8 Tips for the Smithsonian and FREE museums in DC

Between the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art, Washington DC has some of the best completely free museums in the entire world. In this video I’m going to give you my favorite tips and hacks to help you when you travel to DC to explore them.






Where to eat (and avoid) on the National Mall -

Download the Smithsonian app -


Smithsonian extended hours calendar -

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[Rob_Kates]

I visited DC and saw 7 museums in 48 hours. I loved, loved, loved the National Gallery of Art. It is a collection of world-class art that can rival any museum in the world. The Newseum is an amazing place too, for anyone interested in media and journalism. It is not free, like many other DC museums, but it is worth the price of admission. Madame Tussauds wax museum is an interesting place to visit as well. It's not free, but it has wax figures of all of the presidents plus various contemporary celebrities.

[woltersworld]

Museum fatigue is a real thing. I have said similar things to our viewers too. But people don't believe you until they get it :)

[jenjen]

I have been binge watching your vids. I am taking my family sadly for only 2 days (part of a bigger road trip) but I have been able to narrow down what fits us and our time. Thank you so much for these videos. They really are priceless!

[Gothrailfan_Crow]

I love the Postal Museum! The Railroad post office exhibit was always my favorite as a kid. Although as a little kid growing up in the DC metro area, i was always just about as excited about riding the metro into dc as i was about visiting one of my favorite museums.

[heliennawensink]

A Smithsonian-centric vacation is on my bucket list. So glad I stumbled on your channel--I subscribed right away!

[BlackPawnMartyr]

On the 2 days we went to visit the Natural History museum (on a busy weekend in early April) We got in much faster on the Mall side the first morning than the street side on the second day. The first day we left for food around 2pm and the line was so long to get back in we decided to go to the art museum after lunch. The second day we ate a more expensive bland lunch in the cafe inside, but didnt care because it gave us lots of extra time to see the museum instead.

[dalej]

Thanks for the tip about the American Art Museum and the later hours!

[ACondo-hoio]

You are a real lifesaver! Thanks so much for your efforts here.

[MordredPendragon]

My sister and I are planning a trip to D.C. in October so your videos will be really helpful.

[jacksonspitsfax]

going this may on a school trip, so excited to see DC

[nsbdnow]

That idea of starting at the back of the museum upon opening is genius!

[rgrion]

Great tips. Thanks a lot. I'm going to DC for the first time.

[scottmarquiss]

Excellent vid! YOU MADE MY DAY WHEN YOU MENTIONED DOCENT LED TOURS! I've been t the National Air and Space museum for over 35 years! One more thing to add. If you are able to come to D.C. over the winter DO IT! very low visitation compared to Cherry Blossom/Summer seasons.

[randyian]

I love all of your stuff on Washington DC, my favorite museum is the Smithsonian Space and Air Museum!

[shabbirnaqvi]

I live in NOVA and I LOVE the udvar hazy center (the air & space Museum near Dulles airport). It is SO much better than the one in DC. It's rarely crowded and has a TON of really important planes (a space shuttle, Enola gay, and an Air France Concorde) and a lot of things for children.

[josephbarnett]

I live near Dulles airport (IAD) and love the Udvar Hazy center and Air and space museum in DC, the natural history is also pretty cool.

[maddiedemund]

I’m in DC for a school trip and I found this really helpfuk

[ninaonthecoast]

thank you for this video, It is very helpful and I am going to Washington DC next week, last time I just made an not such a good visit plan and I got so tired. But this time I will try to stay on track.

[dapet]

Thanks! I am SOO excited about the Natural history museum!

[livyakin]

This was a great video! I just recently went to D.C. and vlogged about it as well. It’s definitely worth a visit!