The best Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C.
The top 3 according to 1,143 votes from people: National Air and Space Museum · National Museum of American History · National Museum of Natural History. (Updated Dec 27, 2025.)
All free: the Smithsonian museums most visitors shouldn't miss, by visitor numbers and guide recommendations.
Top 10
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1
National Air and Space Museum
The most visited Smithsonian museum, with the Wright Flyer and the Spirit of St. Louis.
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2
National Museum of American History
The Star-Spangled Banner, Dorothy's ruby slippers and Julia Child's kitchen.
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3
National Museum of Natural History
Hope Diamond and the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils, reopened in 2019.
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4
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Opened in 2016, its timed passes are among the most sought after in D.C.
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5
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Free 163-acre zoo in Rock Creek Park with more than 2,000 animals.
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6
National Portrait Gallery
Presidential portraits including the Obama portraits by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald.
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7
Smithsonian American Art Museum
American art in the same Greek Revival building as the Portrait Gallery.
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8
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Circular museum of modern and contemporary art on the Mall.
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9
National Museum of the American Indian
Native cultures of the Americas, with a well-reviewed café.
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10
Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian's red sandstone headquarters from 1855.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Freer Gallery of Art
Asian art and Whistler's Peacock Room.
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12
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Air and Space's huge annex near Dulles with the Space Shuttle Discovery and an SR-71.
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13
National Postal Museum
Smithsonian museum next to Union Station with the world's largest stamp collection.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (18)
Air and Space is way better after the renovation, Wright Flyer still there.
Natural History Museum's dinosaur hall is amazing for kids.
All free! DC is the best city for museums.
Air and Space Museum after the renovation is fantastic.
The National Zoo pandas came back in 2024 🐼
All free! DC museums are the best deal in America.
Air and Space Museum, the Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 command module.
The African American History museum needs a whole day, very powerful.
Book timed entry for NMAAHC, it fills up.
Portrait Gallery with the Obama portraits, long line but worth it.
Udvar-Hazy has the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Enola Gay, worth the drive.
Spent 5 days in DC and only saw half of these lol
Missing the National Postal Museum, surprisingly fun!
Hirshhorn is great for modern art fans.
American History with the Star-Spangled Banner and Julia Child's kitchen.
African American History and Culture museum, plan a whole day. Powerful.
Freer Gallery's Peacock Room is gorgeous.
The Hope Diamond at Natural History, everyone goes straight there 💎