America’s Attic: Tips for D.C.’s Smithsonian Institute

Unofficially dubbed “the nation’s attic,” the Smithsonian Institute is a collection of 19 museums, nine research facilities and a zoo, many of which are located right on Washington D.C.’s National Mall. Here are some tips to get the most out of them.

Make a plan

Since the buildings are so close together and have free admission, you don’t have to limit the day to one museum, though with so many options you’ll need to figure out which ones are of most interest to you. Most are open from 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., everyday, with smaller crowds in the mornings and on weekdays.

Circulate

All those museums mean you’re going to have to do a lot of walking. There is limited parking, but D.C.’s metro stops right at the Smithsonian Institute and the National Zoo. For getting to the different museums, the Circulator Bus makes stops around the national mall. You can also rent a bike through the Capital Bikeshare Program.

Explore

Spots like the Air & Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History are always packed, so take some time and relax in one of the Smithsonian’s lesser-known facilities like the Freer Gallery of Art, the Museum of the American Indian and the upcoming Museum of African American History & Culture.