehistoric fossils and dinosaur bones. If you are traveling with kids, they are going to love this exhibition.
The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals was probably the most fascinating exhibition for me. It features not only an array of colorful stones but also many rare gems and crystals I didn’t even know existed. There's even a section displaying glow-in-the-dark stones, which was really trippy to see!
You can even watch real archaeologists working on actual specimens inside the museum, adding another layer of immersion to the experience. The museum is quite large, so you can expect to spend around 1-2 hours exploring it. Open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, the museum is free to visit.
4. National Museum of Asian Art
Now that we've covered the big museums, it's time to take the road less traveled and explore the smaller, yet equally unique, museums Washington DC has to offer. Let's begin with my personal favorite, the National Museum of Asian Art, an art gallery featuring a vast collection of ancient artworks that celebrate the mythical and mesmerizing art of Asia throughout its long-lasting history.
From the incredibly decorated Peacock Room, filled with mystical objects that have piqued visitors' curiosity since 1923, to the diverse and ever-changing exhibitions that take you on a rich journey through Asian history, this museum completely exceeded my expectations, and that's coming from an Asian!
The museum doesn't get much foot traffic, but trust me, it's well worth a visit, especially if you're interested in learning more about the ancient history of Asia and its many facets. It houses a diverse array of artifacts and items from across the continent, including India, Thailand, Mongolia, China, and more.
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and admission is free. It is also connected to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art next door, so you can explore that as well while you are there.
5. Renwick Gallery
If you love modern art and handcrafts, you might also want to check out Renwick Gallery located right next to the White House. This small museum is housed in the Renwick building, which is the first-ever structure that was built expressly as an art museum in the United States.
The museum contains a variety of contemporary crafts and decorative arts created by several national artists spread across its 2 floors. One of my favorite exhibitions is the “1.8 Renwick” by Janet Echelman, a colorful sculpture made from undulating colored fabric suspended from the ceiling.
“1.8 Renwick” derives its name from the 1.8 microseconds by which the day was shortened due to a single event, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which also caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and shifted the Earth's mass. It is now a permanent exhibition within Renwick Gallery and you are not going to want to miss it. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM every day.
6. International Spy Museum
If you enjoy interactive museums, consider visiting the International Spy Museum. Dedicated to the history of espionage, it features an extensive collection of spy artifacts and devices, combined with a unique interactive experience unlike any other museum on this list.
Inside, you'll find several fascinating exhibitions that cover a wide range of topics, from the history of espionage, where you can learn about spymasters, gadget makers, scientists, and engineers from past and present, to hundreds of imaginative inventions used to steal secrets, and much more.
It's not just the gadgets, you'll also get to learn more about the real spy stories that have shaped the world as we know it today, which I think is incredibly cool. The museum experience is extremely well-crafted to make you feel like a spymaster yourself. You can even put your spy skills to the test by remembering a cover identity, cracking codes, and uncovering hidden dead drop sites through interactive activities scattered throughout the museum.
The museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day. While this is the only paid museum on this list with an entrance fee of 31 USD, it is definitely well worth the price as there is nothing quite like it out there. There was also a James Bond's cars exhibition when I was there, and it was really cool to see.
7. National Museum of African American History
Of course, American history is not complete without African Americans, and if you are interested in learning more about how they played a role in creating the America of today, you are going to want to check out the National Museum of African American History.
Opened only recently in 2016, the museum is dedicated exclusively to exploring African American life, history, and culture with more than 40,000 artifacts in its collection, about 3,000 of which are on display at any given time. Some of the best exhibitions you should definitely check out are Harriet Tubman’s belongings, a Jim Crow-era railroad car, Emmett Till’s casket, and a slave cabin from South Carolina.
The museum is free to visit, but timed-entry passes are required. You can book the time slot on the museum's official website. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM every day except on Mondays when it opens from 12 PM to 5:30 PM.
8. National Museum of the American Indian
Last but not least, you can’t talk about America without mentioning the American Indians, the original inhabitants of this land. With their rich culture and history, much of which has been nearly lost to time, there’s no better place to learn about them than the National Museum of the American Indian.
The museum is dedicated to showcasing the life, languages, history, and arts of Native peoples from across the Americas. What's awesome about this museum is that the whole experience and exhibitions were designed by the natives themselves with their unique perspective, which is something you don't get to see every day.
Inside, you’ll find a vast collection of items spanning thousands of years, from ancient artifacts to contemporary Native art that represent over 1,200 indigenous cultures. The museum isn’t just a place to learn; it’s also a celebration of the rich and unique culture of Native Americans that is often overlooked. There’s truly no place like it. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and admission is free.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northeast USA
If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
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- Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
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- To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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