Museums, Landmarks, & More • Washington, DC

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The DMV boasts plenty of museums, landmarks, planetariums, and more that appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests!

African-American Civil War Museum
Washington, DC

Located directly across the street from the National Park Service’s African-American Civil War Memorial, the African-American Civil War Museum highlights the enormous contributions of the almost 210,000 members of the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. It details their historic role in the abolishment of slavery and keeping America united under one flag.

Albert H. Small Center
Washington, DC

The Albert H. Small Center boasts the Washingtoniana Collection, which documents the formation, development, and history of Washington, DC, from the eighteenth- to the mid-twentieth century. The collection includes more than 1,900 manuscripts, books, newspapers, broadsides, photographs, postage stamps, paper currencies, and a remarkable collection of prints and maps.

Congressional Cemetery
Washington, DC

Did you know Alain Leroy Locke, the first African American Rhodes Scholar, was laid to rest in Congressional Cemetery, formerly known as the Washington Parish Burial Ground? Take in some history like this and more as you stroll the 35 acres of the Congressional Cemetery. Open to the public daily, the Cemetery invites visitors to enjoy self-guided or seasonal docent-led tours. Watch a movie at their Cinema-tery, take an evening Soul Stroll, or join the Tombs & Tomes Book Club.

Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Washington, DC

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s goals are historic preservation, education, and patriotism by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting pre-industrial America’s material culture and social history. At their museum, visitors are invited to enjoy galleries, exhibitions, and a look into 31 different period rooms that illustrate American interiors from the 17th to the early 20th century.

Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC

Folger Shakespeare Library is currently undergoing a year-long renovation. Guests can still enjoy online access to information and events. The world’s largest Shakespeare collection can be found at the Folger Shakespeare Library, located one block from the US Capitol. The Folger opened in 1932 and invites guests, scholars, and families to visit online or in person to enjoy performances, original works, and timely events. Visitors will also find other major collections, such as Renaissance books, manuscripts, and works of art.

Ford’s Theatre
Washington, DC

Ford’s Theatre was one of Washington, DC’s top entertainment destinations during the Civil War, but after President Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, the theatre was shut down for 100 years. Open since 1965, the public is invited to visit this national historic site and enjoy theatrical performances, interactive exhibits, and education programs for all ages. Celebrate and engage in the American experience with a virtual program or future show!

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Washington, DC

Adjacent to the National Mall, the Hirshhorn is one of the most visited modern art museums in the US. Home to one of the most important collections of post-World War II American and European art in the world, this Smithsonian Institution museum offers a space where people encounter 21st-century artists through groundbreaking exhibitions, events, and more.

The building’s architecture itself is an attraction — boasting an open cylinder elevated on four massive “legs” and a large fountain occupying the central courtyard. Before the architect designed the building, Smithsonian staff reportedly told him that if it did not provide a striking contrast to everything else in the city, then it would be unfit for housing a modern art collection.

International Spy Museum
Washington, DC

Do you have a James Bond fan in the family? Then enter a whole world of intelligence and espionage! The Museum lifts the veil of secrecy on the hidden world of intelligence and espionage — exploring its successes and failures, challenges and controversies. In addition to their permanent exhibits, guests are invited to enjoy scheduled programs and unique interactive experiences in the shadowy world of spying; see their full calendar here.

National Air & Space Museum
Washington, DC

The National Air & Space Museum, part of the Smithsonian family, showcases the history and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology/geophysics. The second-most visited museum in the United States, this top destination boasts artifacts, displays, and exhibits that include popular attractions like the 1903 Wright Flyer, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11’s command module Columbia, and a real lunar rock! The Air & Space Museum also has a public observatory with high-powered telescopes, virtual reality and flight simulators, and an IMAX Theater.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The museum has a second location — an annex in Northern Virginia (Chantilly, VA) — called the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Commonly known as the Udvar-Hazy Center, this location wows visitors with two large hangars that display thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery!

Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory
Washington, DC

Named for Phoebe Waterman Haas, an extraordinary woman of the early 20th century (Haas was among the first women in the United States to achieve a Ph.D. in astronomy), this public observatory is located on the National Air & Space Museum’s southeast terrace. Guests are invited to visit and even participate in stargazing opportunities using the observatory’s 16-inch telescope, which boasts its own rich history.

National Building Museum
Washington, DC

The National Building Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is dedicated to the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and design. The museum itself is a large-scale example of Renaissance Revival architecture and boasts a soaring Great Hall, colossal 75-foot-tall Corinthian columns, and a 1,200-foot-long terra-cotta frieze. There are many exhibits for guests to enjoy, as well as a dynamic schedule of activities and special events, too.

Play Work Build
A permanent exhibit in the National Building Museum, Play Work Build is a play-driven experience that kids will love! In each gallery of this popular exhibit, imagination, and hands-on play are encouraged! Growing children’s interest in architecture, engineering, and design, kids will enjoy a giant table brimming with hand-sized building blocks, a dedicated area packed with supersized foam building blocks, and even a virtual block-play experience!

National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

Consisting of multiple buildings and a sculpture garden with a reflecting pool, the National Gallery of Art is one of the largest museums in North America, as well as one of the most highly attended museums in the US! Home to the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and the largest mobile created by Alexander Calder, the Gallery boasts many permanent and special exhibits showcasing artistic talent in all forms.

The National Geographic Museum is temporarily closed.

National Geographic Museum
Washington, DC

Located just blocks from the White House, the National Geographic Museum features ever-changing exhibits in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling, and education. Visitors have the opportunity to get to know the work of National Geographic conservationists, photographers, and scientists through engaging, dynamic exhibitions featuring everything from iconic photography and world-famous artifacts to interactive learning stations and behind-the-scenes stories.

National Museum of African American History & Culture
Washington, DC

The National Museum of African-American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, history, and culture. This four-level Smithsonian destination features exhibits and displays that span the centuries and capture nearly every aspect of the African American experience, from arts and athletics to slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.

National Museum of American History
Washington, DC

The National Museum of American History showcases the heritage of the United States, including politics, culture, science, and the military, to name a few topics. The museum’s mission is the collection, care, study, and interpretation of objects that reflect the experience of the American people. This includes popular displays such as the original Star-Spangled Banner (1814), Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), and Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown (2013), to name a few.

Draper Spark!Lab
Draper Spark!Lab, located inside the National Museum of American History, is where young museum visitors, ages 6-12, become inventors! Children and their families are invited to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, and invent — activities that incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with art, museum, and creativity.

Wegmans Wonderplace
Located inside the National Museum of American History, Wegmans Wonderplace is a 1,700-square-foot interactive play space for children ages 0-6. Little learners will delight in exploring, touching, playing, and learning! Discover the collections and exhibits of this unique play space here.

National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC

The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian institution, is the first national museum in the country dedicated exclusively to Native Americans. The museum is committed to advancing the knowledge and understanding of Western Hemisphere Native cultures — past, present, and future through its architecture, exhibits, special events, and collections. The museum’s collections include 800,000 objects, as well as a photographic archive of 125,000 images that represent more than 12,000 years of history.

National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC

Open 364 days a year with free admission, the National Museum of Natural History, a Smithsonian institution, has a collection that contains over 126 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human remains/cultural artifacts! Dedicated to promoting the understanding of the natural world and our place in it, the museum’s collections tell the history of the planet. They are a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.

Q?Rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center
Q?rius (pronounced “curious”) is an interactive learning space inside the National Museum of Natural History that brings the museum’s unique assets — the science, researchers, and collections — out from behind the scenes. Visitors can use microscopes, handle some of the 6,000 collection objects, solve science puzzles, enjoy touchscreen activities, and even meet a scientist!

