From museums and landmarks to planetariums and more, the DMV offers something for every age and curiosity!
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA
Established as a military cemetery in 1864 during the Civil War, this 600+ acre site is the final resting place of hundreds of thousands of military veterans and their immediate families. Key landmarks include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (featuring the Changing of the Guard ceremony), the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and Arlington House. A government-issued photo ID is required for entry.
Carlyle House Historic Park
Alexandria, VA
In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Carlyle House is a 1753 Georgian manor built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle. The historic site offers guided tours detailing colonial life, pre-Revolutionary history, and its later role during the Civil War.
Children’s Science Center
Fairfax, VA
Located in Fair Oaks Mall, the Children’s Science Center invites visitors of all ages to learn science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through touch, feel, and play across a variety of zones and a hands-on experiment bar. Advance timed-entry tickets are recommended for weekend visits.
David M. Brown Planetarium
Arlington, VA
During the school year, the David M. Brown Planetarium hosts weekend public programs. Plus, they offer special seasonal opportunities throughout the year; learn more and see the full schedule by visiting Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium.
Freedom House Museum
Alexandria, VA
The Freedom House Museum occupies the actual headquarters of one of the largest domestic slave-trading companies, which trafficked Black men, women, and children from 1828 to 1861. Today the museum honors their lives by showcasing the area’s Black history and experience in America.
Freedom Museum
Manassas, VA
Located inside the terminal building at Manassas Regional Airport, the Freedom Museum offers visitors an interactive, historical experience with free admission. The museum’s exhibits feature stories of ordinary Americans who became heroes by protecting our nation’s freedom, both on the battlefront and on the home front.
George Mason’s Gunston Hall
Lorton, VA
Gunston Hall is the 18th-century Georgian mansion and plantation estate of George Mason, Founding Father and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Visitors can explore the historic house, outbuildings, grounds, and visitor center through guided tours and hands-on educational programs.
George Mason University Observatory
Fairfax, VA
This STEM destination at George Mason University gets visitors a little closer to the stars! Boasting many high-powered telescopes, including a 32″ one, the observatory offers public events and tours, including its Evenings Under the Stars program.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mt. Vernon, VA
Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is the former plantation estate and burial place of George Washington, our first President. Visitors can tour the iconic mansion, the tomb of George and Martha Washington, a memorial to the enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate, and interpretive spaces like the Pioneer Farm and Washington’s Gristmill & Distillery (3 miles off-site). Guided and self-guided tours, plus seasonal and special events, are also offered.
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
Fredericksburg, VA
This historic apothecary offers a glimpse into 18th-century medicine through preserved rooms, period furnishings, and displays of the tools and remedies physicians and pharmacists once used. Visitors can explore the shop where Hugh Mercer practiced medicine and learn how colonial Fredericksburg physicians prepared and prescribed treatments.
Irene V. Hylton Planetarium
Woodbridge, VA
Located on the campus of CD Hylton Senior High School, this planetarium features a full digital laser and projection system that projects stars, visible planets, moon phases, and full-dome laser shows on a thirty-foot curved dome!
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
Sterling, VA
Inside Claude Moore Park, the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum highlights 250 years of Loudoun County’s agricultural heritage through exhibits, hands-on activities, and seasonal events.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Manassas, VA
Preserving over 5,000 acres of historic land, this National Park Service site marks the sites of two major Civil War clashes (the First and Second Battles of Bull Run). Guests can visit the Henry Hill Visitor Center, tour museum displays, and explore miles of walking trails across the battlefield.
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Winchester, VA
Located on Winchester’s largest green space, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley preserves and enriches the region’s cultural life and heritage. Guests can enjoy seven acres of formal gardens, the 18th-century Glen Burnie House, and The Trails at MSV — a free 90-acre art-and-nature park open daily on the grounds.
National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA
The Smithsonian’s second National Air & Space Museum location (the original is on the National Mall) showcases the history and science of aviation and spaceflight. Its two huge hangars display thousands of artifacts, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery, plus an IMAX Theater and an observation tower overlooking Dulles Airport. Admission is free, but daily parking is fee-based.
National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
Alexandria, VA
Located at the headquarters of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), this free museum celebrates inductees whose innovations changed the world. Interactive exhibits explore patents, trademarks, and technological advances from computing to automotive engineering.
