If air and space, natural history, American history or African art interest you, visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian is not just one building, but rather a series of 19 museums with varying themes. Start your visit at the Smithsonian Information Center, conveniently located in central Washington, D.C., on two of the Metrorail lines. From there, you can make a day of it; there are 10 Smithsonian museums within a mile of the Smithsonian Information Center.
Fly or drive to Washington, D.C. Fly into either Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport, When driving, take Interstate 66 or Interstate 95 to the city.
Book and stay in a hotel that is located close to one of the Metrorail stops, which makes your visit to the Smithsonian Information Center and the nearby Smithsonian museums significantly easier, as there is limited parking in the area surrounding the museums. If you fly in, you can catch the Metrorail at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from terminals B and C. From Dulles International Airport, take the Washington Flyer Coach to the West Falls Church stop, located on the orange Metrorail line.
Take the Metrorail to Smithsonian Station, Mall exit, when you are ready to visit the Smithsonian Information Center and its associated museums. This stop is located on both the blue and orange Metrorail lines. If you start your journey on one of the other Metrorail lines, transfer to the blue or orange lines.
Exit the Metrorail station at the Smithsonian Station, Mall exit, and visit the Smithsonian Information Center at 1000 Jefferson Dr. Southwest. Enter the Information Center, which resembles a large castle, from either Jefferson Drive or by walking through the Enid A. Haupt Garden.
