Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC
(202) 357-2700

The Smithsonian's 16 national museums and the National Zoo present a fascinating array of exhibitions and complementary activities. To learn about the museums you wish to visit, consult the list below. Also visit the Smithsonian Institution Museum Guide.

The destinations listed below are accessible by Metrorail, Metrobus, and other public transportation systems.

Please confirm hours, fees, and directions. Hours of operation, entrance fees, and other information are subject to change. Please confirm with the venue you plan to visit. Phone numbers and Web links are provided. Most directions provided are from the nearest Metrorail station. (See interactive Metrorail system map.) Bus routes and their days and hours of operation are also subject to change. Get the most up-to-date directions, or find a more direct route from your D.C.-area location, by using Metro's Trip Planner. Addresses for each venue are provided to plug into the Trip Planner's destination field.

Have a favorite destination that you think should be added to our growing list? Send detailed information about how to get there by public transportation to our webmaster.

Smithsonian Institution Building "The Castle" | Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture | Arthur M. Sackler Gallery | Arts & Industries Building | Freer Gallery of Art | Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden | National Air and Space Museum | National Museum of African Art | National Museum of American History | National Museum of the American Indian | National Musem of Natural History | National Portrait Gallery | National Postal Museum | National Zoological Park | Renwick Gallery | Smithsonian American Art Museum

Smithsonian Institution Building
"The Castle"

Smithsonian Information Center, 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC
202-633-1000 or 202-357-1729 (TTY)

Completed in 1855, the original Smithsonian Institution Building, popularly known as the Castle, was designed by architect James Renwick Jr., whose other works include St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC. This Washington landmark is constructed of red sandstone from Seneca Creek, Maryland, in the Norman style (a 12th-century combination of late Romanesque and early Gothic motifs). The Smithsonian Information Center is housed in the Castle. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue Lines to Smithsonian station, exit the station and walk 1 block north on 12th Street SW, turn right on Jefferson Drive SW and walk 1 block east.

Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture

1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, DC
202-287-3306

Founded in 1967 and located in the historic neighborhood of Anacostia-named for the Native Americans once indigenous to the area-the museum moved to Fort Stanton Park in 1987. The Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture has grown from an experiment in community outreach to a national resource devoted to the identification, documentation, protection, and interpretation of the African American experience. The museum also examines contemporary urban issues, including housing, transportation, and health care, and their impact upon the African American community. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Green Line to Anacostia station. Exit the station via the exit marked "Local," turn left and go to the Metrobus W2/W3 stop on Howard Road. Both Metrobus W2 and W3 stop in front of the museum.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

1050 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
202-633-4880

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is devoted to exhibition, education, and research on the art of Asia, including cultures from the shores of the Mediterranean to Japan and from ancient times to the present. The museum sponsors changing exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other art forms that express the diversity of Asian art. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station, exit the station and walk 1 block east on Independence Avenue SW.

Arts & Industries Building

900 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC
202-633-1000

Opened in 1881 in time for the inaugural ball of President James A. Garfield, the building was constructed to exhibit materials acquired from the nation’s Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Over the years the Arts and Industries Building has served as a repository for many special exhibitions, from the first ladies’ gowns to the Spirit of St. Louis, now displayed in other Smithsonian museums on the Mall. At this writing, the building's exhibition halls are closed for renovation, see the Smithsonian Web site for more information.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to the Smithsonian station, exit the station and walk 1 block north on 12th Street SW, turn right on Jefferson Drive SW, and walk 2 blocks east.

Freer Gallery of Art

Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC

The Freer possesses one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art-including Japanese screens, Korean ceramics, Chinese paintings, Buddhist sculptures, Islamic metalwares, and Indian paintings. Such artists as Sargent, Dewing, and Whistler are represented in its smaller American collection. An outstanding installation is the famous Peacock Room, a dining room decorated by James McNeill Whistler during the 19th century for London patron Frederick R. Leyland. Upon the death of Leyland and the subsequent sale of his mansion, the room was dismantled and reconstructed four times before being permanently installed in the Freer’s southeast corner in 1919. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to the Smithsonian station, exit the station and walk 1 block north on 12th Street SW.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Independence Avenue and Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC
202-357-2700 or 202-633-8043 (TTY)