National Museum of the United States Army
Ft. Belvoir, VA
As the Army’s national landmark, this museum honors the accomplishments, sacrifices, and commitment of American soldiers, bringing over 240 years of Army history to life through soldiers’ eyes. Admission is free, but visitors must reserve free timed-entry passes online before arrival.
National Museum of the United States Marine Corps
Triangle, VA
The United States Marine Corps’ historical museum invites visitors of all ages to experience hundreds of years of American history through a Marine’s eyes, from the recruiting process to battles fought in times of conflict. Both admission and parking are completely free!
National Sporting Library & Museum
Middleburg, VA
Located in historic Middleburg, the heart of Virginia’s hunt country, this library and fine arts museum tells the story of horse-and-field sports, from fox hunting and steeplechasing to polo, through books and art. Admission is fee-based, but free on select days.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Winchester, VA
This kid-focused touch-and-play museum features 4 stories of exhibits that encourage problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration. Best of all, kids don’t know they’re learning — they think they’re just having a great time!
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Alexandria, VA
This historic apothecary offers a fascinating look at medicine, pharmacy, and everyday life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can explore preserved shop spaces, original furnishings, medical tools, and thousands of historic objects while learning how early Alexandrians prepared, sold, and used remedies.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Alexandria, VA
A former naval munitions factory on the banks of the Potomac River, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to 75+ working artist studios and fosters connections between artists and the public. It also houses the free Alexandria Archaeology Museum, which shows how the city’s archaeologists, volunteers, and students study and manage local archaeological resources. Its public laboratory even lets visitors see artifacts from the latest digs as they are preserved and cataloged!
Turner Farm Observatory Park
Great Falls, VA
Permanently mounted telescopes offer excellent stargazing at Turner Farm Observatory Park! This roll-top observatory includes an Observation Room with three telescopes and a retractable roof, plus an Orientation Room for educational programs. For more information on future programs, visit the Analemma Society.
Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House
Alexandria, VA
Situated on 126 historic acres, this site features two distinct architectural landmarks: Woodlawn (a 19th-century plantation built on land originally part of Washington’s Mount Vernon) and the Pope-Leighey House (a rare mid-century Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright).
Workhouse Arts Center & Lucy Burns Museum
Lorton, VA
Occupying the transformed grounds of the former Lorton Reformatory, this unique arts center features working artist studios, galleries, and performance spaces. The campus also houses the Lucy Burns Museum, which preserves 91 years of prison history and honors the silent sentinel suffragists who were imprisoned here during their fight for women’s voting rights.
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 almost 210,000 members of the United States Colored Troops and their historic role in abolishing slavery and keeping America united during the Civil War.
Albert H. Small Center
Washington, DC
The Albert H. Small Center’s Washingtoniana Collection documents Washington, DC’s history from the eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century. Its more than 1,900 items include manuscripts, books, newspapers, photographs, and a remarkable collection of prints and maps.
Congressional Cemetery
Washington, DC
This historic 35-acre cemetery offers a fascinating look at more than 200 years of Washington, DC, and American history through the stories of the people buried there. Visitors can explore scenic grounds, distinctive monuments, and self-guided tours highlighting notable figures, presidents, civil rights leaders, suffragists, artists, and other individuals who helped shape the city and nation.
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Washington, DC
The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum preserves and interprets the material culture and social history of pre-industrial America. Visitors can enjoy galleries, exhibitions, and 31 period rooms illustrating American interiors from the 17th to the early 20th century.
Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC
This renowned cultural destination brings Shakespeare, literature, theater, and history to life through exhibitions, performances, rare books, manuscripts, and interactive experiences. Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, it invites visitors of all ages to see First Folios, explore historic spaces, try hands-on activities, and discover how people have interpreted Shakespeare’s stories and language for centuries.
Ford’s Theatre
Washington, DC
One of Washington, DC’s top entertainment destinations during the Civil War, Ford’s Theatre closed for over a century after President Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. Reopened in 1968 as a historic site and active performance space, it now offers theatrical performances, interactive exhibits, and educational programs for all ages.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Washington, DC
Located at Cedar Hill in Anacostia, this preserved historic site is the former home of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Visitors can explore the grounds, take guided tours of the home, and enjoy sweeping views of the Washington, DC, skyline while learning about his life, legacy, and fight for civil rights.
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Washington, DC
Adjacent to the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn is one of the most visited modern art museums in the US and home to one of the most important collections of post-World War II American and European art. Encounter 21st-century artists through groundbreaking exhibitions, events, and more.
