National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.

National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. (must see)

If you're a nature lover and wish to delve into the fascinating story of our planet, from its fiery beginnings through billions of years of transformation, then The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. is where you should head!

Otherwise known as The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, for being administered, when opened in 1910, by the Smithsonian Institution, this museum boasts the largest natural history collection in the world!

Indeed, here you can indulge your passion and explore life on Earth in the vast 325,000 square feet of exhibition space, featuring more than 146 million objects and specimens of plants, fossils, minerals, rocks, animals, meteorites and other artifacts. Some of the most valued collections are presented in the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, the Hall of Paleobiology, and other exhibitions.

Among the permanent exhibits on site there are the Hall of Human Origins exploring the epic story of the human species evolution over 6 million years; the Sant Ocean Hall demonstrating intrinsic connection of the ocean to the daily lives of people around the world; the Ancient Egypt mummies; some 300 vertebrate skeletons; and the African Voices exhibit examining the diversity and global influence of Africa’s peoples and cultures.

Additionally, the Museum incorporates an IMAX Theater and a fun Discovery Room on the first floor.

Why You Should Visit:
Great choice for eclectic viewing as there's much more on display than expected, including, for instance, the Hope Diamond and other treasures from the National Gem Collection. Also, a great place for kids, as they will be in awe the whole time with the many levels to check out. The gift shops are awesome – one gears towards children and the other more towards adults.

Tip: If you don't mind walking outside, the food trucks on the Mall will give you a better deal on food items.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Washington D.C.. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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National Museum of Natural History on Map

Sight Name: National Museum of Natural History
Sight Location: Washington D.C., USA (See walking tours in Washington D.C.)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Washington D.C., USA

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Creating your own self-guided walk in Washington D.C. is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Federal Buildings Walking Tour

Federal Buildings Walking Tour

The capital of the United States is home to several notable federal buildings that hold significant historical, architectural, and governmental value.

Among the stately “emblems of authority” in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States – The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years," goes the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln.

Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. – the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons – had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia or simply The District, is the capital of the United States and, in many senses, America’s front yard. After the American Revolution, the need for the newly independent nation's federal government to have authority over a capital city and not rely on any state for its maintenance and safety, came in the wake of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Georgetown Walking Tour

Georgetown Walking Tour

Overlooking the Potomac River, in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., lies a historic neighborhood called Georgetown. Those poetically inclined tend to compare Georgetown to "a tapestry of cobblestone dreams and timeless grace." Indeed, this part of Washington, D.C., replete with charming tree-lined, cobblestone streets, cultural landmarks, and a vibrant atmosphere, is a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Arlington National Cemetery Tour

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example," a distinguished politician of the 19th century said once.

The historic military necropolis – the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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