American Yacht Institute

American Yacht Institute

American Yacht Institute

The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex and research organization, is a must-see on any visit to Washington D.C. Not only are the museums fun and educational, but admission is free for all museums, too. New exhibitions are often added, meaning there are new things to see with each visit.

Location of the Smithsonian

The majority of Smithsonian Institution buildings are located around The Mall, in Washington D.C. The Smithsonian Castle, visible right outside the Smithsonian Metro stop, is the organization's information center, which has maps pinpointing the location of all the museums, along with an informational video to show visitors the highlights of some of the museums. It makes a good first stop in preparation for touring the museums.

The American History Museum

The American History Museum is one of the most well-known museums in America, due to its variety of American memorabilia. Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves, Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz)'s red ruby slippers, some of Jim Henson's muppets and Abraham Lincoln's hat are just a few of the national treasures contained in the museum. The original Star-Spangled Banner is also on display in the museum, in a specially dedicated, light-controlled room. Other treasures include Julia Child's kitchen and The First Ladies dresses, a very popular exhibition which also includes Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown.