The All-Time Best Museums to Visit in DC

From classic Smithsonians to other exhibits off the beaten path, there’s something for everyone.

people admiring elephant in museum
National Museum of Natural History | Kamira/Shutterstock
National Museum of Natural History | Kamira/Shutterstock

DC is a paradise for museum-goers. The Smithsonian Institution’s free museums alone provide days of entertainment in the form of displays on art, nature, astronomy, and much more. The iconic National Mall draws millions of visitors each year, but the incredible exhibits are worth a visit for locals and tourists alike. So whether you want to spend the day meandering through manicured gardens or marveling at interstellar exploration, here are the best museums to visit in the city.

Planet Word Museum
Planet Word Museum

Planet Word Museum

McPherson Square

After opening in 2020 in the historic Franklin School building, the Planet Word Museum has been teaching locals and visitors about the influence and power of language. The museum squeezes plenty of juice out of the concept, whether it’s diving into the world of songwriting through karaoke or crafting one-liners in the Humor Gallery. Once you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the space, head to an on-site location of Immigrant Food, which serves up globally inspired brunch, lunch, and dinner plates along with snacks and cocktails.

Know before you go: Admission is free with a suggested donation of $15 to support the museum, and timed entry passes are required. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm; Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm; and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

National Museum of Asian Art

National Mall

Composed of two galleries—the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery—the National Museum of Asian Art is an absolute must visit for its selection of artifacts and artworks. Start with the Peacock Room, which was relocated from Frederick Leyland’s London Mansion and reassembled in Washington, or check out the stunning Tibetan Buddhist shrine room and selection of Japanese prints. With more than 45,000 artifacts from the ancient Near East to China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, and the Islamic world, there’s plenty to explore.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

people viewing gallery
National Gallery of Art | Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock

National Gallery of Art

National Mall

Wander the wings of the National Gallery of Art and you’ll come across masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, El Greco, and other world-renowned artists. The impressive collection here has welcomed traveling exhibits on Edvard Munch, Tintoretto, and Vermeer and is always changing, so check the calendar for the latest acquisitions and limited-time showcases.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

National Mall

This is the place to soak up Americana. From the permanent and beloved display of the Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key’s poem to inaugural gowns worn by former first ladies and the ruby slippers that Judy Garland’s character Dorothy famously wore in The Wizard of Oz. The museum recently opened a new culture wing that highlights the role of entertainment in everyday life with objects from sports, popular music, movies, and television.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

International Spy Museum
International Spy Museum

International Spy Museum

L’Enfant Plaza

Channel your inner secret agent at the International Spy Museum. Learn what it takes to become a spy or get briefed on some of history’s most important methods of encryption and communicating secret information. The museum moved to a new home in 2019 that is more than twice the size of its original space, leaving lots to uncover like the history of real-life intelligence operations and the work of iconic movie characters. Take note that the collection doesn’t change much, so repeat visitors can expect most of the same experience. They do, however, host talks with espionage veterans, authors, and experts, so keep an eye on the calendar for the latest events.

Know before you go: Admission is $26.95 for adults (ages 13-64), $23.95 for seniors (ages 65 and older) and military and college students with valid ID. Youth admission (ages 7-12) is $16.95 and children under 6 are free. Advance tickets are required. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm.

statues having an altercation
Last Conversation Piece sculpture, Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden | Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

National Mall

The Hirshhorn Museum is a favorite for fans of modern art and sculpture. Guests can view an exhibition on contemporary photography in China and an innovative video installation Purple by British artist John Akomfrah. For the past few years, polka-dotted works in the One With Eternity exhibit by famed artist Yayoi Kusama have been the museum’s biggest draw—and lucky for you, the exhibit has been extended through this year. Past showcases have given a platform to Ai Weiwei, Yoko Ono, and more.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Timed entry is required for the Yayoi Kusama collection.

National Portrait Gallery USA
National Portrait Gallery USA

National Portrait Gallery

Gallery Place

To see the faces that define our nation’s history, head to the National Portrait Gallery. The walls are lined with portraits of every US president, along with other important figures from sports stars to revolutionaries. The National Portrait Gallery made headlines recently when it unveiled the powerful portrait of José Andrés, the renowned DC-based chef turned global humanitarian. Upcoming exhibitions include selections from Brian Lanker’s series Remarkable Black Women, and a lifesize portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 11:30 am to 7 pm.

National air and space museum
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute | Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

National Air and Space Museum

National Mall

The floors of the Air and Space Museum are classic even among the vast Smithsonian collection, appealing to fans of all things space and flight. The sprawling building is undergoing renovations through 2025, though there’s still plenty open to see. Gaze up at the Spirit of Saint Louis, marvel at the Destination Moon exhibit, or take in a show at the Eisenhower planetarium.

Know before you go: Admission is free, but time entry tickets are required. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

National Geographic Museum
National Geographic Museum

National Geographic Museum

Farragut Square

You can unleash your inner explorer at this hub of research, history, and curiosity. An extension of the National Geographic brand, this museum boasts a rotating slate of top-notch and interactive exhibits, along with a permanent gallery of some of the brand’s best magazine covers. The current exhibition is Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience, offering an interactive multimedia voyage through more than 3,000 years of Egyptian history.

