Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian Institution Building
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The world's largest museum and research complex is actually comprised of 19 museums and the National Zoo, with subjects that vary from African Art to the postal service, sculpture to space exploration.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Address
Neighbourhood: Cleveland Park
How to get there
- Smithsonian • 4 min walk
- L'Enfant Plaza • 6 min walk
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4.5
3,555 reviews
Excellent
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805
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275
Poor
51
Terrible
8
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Cory
Illinois96 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
If you have limited time in DC, there is really no need to go in this. It’s convenient and attractive from the outside, but your time would be better spent in the actual free Smithsonian museums. There isn’t much to this. We really didn’t know what it was until we went in. It gets 3 stars because it’s free, so the only thing you are burning is time. If you are in DC a week, you can probably afford 20-30 mins inside or whatever. Sept 2013
Written 18 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,304 contributions
Aug 2021
I visited the Smithsonian Institution Building also known as the Smithsonian Castle in August 2021. I went at 8:30 am on a Tuesday and it was closed (should have checked the website carefully). I returned the next day at 8:30 am. Both times I took the Washington metro to the "Smithsonian" metro station. There is an Exhibit Room with articles and items from each of the Smithsonian museums. There is also an exhibit on Mr. Smithson and how the Smithsonian was founded and developed. There is a gift and book shop and also a cafe. I think it is worth stopping here for an hour to get your bearings and plan before visiting some of the museums.
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
montanapescado
Albuquerque, NM1,472 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
This is easily the most striking building in the Smithsonian complex. To avoid disappointment, it's good to know going in that this is not specifically another museum, but rather more administrative in function, so there's not as much to see inside. If you're more interested in the curating side of museums than the displays themselves, this may be more your speed than mine.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexanderD
Jackson, NJ5,743 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We did not go inside here on a recent DC visit but did enjoy its architecture from the outside. It is like nothing else in its vicinity and lovely to behold. It is a bit of gothic architecture to contrast with the neo-classicalism popular among Washington’s prominent public buildings.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frozen_72
Sansepolcro, Italy297 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
It is a building that diverges from the architecture of the other structures nearby, both in terms of color (a dark brick red in contrast with the white marble prevailing in the surrounding area) and architecture. It really looks like a mini Hogwarts castle…. It cannot be visited inside but is definitely worth a visit (and a photo!!!) from the outside, along The Mall.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zapprint
Corona, CA3,231 contributions
Mar 2020 • Business
Visiting the National Mall never gets old. This trip I visited the gardens outside the rear of the castle.
Some of the trees were in full bloom, the weather cool, but enjoyable.
You always find something new.
Some of the trees were in full bloom, the weather cool, but enjoyable.
You always find something new.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Les M
Cincinnati, OH473 contributions
Aug 2021
The "Castle" is worth a quick stop. The building itself is very cool and they have some nice gardens around to tour. Inside, they have some odds and ends from the other Smithsonian museums.
There's alot of history about the institution and Smithson himself. In fact, his crypt is there. It doesn't take long to see. I was there for about 30 minutes.
They do have a small cafe. Its not great, but there are few places to eat on the Mall so you kinda got to take what you can get.
There's alot of history about the institution and Smithson himself. In fact, his crypt is there. It doesn't take long to see. I was there for about 30 minutes.
They do have a small cafe. Its not great, but there are few places to eat on the Mall so you kinda got to take what you can get.
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonnaE
Vienna, VA169 contributions
Of the 14 Smithsonian Museums in DC, here's a local's list of the Top 10...
1. Air & Space - on the mall - exhibits change often
2. American History - mall - kids studio downstairs
3. Natural History - mall - great IMAX and cafe
4. Hirshhorn - mall - Fun art!
5. Folger Shakespeare Library - E. Capitol St
6. Freer Gallery/Sackler Gallery - under mall
7. Renwick Gallery - Pennsylvania & 17th
8. American Indian - mall - beautiful outside, a tad boring inside.
9. African Art - mall
10.. Udvar-Hazy Center - Dulles Airport - No exhibits - just a hanger chocked full of planes and an IMAX.
Enjoy!!! They're all free except Udvar Hazy $12 parking fee or transport fee via Smithsonian shuttle bus $6 each way
1. Air & Space - on the mall - exhibits change often
2. American History - mall - kids studio downstairs
3. Natural History - mall - great IMAX and cafe
4. Hirshhorn - mall - Fun art!
5. Folger Shakespeare Library - E. Capitol St
6. Freer Gallery/Sackler Gallery - under mall
7. Renwick Gallery - Pennsylvania & 17th
8. American Indian - mall - beautiful outside, a tad boring inside.
9. African Art - mall
10.. Udvar-Hazy Center - Dulles Airport - No exhibits - just a hanger chocked full of planes and an IMAX.
Enjoy!!! They're all free except Udvar Hazy $12 parking fee or transport fee via Smithsonian shuttle bus $6 each way
Written 15 March 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miznina
San Simeon, CA303 contributions
We've just come back from a Spring Break trip with 2 kids, ages 8 and 10. As to be expected, a lot of time was spent in one or the other Smithsonian Museums...primarily Air/Space and Natural History.
My recommendation is to immediately by a Smithsonian membership at the first opportunity. You get $2 off (per person!) each Imax show, a considerable discount on the Flight Simulator at the Air/Space Museum, and about 10% at all the shops.
We not only saw a few IMAX shows, we bought the usual amount of rocks, trilobite fossils and stuffed panda bears (the Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian) and found that our membership MORE than paid for itself by the end of our trip. Plus, now we get the magazine for a year.
