Museums

Museums are a staple of any visit to Washington, DC. Mr. Smithson willed the US government 100,000 gold sovereigns in 1835, and the government used it to found the Smithsonian Institution, which now oversees 20 different museums in and around the district, including the National Zoo. The museums have always been free, and they continue to be, though today are heavily supported gift shop profits. In recent years, many worthy private museums have arrived on and around the Mall, and too are worth a look.

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October 15, 2005 new by patrickneil

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Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

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The most modern of the Smithsonian museums, the Hirshhorn is when one can find contemporary artworks made in the last years. It's constantly changing exhibitions make it very different from the other museum, with their well established and rarely changed collections. Notable artists include Picasso, Giacometti, de Kooning, and Warhol.

The scuplture garden, directly across the mall from the new National Gallary of Art sculpture garden, is a sunken safehaven from the madness of downtown DC. Here one can relax on one the many benches an enjoy Calder or more..

World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	202 560 0350
openingHours:	Museum: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Plaza: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sculpture Garden: 7:30 a.m. - dusk
url:	hirshhorn.si.edu
address:	Independence Avenue & 7th Street

National Air and Space Museum

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The National Air and Space Museum is the most popular museum in the world, with more visiters than even the Louvre or Uffizi. It's also the largest collection of historic air- and spacecraft in the world. Where else can you see planes flown by the old greats like Lindbergh and Earhart, and newer pieces of aviation history like the Voyager plane (first non-stop, non-fueled flight around the world in 1986). And don't forget the space program, although in its case a lot of the craft you see on display are models- they don't always come back to Earth! The Mercury and Gemini more..

World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	(202) 357-1400
openingHours:	10:00 am - 5:30 pm
url:	www.nasm.si.edu
address:	7th St. and Independence Ave., S.W

National Museum of the American Indian

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The National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C., is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building.

Metro:
L’Enfant Plaza Station (all lines except Red); exit Maryland Avenue/ Smithsonian Museums

Bus:
Lines 30, 32, 34–36—Friendship Heights/Southern Avenue

World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	202-633-1000
openingHours:	10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
url:	www.nmai.si.edu
address:	Fourth Street & Independence Ave.