Smithsonian Museum Travel Guide
The Smithsonian Institution is a world-renowned museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Located in Washington D.C., the Smithsonian is a must-see for anyone interested in American history or natural science. This guide will help you plan your visit to the Smithsonian, including which museums to visit and what to see at each one.
The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. There are 19 museums in the Smithsonian network, including the National Zoo. The most visited museum in the world is the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., which welcomed 7 million visitors last year.
Although all of the Smithsonian museums are located in Washington, D.C., there are plenty of other great museums to see when you travel around the country. Here are just a few of our favorites: If you're interested in American history, be sure to visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston or one of the many historic sites along Route 66.
If science is more your thing, check out NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida or take a tour of Yellowstone National Park. And if you're looking for something really unique, don't miss The Field Museum in Chicago, where you can see Sue, the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton on display. No matter what your interests are, there's sure to be a Smithsonian museum that will pique your curiosity.
So start planning your trip today!
Smithsonian Museum Tickets
A few have nominal admission fees to help offset their operating costs: the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum ($15), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden ($12), National Portrait Gallery ($12), Renwick Gallery ($8), and S. Dillon Ripley Center ($22). You can also purchase a combination ticket for all of these museums for $50. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art do not charge an admission fee; however, tickets are required for certain special exhibitions at both galleries.
If you're planning a trip to Washington, D.C., be sure to add a visit to one or more of the Smithsonian Institution's amazing museums to your itinerary!
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Tickets
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington, D.C. Over two million people visit the museum each year to see its world-renowned exhibitions and collections. Admission to the museum is free, but tickets are required for some special exhibitions and programs. Tickets can be obtained in advance online or at the museum's ticketing desk on the day of your visit.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Exhibitions
The hall reopened in 2019 after a five-year renovation and features more than 700 fossils on display, including many that have never been seen before by the public. Other popular exhibits at the museum include the Ocean Hall, which highlights ocean life and conservation; Birds of Paradise, which features more than 30 live birds; and Butterflies & Plants: Pollination & Survival, where visitors can see butterflies up close as they feed on nectar-rich flowers. Whether you're interested in dinosaurs, bugs, or oceans, there's an exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History that's sure to pique your interest.
Plan your visit today!
Smithsonian Museum Dc
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The museum is home to a variety of exhibits, including art, history, and science. Visitors can also enjoy a number of interactive exhibits and programs.
The museum is open every day from 10am to 5:30pm, and admission is free.
Smithsonian Museum Hours
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. The total number of items in the collections is estimated at 137 million. The museums are located in Washington D.C., New York City, Virginia, Panama, and elsewhere around the world.
Hours vary by location, but all museums are closed on December 25th. Admission to most museums is free, although there are a few exceptions such as the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City which charges an admission fee. Some of the most popular Smithsonian museums include the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, and Portrait Gallery.
Visitors can easily spend a whole day exploring just one of these magnificent institutions.
Smithsonian Vaccine Requirements
The Smithsonian Institution is a world-renowned museum complex and research organization consisting of 19 museums, 9 research facilities, and the National Zoo. In order to maintain such a large and diverse operation, the Smithsonian has strict requirements for all employees, volunteers, and interns regarding vaccinations. All new hires must provide proof of vaccination against Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B, and influenza.
Employees are also required to get a tuberculosis (TB) test prior to starting work. Booster shots may be necessary depending on when the employee last received certain vaccinations; these will be determined by Occupational Health during new hire processing. There are some exceptions to the vaccine requirements based on medical or religious reasons; documentation must be provided in order to request an exemption.
If an exemption is granted, the individual may still be required to take precautions such as wearing a mask or working remotely in order to protect themselves and others from potential exposure. The Smithsonian is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, visitors, and animals in our care. We appreciate your cooperation in meeting our vaccine requirements so that we can continue fulfilling our mission of educating and inspiring generations of curious minds.
Smithsonian Museum New York
The museum has 27 interconnected buildings that house 45 permanent exhibition halls, as well as a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain more than 32 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts. These collections are used for scientific research as well as education programs that serve more than 4 million people each year.
Some of the most popular exhibits at the Museum of Natural History include dinosaurs from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), African mammals from the Field Museum in Chicago (FMNH), and Native American cultural objects from the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). The museum also has an extensive collection of bird specimens from around the world. In addition to its exhibitions, the Museum of Natural History offers public programs such as educational lectures and workshops, films screenings, family activities, and special events.
Where is the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums in the world. More than seven million people visit the museum each year. The museum's collections contain more than 145 million specimens and objects, including fossils, rocks, minerals, plants, animals, human remains, and human cultural artifacts.
