Washington D.C. Museums

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Freer Gallery of Art Jefferson Dr. (at 12th St.), SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.633.4880 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free. The Freer Gallery of Art opened in 1923 as the first Smithsonian museum of art. Its eclectic collection began with a donation by Charles Lang Freer: over 9,000 works of American and Asian art. Chinese jades and bronzes, Persian metalwork, Buddhist sculptures and Japanese screens share the gallery's Italian Renaissance-style building with works by American artists, most of whom were influenced by Asian art, such as John Singer Sargent, Thomas Wilmer Dewing and James McNeill Whistler. Perhaps the most unusual work in the collection is an entire room known as "The Peacock Room," which was created by Whistler for the London dining room of a wealthy patron and later purchased by Freer and shipped to Washington.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Independence Ave. (at 7th St.), SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.2700. Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free. Washington, DC's Hirshhorn Museum is housed in a four-story cylindrical building as controversial in its design as the contemporary works of art contained inside. This Washington, DC museum is named after its original benefactor, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, who donated his extensive collection of contemporary art to the Smithsonian Institution, which has since added to the original bequest. The museum includes works by 19th and 20th century modern artists such as, Matisse, Rodin and Degas but the emphasis is on contemporary art created during the last 25 years. The galleries have the sparse feel of a minimalist airport lounge, an appropriate backdrop for paintings by Gerhard Richter, Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning mobiles by Alexander Calder and sculptures by Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti. Across the street from the Hirshhorn and about halfway down the National Mall is the sculpture garden, a perfect stopping point for those walking between the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. The sculptures range from traditional to abstract.

National Air and Space Museum 7th St. and Independence Ave., SW Washington DC.; Tel. 202.357.2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free. Chronicling man's fascination with flight from his earliest attempts to become airborne to Apollo 11's voyage to the moon, the National Air and Space Museum is one of Washington, DC's most popular attractions. Fortunately, its hangar-like building can accommodate considerable numbers of visitors along with its hundreds of historic aircraft. The "Milestones of Flight" gallery near the Museum's main entrance includes the plane in which the Wright brothers made their first successful flight in 1903; the "Spirit of St. Louis," in which Charles Lindbergh made the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927; and the "Mercury" capsule in which John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962. One of the most fascinating exhibits, "Apollo to the Moon," displays some of the equipment and technology used for the Apollo missions, including Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's spacesuits, navigation aids and survival equipment.

National Gallery of Art Constitution Ave. (between 3rd and 9th Streets), NW Washington DC; Tel. 202.737.4215 Hours: Mon ­ Sat, 10am ­ 5pm; Sun 11 am ­ 6pm. Admission: Free The National Gallery of Art outgrew its first building, known as the West Building in the 1970s and was joined by an underground concourse to the East Building, which is as daring in its architectural design as the original building is conservative. The West Building features European paintings and sculptures from the 13th to 19th centuries, including one of the best Impressionist collections outside of Paris with works by Manet, Renoir, Monet, and Cezanne. A highlight of the ground floor sculpture galleries, which recently underwent a four-year renovation, is a collection of Degas' wax statuettes of young ballet dancers. The imposing East Building accommodates the Gallery's 20th century art as well as a variety of temporary exhibitions. The central atrium is so voluminous that finding the galleries nestled into its far-flung corners can be a challenge.

National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Ave., SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.4600 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free. A haven of quiet compared to the bustling National Museum of Natural History on the other side of the Mall, the National Museum of African Art is often overlooked, perhaps because it is mostly housed underground. About half the Museum's space is devoted to exhibits focusing on specific regions, but the 7,000-strong permanent collection includes objects from all over the continent. Objects often combine religious and cultural expression with a functional purpose and the collection includes everything from Nigerian carved-ivory cult figures to Zairean mother-and-child fertility fetishes. This Washington, DC museum's gift shop sells colorful textiles and African crafts as well as an extensive selection of books covering African art, culture and history.

