Smithsonian National Museum of American History

The Best Times to Visit Washington, D.C.

"One of the most-visited Smithsonian museums, known for heavy foot traffic during peak season; it's best experienced during shoulder or low-season visits when galleries are less crowded and advanced booking pressures are reduced." - Nicholas DeRenzo Nicholas DeRenzo Nicholas DeRenzo knows where to eat, stay, and play in almost any locale. A travel writer and editor, he has contributed articles to Condé Nast Traveler, BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, New York magazine, The New York Times, and Sunset. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"Museum of American History Originally founded as the National Museum of History and Technology in 1964, this museum charms visitors with over three million artifacts and national treasures related to formative events in American history. Highlights include the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the "Star Spangled Banner," the First Ladies gowns, an 1850 John Bull locomotive, Abraham Lincoln's top hat, White House china and porcelain, Thomas Edison's 1879 light bulb, the original Greensboro lunch counter from the 1960 sit-ins, George Washington's Revolutionary War uniform and saber, and an "American Stories" exhibit that includes Dorothy's ruby red slippers and a Kermit the Frog puppet."

10 Best Museums in D.C., from History to Kid-Focused | Condé Nast Traveler

"The National Museum of American History's brief is all-encompassing: tell the story of America using a collection of more than 1.8 million historical objects. For a quick jaunt through the highlights, the museum suggests seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner, the lunch counter from Greensboro's famous sit-in during the Civil Rights movement, Dorothy's ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Julia Child's exact kitchen, and Michelle Obama's inauguration dress in "The First Ladies" exhibit. Most exhibits are ongoing, but recent special exhibits include "Reckoning with Remembrance: History, Injustice, and the Murder of Emmett Till." In pre-pandemic times, this was school group field trip central—and a must-stop for tourist families as well. (Note that a number of exhibits are temporarily closed due to the pandemic, but are slated to return in late 2021.)" - Amy McKeever, Adele Chapin

National Museum of American History — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Opened in 1964, what is now the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a modern monolith with a streamlined marble exterior. This museum is huge, spanning about 750,000 square feet. A tourist must-visit on the National Mall, you could easily spend the entire day here exploring the collection of artifacts owned by famous and ordinary Americans alike. (Note that a number of exhibits are temporarily closed due to pandemic-related construction, but are slated to return in late 2021.) A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The National Museum of American History's brief is all-encompassing: tell the story of America using a collection of more than 1.8 million historical objects. That could be anything from Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves to Thomas Edison's light bulb, to a recently acquired Bob Ross painting. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? Most exhibits are ongoing, but recent special exhibits include “Reckoning with Remembrance: History, Injustice, and the Murder of Emmett Till” that closes in October and an upcoming spring exhibit geared toward elementary schoolers illustrating financial literacy. The Smithsonian has been committed to keeping this institution up-to-date: renovations in the past two decades modernized the building and organized the massive collection of objects into themes, like the second floor's “The Nation We Build Together” wing, which covers everything from religion to diversity to democracy. What did you make of the crowd? In the before-COVID times, this was school group field trip central—and a must-stop for tourist families as well. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? There are many escalators throughout the museum, but all levels are served by elevators as well. For seating and a spot to take a break, head to Unity Square. Any guided tours worth trying? The museum's audio guide rental program is currently suspended. However, you can click on a link, and a free audio guide is available on your mobile device in English or Spanish to lead you through museum highlights or tours organized by topics like “American Democracy.” Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Find miniature copies of the U.S. Constitution, Rosie the Riveter socks, books about Woodstock, and more Americana memorabilia at the museum's 6,000-square-foot museum store. Is the café worth a stop? The main 600-seat cafe, called Eat at America's Table, is temporarily closed. If you really need a drink or snack as fuel to keep exploring, the smaller The LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe is open. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? There really is something for every interest here: "Star Wars" fans can make a beeline to C-3PO, and gear heads can gawk at the collection of cars in the “America on the Move” exhibit. For a quick jaunt through the highlights, the museum suggests seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner, the lunch counter from Greensboro's famous sit-in during the Civil Rights movement, Dorothy's ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Julia Child's exact kitchen, and Michelle Obama's inauguration dress in "The First Ladies" exhibit, among others." - Adele Chapin

This Historian Researches American Food History for the Smithsonian | Eater

"As historian for a Smithsonian museum’s American Food History Project, she researches and presents U.S. history through the lens of food — exploring its cultural, economic, political, and environmental dimensions — and translates that work into exhibitions, articles, programs, and public events. Her curatorial work involved refreshing a major gallery that traces how cultural and technological shifts have shaped what and how Americans eat since 1950, using fieldwork, archival research, oral histories, and object collecting to broaden the story. She also hosts a monthly live cooking-demo series that brings professional and home cooks onstage to prepare dishes while discussing ingredients, techniques, and traditions, and co-organizes an annual Food History Weekend that convenes chefs, activists, scholars, and community members around rotating themes to make food history inclusive and accessible." - Amy McKeever