The National Museum of Natural History is an immersive tourist attraction in Washington D.C. Commenced in 1910, this place is now home to millions of specimens, photographs, and artefacts.
The National Museum of Natural History is an immersive tourist attraction in Washington D.C. Commenced in 1910, this place is now home to millions of specimens, photographs, and artefacts. This green dome museum presents you with a collection of fossils, plants, artwork, and tools. You can also learn about the 30 million insects enclosed in glass boxes. There are dinosaur remnants that roamed the barren lands of America. This museum is also the house of Hope Diamond, one of the beloved jewels of the world.
If you are a history buff and a curious soul then this museum is for you. It hosts various exhibitions related to butterflies, African bush elephants, Barro Colorado Island, and bones. A special session of “Cellphone: Unseen Connections” is also conducted to give you a glimpse of the technological power. Book your tickets for the desired exhibitions in advance as the shows are mostly at capacity here.
Highlights
• Explore the collection of more than 30 million insects living in glass boxes and an array of artwork, plants, rocks, and fossils for a dive into history.
• Walk through the tropical oasis and discover some of the most exotic plants and live butterflies which are kept under a climate-controlled environment.
• Understand the importance of dark nights, especially for wildlife through the numerous tactile models, interactive sessions, and a theatre program.
• Talk to the experts and educators, hold fossils, decorate a pendant, and create the fossil rubbing during the exhibitions scheduled within the museum.
• Learn about the importance of cellphone technology through an interactive group session, multimedia installations, and a graphic novel spread on three walls.
How To Reach
By Car: The National Museum of Natural History is 1 km away from the Washington D.C. City Centre and can be reached within 5 minutes via car.
By Bus: Board the bus from the Union Bus Station to reach the museum and it will take you approximately 20 minutes on the Line 230 bus.
By Metro: Take the metro from the Washington Union Station to reach the museum in approximately 25 minutes.
Best Time To Visit
The National Museum of Natural History is open to the public throughout the year, except Christmas. Best Season: Visit in the winter and fall seasons as the place is generally less crowded. Best Day in the Week: Visit between Monday and Wednesday as the crowd is comparatively less and you get a better experience. Best Time of the Day: Visit in the morning to dodge the crowd and get an immersive tour of the museum.
Other Essential Information
- Check the upcoming events, exhibitions, and other shows to make the most of your visit.
- Arrive on the weekdays to explore without the weekend crowd and get an immersive experience.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the museum is vast and you might have to walk for a long time.
- Capture photos of the stunning exhibits and displays to remember your visit.
- Check the schedule and join a guided tour to enhance your experience.
- Allocate enough time to explore as there is a lot to see and do at the museum.
Visit the Hall of Mammals
This is an intriguing spot inside the National Museum of Natural History. The hall showcases a range of mammal species from across the world. There are lifelike dioramas and carefully designed models of different mammals residing in their natural habitats. You will find every animal here, including Arctic Tundra and African Savanna. There is a giant panda, a huge elephant, and a blue whale hanging from the roof. These informative panels and interactive displays give you a deep understanding of the behaviour and biology of mammals.
Learn about extinct species at Fossil Hall
The Fossil Hall is also called David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – Deep Time. You will enter a journey through 3.7 billion years of life. There is an iconic collection of fossils like Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Triceratops. The hall is specifically designed to demonstrate the connectivity of life and the effect of environmental changes through the period of time. You can catch a glimpse of the fossil reconstructions and understand everything about species’ evolution. It will be a truly wonderful learning experience for you.
Get insights about evolution at Hall of Human Origins
The hall illustrates the exciting tale of human evolution. You get to understand the intricate details of fossil remains and trace the development of homosapiens through various interactive displays. Some of the key attractions in this hall are the reconstructed skeleton of Lucy. It is a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis. The exhibition dives into various human-related topics like human ancestor migration, genetics, and adaptation.
Explore the O. Orkin Insect Zoo
The O. Orkin Insect Zoo is an interactive exhibition dedicated to insects and arthropods. You can explore the behaviour of live insects like beetles, scorpions, tarantulas, and butterflies. They are housed in a natural habitat and in controlled environments. There is a garden where you can walk with flying butterflies. It is an ideal choice for those who want to learn about the diversity of insect life and entomology.
