Located in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian provides an educational experience into the history of the United States. Displays include everything from the first American flag to pieces of clothing from pop culture icons. A trip to D.C. isn't complete without a visit to the Smithsonian.
Get a map of the Smithsonian. There are many buildings that make up the Smithsonian. If you want to visit all 17 museums, you will need to plan a few days to get them all in. Having a map will make your trip more enjoyable and will keep you from missing out on displays. Find maps at the on-site information center or on the Smithsonian website (see Resources below).
Adhere to the rules posted in the museum. Displays should not be touched because doing so could damage the pieces of history.
Observe camera rules. Some areas of the museum do not allow photography, while others let you take as many pictures as you want. Failure to observe the photography guidelines is cause for removal from the museums.
Prepare to pay to get into some of the museums. A few of the 17 museums that make up the Smithsonian require a small admission fee. Those under the age of 12 are admitted for free.
View a copy of the visitors' guide before your trip. This guide is updated monthly and can be found online. See below for link.