National Museum of American History 14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington D.C.; Tel. 202.357-2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free The mission of the National Museum of American History is to display objects that reflect the experiences of the American people. The result is a chaotic collection of Americana set among exhibits with the worthy aim of recounting America's colorful past through the eyes of its diverse citizens. Objects range from the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, to Mohammad Ali's boxing gloves, to George Washington's wooden teeth. The first floor of the Museum covers the history of science and technology. The second is devoted to social and cultural history and includes the original flag that inspired the national anthem and an exhibit that examines the evolving role of First Ladies. The top floor houses political memorabilia as well as an exhibit that displays some of the 25,000 tokens of remembrance left by visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and another that deals with the experiences of Japanese-Americans held in detention camps during World War II.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment 575 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004; Tel. 202.393.1099 At Washington DC’s National Museum of Crime & Punishment, mankind’s conflict between good and evil is dissected for all to see. Learn both the past and modern methods of law enforcement agencies, and delve into the evolution of crime and the criminal mastermind from the times of medieval knights, piracy, gunslingers and even modern day hackers. In addition to three floors of fascinating and educational displays, intense, highly interactive exhibits allow visitors of all ages to enjoy truly unique simulations. This Washington DC museum includes a crime scene lab and the filming studios for America’s Most Wanted.

National Museum of Natural History 10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm (Extended Summer Hours: 10am-7:30pm). Admission: Free. The first stop for Washington, DC museum-goers with children in tow is usually the "Dinosaurs" exhibit on the ground floor of the National Museum of Natural History. Barring flights of family-phobia brought on by squealing children and their frazzled parents, the looming, reassembled skeletons and reproductions of dinosaurs are as fascinating to adults as they are to kids. The Mammal Hall, which was becoming outdated, has been renovated and is set to reopen in the fall of 2003. In the meantime, the creepy-crawlies filling the Insect Zoo on the second floor will probably be enough to keep the kids entertained, along with the 3D bugs and dinosaurs on view at the IMAX theater. The biggest draw for adult visitors to this Washington, DC museum is probably the 45-carat Hope Diamond, which once belonged to Marie Antoinette and can now be found in the Gem and Mineral Hall along with other legendary jewels. 1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Museum © Smithsonian Institution There is something for everyone at this museum. Natural history appeals to all ages and there are so many artifacts that you can’t possibly see them all in one visit. The dinosaur exhibits are fascinating and great for kids. The Family Hall of Mammals is especially fun to explore as well as the Sant Ocean Hall. I love the cinematography and stunning scenery in the IMAX films and wish I had time to see them all. Visiting Tips: This is the most popular Washington DC museum for families. Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds. Purchase IMAX tickets in advance or as soon as you arrive. If you are visiting with kids, be sure to see the Discovery Room where there are lots of hands-on activities. Allow at least 2-3 hours.   2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum © NASM This fabulous museum gives visitors a close-up view of air and space travel with 22 exhibition galleries, displaying hundreds of artifacts including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. The IMAX films and the Planetarium are great for all ages. Visiting Tips: This is one of the busiest Washington DC museums. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Purchase IMAX or Planetarium tickets in advance or as soon as you arrive. Allow at least 2-3 hours. There’s also an annex location near Dulles International Airport - The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center which can be easier to get to from the suburbs and is usually not as crowded as the National Mall location. More Info 3. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum © Getty Images The museum is a memorial to the millions of Jews who died during the Nazi regime in Germany during World War II. The exhibits tell the horrific story of genocide and teach the dangers of hatred and prejudice. Visiting this museum is an emotional experience so be sure that you have enough time and stamina. The permanent exhibits are not recommended for children under 11 years old. There is a separate exhibit for ages 8 and up that tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy. Visiting Tips: Free Timed Passes are required for the permanent exhibit. Timed passes are distributed for the same day on a first-come first-served basis. Allow 2-3 hours. More Info 4. Newseum © Newseum The six-level, high-tech and interactive attraction traces the history of news reporting from the 16th century to the present day. My favorites exhibits are the Pulitzer Prize Photo Gallery (shows the award winning images captured since the 1940s), Today’s Front Pages (shows 80 newspaper front pages from around the world, updated daily) and the 9/11 Gallery (looks at how the media responded to the tragic event). There are 15 theaters including a 4D immersive experience. You could easily spend most of the day here watching the footage of decades of historic events. Visiting Tips: Start at the top level and work your way down to the ground level. This is a fascinating attraction and well worth the $20 entrance fee. Allow at least 4 hours. More Info 5. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens © Mount Vernon Ladies Association The home of George Washington is often overlooked by visitors because it is located outside of the city. It is a “must see” attraction. If you visited years ago, it is worth a second look. The estate is set along the shores of the Potomac River and is the most scenic tourist attraction in the Washington, DC area. The historic mansion is restored and decorated as it was when Washington lived there. The museum and education center features 25 state-of-the-art galleries and theaters that tell the story of Washington's life. This is a great attraction and has plenty of interactive activities for the whole family. Visiting Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds. Allow at least 4 hours. More Info