You can travel through American history and culture with a visit to a Smithsonian museum or gallery. Located in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian offer low-cost or free access to the sites of many events that have shaped the United States of America. See for yourself at one of the 19 museums, gardens, research centers and the National Zoo.
The Smithsonian Information Center was the first Smithsonian building and is home to the Institution’s administrative offices. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is commonly referred to as “the Castle” because of its Norman style design. Originally, all Smithsonian operations were in this building, including exhibits and Washington’s children’s room.
The National Museum of Natural History is also on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Admission is always free, and no entrance tickets are required. This museum offers hands-on experiences and changing exhibits on themes like endangered plants and dinosaurs. Permanent exhibits include the Hope Diamond, the Hall of Human Origins, Secrets of the Soul and the Sant Ocean Hall. The Museum of Natural History has special events like Smithsonian Sleepovers, IMAX movies and tarantula feedings. Visitors can find gourmet sandwiches, coffee and desserts at three different restaurants located in the museum.
The National Air and Space Museum is the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. The museum also conducts research in the fields of aviation, space flight, planetary science and geophysics. Visitors can tour the facility on the National Mall to see hundreds of historic artifacts on display, including the original Wright brothers’ plane, the Apollo 11 command module and a lunar rock. Visitors can take guided tours of the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, to see the artifacts that are kept in storage. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a new display facility featuring aircraft and spacecraft never seen before in a museum.
The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden features contemporary and modern art. The museum offers exhibitions, education and public programs to bring contemporary art and culture to its audience. Art conservation and research are also a main focus of the Hirshhorn Museum. Visitors can view changing art exhibits such as conceptual art by Cyprien Gaillard from France and Mario Garcia Torres from Mexico. Another 2010 exhibit features paintings on paper by Argentine Guillermo Kuitca.
