Must-Have Guide to Top Museums in Washington

The National Archives Museum is one of the top museums in Washington, and this place has the original founding documents of the United States. The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, which are the Constitution of the United States, declaration of independence, and the Bill of Rights is all present here in this very building. Fascinating, isn’t it? If you want to know on the papers on which America was built on, then this is the right place for you. These papers, together known as the Charters of Freedom, lays down the philosophy of the United States of America. The Rotunda curved walls have the largest single piece of oil-on-canvas painting in the United States known as the Faulkner Murals, which was painted by Barry Faulkner. The painting depicts the fictional scenes of the presentation of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Apart from these, the attractions also include the O’Brien galleries and Public Vaults, David M. Rubenstein Gallery, William G. McGowan Theater, and Boeing Learning Center.

When you reach the building, remember that photography is prohibited inside the Rotunda. This is done to prevent further fading of the original copy from using a flashlight, which is anyway faded. Don’t worry if you find the place to be cold and dark. This is only to help preserve these archives for future generations. You could anyway download the copies from the internet if you wish to read that. The place hosts several displays and events from time to time pertaining to historical significance, so do check out their website if you wish to be part of one of them. Admission inside the building is free, but you could always make a reservation through their website https://museum.archives.gov/.

The reservations are of two types-

1.Timed entry reservations- This is a self-guided timed entry reservation wherein you could book the time slot for your tour. The reservation is offered every 15 mins starting from 10:30 am and closes before 90 minutes. Please note that the museum is open every day of the year, and individuals could book up to 20 spaces on this reservation. Reservation for each person costs $1. The entry for this type of reservation is through the general entrance located near the corner of 9^th street and Constitution Avenue.

2.Guided tours- A guided tour is also available from Monday to Friday at 9:45 am, which is a 1-hour docent-led guided tour of the museum. The reservation could be made for up to 15 spaces, and each reservation costs $1. The entry for this kind of reservation is through the special events entrance located near the 7^th street and Constitution Avenue.

The Phillips Collection hosts an impressive collection of about 5000 works from a broad spectrum of work of American modernism to French impressionism. Get down to this place if you want to witness impressive works in the intimate setting of a new challenging form of artistic expression. The display includes the work of masters such as Cézanne, Paul Klee, Winslow Homer, John Marin, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, Pablo Picasso, Honoré Daumier, Georgia O'Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz, Edgar Degas, Brett Weston, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and many more. The collection has also included some 1000 photographs by famous photographers like Anselm Kiefer, Esther Bubley, Leo Villareal, Wolfgang Laib, Berenice Abbott, and Bruce Davidson.

Phillips collection also does exhibitions around the world from time to time. Check out their website for more details. Phillips collection takes pride in presenting to you with all the visuals of the classical to contemporary art to create an atmosphere where the visitor could understand the artistic visions and its freedom with which it has depicted its visuals. They also have their association with music known as Phillip music, which hosts concerts with the exhibitions and is mostly to integrate both the experience. There is also an “after 5” event hosted just for the members on Thursdays. A visit to the Phillip collection is highly recommended, and it is one of the top museums in Washington. So, now you know where to look for when you are looking to spend time at the top museums in Washington. The timing for opening is from 10 am to 5 from Tuesday to Saturday for the general public. For the members, the time extends till 8 pm on Thursday. The place remains closed on Mondays and holidays like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Location: 1600 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has some of the most exclusive artworks in contemporary and modern art, including photographs, paintings, and sculptures. This museum is one of the top museums in Washington and is known for its passion for crafting shared experiences among the audience and the artists for their art. Founded in 1974, the museum has expanded since then and now boasts of having 12,000 pieces of art. The artworks are not mainstream, and you can notice that easily as you enter this museum, which is one of the top museums in Washington. Artist Hiroshi Sugimoto has also recently contributed his bit to transform the lobby of the museum into a room full of Japanese trees inspired by the Medieval Japanese tree shaping art. While you can captivate yourself with the majestic artworks inside the museum, there are plenty of things to notice in the garden area of the premises of the museum. The sculpture garden has work from many known artists like Auguste Robin for its work of The Burghers of Calais and Yoko Ono’s work called Wish Tree, among many others. The admission is free here.

The museum remains open every day between 10 am and 5:30 pm except on December 25. The sculpture garden too remains open during the same timings, but it remains open till late dusk.

