Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

My visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was a total treasure hunt of knowledge and wonder. Its vast exhibits, from the iconic Hope Diamond to the lifelike dinosaur displays, offer a captivating exploration of Earth's history and biodiversity. The museum's interactive exhibits make learning a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. The attention to detail and the depth of information provided showcase the museum's commitment to education and scientific discovery. With free admission, it's a fantastic destination for anyone with an interest in the natural world. Perhaps I need to go there one more time to cover some more corners of the great museum.

Such a cool museum! Expect a crowd, it was elbow to elbow in most areas downstairs. BUT, totally worth going to. The elephant in the center of the lobby was such a cool focal point to be greeted with, and the dinosaurs are all set up perfectly. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing everything. For anyone wanting to do the butterfly exhibit, make sure you get tickets early because it is a timed ticket system and they sell out.

My first visit was over 30 years ago, and it's only gotten better. Literally the best museum experience there is, and has something for everyone from 2 to 102. Make sure to give yourself a whole day here if you can, because even rushing through, it's a lot to see. New exhibits are added throughout the year, and everything is constantly being updated. There are opportunities to see the scientific side of how they do things, which is very cool. Multiple gift shops and a cafe were reasonably priced and had many options. Plus it's free! I recommend the Smithsonian to everyone.

Very informative. Our stay was 3+ hours because we read every plaque. Be prepared for a lot of walking. Was busy but it’s what’s expected. African exhibit was my favorite. I enjoyed my visit very much.

One of the best museum for kids. Must visit place to understand the different species and evolution of man kind. Entry free.
Easily it will take whole day to cover all the floors and section. In between there will be small theaters to explain the science in small videos

Food court is available and it’s not too expensive. Even decent food.

Very nice museum, interesting and informative also free. The amazing world of the ocean, animals, space, dinosaurs, butterflies, crystals and much more. It was also very interesting for us to see how man developed, a very good story about our past ancestors, cool statues. We were there for more than two hours, it was not enough because every square centimeter in this museum is very interesting and worth attention. My children ran and it was impossible to stop them, especially in the underwater world, various fish, octopuses, corals, turtles and others. We also really liked in the world of dinosaurs. The museum itself is very clean, spacious and interesting. We drank coffee in the museum cafe, ate delicious desserts, but the prices are quite high, even very high, but that's everyone's choice) We liked everything and we are very satisfied))

My visit of this specific Smithsonian was on a Monday, massive museum of history of the earth and its vastness! Will be back. The rotunda with the massive elephant was epic. This museum has so many wings and exhibitions with everything having an extremely in depth information about the pieces. 2 floors, many gift shops like one for every gallery. Elevators and stairs for those who need and like. Many friendly workers about and helping expo goers.

This museum is worth visiting for sure. There's a decent amount to see and is great for families or just a cute date night. It's free which is a bonus and right near the national mall. So you can walk to other free and cool museums as well as see the white house ect. It's also walking distance from the metro which is super cheap as well as convenient. My only recommendation is don't eat at the food court there it is way to expensive and not that great of food is served so I'd recommend eating before you get there.

Great time for my whole family. My 2 yr old really enjoyed the touch and feel additions. Such as the giant purple gem rock.The butterfly pavilion was definitely worth $8. So much to take in. We can't wait to come back again.

This was a fantastic place to take the kids. The exhibits are excellent, and it was fascinating to see all the mammals and insects. The national mall is fantastic with all the food trucks and the views. I would highly recommend this museum. It is the best in the world. The cell phone exhibit was my favorite. I truly enjoyed seeing all the phones and how the cellular telecommunications system works. The exhibit was well thought out and was displayed in a very easy to ingest manner for the children.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a must see if you are visiting Washington DC. It took me around 3 hours, visiting all the exhibits (of course , in some of them with more interest than others) anyway, its impossible to take all the details, and knowledge in a single day. There are many facts and information in one place which makes it very impressive. No waiting time, no tickets needed, free admission but it’s always good to donate something for this kind of places.

