Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Hope Diamond, dinosaurs, the giant elephant rotunda — free on the Mall.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
A genuine crowd-pleaser: dinosaur hall, a butterfly pavilion, the Hope Diamond, all under one roof and free.
Our read - 02
The catch: it's enormous and on busy days it's a stroller-traffic-jam, so you'll want to pick a wing rather than try to 'do' it all.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Washington DC
Pick one wing rather than trying to do it all, or you will burn out.
You are watching the budget
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
You are traveling with kids
With kids, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is an easy yes.
Think twice if
The main downside would spoil the experience
The catch: it's enormous and on busy days it's a stroller-traffic-jam, so you'll want to pick a wing rather than try to 'do' it all.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Free (timed-entry at peak times)
- Timing
- Weekday morning at opening to avoid the worst crowds
- Booking
- Free; timed-entry passes only required at peak times
- Allow
- 2–3 hrs
- Accessibility
- Step-free with elevators throughout
Consider instead
Sources and method (1)
- Free Smithsonian museum on the Mall; home to the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond and a major fossil/dinosaur hall. en.wikipedia.org ↗