An art museum in a beautiful Washington townhouse, the Philips collection has an impressive permanent collection and typically good rotating exhibitions. Be sure to see Renior's Luncheon of the Boating Party, as well as works by El Greco, Matisse, van Gogh, O'Keeffe, and more.
The Renwick Gallery is an art museum focusing on American crafts and decorative arts from the 1800s through the present. The permanent collection is underwhelming; the real draw is the rotating exhibitions, which can be incredibly cool.
The National Gallery of Art houses a large permanent collection of works, tracing the development of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. The East Wing focuses on modern art, and the museum's Sculpture Garden contains works from the Gallery's collection, as well as loans and special exhibitions, and a collection of native American trees and plants.
The National Archives houses the United States's most important historical records, including the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Rotating exhibits highlight other important historical documents.
A fun, interactive museum exploring the history and techniques of espionage. Great for adults and kids alike, the museum has informative exhibits as well as activities that teach you what it's like to be a spy.
An arresting and moving memorial and museum that documents the history of the Holocaust. The museum is a must-see, but be prepared for an intensely raw, emotional, and disturbing experience.
This incredible museum houses exhibits about everything in the natural world, from wildlife to geology to fossils. Highlights include the recently reopened hall of fossils (officially the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils) and the hall of geology, gems, and minerals.
An overwhelmingly large collection of exhibits and artifacts chronicling American history, including technology, transportation, art, culture, and much more. You could probably spend several full days here. A must-see for any history buff.
The national air and space museum is a necessary stop for anyone interested in aircraft of space travel. It's got incredible exhibits detailing the history of aviation and space exploration, including real vehicles, replicas, and a moon rock you can touch. This is probably the best collection on the history of air and space travel anywhere.
If you like the artist Toulouse-Lautrec (ie the one who painted all those famous poster-like pictures of the Moulin-Rouge and dancers), this museum is for you. Even if you only kind of like his art, this museum is an impressive collection (biggest in the world of his art) and very fun to wander through.