International Spy Museum
Washington, DC
This immersive museum invites visitors to go undercover and explore espionage through interactive exhibits and experiences. Located at L’Enfant Plaza, it brings the history, tools, and techniques of spies to life while offering a closer look at intelligence, deception, and covert operations.
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
This iconic institution invites visitors to explore the nation’s Library through striking architecture, rotating exhibitions, historic collections, and family-friendly activities. Inside the Thomas Jefferson Building, visitors can take in the grand Great Hall, view the Main Reading Room, and discover exhibits that bring books, history, culture, and the Library’s vast collections to life.
National Academy of Sciences
Washington, DC
Located on Constitution Avenue, the National Academy of Sciences features interactive exhibits showcasing scientific discovery and innovation. Explore rotating art-meets-science exhibitions and see the iconic, larger-than-life Albert Einstein Memorial statue on its grounds.
National Air & Space Museum
Washington, DC
The National Air & Space Museum showcases the history and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science, terrestrial geology, and geophysics. Popular attractions include the 1903 Wright Flyer, Apollo 11’s command module Columbia, and a real lunar rock.
National Archives Museum
Washington, DC
This landmark museum brings American history to life through original documents, immersive exhibits, and family-friendly learning experiences. Visitors can see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, then explore additional exhibits and the Discovery Center for a closer look at the people, events, and records that shaped the nation.
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
This one-of-a-kind museum invites families to explore the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design through engaging exhibits and hands-on discovery. Kids can enjoy touch-and-play opportunities alongside popular exhibits and changing pop-up experiences, all within the museum’s impressive historic home and soaring Great Hall.
National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC
This renowned art museum invites visitors to explore centuries of masterpieces from around the world, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and more. Located on the National Mall, it also offers rotating exhibitions, tours, kid-friendly programs, hands-on activities, and opportunities for families to discover art together.
National Geographic Museum of Exploration
Washington, DC
This immersive museum brings the spirit of National Geographic to life through interactive technology, iconic photography, artifacts, and experiences inspired by exploration around the world. Across more than 100,000 square feet, visitors of all ages can discover wildlife, geography, science, storytelling, and the work of National Geographic Explorers through hands-on exhibits and larger-than-life multimedia experiences.
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum shares the story of African American life, history, and culture through powerful artifacts, art, stories, and interactive exhibitions. Located on the National Mall, its expansive collections explore the contributions, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the nation, offering visitors of all ages opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect with American history.
National Museum of African Art
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore Africa’s creativity, history, and cultural traditions through art from across the continent. Located on the National Mall, its galleries feature historic and contemporary works, rotating exhibitions, and family-friendly opportunities to discover the stories, ideas, and artistic traditions represented in its collections.
National Museum of American History
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum brings the nation’s story to life through iconic artifacts, immersive exhibitions, and collections spanning politics, innovation, culture, entertainment, food, transportation, and more. Located on the National Mall, it also offers hands-on spaces for kids, including Wegmans Wonderplace for ages 0-6 and Draper Spark!Lab for ages 6-12.
National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum shares the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of Native peoples from across the Western Hemisphere through exhibitions, artifacts, photographs, media, and educational programs. Located on the National Mall, it also offers family resources, special events, performances, and opportunities to learn directly from Native perspectives and voices.
National Museum of Asian Art
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore art and culture from across Asia, from ancient works to contemporary pieces, through exhibitions, collections, and interactive experiences. Located on the National Mall, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery together offer family activities, special events, and opportunities to discover connections between Asian art, history, culture, and the wider world.
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore the natural world through fossils, gems and minerals, wildlife, human origins, oceans, and other science-focused exhibits. Located on the National Mall, it offers family-friendly galleries and hands-on opportunities that make it easy for visitors of all ages to discover more about Earth, life, and the planet’s incredible diversity.
National Museum of the United States Navy
Washington, DC
This museum explores the history and heritage of the US Navy through artifacts, ship models, historic objects, and exhibits spanning major conflicts, naval technology, and life at sea. Located at the Washington Navy Yard, it offers visitors a closer look at the people, ships, and innovations that have shaped the Navy from its earliest days to the present.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, DC
This one-of-a-kind museum celebrates women artists through a collection spanning the 16th century to today, along with rotating exhibitions that highlight both historic and contemporary work. Visitors of all ages can discover more than 5,500 works, explore changing exhibits, and enjoy programs and events that encourage conversation, connection, and a deeper appreciation for women in the arts.