My recommendation is to immediately by a Smithsonian membership at the first opportunity. You get $2 off (per person!) each Imax show, a considerable discount on the Flight Simulator at the Air/Space Museum, and about 10% at all the shops.
We not only saw a few IMAX shows, we bought the usual amount of rocks, trilobite fossils and stuffed panda bears (the Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian) and found that our membership MORE than paid for itself by the end of our trip. Plus, now we get the magazine for a year.
Written 19 April 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,632 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
For first time visitors of SMITHSONIAN museums in Washington, DC, visiting the Smithsonian Institution Building is highly recommended. As you enter the building, you see the big map of the National Mall showing various museums and landmarks of Washington, DC.
1. TWO (2) FREE MAPS
The Information Desk employees are very friendly and helpful. They give out 2 FREE MAPS: one is called, " Guide and Map" which briefly discusses the 19 museums, galleries and Zoo that it owns/manages. The other handout depicts detailed maps of Washington, DC and areas of interest to tourists such as the National Mall, Downtown DC, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, etc. The latter is an excellent tool to use whether you 're driving, walking or taking the public transportation
2. OVERVIEW OF THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS EXHIBITS
There are very few items on display at the Smithsonian Institution Building that are located near the Gift Shop at the Ground Floor.
The most notable ones are the napkin of Napoleon Boneparte and small artifact related to Joan of Arc. Other exhibits are in another room that shows samples of small rockets and birds. For more exhibits of these kinds, visit the National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of Natural History.
3. TIME CONSTRAINTS
If you only have 3 days or less, I recommend reading the "Guide and Map" mentioned above. Depending on your interest, choose the museums you would like to visit.
MY 4 TOP FAVORITE (FREE) SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS are:
1. National Air and Space Museum
2. National Museum of the American Indian
3. National Museum of Natural History
4. National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum ( located at the same building)
Happy visits! Be sure to come back and see the other attractions that Washington, DC has to offer!
1. TWO (2) FREE MAPS
The Information Desk employees are very friendly and helpful. They give out 2 FREE MAPS: one is called, " Guide and Map" which briefly discusses the 19 museums, galleries and Zoo that it owns/manages. The other handout depicts detailed maps of Washington, DC and areas of interest to tourists such as the National Mall, Downtown DC, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, etc. The latter is an excellent tool to use whether you 're driving, walking or taking the public transportation
2. OVERVIEW OF THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS EXHIBITS
There are very few items on display at the Smithsonian Institution Building that are located near the Gift Shop at the Ground Floor.
The most notable ones are the napkin of Napoleon Boneparte and small artifact related to Joan of Arc. Other exhibits are in another room that shows samples of small rockets and birds. For more exhibits of these kinds, visit the National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of Natural History.
3. TIME CONSTRAINTS
If you only have 3 days or less, I recommend reading the "Guide and Map" mentioned above. Depending on your interest, choose the museums you would like to visit.
MY 4 TOP FAVORITE (FREE) SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS are:
1. National Air and Space Museum
2. National Museum of the American Indian
3. National Museum of Natural History
4. National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum ( located at the same building)
Happy visits! Be sure to come back and see the other attractions that Washington, DC has to offer!
Written 6 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have a question concerning a item that has been passed down for several generations in my family about the murder of James A Garfield. Who could I contact concerning this item?
Written 15 February 2023
I have a question concerning a item that has been passed down for several generations in my family about the murder of James A Garfield. Who could I contact?
Velma Mabe
Written 15 February 2023
Hi,
we tar traveling to Washington with two grandparents and three kids ( 14, 11, 8 ). we are planning to visit the museum on Thanksgiving
I would appreciate your help.
1. what activities/exhibitions are recommended for kids?
2. how much time should we reserve for the visit?
Thanks.
Written 27 August 2017
You can see the entire Smithsonian Institution Building in an hour or two, in my opinion. Spend some time outside in the garden and admiring the architecture. Then see the exhibits inside. It isn't so much a museum as it is a visitor center and information center. There are some exhibits and interactive stuff for small children. It is a pleasant diversion, but in my opinion not a main attraction.
Written 28 August 2017
Is there a list of the Smithsonian museums with entry costs and addresses?
Written 8 January 2017
Yes. Check out tripplanner.si.edu, Smithsonian's newest tool that helps you plan a visit across all the museum's in DC.
And all of Smithsonian's museum's in DC are free!
Written 2 June 2017
Bonjour ,il y a plusieurs années que j'ai visité l'ile D'Orléans,j'aimerais savoir si il y a encore des audio-guide au kiosque du tourisme ?(un cd que tu mets dans l'auto)qui te raconte toute l'histoire de l'ile. Ce fut très intéressant !
Merci de prendre la peine de me répondre.
Written 29 June 2015
Malheureusement, je ne peux vous répondre car je n’étais même pas au courant d’un tel service.
Written 29 June 2015
Smithsonian_OVS
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Hi Laurie,
My name is Samir Bitar and my team oversees the main space inside the Castle, also known as the great hall. Can I ask when you visited? Where any of the new digital interactives in place? If so, did you use them? I ask because we are in the process of installing a new Smithsonian Visitor Center which will help visitors understand more about the Smithsonian and better navigate to and throughout our 19 museums and the National Zoo.
We are very interested in your input and look forward to any that you might contribute.
Very best,
Samir~
Written 15 December 2014
Hi, when we visited we didn't see any of these 'digital interactives' to be honest, so obviously we didn't use any.
Written 19 December 2014
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