Location- 7th Street, and Independence Avenue SW, National Mall, Washington D

If you have ever watched a movie where the lead characters get trapped inside a museum, this is what you look at. Of course, this is not a set and has over 123 million specimens (which are real) and cultural artifacts, making it the largest natural history museum in the world. This is the reason it cannot miss the spot for the top museums in Washington. The museum is filled with a dinosaur skeleton, natural gems and minerals, and artifacts of early man, an insect zoo, coral reef, and many more. So, I would not recommend missing this place if you visit it with a family. Be there during weekdays and arrive early to avoid the crowd. Save at least 3 hours for the entire tour and a bit more if you want your kids to get themselves acquainted with some hands-on-activity. The timing for the museum is between 10 am and 5:30 pm every day except on Christmas day (December 25). The museum also has extended hours during the summer, hence check their website for updates.

Location- 10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20560

Next up in our list is one of the top museums in Washington, which is a special place called the National Gallery of Art and is home to the largest collection of masterpieces, which incorporates drawings, paintings, prints, photos, sculptures, and many more. The collection has been sourced from artists across the globe, and when you visit the museum, you could find diversity in finding a work done by a British, French, Italian, Spanish, German, or a Flemish artist. By the way, you will be happy to know that the place is very close to the Smithsonian so that you could visit the two places back-to-back. The admission is also free here, and you could also take part in the educational programs, guided tours, movies, concerts, and lectures.

The museum has different exhibits in the East and West wings. The West Building includes a display of European and American paintings, sculptures, and arts from the 13^th century till the early 20^th century. The East Building hosts all the contemporary arts and has a large library with a center of studying visual arts. The garden is also there at the outdoors, which is a nice place to hangout out after you chill at the many cafes there. The museum is open throughout the week from 10 am to 5 pm except on Sunday, which is from 11 am to 6 pm. The museum remains closed on the Christmas week from 25^th December to 1^st January.

Location: National Mall, 7th Street, and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (202) 737-4215

The National Air and Space Museum is one of the top museums in Washington, and we highly recommend you to visit this place because outer space is what Americans are incredibly proud of and we cherish everything that we could explore in the space. There are several things you could be a part of when you visit this place, including exhibitions, IMAX theater, science demonstrations, planetary observatory, virtual reality and simulator, and many more. You are certainly not getting bored anytime sooner, even if you belong to any age group. Remember to buy tickets in advance for the IMAX as the seats are limited, but the demand is not. There are also free guided tours for the entire museum. Do check the website related to the schedules of the above two and to book the reserved guided tour.

Location: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560

The Newseum is a place located in Washington known for its unique interactive experience, which deals with some of the most vital incidents in history by using the free press as a guide. You could find out how the radio was invented by going to this place. As you enter the Front-Page Gallery, you will be greeted by the front pages of almost all the world’s daily. The Newseum also keeps changing its features from time to time. At the 9/11 gallery, you could witness an intense examination of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, from the accounts of the first-persons and the journalists who covered it. If you are interested in photography, the Pulitzer Price Photography showcases every Pulitzer Prize winner since 1942. The sixth floor also offers panoramic views of Pennsylvania Avenue, where it is located. The place is not free here, so check out the website before you plan a visit as the prices vary, and you could save money visiting on some occasion. Lastly, you could be a part of the educational talks and discussion organized here at one of the top museums in Washington.

Location: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Hillwood Museum and Gardens, an estate owned by an art collector named Marjorie Merriweather Post, is also in the list of the top museums in Washington. The place has the most elaborate collection of the 18^th and 19^th Century imperial Russian art, which is based outside of Russia. The collection has paintings, glass, jewelry, the famous Faberge eggs, textiles, and furniture. The museum also features 18^th Century arts, including tapestries, decorative arts, furnishings, and porcelain. The garden also features some of the best orchids, lawns, Japanese waterfall, and many more. The place also hosts a Sunday afternoon tea season. Do check out the website for the latest rates for admission as this place is not free. You could get some free audio guides once you reach there and enter the place. The place remains open every day from 10 am to 5 pm except on Monday.

Location: 4155, Linnean Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States

Finally, this is the last one of our lists of the top museums in Washington, which is the National Museum of the American Indian. The place features in this list because of the vast and very expansive collection of Native American history for about 12,000 years and all the historical figures which influenced the present of what America is today. You could also get acquainted with the native cosmology, talk to the native families, and even dine at a restaurant where the native food is served, among many other things here at the museum, which is one of the top museums in Washington. The place remains open from 10 am to 5:30 pm every day except on 25^th December. The place has special accessibility for the disabled, as well.

Location: Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States

Washington is known for its rich history, and this history is held by the various museums located in the city. Please come here with your family and learn the rich history of various domains, be it natural science, arts or space, these museums have it all covered. Till then, we see you again for such interesting facts and information.