National Museum of American History

While the hit Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is certainly a must-see film, the real life museum has a few must-sees as well. The Smithsonian Institution is not just a museum, but a collection of 18 separate museums, with another one on the way. For those traveling to the area, a Smithsonian visit is the best value in Washington—free!
Fortunately, I live a stone’s throw from our nation’s capital and can visit the museums frequently. Although, unlike the movie, I’ve never spent the night, nor have I ever been involved in a “battle” of the Smithsonian—I have visited them all and have developed some favorites. Here are my top three that are essential for a Washington, D.C., vacation:

1. National Museum of American History

Since you can’t collect a little piece of history from every city and town and put it in one place, the National Museum of American History is the next best thing. If it’s Americana, it’s here. The exhibits range from wars to presidents to sitcoms to iconic heroes and stars. Perhaps the most impressive exhibit is the Star-Spangled Banner, which takes you through the history of the U.S. flag, including the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the country’s national anthem as it flew over Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. This is a very emotional exhibit for me.

 

• The Star-Spangled Banner exhibit at the National Museum of American History takes visitors through the history of the flag.

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History. National Mall at 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW. Tel. 202-633-1000 (general information for Smithsoniam Institution museums). Open every day except Dec. 25. Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Extended summer hours apply to certain days from mid-April to early Sept.; call for details. americanhistory.si.edu

2. National Museum of Natural History

While my No. 1 choice focuses on Americana, the National Museum of Natural History focuses on our planet and all that nature has put on it. We last visited a month ago, and the one exhibit that captured the attention of my three kids (ages 17, 14 and 12) was “Written in Bone.” This exhibit delves into the forensics of history through the bones of the dead. For some additional in-depth education, spend some time in the Forensic Anthropology Lab, where you can mix and mingle with real human bones—hands on! As with several of the Smithsonian Museums, this one has an IMAX theater (additional cost)—you just can’t go wrong with a six-story-tall movie screen.