Smithsonian Information Center (The Castle), 1000 Jefferson Drive SW
The first building belonging to the Smithsonian Institution now houses the information center. In addition to a 24-minute video about the Smithsonian Institution, there are interactive touch screens in 6 languages (touch-intensive screens) with further information, also about other sights of the capital.
Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort Place, SE, anacostia.si.edu
Temporary exhibits on African-American history, art, and culture in the Capitol Region, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art, Sackler Gallery at 1050 Independence Avenue, SW., www.asia.si.edu, Freer Gallery of Art on Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW
temporary exhibitions of Asian art and works by American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Freer Gallery. The Peacock Room is the only surviving example of the work of the emigrated interior designer James McNeill Whistler. Both museums are connected by underground exhibition rooms.
American Indian Museum, Fourth Street & Independence Ave., SW, www.nmai.si.edu
The exhibitions on the indigenous people are a main attraction. In seasonal weddings, only temporary – free – tickets may be issued for the visit. January, February and the beginning of March are low in visitors. There is more activity on the weekends than on the weekdays.
Also the online article of the world on Sunday from 06/11/05 ” Wigwam in a central location ”
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, corner of 7th St. SW and Independence Ave., www.hirshhorn.si.edu
Paintings and sculptures in a cylindrical museum building and the surrounding garden.
National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Avenue, SW, www.nmafa.si.edu
Collections on African art and culture.
National Museum of American Art, www.americanart.si.edu
Paintings, sculptures, folk art, photographs and graphics by American artists from the 18th century to the present day.
More details in an article in the newspaper USA Today.
National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, www.mnh.si.edu
Great museum of natural history and science with stuffed mammals, dinosaur skeletons, tarantula feedings in the insect zoo, living coral reefs and collections of precious stones, including the 45.5 carat Hope diamond. A total of more than 120 million objects and a Johnson IMAX theater.
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F Streets, NW, www.npg.si.edu
Collection of portraits of famous Americans from politics, sports, literature, stage and film. The Hall of Presidents contains the official portraits of the US presidents.
National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, americanhistory.si.edu
Museum of the history of the United States with exhibits on politics, technology, science and culture. Highlights are the flag that inspired the anthem The Star Spangled Banner, the robes of some first ladies at the inaugurations, as well as quilts, cars and locomotives.
National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE, www.postalmuseum.si.edu
A collection of mail planes, stagecoaches, rare stamps and letters and a Pony Express exhibit.
National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, nationalzoo.si.edu
More than 3,000 mammals, birds and reptiles.
National Air and Space Museum
6th St. and Independence Ave., airandspace.si.edu
The aviation museum is one of the largest on earth. Shown are the history and development of aerospace, including the Wright Brothers’ aircraft, Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” aircraft and the Apollo 11 command module. Furthermore, lunar and space research are presented, rocket flight, military and computer technology. A planetarium, multimedia programs and IMAX big screen films complete the offer.
With nearly 9 million visitors a year, the National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world. It continues to grow: 28 miles from town, on the southeast corner of Dulles International Airport, the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center was opened as an outpost. The hangar-like main hall is as big as three and a half football fields. 200 aircraft and more than 130 exhibits from space travel are shown in their final stages, either standing or floating. The main attractions include the Lockheed SR-71 (“Blackbird”) spy plane, the first Concorde, prototypes of the space shuttle and Boeing 707, and the infamous “Enola Gay”, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
