Calendar

Hear the stories behind our best loved and little-known museums on the Mall!
Washington’s famous plethora of museums are all laid out along the east side of the National Mall between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Called “America’s Attic,” the Smithsonian Institution is one of the largest museum organizations in the world, with 30 million annual visitors, 19 museums and over 140 million items in the collection. On this tour, explore how the Smithsonian Institution has helped shape the fabric of the National Mall since 1847, with grand buildings, secret gardens, and both beloved and reviled designs.

Please note we’ll be discussing the museums from the exterior, with the exception of the National Gallery of Art, which we will briefly go inside.

What to Bring
Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water and comfortable clothes are recommended!

Where to Meet
Meet your guide outside the Smithsonian Castle
GPS Address: 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560

Your tour will end at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

Sights and stops include:
Smithsonian Castle & Garden
James V. Forrestal Building (Dept of Energy)
Arts and Industries Building
Hirshhorn Museum
National Air and Space Museum
National Gallery of Art (inside and out!)
National Museum of the American Indian
United States Botanic Garden
United States Capitol Building

In partnership with DC Design Tours