The Smithsonian Institution is the foundation behind some of DC’s best hidden and not-so-hidden treasures. The organization operates nearly twenty museums around the country, including the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, but the majority are on the National Mall. Picking and choosing among the almost universally free (!!!) options can be tricky, so we’ve prepared a little primer to help you get started.
Best place for a lunch break: Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian
Museum hopping can be tiring, so it’s important to find the best spot to refuel. While the National Museum of the American Indian itself isn’t even the most compelling on the block, but this gourmet dining experience alone makes it worth the visit. The seasonal menu is divided geographically, with a full selection of dishes from five different regions. Feel free to mix and match, like pairing the smoked green apple soup with wilted spinach and wild onions with the house ground buffalo and duck burger.
Best reason to visit the Mall at night: Hirshhorn After Hours
Hirshhorn After Hours occurs periodically throughout the year, and there’s sure to be at least one edition this summer. Visitors have to purchase tickets, a rarity amongst Smithsonian events, but it’s worth it to experience probably the only museum dance party of your life. Admire the collection of Pollocks and Rothkos as you listen to some of the city’s best DJs play into the night.
Best reason to venture off the mall: National Portrait Gallery
While the great majority of Smithsonian buildings surround the Mall, the National Portrait Gallery is located a few blocks away in Penn Quarter, which helps it bypass many of the customary crowds that clog other museums. The stunning federal building, which reopened in 2006 following extensive renovations, features a diverse collection of portraits of famous Americans. It may sound dry, but the art is so varied, and the setting is so serene, that it feels just right.
Best reason to brave the crowds: The National Air and Space Museum
There’s a reason the National Air and Space Museum is the busiest of all of the Smithsonian’s offerings. The enormous building features a number of complete aircrafts, and it gives visitors an inside look at life outside of the stratosphere. Be sure to check out the selection of freeze dried foods in the gift shop, and if you’re especially interested, the Museum operates an annex, the Udvar-Hazy Center, which has space for countless more aircrafts, near Dulles airport.