The Museum of Natural History has a long history. It was founded in 1846 as part of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum's first building opened in 1857.
The museum has been expanded several times since then and now occupies more than 2 million square feet (186,000 square meters) of space. The Museum of Natural History is organized into 27 departments and five research centers. The Departments of Anthropology; Botany; Earth Sciences; Entomology; Invertebrate Zoology; Mammalogy; Mineral Sciences; Paleobiology; and Zoology are some of the most popular with visitors (https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/research).
Many exhibits are interactive or allow visitors to touch real specimens such as dinosaur bones or meteorites.
How Many Days Do You Need to See the Smithsonian?
Assuming you would like to see all of the museums in the Smithsonian Institution, it would take approximately 3-4 days. The Institution is comprised of 19 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoological Park. Many of the individual museums are large and could easily take a full day to explore.
The most popular museum among visitors is undoubtedly the Air and Space Museum, which chronicles the history of aviation and spaceflight. Other favorites include the American History Museum, which houses iconic artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Natural History Museum, where you can find dinosaur bones and gems. Of course, you don't have to try to see everything in one trip.
You could easily spend a day at just one or two museums and still have a great time. Or you could focus on specific exhibitions that interest you. No matter h
ow you choose to do it, a visit to the Smithsonian is sure to be enjoyable and educational.
How Much Does a Trip to the Smithsonian Cost?
A trip to the Smithsonian can cost anywhere from nothing to a few hundred dollars depending on how you choose to visit. The Smithsonian is actually a collection of 19 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoological Park, so there is no one answer to this question. If you are visiting Washington D.C., many of the Smithsonian Institution museums are free to enter including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History.
However, if you want to take part in any special exhibitions or events happening at the museums, there may be a fee involved. For example, right now at the National Museum of American History there is an exhibition called “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to Catwalk” which has a $27 ticket price for adults. Similarly, at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden there is an ongoing installation by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama called “Infinity Mirrors” which requires timed tickets that must be purchased in advance (tickets start at $30).
If you want to visit all of the different Smithsonian Institution museums in one day or over multiple days, then it might make sense to purchase a Smithsonian Museums Pass which allows for entry into all participating museums for either 1 day ($25) or 7 days ($50). This pass also includes priority entry into select exhibitions such as “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to Catwalk” mentioned earlier. In addition to visiting museum galleries and exhibits, another popular activity at the Smithsonian is taking a tour led by docents who are experts on various topics related to art, history, science etc.
These tours are typically free but some do require advanced registration. For example, right now at the Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery visitors can sign up online for free 45-minute Highlights Tours conducted every hour from 10am-3pm daily except Tuesdays when the gallery is closed. So as you can see, there is no one definitive answer when it comes to how much it costs to visit the Smithsonian – it really depends on what your interests are and how you plan on spending your time while here!
Does Smithsonian Have Guided Tours?
Yes, the Smithsonian offers guided tours led by trained docents. These tours are available for both small and large groups, and can be customized to fit your group's needs. Tours typically last between 60-90 minutes, and cover a variety of topics relating to the museum's collections and exhibitions.
What to Know before Going to the Smithsonian?
In terms of getting around, the best way to see the Smithsonian is on foot. All of the museums and galleries are located within walking distance of each other, so it's easy to pop in and out of different places as you please. However, if walking isn't your thing or you have limited mobility, there are also free tram services available that can take you between different parts of the complex.
When it comes to what to see and do at the Smithsonian, there really is something for everyone. If you're interested in natural history, be sure to check out the Museum of Natural History and its famous dinosaur fossils. Or if art is more your thing, don't miss out on seeing some of America's most iconic paintings at the National Gallery of Art.
There are also interactive exhibitions and displays suitable for all ages scattered throughout the different museums - so even if learning isn't usually your idea of fun, chances are good that you'll find something that interests you at the Smithsonian! Of course, no trip to D.C. would be complete without taking a photo or two in front of one (or all) of the famous monuments on the National Mall. The good news is that many of these monuments are also within walking distance from the Smithsonian - so once you're done exploring indoors, simply head outside for some fresh air and beautiful views!
Conclusion
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. 2.8 million people visited the museums in 2018. The most popular museum in the complex is the National Museum of Natural History, which houses exhibitions on dinosaurs, evolution, biodiversity, geology, oceanography, gems and minerals, fossils, monkeys and other primates.
The Museum of American History is also very popular, with exhibits on topics like the American Revolution, civil rights movement and Presidents of the United States. Other popular museums in the complex include the Air and Space Museum (with its famous Apollo 11 spacecraft), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (modern art) and the National Zoo.