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More near
The Fairmont Washington, D.C. |
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10Best History Museums |
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DAR Constitution Hall |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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1776 D St NW, Washington 20006 • 202-628-4780 • 202-628-1776
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Distance:
~0.99 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. This performance space was designed by John Russell Pope, the same man who designed the Jefferson Memorial. It's operated today by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and seats about 3700. Many popular artists have performed here in the past, including the Maria Callas, U2, the National Symphony Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald. The building itself is comprised of three distinct sections – the concert hall, a museum, and the DAR national headquarters and library. DAR National Headquarters and METRO: Farragut North |
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User Rating: 3
/ 10 |
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Daughters of the American Revolution Museum |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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1776 D St NW, Washington 20006-5303 • 202-628-1776
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Distance:
~0.99 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. Although the DAR Museum doesn't appear on most travel itineraries, it's well worth a visit, especially for history fans. With more than 33,000 items of Americana, the museum has plenty to see – the antique quilt collection alone is singularly impressive. Antique furniture, housewares, toys, tools, books, and decorative arts are displayed in two large galleries, and 33 individually decorated rooms represent American interiors from the 17th century through the early 1900s. Bedrooms, kitchens, and parlors provide a glimpse of bygone home life, while a tavern and council chambers depict public spaces. METRO: Farragut West |
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington 20024-2126 • 202-488-0400
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Distance:
~1.56 mi * |
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Description:
NATIONAL MALL. Among the most-visited sites in Washington, this museum powerfully depicts one of the darkest times in modern history. Four floors of exhibits, survivors' testimonies, video displays and actual film footage document the history of the Holocaust. Visitors can spend two to three hours in the self-guided permanent exhibition, "The Holocaust." The Museum also offers a number of other exhibitions and displays, including the family-friendly "Remember the Children: Daniel's Story" and the high-tech Wexner Learning Center. Timed passes are required for "The Holocaust" and can be obtained for free at the museum on the day of your visit or by calling ahead. Recommended for ages 11 and up. METRO: Smithsonian |
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User Rating: 10
/ 10 |
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International Spy Museum |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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800 F St NW, Washington 20004 • 202-393-7798 • 866-779-6873
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Distance:
~1.62 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. Enthralled by the cloak and dagger world of international espionage? The International Spy Museum traces and uncovers the history of the world's second oldest (and most secretive) profession via a fascinating array of displays and interactive exhibits. The School for Spies exposes visitors to spy gadgets of all shapes and sizes, from lipstick pistols to buttonhole cameras, while the Secret History of History chronicles as far back as the times of Moses. Other galleries focus on Cold War and – just when you thought it was safe to speak out loud again – 21st-century espionage. Are "they" listening? After this museum, you'll never stop wondering. Hours may vary. METRO: Gallery |
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National Museum of Crime and Punishment |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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575 7th St NW, Washington 20004 • 202-393-1099
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Distance:
~1.74 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. Open in 2008, this intriguing museum examines some of history's most devious crimes, most brutal, and most absurd forms of punishment. Exhibits cover everthing from Medieval torture practices to witch hunts in Colonial America to the fierce faces of the Wild West. It's packed with interactive features, including the Simulated FBI Shooting Range and a lie detector test. Be sure to check the America's Most Wanted Studio for a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at the TV program. |
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United States Navy Memorial |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington 20004 • 202-380-0726 • 800-821-8892
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Distance:
~1.74 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. The United States Navy Memorial offers the public a glimpse of what life is like on a naval carrier. The memorial has several notable attractions, including the world's largest map of the world and Bleifeld's statue of the Lone Sailor. Educational videos and interactive displays make this a fascinating learning experience for the entire family. METRO: National Archives |
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The Smithsonian Institution |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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1000 Jefferson Dr, Washington 20560 • 202-633-1000
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Distance:
~1.81 mi * |
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Description:
NATIONAL MALL. The Smithsonian – for many, the image of the 19th-century sandstone "Castle" immediately springs to mind. The Institution itself is larger than most realize (19 museums and the National Zoo in DC alone) and granting only one day to "do the Smithsonian" is a mistake. Always-popular stops are the National Air & Space Museum and the National Museum of American History (closed until Summer 2008); however, the beautiful National Museum of the American Indian has emerged as a hot attraction, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington-Dulles serves as a fascinating repository of nearly 80% of the Smithsonian's air and space collection. METRO: Smithsonian |
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Newseum |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington 20001 • 888-639-7386
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Distance:
~1.94 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. From notorious scandals to unsolved mysteries to triumphs and glories, this inventive museum focuses on America's most newsworthy people and events. Its galleries feature photos, article clippings, artifacts and multimedia exhibits that document famous stories and examine the news media's processes and technology. The ABC News Changing Exhibits Gallery explores hot topics and current events, while visitors may have their own moment in the spotlight at the NBC Interactive Newsroom. |
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National Museum of the American Indian |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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4th St and Independence Ave SW National Mall, Washington 20560 • 202-633-1000
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Distance:
~2.21 mi * |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. This stunning, sinuous museum – crafted of limestone and set amid forty "grandfather" boulders and an extensive planted landscape – acknowledges the Native American experience in culture, cosmology, craft, and history. Almost a million artifacts represent communities from North, South, and Central America, mesmerizing visitors with their age, beauty, and utility. The building also serves as a gathering space, complete with library, gift shop, theaters, and a cafe with authentic Native American dishes. METRO: L'Enfant Plaza |
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National Postal Museum |
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(Attractions & Activities - History Museums) |
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2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington 20002 • 202-633-5555
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Distance:
~2.39 mi * |
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Description:
CAPITOL HILL. Formerly Washington's main post office, this museum boasts 16 million items covering all things postal – from airmail planes dangling in the spacious atrium to an exhibit showing the role of the post office in cultural and economic development. And if you like stamps, you may lose all sense of time looking through the vast, priceless collection that includes rare Confederacy stamps. Catch a video on train robberies, and send a postcard from a computerized kiosk. METRO: Union Station |
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* All distances are
approximate "straight-line" distances.
See Directions for actual "travel distances."
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