The Hirshhorn offers a superb collection of modern art, the nucleus of which was donated and bequeathed to the United States by American financier Joseph H. Hirshhorn. The collection, greatly enriched today by the generosity of others and an active acquisitions program, features outstanding works by major artists of our time. Changing exhibitions focus mostly on established contemporary masters and emerging artists. Complementing a broad selection of paintings with occasional sculptures in the galleries, a procession of bronzes and other sculptural works can be viewed in the inner ambulatories. Larger sculptures, including monumental abstractions, can be seen on the Plaza (James Urban’s 1992 renovation incorporated granite surfacing with ramped accessibility, patches of lawn, and various new plantings) adjacent to the museum building and in the sunken Sculpture Garden on the National Mall-also renovated for accessibility and a greener ambiance in 1981 by Lester Collins, designer of the Enid A. Haupt Garden. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25. Tour information.

Take Metrorail’s Orange, Blue, Yellow, or Green lines to the L’Enfant Plaza station, exit the station and walk 3 blocks north on 7th Street SW.

National Air and Space Museum

7th and Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2700

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Museum has hundreds of artifacts on display including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," Apollo 11 command module, and a Lunar rock sample that visitors can touch. The museum continues to develop new exhibits to examine the impact of air and space technology on science and society. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25. (The main doors and lobby remain open for evening IMAX features.) General Admission is Free.

Take Metrorail’s Orange, Blue, Yellow, or Green lines to the L’Enfant Plaza station, exit the station and walk 3 blocks north on 7th Street SW.

National Museum of African Art

950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
202-633-4600

Relocated in 1987 to its present site on the National Mall, the National Museum of African Art became a bureau of the Smithsonian in 1979. It is the only museum in the United States devoted to the study, collection, and exhibition of African art. While the museum’s primary focus is collecting and exhibiting traditional arts of Africa south of the Sahara, it also collects and exhibits the arts of other African areas, including northern Africa and the contemporary arts of the entire continent. In addition, the museum is a leading research and reference center, housing the Warren M. Robbins Library and the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs, services and resources, including teacher-training workshops, audiovisual loan programs, tours, lectures, hands-on workshops, musical programs, and films for visitors of all ages. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station, exit the station and walk 2 blocks East on Independence Avenue SW.

National Museum of American History

14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
202-633-1000 (voice) or 202-357-1729 (TTY)

The National Museum of American History, opened in 1964 as the National Museum of History and Technology. Constructed to house exhibits related to the cultural, scientific, and technological growth of our country, this museum recaptures and interprets the U.S. experience from early times to the present. Collections-which include agricultural implements, clothing and household furnishings, coins, cars, musical and scientific instruments as well as ships, trains, and ceramics-are exhibited in settings that bring the history of the United States to life and pay tribute to its genius. Among the museum’s wealth of Americana are the original Star-Spangled Banner and the John Bull locomotive, and such memorabilia of our national pastimes as Archie Bunker’s chair and Fonzie's jacket. Popular exhibitions include Information Age; Field to Factory; First Ladies: Political Role, Public Image; A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the Constitution; American Encounters; and Science in American Life. Two unique features are the 19th-century country store/post office, restored as working postal facility, and the 19th-century Jacksonville bandstand, located on the west grounds. The Gwenfritz, a mammoth stabile by Alexander Calder, is located on the northwest museum grounds, while Jose de Rivera’s stainless-steel sculpture Infinity revolves almost imperceptibly at the Mall entrance. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Federal Triangle station, exit the station and walk 2 blocks south on 12th Street NW, turn right on Constitution Avenue NW, and walk 2 blocks west.

National Museum of the American Indian

Fourth Street & Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) was chartered by Congress in 1989 as the 16th museum of the Smithsonian Institution. The NMAI is the only national museum dedicated to the Native peoples of North, South, and Central America. Our educational mission is to preserve, present, and celebrate the Native cultures of the Americas. The NMAI has one of the largest and most extensive collection of Native American art and artifacts in the world—approximately 800,000 objects representing over 10,000 years of history, from more than 1,000 indigenous cultures through the Western Hemisphere. Much more than a collection of exhibition galleries and artifacts, the NMAI actively promotes “cultural continuance.” Through our exhibitions, and most importantly, through our educational programs and outreach to Native communities, the NMAI helps Native people revive and sustain their cultural heritage. In doing so, the NMAI has established collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with tribal communities throughout North, South, and Central America. The hallmark of this museum is that all aspects of our exhibitions and programs are presented from the Native perspective—“in the Native voice.” The museum is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building.

