The sixth largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral of Saint Peter and St. Paul, more popularly known as the Washington National Cathedral, took almost an entire century to complete. Started in 1907, there were three different architects who helped design and execute the building of the 530 long foot cathedral, with a central tower…
We recently visited the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City (read about our adventures here) and less than a week later we were in Washington DC and spent a few hours (and a yummy lunch!) at the Washington Museum. You can also read about our adventures at several other Washington DC museums here.
Part of the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of American History originally opened in 1964 as the National Museum of History and Technology and was renamed in 1980. The museum, located on Washington DC’s National Mall, has almost 2 million objects in its collection and several galleries to explore. The museum has over a dozen engaging exhibits to explore and it will take the better part of a full day to see them all!
The National Postal Museum, housed in a building that opened in 1914 as the city’s post office until 1986, opened as a museum in 1993. In addition to the 35,000 square foot public museum, the building is home to a 6,000 square foot research library, stamp store, and museum shop. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institute, the world largest museum complex, encompassing 19 museums (and a zoo!) in Washington DC and New York City. The Postal Museum is one of my favorite museums in Washington DC and one of the most kid friendly places in town.
Original opened in the Penn Quarter section of Washington DC in 2002, the International Spy Museum expanded and moved to its current located between the National Mall and the Wharf and reopened in 2019. The museum is home to the largest collection of spy related artifacts open to the public. The 8 floor museum includes two floors of exhibits; a theater for screenings, films, and presentations; a Learning Center for workshops, classes, and professional development for teachers; and a lobby and museum store.
The National Building Museum, located in downtown Washington DC, opened in 1985 after over a century of previous functions. Built in the late 18th century as the headquarters for the US Pension Bureau and as a honor to the men who fought in the Civil War, the space later hosted hundreds of celebratory functions in the nation’s capitol, including many presidential inauguration balls. It took over 15 million bricks to build the structure which includes a Great Hall, over a dozen gallery rooms, classrooms, meeting spaces, offices, and 234 busts (look up!) and 144 Doric style columns on the first and second floor.