Know before you go: Tickets are $20 for adults; $16 for students, seniors, and military members; and $12 for children ages 5-12. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

water exhibit
National Museum of African American History and Culture | Lewis Tse Pui Lung/Shutterstock

National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Mall

Since its opening in 2016, this museum has been one of the most popular venues on the National Mall. The museum’s floors are lined with music, sports, and pop-culture memorabilia along with powerful reminders of slavery and the civil rights movement. When guests enter, they’ll first take an elevator to the ground floor of the museum to learn about African American history chronologically from 1400 to the present day, before heading up to the four floors above ground that highlight recent cultural moments. The required timed-entry tickets remain hot commodities and you can expect additional entry lines at certain capacity controlled galleries, but it is well worth the wait. Be sure to make time for some fried chicken or a snack at Sweet Home Cafe, the onsite restaurant featuring traditional southern fare.

Know before you go: Admission is free, and advanced online ticket reservations are required. Times are released on a rolling basis 30 days in advance, with some same-day tickets released starting at 8:15 am. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm, except Mondays when the museum opens at noon.

US National Archives
US National Archives

National Archives Museum

National Mall

Touring the National Archives can get a little wonky, as it’s primarily a library for historical documents and records. It may not be the biggest or buzziest museum in DC, but the magnitude of its collection can’t be discounted. Visitors here can see the Declaration of Independence and the US Bill of Rights up close and personal and those alone are worth at least a quick glimpse.

Know before you go: Admissions is free, and the public gallery is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

museum exterior
National Museum of the American Indian | Orhan Cam/Shutterstock

National Museum of the American Indian

National Mall

Located on the east end of the National Mall, the National Museum of the American Indian pays homage to this country’s diverse indigenous population. Learn about the Chesapeake region’s earliest inhabitants and marvel at American Indian crafts and apparel. The museum also has Mitsitam Cafe, one of the standout cafeterias on National Mall. The quick-service food stalls feature dishes from various Native American cultures, from the Great Plains, to Northwest Coast, and even South America.

Know before you go: Admission is free, and the museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily.

flower exhibit
Sakura Yume Cherry Blossom Dream, Artechouse | Courtesy of Artechouse

ARTECHOUSE

L'Enfant Plaza

Artechouse has become a DC favorite for its blend of digital imagery, art, music, film, theater, and technology. Rather than simply wandering among great art, ARTECHOUSE puts visitors inside the frame with interactive displays that completely surround them during their time at the exhibit. The offerings rotate regularly, but past favorite exhibits have included “Pixelbloom” and “Sakura Yume Cherry Blossom Dream” that transport guests into an immersive floral dreamland.

Know before you go: Timed general admission is $25 for adults ($20 for DC locals) and $18 for students, seniors, military, and first responders. Children 4 to 17 are $16, and a discounted family pack is available for $18 per person for two adults and two children.

The Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection

The Phillips Collection

Dupont Circle

At the Phillips Collection, French impressionist works hang alongside other European masters and renowned American painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keeffe. Perhaps the most famous work here is “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, but past temporary exhibits have included drawings and paintings by Picasso as well as Edward Hopper.

Know before you go: Required timed admission tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for visitors 62 or older, and $10 for students, educators, and military with valid ID. Members and those 18 and under are free. Pay-what-you-wish tickets are available online for the first entry of each hour. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.

botanical garden
National Botanic Gardens | jack-sooksan/Shutterstock

United States Botanic Gardens

Capitol Hill

Expose your senses to the flora of the US and the world at this plant-based museum in the shadow of the Capitol Building. Highlights include a year-round tropical rainforest in the glass conservatory and an outdoor garden that’s home to mid-Atlantic regional plants.

Know before you go: Admission is free. The conservatory and garden are open 10 am to 5 pm daily.

people looking at exhibit
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | GiuseppeCrimeni/Shutterstock

United States Holocaust Museum

L'Enfant Plaza

The Holocaust is undeniably a heavy subject, but it’s one that calls for remembrance and reflection. This museum’s permanent exhibition walks through the events leading up to and through the Holocaust of the late 1930s and 1940s. There’s also a section focused on Americans in the Holocaust with showcases of first-hand accounts and experiences.

Know before you go: Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance online for a $1 fee. A limited number of same-day tickets are available. The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

National Museum of Natural History

National Mall

Tourists at this iconic museum are immediately met with up-close taxidermy of mighty mammals, tiny insects, and the chance to explore the diversity of sea life. A revamped dinosaur and fossil hall opened in 2019, walking guests through millions of years of evolution. Other permanent displays include the glitzy Hope Diamond and other colorful minerals and gemstones, and there’s even a temporary exhibit focusing on the science behind epidemics and infectious diseases.

Know before you go: Admission is free, and the museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily.

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Travis Mitchell is a DC-based food and drink writer, with stories appearing in outlets including Eater, DCist, Paste, the Washington City Paper and others. He is originally from New Hampshire and studied journalism at American University. Follow his travels and eating adventures on Twitter at @travisjmitchell and Instagram at @_travisjmitchell.