Smithsonian Museums
It would take you a lifetime to explore the entirety of the massive and complex Smithsonian Museums, many of them flanking the National Mall. There are 19 museums in all; it's the world's largest museum system. The most popular museums are the Air and Space Museum, American Art Museum, Natural History Museum and the American Indian Museum. Added bonus: they're all free.
National Mall
Washington, D.C.
http://www.si.edu/Museums/
National Monuments and Memorials
Some of the most famous monuments and memorials can be seen from the National Mall, but for a more comprehensive look at the city's monuments and memorials, take a guided tour. All Washington, D.C. Tours offers a three-hour tour of the monuments and memorials at the National Mall and along the Potomac, including the Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam and Jefferson memorials. Bikes, helmets and water are provided.
All Washington, D.C. Tours
http://www.allwashingtondctours.com
International Spy Museum
If you have kids in tow, don't miss a visit to this one-of-a-kind, well-done museum, where visitors can become a spy, examine more than 200 gadgets (think: invisible ink and invisible cameras) and test their own espionage skills. There are several exhibits on the history of spying, too. One of the coolest attractions is the museum's Spy at Night experience. Every Friday and Saturday nights, visitors are invited to become a U.S. intelligence officer on a high-energy, interactive mission. There's live action, music, hands-on displays, special effects and more in this fun-filled, entertaining and enlightening experience.
International Spy Museum
800 F St NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 393-7798
http://www.spymuseum.org/
The United States Holocaust Museum
It's one of the most moving, haunting museums in the world, a three-floor display that immerses visitors into the history of the Holocaust. Museum-goers are asked to take on the identity of a person living during the time of the Holocaust and to follow his life, as they move through the museum. There are more than 900 artifacts, four theaters and a 70 video monitors in the main Holocaust exhibit.
The United States Holocaust Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, D.C. 20024-2126
(202) 488-0400
http://www.ushmm.org/museum/
Article Written By Pamela Wright
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
