Northern Virginia is just a short drive or Metro ride away from DC, making it easy to plan a day focused on visiting one of the Smithsonian Institution’s 20 DC museums and zoo. Whether you’re obsessed with space, want to learn more about the country’s history, or haven’t visited the new pandas, you need to visit the five most popular Smithsonian museums.
National Museum of Natural History
Around 3.9 million people came to the National Museum of Natural History in 2024. This museum takes a look at the history of the planet through the environment, animals, and human interaction. The floors are covered with a variety of exhibits and artifacts, including the African Bush Elephant, the Butterfly Pavilion, and Bone Hall, with the skeletons of all types of animals. 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
National Museum of American History
Learn about the country’s 249-year history through the exhibits at this Smithsonian museum, which saw 2.1 million visitors in 2024. Visitors can see how transportation developed from the Industrial Revolution to the turn of the century, the flag that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner, the evolution of firefighting, and more. After exploring the three-level museum, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the cafés or grab a souvenir to remind you of your visit. 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
National Air and Space Museum
Expect to be transported to the sky and beyond when you step through the doors of this DC museum. Nearly 2 million people visited in 2024 to see the first airplane, the spacesuit worn by the first person to walk on the moon, and other out-of-this-world artifacts. The museum opened eight new galleries in 2022 and has even more renovations on the way, so expect to see changes if it’s been a while since your last visit. Those intrigued by flight can also head to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, which garnered 1.2 million visitors last year. Sixth Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Open for nearly 10 years, this Smithsonian museum is still one of the most popular attractions on the National Mall, with over 1.6 million visitors in 2024. Stories, scholarship, art, and artifacts come together to help tell the story of the African American experience. Exhibits vary from information on the slave trade and the Civil Rights Movement to spotlights on sports and culture. 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Over 1.6 million people visited the 2,100 animals that call the National Zoo home. The only non-museum part of the Smithsonian Institution is a favorite among all ages. While the return of the Giant Panda exhibit is the latest addition, visitors can find everything from lions and tigers to elephants and apes to goats and chickens. For those that visit with little ones, make sure to visit the playground, carousel, or squirt zone. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Feature image of the National Museum of Natural History by James Di Loreto/Smithsonian
