Smithsonian Institution aka: The Smithsonian

most vivid memory (it was over 25 years ago): the opals. Every color combination imaginable!

You can easily spend a week at least at the Smithsonian. You might want to extend your trip so you can see everything.

It seems strange that no one had previously added National Zoo to the tags list…

So why is this a place at all? It’s a quasi-government organization that is the institution. I have a lot of reverence for all the Smithsonian places but they don’t have the political weight that even a neighborhood has… and they aren’t in any particular region that’s in any way specific. Sure, most of them are around the Mall, but they really are sprinkled all over D.C.

soo many buildings, sooo full of stuff…. impossible to get through without dedicating weeks! atleast, it is if you have varied interests. if all you want to do it visit one or two of the museums, like the fine arts, or natural history, you’ll be alright…

Take advantage of these museums!!! They are among the best in the world and they are FREE!!! Can’t get any better than that.

Saying that the Smithsonian Institution is worth a visit is a gross understatement. It is so full of american history and culture it is easily one of our country’s greatest treasures.

I went to the Smithsonian when I was 12 on the famous Oldsmobile across America trip. The Wright Flyer and the Apollo capsule were cool.

I went to the Smithsonian for the first time in over 10 years yesterday (specifically the Museum of National History, the Castle, and the Freer). I wasn’t close to as impressed as I was previously. I don’t think that there have been many updates since I last went (though the museum of American History is closed till the summer of 08 for renovations). Still it is the Smithsonian and I can’t say it isn’t worth going to. A group of Free museums are always worth going to.

it seemed that everything I’d heard or read about was in the Smithsonian Institution I was surprised to find out that it wasn’t all in one building but actually 5 or 7. I loved visiting as much of it as I could and want to go back!
Highlights in the MOAH were the First Ladies exhibit-the portraits,gowns,china & Grace Coolidge’s collie dog, RobRoy, always pictured at her side! The Vietnam Memorial Exhibit was a collection of mementos & items that have been left at the Wall.
The letters were heartbreaking to read, I couldn’t finish the exhibit, too sad. In NHM you can’t miss the Ginormous Mastadon in the Rotunda. There was an exhibit on Beatrix Potter called Peter Rabbit’s Garden which reminded me of the V&A Museum exhibit in London. Don’t miss the Hope Diamond in this bldg as well! Don’t recall the name of the bldg but I was mesmerized by the RUBY SLIPPERS! wish I had taken a photo of them.