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.
Open in 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is already expanding to include more exhibits and more presentation space. The 100,000 square foot museum also includes an outdoor Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, with 42 sculptures and memorials honoring individuals, battalions, and events; outdoor overlooks; and a chapel. The museum is situated on a 135 acre campus next to the Marine Corps base in Quantico and located less than one hour south of Washington D.C. and 30 minutes north of Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is one of the most beautiful, sobering, and enlightening museums we have visited.
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 Smithsonian Institute encompassed 17 museums (and a zoo!) located in Washington DC- check out the list here- and two locations in New York City: Cooper Hewitt, a design museum, and the National Museum of the Native American. Located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, the National Museum of the American Indian chronicles the history of indigenous peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere.
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.
Adjacent to the Colonial National Historical Park which includes the Yorktown Battlefield, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown brings to life one of the most consequential battles of the American Revolution. In October of 1781, American General George Washington and French General Comte de Rochambeau cornered British troops, forcing General Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown. Yorktown, a small town on the banks of the York River, is close to Williamsburg and Jamestown. The three towns are known as the “Historic Triangle.”