From the article: Best 5 Washington DC Museums
With dozens of museums in the Washington DC area to visit, which one stands out as your favorite? Share your experience and tell others what you like best and why. Please choose just one museum (I know that can be hard in such a great city for museums) and keep your response short. There is a limit of 1000 characters. Share Your Experience
National Gallery of Art hands down!
- It stands up to any major art museum in the world. It runs a broad gamut on major time periods; starting with Gothic, all the way up to the present. It houses the only Leonardo da Vinci painting outside of Europe. If that does not impress you, then Rafael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Picasso, Dali, Rothko, Warhall and so many others, will.
- —Guest Gisele
Museum of Crime and Punishment
- The Museum of Crime and Punishment is among my top five picks. I didn't really expect to like it since I don't watch or read much about crime and investigations. I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting it was.
- —Guest Jo
Newseum
- The Newseum is the best! Totally updated, easy to get lost in the news of the past. The videos are interesting to watch - and your kids can play newscaster!
- —Guest Guest
National Portrait Gallery
- Lesser known but packed full of wonderful art and the Presidents Portraits are awesome. They often feature events in the beautiful atrium as well.
- —Guest Lisa
National Gallery of Art
- Where else can you find the sister painter to the Mona Lisa in the U.S.? It's full of Old Masters, near the carousel and you can enjoy a lovely lunch in the garden.
- —Guest Stephanie
American Indian is chaotic but good food
- The best place to eat on the Mall, hands down, is the restaurant at the Museum of the American Indian. The museum is okay -- a bit chaotic in layout and display -- but the food is well worth the trip!
- —Guest Katherine
Natural History All the Way
- I love love love the Natural History Museum. We go at least once a month and always find something new and fun to check out. I wish they didn't charge for the butterfly exhibit, though! It's overrated -- better to go to Brookside Gardens. But the oceans, mammals, insects and of course dinosaurs are my favorite galleries.
- —MdMomof3
Smithsonian American History Museum
- If you're a history buff, this museum is a must-see. There are artifacts here from every period of U.S. history. Pride of place goes to the famous Star-Spangled Banner flag, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to our national anthem, but you can see all kinds of Americana here. Julie & Julia buffs can take a peek into Julia Child's kitchen. Jerry Seinfeld's shirt, the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, First Ladies' gowns, china and accessories, Abraham Lincoln's top hat - they're all here. This museum, recently renovated, is extremely popular. Arrive early, preferably when the museum opens, to beat the crowds.
- —Guest Nancy
