Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Hope Diamond, dinosaurs, the giant elephant rotunda — free on the Mall.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History worth it?
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History deserves a place on most first itineraries. Go early or reserve ahead. Crowds are part of the cost.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
A genuine crowd-pleaser: dinosaur hall, a butterfly pavilion, the Hope Diamond, all under one roof and free.
- 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.
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're 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're 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 ↗