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While we love to travel Europe and I have shared our love for museums before ( you can read about a fun city here). We have lived outside of Washington DC now for almost 3.5 years so I want to share 10 of my favorite museums in DC. Most of these museums aren’t the typical ones that you visit on a trip to DC but I think they are worth the trip if you have time.
Planet Word
Planet Word might be our family’s favorite museum. It is one of the most interactive museums in DC. Not only is it interactive but it is beautiful on the inside. What will you learn here? All about language, and origin of words. Sounds boring, right? I promise it is anything but boring. They don’t charge but have a suggested donation, and I highly encourage you to donate. Our favorite part is the karaoke room. Plan to spend about 2-2.5 hours here.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Museum of African American History is a must do when in DC. I’ll be honest I’m not a huge fan of some of the Smithsonians but this museum was done very well. It is very interactive but also full of history. We loved seeing the replica of where they did sit-ins. The slave trade history was hard to read but a good history reminder for my children. You can get through the museum in about 3 hours. While this museum is free they do require timed tickets.
Book Recs
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom
International Spy Museum
Want a fun museum for older elementary kids and up? Visit the Spy Museum! We loved this museum so much we were members here. They have so many fun stories about spies here and different disguise tools that they have used throughout the years. Our favorite area is where they have stories of spies. They have spies that are from George Washington’s era to modern day spies. Plan to spend several hours here because there is so much to see and do. Heads up-there is a room that talks about torture which is why I say older kids, but you can easily skip it. The Spy Museum is not free and is definitely one of the more expensive museums, but I think it is worth it.
Book Recs
Red Sea Spies: The True Story of Mossad’s Fake Diving Resort
Old Postal Tower
Technically this isn’t a museum, but I think it is a great place to visit. Tickets to the Washington Monument can be hard to get but if you want some stunning views of the city you can easily get into the Postal Tower. We have taken all of our friends and family here because you can see for miles. Plan about 30-45 minutes for this activity. There are no timed tickets required but sometimes you have to wait for the elevator to the top. This is a great activity if you have a few minutes between museums.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the National Air and Space Museum, which is located near Dulles International Airport. Personally, I’d skip the Air and Space museum in downtown and head to Dulles.
We have been multiple times and still spend 2-3 hours here each time we go, but that may be because we are plane nerds. Our favorite area of this museum is the tower, where you can watch the planes landing and taking off while listening to the ATC. Don’t miss the Enola Gay and Space Shuttle Discovery which are the highlights.
I’ll be honest this is not the easiest museum to get to as it is located quite a distance from downtown. Driving is probably the best option, but you can take the public transportation as well. This museum is massive! It is free to visit but you have to pay for parking ($15).
National Museum of the United States Army
The Army Museum, located near Fort Belvoir, is another must visit in the DMV. As one of the newest museums, it is beautifully designed and highly interactive.
One of the most impressive features is the massive tank at the center of the museum—according to the docents, the entire building was designed around it! Another highlight is the gallery of stunning portraits, which you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Plan to spend 2-2.5 hours at this museum. The easiest way to get here is driving, as public transportation options are limited.
Book Recs
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Holocaust Museum is one that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is a sobering and deeply moving museum that is dedicated to the Holocaust victims. While it is a difficult museum to visit, they have done a thoughtful job of making it accessible to all.
Throughout the museum, you’ll find televisions playing survivor testimonies and historical footage. Some of the more graphic videos are housed in enclosed displays, allowing visitors to choose whether or not to view them. Having visited a concentration camp with our girls, we found this museum to be less visually disturbing, though no less impactful. I don’t say this lightly—what happened should disturb us all, which is why I believe everyone should experience this museum.
One of the most impactful aspects of the museum is the opportunity to hear from survivors themselves. Listen as they give firsthand details of their time in the camps. Plan to spend 2-3 hours in the museum to take it all in.
Book Recs
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Hillwood Estate is the former home of Marjorie Post, an incredible business woman who made millions. If you have never heard of her, I highly recommend you read Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki before visiting-it adds context to her interesting life.
Hillwood is just one of her many homes, and it’s best visited in the spring when the gardens are in full bloom. We went in the dead of winter, and while still interesting, it wasn’t as beautiful—I’m already planning a return trip!
The museum isn’t free but it is absolutely worth it. You can reach it from the metro, but it is about a 20 min walk. Or you can take advantage of free parking. Nestled in a gorgeous area of DC, surrounded by several embassies, it offers a lot to explore. Plan to spend about 2-3 hours here because there is so much to see. Don’t miss the enormous kitchen. Hillwood also houses the most expansive Russian art collection outside of Russia.
I l suggest this museum to older kids and adults because I think younger kids would find it boring. My girls found her stuff, especially the Louboutin collection, to be so interesting though.
Book Rec
Magnificent Life of Marjorie Post
United States Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden is truly a hidden gem! The first time we visited, we thought it would just be a quick stop—but we were so wrong! It has quickly become one of our favorite museums. We love exploring all the unique plants, especially the Corpse Flower when it’s on exhibit. Another favorite is the cocoa plant and its beans.
Plan to spend about 1-2 hours here, but since it’s free with no timed tickets, we often pop in for a few minutes when we’re downtown. If you visit in the summer, keep in mind that the greenhouse—especially upstairs—gets very hot!
Museum of the Bible
The Museum of the Bible is another one of our favorite museums. It is highly interactive and even features live performances, which we’ve heard are fantastic. While this museum is not free, Groupon often has great deals on tickets. The courtyard upstairs should not be missed because it is beautiful. Plan to spend 2-4 hours here-there is just so much to see! Even if you are not a Christian the historical perspective is fascinating.
These are 10 of my favorite museums in DC, how many of you visited?
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