19 Fascinating Museums in Washington D.C. to Visit in 2023!

This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.

Washington D.C. is one of those fascinating cities where you can spend an entire week there and only scratch the surface.

The U.S. Capital is most commonly associated with The White House, the home to the U.S. President, and American Politics.

But what many people don’t know is that there are many fascinating museums in Washington D.C, making it the perfect destination to visit for history buffs and those interested in expanding their minds.

There are over 40 Washington D.C. museums, and many are free to enter (most of them, actually), so deciding which museum to add to your Washington itinerary is no easy task.

To help you out, we’ve listed our favourite museums in Washington D.C. so you can pick which ones to add to your visit.

The Best Museums in Washington D.C.

In no particular order, here are 19 of the best Washington D.C. museums…

1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

We begin our list with one of the most popular museums in Washington D.C. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of many Smithsonian museums in the city and, like all of them, is free to enter.

This museum is one of the best places to visit in Washington D.C. to dive into the world’s natural wonders. From anthropology and biology to zoology, you’ll find numerous educational exhibits that tell the extraordinary story of Planet Earth, and the changes that have occurred over time.

Learn about the different species of animals, plants, and microbes, as well as how the human race has evolved. 

It’s one of the best museums in Washington D.C for kids, as they can learn about the world they live in through interactive and exciting exhibits. They can learn about extinct creatures like the woolly mammoth, see rare gems from all parts of the world, and seashells from faraway places. 

There are also archaeological artifacts that demonstrate how humans used different materials for tools centuries ago. 

If you have a curious mind and love to learn about nature, visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is sure to be a memorable experience!