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

The National Museum of Natural History is the kind of place where a quick look around can turn into a casual stroll through several billion years of Earth's development. Opened in 1910 and run by the Smithsonian Institution, this museum tells the story of our planet on a grand scale, from fiery beginnings, meteorites, and ancient oceans to dinosaurs and human evolution.

The permanent exhibitions cover plenty of ground. Here, in the vast space of 325,000 square feet, you can indulge your passion and explore life on Earth through more than 146 million objects and specimens of plants, animals, fossils, rocks, and other artifacts. Among the major highlights are the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, and the Hall of Paleobiology—that is, if you enjoy sparkling stones, extinct creatures, or both...

The Hall of Human Origins traces around six million years of human progression, from early ancestors to modern people who now argue with self-checkout machines... The Sant Ocean Hall shows how closely our lives are tied to the sea, while the Ancient Egypt section brings in mummies—because, apparently, no great museum visit is complete without a respectful nod to ancient Egypt’s talent for making an impression that lasts several thousand years...

You will also find hundreds of vertebrate skeletons and the African Voices exhibit, which explores the diversity, history, and global influence of Africa’s peoples and cultures.

And then there is the sparkle department. The Hope Diamond and other treasures from the National Gem Collection prove that even in a building full of dinosaurs, a dramatic blue diamond can still steal the room. Families will also find an IMAX Theater and a Discovery Room, especially useful for younger visitors who like to ask questions at professional speed.

The gift shops are awesome – one geared towards kids and the other more towards adults. Another practical tip: if you don't mind stepping outside, the food trucks on the National Mall may offer a better deal than museum-area snacks. Indeed, after billions of years of Earth history, a short walk for lunch should feel perfectly manageable...