Take Metrorail's Orange, Blue, Green or Yellow lines to L’Enfant Plaza Station; exit Maryland Avenue/ Smithsonian Museums.

National Museum of Natural History

10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
202-633-1000 (voice) or 202-357-1729 (TTY)

The National Museum of Natural History is recognized as one of the world’s great centers for the study of humankind and our natural surroundings. From the legendary Hope Diamond and the fascinating Insect Zoo to the ever-popular dinosaurs, this museum brings into sharp focus the history of humankind and the evolution of the world in which people live. Such features as the Discovery Room, where visitors can touch and examine museum specimens, serve to capture the imagination and enhance the understanding of young and old alike. A record eight-ton (8,128-kg) African bush elephant is displayed in the cavernous central rotunda. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Federal Triangle station, exit the station, walk 2 blocks south on 12th Street NW, and turn left on Constitution Avenue NW.

National Portrait Gallery

Eighth & F Streets, NW, Washington, DC

The National Portrait Gallery is housed in the Patent Office Building, which is currently closed for a multi-year renovation. It is scheduled to reopen on July 4, 2006. All areas of the building are currently closed.

Take Metrorail’s Red, Yellow, or Green lines to Gallery Place/Chinatown station, exit the station at 9th & G Streets, walk 1 block south on 9th Street NW, and turn left on F Street NW.

National Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC

The National Postal Museum opened July 30, 1993, in the historic City Post Office building located to the west of Union Station. The mission of the National Postal Museum is to preserve the nation’s collection of postal history and philatelic items, to educate the public about the importance of those items, and to dramatize the role of the postal system in shaping and building the United States. Exhibitions trace the history of the postal system in the United States and the contributions of the groups and individuals that have been an integral part of that system. Another exhibit gallery is devoted to the display of select portions of the world’s largest and most comprehensive stamp collection. Moved from the Arts and Industries Building in 1964 to the National Museum of American History, the collection has grown substantially since the Institution began collecting artifacts in 1886. The new museum provides more space for the growing collection and also houses a Library Research Center, a Discovery Center for educational programming, a Museum Shop, and a philatelic sales center. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Red Line to Union Station, exit the station and walk a short distance northwest on Massachusetts Avenue.

National Zoological Park

3000 Block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

The National Zoo, established by Congress in 1889, is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. Open to the public 364 days a year, we are home to more than 2,700 individual animals of 435 different species. The Zoo is a one of Washington's and the Smithsonian's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming up to three million visitors—from the local community, the country, and the rest of the world—every year, free of charge. Visitor information.

Take Metrorail’s Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station, exit the station and walk 6 blocks North on Connecticut Avenue NW, or exit the station and take Metrobus L1, L2 or L4 toward Chevy Chase Circle to the National Zoo entrance.

Renwick Gallery

Smithsonian American Art Museum, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

The Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery collects, exhibits, studies, and preserves American crafts from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries. Housed in a historic architectural landmark across the street from the White House, the Renwick features one-of-a-kind pieces created from clay, fiber, glass, metal, and wood. Selections from the Renwick's permanent collection of American craft are displayed on a rotating basis in the second-floor galleries. Popular works include Larry Fuente's Game Fish, Wendell Castle's Ghost Clock, and Albert Paley's Portal Gates. Temporary exhibitions of American crafts and decorative arts are shown on the Renwick's first floor. Special exhibitions highlighting contemporary artists as well as traditions in American craft open in the spring and fall. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed December 25.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Farragut West station, exit the station, walk 1 block south on Connecticut Avenue NW. Continue walking straight onto Jackson Place NW, walk 1 block south on Jackson Place NW, turn right on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and walk 1 block west. Or take Metrorail’s Red Line to Farragut North station, exit the station and walk 1 block west on K Street NW. Turn left on 17the Street NW, walk 3 blocks south, turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and walk 1 block east.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Eighth & G Streets, NW, Washington, DC

The Smithsonian American Art Museum, is housed in the Patent Office Building, which is currently closed for a multi-year renovation. It is scheduled to reopen on July 4, 2006. All areas of the building are currently closed.

Take Metrorail’s Red, Yellow, or Green lines to Gallery Place/Chinatown station, exit the station at 9th & G Streets, walk 1 block south on 9th Street NW, and turn left on F Street NW.