No trip to the U.S. capital city would be complete without a visit to a museum, and, boy, does the Washington, D.C., area have a lot of great options. The following five are great places to keep in mind as travel restarts:
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum shares the history of human flight and space exploration through its unparalled collection and online resources. The museum’s two locations in Washington, D.C., and Chantilly, Virginia, display some of the most important airplanes and spacecraft from U.S. history. Contact Holly Williamson for more information.
The new International Spy Museum, located just steps from the National Mall and The Wharf, draws back the curtain on this secret world. The dazzling space includes state-of-the-art galleries, the world’s largest public display of authentic spy gadgets, and interactive exhibits with first-person accounts from real spies. Contact Lori Scott for more information.


Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens
This attraction is the 25-acre estate of philanthropist and collector Marjorie Merriweather Post. Visitors can stroll through the gardens, explore the mansion, or browse the unique exhibitions. Coming up in 2021: “The Porcelain Flowers of Vladimir Kanevsky” and “Roaring Twenties: The Life and Style of Marjorie Merriweather Post.” Contact Joey Hreha for more information.
National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum
The museum, located at the Judiciary Square Metro station, tells the story of American law enforcement through interactive exhibits, world-class artifacts, special exhibits, and thought-provoking programs. The adjacent memorial is the only national monument that honors officers killed in the line of duty. Contact Thomas Canavan for more information.
The Army Historical Foundation, National Museum of the United States Army
This new museum looks forward to offering a unique way for Americans to connect with their Army and the people who serve in it. The attraction will help visitors experience the Army’s history through the eyes of the American soldier. Email Pauline Bonilla for the latest updates. Contact Pauline Bonilla for more information.
To read more about Washington, D.C., see this story on the city’s neighborhoods and this article on favorite spots of tourism professionals in the DC area.
Top photo: The Manned Maneuvering Unit, which is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, includes a propulsion device that gave astronauts mobility for activities outside the Space Shuttle.
Photo by airandspace.si.edu