Loading ...Smithsonian Dc USA Travel
The Smithsonian Museums and Parks. One of the wonderful aspects of Washington DC is that it contains the biggest museum complex in the world. The Smithsonian Institute is a conglomeration of sixteen widely different buildings and parks. Eleven of them are downtown between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument, lining a large grassy field known as “The Mall.” Four other museums and park are located in various suburbs of DC, easily accessible by the Metro subway system.
Some of the museums, such as the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museums, also run IMAX movies (70 mm films) or special interactive exhibits which cost around $6.00 a person. These shows vary throughout the year, but you can find a current listing is at the Smithsonian website.
An Englishman who had never set foot in America founded the Smithsonian Institute. In 1829, James Smithson bequeathed over half a million dollars to the U.S. government to create an institute “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” The United States government eventually used the gift to catalogue mankind’s current knowledge in its museums, to fund science research, art projects, and to further exploration into unknown areas. Today, the government is still responsible for 75% of the institutes funding with the rest coming from private donations.
Each museum is truly unique. The National Museum of American History displays full-size trains and tractors, unusual exhibits of popular culture such as the ruby shoes from the Wizard of Oz, a collection of inaugural gowns from the First Ladies, and the American flag that inspired the national anthem. The National Museum of Natural History is famed for its displays of minerals and gems including the Hope Diamond, animals including the largest squid ever found, and the bones of many prehistoric creatures. The Air and Space Museum has the original aircraft used by the Wright Brothers as well as the Spirit of St. Louis, the first airplane to make a solo transatlantic crossing from New York to Paris. It also contains historic Mercury and Gemini space capsules, many rocket ships and a lunar landing module.
The Mall, at the center of DC, is within easy walking distance of the Capitol Building, the White House and most of the monuments. The Smithsonian Metro station, near the center of the Mall, provides convenient access and brings you only one block away from the original Smithsonian administrative building. Federal Triangle, Archives-Navy Memorial and L’Enfant Plaza Metro stations are also within easy walking distance to one or more of the museums.
View some related video clips below.