This museum is so much bigger than life itself! The Smithsonian NMNH is the third most visited museum in the world behind the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This is definitely one of those museums in which you DEFINITELY need more than a singular day to explore! The best part about this museum is that you do not have to spend a single penny upon entrance, since, just like with ALL Smithsonian museums, admission is free, which is an absolute life-Saver, if you are visiting the nation’s capital on a budget. If you live in another part of the country or in another part of the world, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum should be near the top of your Top 10 List of Things To See and Do in Washington, D.C. You cannot EVER visit the nation’s capital and not spend at least one hour at this amazing bucket-list museum!! However, during peak tourist season (April-August) the museum and the National Mall area in the district can get extremely crowded, so the best time to visit is in the middle of the winter, when it is the least crowded. Exhibitions are always interactive and exceedingly edifying than informative! It is definitely a million times more exciting than reading a book and sitting in the classroom taking notes and listening to a teacher lecture for hours and hours!

What an experience. This place is a must visit if you are in Washington DC. They have captured everything so beautifully. Whether it's the ocean exhibit or the gemstones or the fossil or the butterfly conservation. Simply amazing. So much to learn and it would be best to spend hours in here. The human evolution exhibits and the amount of research done in this matter is just mind blowing. The fossil collection is vast. Truly a must visit place.

This museum is MASSIVE. So many different exhibits and collections it is amazing. We spent around 6 hours in the museum so plan to spend a long time there. Has great access with the nearby Smithsonian metro station and on the national mall. Exhibits are interactive and plentiful with great information accompanying each item. Overall I highly recommend this museum for all ages it is truly a wonderful experience!!

The Museum of Natural History is an absolute gem. The exhibits are captivating, offering a fascinating journey through the wonders of our world. Admission being free is a huge plus, making it accessible to everyone. From dinosaurs to gems, each display is meticulously curated, providing an enriching educational experience. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The museum’s grandeur can be overwhelming, so plan accordingly. A must-visit for anyone with an interest in history, science, or the marvels of nature.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a must see and an amazing museum for kids who are eager to learn new things. This museum takes a while to explore (around 3-4 hours) with all the interesting exhibits spread throughout the building. There are many facts and information in one place which makes it very impressive. The entry was free and there was no need for tickets. Overall, we had an amazing experience and hope to come back soon with more time.

The architecture is amazing. The museum is massive . We didn't get to see all of it. Very, very crowded. Just be prepared for lots of people, escalators are available for some of the upper laterals as well as an elevator. The museum is very educational and well put together. There was just so much to look at, that quite honestly it was a little bit overwhelming trying to take it all in. It's worth the time, the energy. Make sure you add it to your agenda. PS there are bathrooms right at the main entrance.. Hit those ones first so then you can enjoy the museum.

Definitely a place that you should visit if you are in town. If you are into history I definitely recommend visiting. Besides all the exhibits the architecture of the building is just beautiful. A great place to just get lost and take in all the sights and knowledge. Went on a Thursday around 2pm the crowds weren’t too bad and I didn’t need to rush through.

This part of the Smithsonian is a must-see stop for anyone visiting DC. It seems that no matter how many times I go, I'm always discovering new things!

My only critique is that it does get crowded and a tad loud. We went on a Saturday afternoon, so I'd advise visiting at an early hour or even weekday if you can.

Overall, this museum never fails to amaze me. It's wonderful that such a place is free for all to visit!

An amazing experience to share with my daughter. She's 8 years old and it's perfect age for them to be excited and at all at all the wondrous amazing things. Do you remember there is a gift shop in there lol, also remember 8-year-olds are very limited on their attention span and their ability to walk... LoL 🤣 I am taking all my sex children to these museums. My oldest is 34 and I am still at awe at all the things there, the changes, new exhibits and of course all the things that I missed chasing down kids or entertaining one because the other is more interested in a certain exhibit.
I would really love to do just an adventure with my husband and just I someday.