Best Museums in Washington DC

"We have all seen paper copies of fine works of art hanging in homes and businesses. Once, you step inside the National Gallery of Art, you get to see the real pieces for your own eyes. The west building features early European and American works and boasts the only painting by Leonardo Da Vinci in the Americas."

"The free museum and sculpture garden, National Gallery of Art, is home to one of the best fine art collection in the world. The Italian Renaissance collection is widely known as the strongest collection at the National Gallery of Art. The only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas is shown at the museum."

"With two massive buildings filled with contemporary and classical art, what’s not to love about this gallery?. The National Gallery of Art also features a six-acre sculpture garden. In the permanent art collection, you can expect to find artworks from the likes of da Vinci and Calder."

"Most displays and activities are aimed at elementary age children, but younger kids will enjoy climbing in the pilots seat of a plane, and pushing buttons, turning knobs and exploring the many interactives. Kid-friendly exhibits: the open lobbies at the ends of each wing of the building have larger items (planes, rockets, etc) on display and are very kid-friendly. The Pioneers of Flight exhibit on the second floor also is very appealing to children."

"The National Air and Space Museum contains the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artifacts. The museum was first founded in 1876 and welcomes about eight million people annually. The museum features 23 main exhibition galleries and sits in an ideal location with the Capitol Building just a few blocks away."

"The National Air and Space Museum is one of the best museums in Washington D.C. and boasts three galleries of aviation and space exhibits. Wonderful for kids and adults alike, the museum has aircraft, space memorabilia, missiles, and more, all of which chronicle the history of air and space travel."

"The most popular are the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum. Choose the museum that interests you most and spend a few hours exploring. At the National Air and Space Museum, see the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. At the National Museum of Natural History, take a look at the Hope Diamond and other gems and minerals, examine the massive fossil collection, visit the 23,000-square-foot Ocean Hall, see a life-size replica of a North Atlantic whale and a 1,800-gallon-tank display of coral reef."

"The National Museum of Natural History is one of the Smithsonian museums and is one of the most visited museums in the world. There are almost 150 million specimens of plants, animals, rocks, fossils, and much more, making this the largest collection of natural history in the world. Some highlights of the museum are the skeleton of an African Bush Elephant, the Hope Diamond (one of the most famous jewels in the world, worth 200 - 350 million dollars), and the dinosaur skeleton hall."

"National Museum of Natural History | With more than 7 million visitors per year, this museum remains one of the most popular in the world. Perfect for all ages who are interested in learning all about the natural world around us."

"The National Portrait Gallery is located north of the National Mall and shares its home at the Old Patent Office Building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Like the name suggests, the National Portrait Gallery houses historic and culturally-significant portraits and photographs. Famous exhibits at the National Portrait Gallery include the Hall of Presidents, Time magazine covers, a Frederick Douglass daguerreotype, and more."

"It houses tens of thousands of pieces, seen by over 2 million visitors a year, within a Greek Revival frame. The gallery’s indoor courtyard is also one of D.C.’s most beautiful interiors."

"The Woodrow Wilson House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. It was the home of the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson after he left office until 1924 when he passed away in an upstairs bedroom. The House is shown by guided tour of the hour; tours take approximately one hour."

"open Mar–Dec | Wed–Sun: 10am-4pm Jan–Feb | Fri–Sun: 10am-4pm$. Step inside the final home of Woodrow Wilson and feel the inspiration of one of our country’s greatest leaders. In this historic home, personal artifacts, memorabilia, photographs and items are on display for all to see and enjoy."

"The German-American Heritage Museum of the USA (GAHM) is located in the Penn Quarter's Hockemeyer Hall in Washington DC. The museum's collection and rotating exhibitions explore the 400-year long history of Germans in America from 1600 to now."

"The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a newer attraction in D.C., having opened only in September 2016, and is a wonderful addition to the city. The exterior of the building is striking and stands out in bronze amidst a sea of limestone and marble on the National Mall. Designed by British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye, it succeeds in its aim to be a building that has its own significant identity."

"More than 2.5 million visitors have passed through the doors of the Smithsonian Institution's newest museum since it opened in September 2016. This is the hottest ticket in town, with passes snapped up months in advance — but it's free, and same-day passes are available."

"Next up is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, situated on the National Mall at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. With 4.5 stars out of 8332 reviews on Yelp, it has proven to be a local favorite."

"Dangerously Delicious Pies can be procured at one of two brick-and-mortar locations in the city, or from the bakery’s roving pie truck. They bake sweet and savory flavors like apple, sour cherry, and pancake batter, or pulled pork BBQ, chicken, and ratatouille."

"A croissant made from 100% whole grain may not seem decadent, but one bite of Seylou’s flaky, buttery plain or chocolate croissants will change your mind. The bakery even mills its flour on-site. View this post on Instagram"

"Seylou creates a cookie using millet, small-seeded grasses, milled on-site and baked into a classic or double chocolate chip cookie for $3.50 each. View this post on Instagram. Monday pastry display."

"Organic Whole Grain Bakery & Mill - Seylou means “eagle” in the Mandinka language of West Africa. While the eagle has long stood for spiritual..."

"Fort Lincoln Park is fantastic and a bit of a non traditional “playground.” I’m including it here because there is so much to explore, especially from ages 3 and up. 🚻 1 portable restroom in the fort (2 restrooms by the tennis courts but locked)⁣😷 The Fort was empty on a weekday morning. Saw some people walking their dogs in other parts of the park."

"It was once one of the many forts that protected the capital against Confederate attack during the Civil War. The park present-day has great spots for a picnic, trails for dog walking in the woods, and open fields."

"Address: 5000 Little Falls RoadLength: 0.29 milesDifficulty: EasyBikeable: Paved trail yes, natural trail noTrail Map:ViewDescription: Enjoy a quiet walk in the park connecting Yorktown Blvd, and Little Falls Road at George Mason Drive. Bridges cross the wooded stream at several locations and bring you closer to nature. Local gardeners have made enhancements here, and several volunteers including students from Nottingham School help to preserve the natural beauty."

"Located in Old Town Alexandria, Founders Park is a peaceful place where people of all ages can stroll along the edge of the mighty Potomac River. The park is famous for its garden-like atmosphere, where many of the native flora and fauna of Virginia is on display. There's also a dog exercise area within the park, and a volleyball court for those who want to test their athletic abilities."

"Three blocks north of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Founders Park is a peaceful riverside garden in Old Town Alexandria where the public can stroll along the shore, walk their dogs, play volleyball, have a picnic and enjoy the flowers and greenery of Northern Virginia. Park Features: Dog exercise area, volleyball court, benches, walking paths"

"There are also ranger programs and tours and musical entertainment that take place in the Tidal Basin Welcome Area. If you do visit for the Cherry Blossom Festival, be prepared for crowds!. We recently visited Washington DC over Easter Weekend and the combination of the holiday weekend, plus the Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall made the crowds crazy. So you really need to ask yourself if seeing the cherry blossoms is worth it."

"Are you looking for romantic places to visit in Washington, DC?. Take your sweetheart to the Tidal Basin. It’s such a gentle, beautiful location that it isn’t at all uncommon to see lovers picnicking along the shore, renting out a paddleboat for two or just holding hands as they walk under shaded tree groves."

"Needless to say, Tidal Basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival gets very VERY crowded. Best time to photograph would be around 7 AM during a weekday, when DC residents are working and tourists are asleep. Tripods are allowed but actual use may be challenging if you go during a peak..."