National Postal Museum
Washington, DC
This Smithsonian museum explores America’s postal system through stamps, historic mail vehicles, and artifacts that show how mail has connected people and communities over time. Its exhibitions bring postal history to life with familiar objects, surprising stories, and family-friendly opportunities to learn how messages and packages have traveled across the country.
O Street Museum
Washington, DC
Also known as The Secret Door Museum, this imaginative destination invites visitors to explore 100+ themed rooms filled with art, music, sports memorabilia, history, and American pop culture. Families can hunt for 80+ secret doors, uncover hidden passages and surprises, and enjoy a hands-on experience that turns every visit into an adventure.
Planet Word
Washington, DC
Planet Word brings language to life through immersive exhibits that turn reading, speaking, and wordplay into a hands-on adventure! Located in the historic Franklin School, its voice-activated galleries invite visitors to explore how communication works and discover its creativity, fun, and power.
President Lincoln’s Cottage
Washington, DC
This historic destination invites visitors to explore the place where Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s 16th President, developed the Emancipation Proclamation and made some of his most consequential decisions. Set on a historic 250-acre campus, the museum offers interactive tours and exhibits that explore Lincoln’s legacy while encouraging thoughtful conversations about freedom, justice, and civic responsibility.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Washington, DC
This iconic memorial honors Thomas Jefferson, the nation’s third President and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Set along the Tidal Basin near the National Mall and other well-known landmarks, its classical design, bronze statue, and surrounding landscape invite visitors to explore Jefferson’s life, ideas, and lasting impact on American history.
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden
Washington, DC
This historic Georgetown estate invites visitors to explore more than two centuries of American history through a landmark home, thousands of historic objects, and 5½ acres of gardens and grounds. Once home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants, Tudor Place shares the Peter family’s story, as well as the stories of the enslaved and free people who lived and worked there.
United States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC
This living plant museum invites visitors to explore gardens and conservatory spaces filled with plants from around the world. Near the US Capitol, its tropical displays, seasonal exhibits, outdoor gardens, and family-friendly learning opportunities make it an engaging place to discover plant life, ecosystems, and the importance of conservation.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, DC
This powerful museum examines the history of the Holocaust through artifacts, photographs, personal stories, and immersive exhibitions that document the experiences of victims, survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators. Its galleries encourage visitors to learn about the consequences of hatred and antisemitism while reflecting on individual choices, human dignity, and the importance of remembering history.
Washington Monument
Washington, DC
Rising above the National Mall, this iconic marble obelisk honors George Washington, the nation’s first President and a central figure in the founding of the United States. Standing 555 feet tall, the monument defines Washington, DC’s skyline and sits near many of the capital’s best-known memorials, museums, and landmarks.
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC
This soaring Gothic cathedral invites visitors to explore remarkable architecture, stained glass, stone carvings, chapels, and hidden details throughout its grand interior. Families can discover highlights like the Space Window, gargoyles, exhibits, gardens, and scenic grounds, with self-guided and themed tours offering even more ways to explore.
Ausherman Planetarium
Frederick, MD
Located at the Earth and Space Science Laboratory, the Ausherman Planetarium’s 35-foot dome is built to amaze and educate stargazers of all ages! Its Chronos Hybrid system models the night sky and also displays 360-degree movies.
B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore, MD
A Smithsonian affiliate on a site regarded as the birthplace of the American railroad, the B&O Railroad Museum houses our country’s oldest and most historic railroad collection! Explore full-size locomotives and train cars inside, see model replicas and historic artifacts, and ride along the first commercial mile of railroad track laid in America.
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
Ellicott City, MD
Owned and operated by Howard County Recreation & Parks, Ellicott City Station is America’s oldest surviving railroad station and the original terminus of the country’s first 13 miles of commercial railroad. Highlights include a 40-foot model train layout of that original route from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills, a replica of the first horse-drawn passenger railcar, and a 1927 caboose.
Banneker Planetarium
Catonsville, MD
This community planetarium invites visitors to explore the universe through full-dome presentations and programs focused on astronomy and space science. Located at CCBC Catonsville, its 10-meter dome and digital projection system bring planets, stars, and other celestial wonders to life for school groups, families, and the public.
Brunswick Heritage Museum
Brunswick, MD
The Brunswick Heritage Museum is like two museums in one! One floor uses recreated late Victorian rooms to tell the story of a town built by the B&O railroad and the railroad families who lived there in the early 1900s. Another floor holds a 1,700-square-foot HO-scale model railroad depicting the B&O Metropolitan Subdivision, from Brunswick’s rail yard to Union Station in Washington, DC.
Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Annapolis, MD
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum helps kids get closer to the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland history! Live animals, a docked boat, theatrical costumes, nature trails, and Underground Railroad trails keep kids busy while they learn about the local environment.
College Park Aviation Museum
College Park, MD
This aviation museum brings the story of flight to life through historic aircraft, interactive exhibits, and hands-on learning experiences. Located at the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, it invites visitors of all ages to explore aviation history, see airplanes up close, and discover the people and innovations that helped shape early flight.
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD
This NASA center gives visitors a closer look at the science and technology behind missions that study Earth, the Sun, the solar system, and the universe. Exhibits and visitor experiences highlight spacecraft, satellites, engineering, and the people behind NASA discoveries, offering an engaging introduction to space science and exploration.
Hagerstown Aviation Museum
Hagerstown, MD
This aviation museum celebrates the region’s rich aircraft-building history through restored airplanes, artifacts, photographs, and exhibits connected to Hagerstown’s role in American aviation. Visitors can get up close to historic aircraft while learning about the people, companies, and innovations that helped shape flight in the region.
Howard B. Owens Science Center
Lanham, MD
This educational science center lets visitors explore astronomy, earth science, biology, and other STEM topics through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and specialized learning spaces. Its planetarium, observatory, and science programs bring complex ideas to life through engaging experiences for students and families.
KID Museum
Bethesda, MD
Dedicated to the Mind of a Maker, KID Museum sits on the plaza level above the Bethesda Metro Station. The 28,000-square-foot space serves creators ages 4-14 with hands-on coding, robotics, and engineering design experiences, plus programs that foster community and connection.
Maryland Science Center
Baltimore, MD
The Maryland Science Center is a must-visit STEM museum packed with hands-on exploration, including permanent exhibits like Newton’s Alley, Cells: The Universe Inside Us, and Dinosaur Mysteries! Young kids get their own gated room with a Chesapeake Bay-themed water play area, and there’s even a space just for infants and toddlers under two. Don’t miss the Davis Planetarium, where you can take in the stars and sky beneath a 50-foot dome; check the upcoming events calendar for the full lineup of public opportunities.
National Aquarium
Baltimore, MD
Consistently ranked among the nation’s top three aquariums, the National Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals living in award-winning habitats! Visitor favorites include a multi-level tropical rain forest, the Australian Outback, and an Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit with sharks, eels, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish.
National Capital Trolley Museum
Colesville, MD
This transportation museum brings the history of streetcars and electric railways to life through historic trolleys, exhibits, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can explore vintage railcars, learn how streetcars helped shape communities, and enjoy rides that offer a fun glimpse into the region’s transportation past.
National Cryptologic Museum
Annapolis Junction, MD
This fascinating museum pulls back the curtain on the secret world of codemaking, codebreaking, and intelligence through thousands of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Visitors can see rare encryption machines, including a German Enigma machine, and explore stories spanning America’s first spy ring, Native American code talkers, World War II, the Cold War, cybersecurity, and more.
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Frederick, MD
This museum explores how Civil War medicine shaped care for wounded and sick soldiers and influenced the future of American medicine. Through artifacts, exhibits, and personal stories, visitors can learn about battlefield treatment, hospitals, nursing, surgery, and the medical challenges faced during the war.
National Museum of Health & Medicine
Silver Spring, MD
This fascinating museum explores the history and science of medicine through exhibits featuring medical artifacts, specimens, technology, and stories of discovery and innovation. Its collections offer visitors a closer look at human anatomy, military medicine, disease, treatment, and the ways medical knowledge has evolved.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Baltimore, MD
Ranking among the top children’s museums in the United States, Port Discovery offers 80,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits and activities designed for curious, active kids!
US Naval Academy Museum & Preble Hall
Annapolis, MD
This museum explores the history and traditions of the United States Navy and the Naval Academy through ship models, artifacts, artwork, and exhibits spanning centuries of naval service. Located in Preble Hall on the Academy grounds, it offers visitors a closer look at naval leadership, life at sea, and the people and events that have shaped the Navy’s story.
William M. Brish Planetarium
Hagerstown, MD
This community planetarium invites visitors to explore astronomy and space science through immersive programs beneath its domed theater. Presentations bring stars, planets, constellations, and other celestial topics to life, offering an engaging way for families, students, and curious visitors to learn more about the night sky.
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
