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National Museum of the American IndianvsSmithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Both Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian are highly recommended by professional reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the choice of most professionals compared to National Museum of the American Indian. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History comes in at 91 with recommendations from 7 publications including Michelin Guide, Travel + Leisure and Lonely Planet.
National Museum of the American Indian
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Time Out
Fodor's
Michelin Guide
Where Frommer's Travel + Leisure
National Mall, 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington DC, DC 20013
From $0/night
Frommer's "Use videos, interactive technology, and displays of artifacts to help you learn about Native cosmologies, history, and contemporary cultural identity." Full review
i
Stop at the Welcome Desk when you enter to sign up for a highlights tour.
Lonely Planet "The award for most impressive external architecture of any museum on the Mall (and perhaps in the city) goes to the Museum of the American Indian." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Opened in 2004, the National Museum of the American Indian, part of the Smithsonian Institute, is located on the National Mall just across from the National Air and Space Museum." Full review
Time Out "Dedicated to America’s colonised and historically abused indigenous people, the National Museum of the American Indian is the most recent addition to the Mall’s museum ring." Full review
Fodor's "The Smithsonian's newest museum, opened in 2004, stands apart visually and conceptually from the other cultural institutions on the Mall." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Opened in September 2004, the NMAI is the first national museum dedicated to Native Americans and the first new museum on the Mall since 1987." Full review
Where "Curvilinear building of golden-hued limestone faces the rising sun, in keeping with Native American traditions." Full review
Frommer's "You’ll find Nation to Nation, an exhibit exploring the history of treaty-making between the United States and American Indian nations, using more than 125 objects" Full review
Travel + Leisure "Opened in 2004, the museum features more than 825,000 photographs, documents, and artifacts telling the story of Native Americans from past to present"
15 Best Museums in Washington, D.C.
March 20, 2023
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Frommer's Lonely Planet Lonely Planet Time Out Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide Where
Atlas Obscura
U.S. News & World Report Fodor's Show All Reviews
10th Street and Constitution Ave., Washington DC, DC 20560
From $0/night
Frommer's "The National Museum of Natural History is the largest of its kind in the world and one of the most visited museums in Washington." Full review
Lonely Planet "The Smithsonian’s second-most popular museum clogs with kids, but adults will find lots to love here too." Full review
Lonely Planet "The castle houses the Smithsonian Visitor Center, which makes a good first stop on the Mall. Inside you’ll find history exhibits, multilingual touch-screen displays, a staffed information desk." Full review
Time Out "The gem at the heart of the Museum of Natural History is a state-of-the-art IMAX cinema and an 80,000sq ft brushed steel and granite Discovery Center housing a cafeteria and exhibition space." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The National Museum of Natural History investigates the world and its creatures, examines ancient rituals, and explores the unfolding universe." Full review
i
Be sure to see The Last American Dinosaurs, the Hall of Mammals, the Hope Diamond display, and the walk-through butterfly house.
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The National Museum of Natural History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, ranks as one of the most visited museums in the world." Full review
Where "Exhibits track the natural world since prehistoric time (anthropology to zoology)." Full review
Atlas Obscura "The 28,000-year-old specimen is remarkably intact. " Full review
U.S. News & World Report8.0
"With more than 126 million artifacts on display, this robust Smithsonian museum on the National Mall attracts millions of visitors each year." Full review
Fodor's "One of the world's great natural history museums offers 18 exhibition halls...there are more than 145 million specimens in the collection. Marvel at the enormous African bush elephant" Full review
i
Orkin Insect Zoo (don't miss the daily live tarantula feedings).