National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, DC

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the achievements of women artists. Located just blocks from The White House, this destination not only offers a unique look at the wide variety of art created exclusively by women, but also offers special exhibits and events, learning opportunities for all ages, and tours. Check out their calendar for more information, including Community Days (enjoy free admission to explore their extensive collections)!

National Postal Museum
Washington, DC

The National Postal Museum, a Smithsonian institution, has a variety of exhibits and galleries that give guests the opportunity to explore America’s postal history and philately (the study and collection of stamps) from colonial times to the present. Home to the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, visitors can see hundreds of pullout frames containing more than 20,000 objects, including noteworthy stamps that have never been on public display.

O Street Museum
Washington, DC

Ignite your senses in the heart of Washington, DC, as you explore the O Street Museum! This historic mansion is open for all ages to explore art and creativity through its 100 rooms, tours, events, and exhibits. Set up an O’Kids Playdate, travel down the windy hallways, find secret doors, and discover the art you never knew you loved.

President Lincoln’s Cottage
Washington, DC

Lincoln’s Cottage was the home of our nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, for 13 months while he developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Standing on 251 acres, atop the third highest point in Washington, DC, guests are invited to visit, enjoy a guided tour, and get to know one of our country’s most influential leaders.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Washington, DC

Resembling the Pantheon in Rome, Itlay, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial honoring the Founding Father, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Located on the picturesque Tidal Basin, the memorial features Jefferson’s almost 20-foot bronze statue, with his gaze toward the White House. Inside this white-columned, open-air monument, the walls are inscribed with words from his various texts, including one from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

United States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC

Located on the National Mall, minutes from the US Capitol, the United States Botanic Garden is a family-friendly museum steeped in history! As one of the oldest Botanic Gardens in the US (established by Congress in 1820), this landmark emphasizes the crucial role plants play in the ecosystem. Visitors can explore living exhibits, including 12,000 accessions, which equates to about 65,000 plants! While there, be sure to ask about the Wilkes plants, too (read below)!

In 1838, Lieutenant Charles Wilkes set out on the United States Exploring Expedition commissioned by Congress to circumnavigate the globe and explore the Pacific Ocean. Between 1838 and 1842, the expedition traveled 87,000 miles and collected a large assortment of horticultural and botanical specimens. These formed the nucleus of the present-day garden. Even now, there are four plants in the garden that are believed to be directly related to the original Wilkes Expedition!

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, DC

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the US’ official Holocaust memorial. Adjacent to the National Mall, its collections contain more than 12,750 artifacts, 49 million pages of archival documents, 85,000 historical photographs, a list of more than 200,000 registered survivors and their families, 9,000 oral history testimonies, and more — all of which are dedicated to helping leaders and citizens of the world confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy.

Washington Monument
Washington, DC

The Washington Monument allows a breathtaking, bird’s-eye view of Washington, DC. The monument is open daily, with extended summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Same-day tickets are available at the Washington Monument Lodge, located along 15th St., on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be aware that during peak season (Apr-Sept), tickets run out quickly, and many visitors form a line to wait for the ticket window to open well before 9 am. To schedule in advance, call (877) 444-6777 for individual tickets, (877) 559-6777 for group tickets, or order tickets online.

Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is not only an active Protestant Episcopal church but also a historic landmark. Closely modeled on the English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century, the Washington National Cathedral is both the second-largest church building in the United States and the fourth-tallest structure in Washington, DC. Construction of this popular church began in 1907 when the foundation stone was laid in the presence of President Roosevelt and ended 83 years later when the last finial was placed in the presence of President Bush in 1990.

The public is invited to worship services, prayer, and other spiritual visits, for which admission is always free. Fee-based guided tours, including special Behind-the-Scenes tours, are available, as well as special events. See their full calendar here.

Disclaimer: Events/opportunities are curated from public sources and are subject to changes/cancelations that might not be reflected on DullesMoms.com.