if i am to visit just two museums in washington DC, what would the two be? (i'm not interested in paintings..)

Question

i mean what are the Washington's equivalnets of British Museum or Louvre etc.?

Answer 1

It would depend on what types of things you like...

The Smithsonian Institute has tons of stuff in various museums; art, history, TV, etc. I do believe there are like 10-15 different museums within the Institute

Or you can choose the Holocaust Museum which is totally amazing but also sad.

The National Archives, Union Station, Georgetown, National Zoo, Nathonal Cathedral and Ford's Theatre are also fun to see.

Then you could also take in the all the Memorials on the Mall. They have such history and are just beautiful. Lincoln, Jefferson, IWO Jima, Vietnam, Einstein, Washington, etc.

Arlington National Cemetery is also an amazing site and they have just added a new exhibit for the US Air Force.

Mt. Vernon and Annapolis are also good historical sites.

I am not sure if they still allow "true" tours at the Pentagon, Supreme Court, FBI, US Capitol, White House, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Have fun!

Answer 2

As noted, the Smithsonian is a set of museums, not a single museum. The White House is not open for individual tours, and hasn't been for over five years.

As to the Smithsonians, the American History museum closed on September 5 and will be closed until 2008 -- it is undergoing a major renovation.
For non-painting stuff, visit the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum (Hope Diamond, lots of animals).

The entire collection of the Smithsonian is probably grander than the collection of the British Museum, although not nearly as ancient. And the National Gallery, while very impressive, is not the Louvre. (The National Gallery does have a DiVinci, whereas the Louvre has three.)

The Holocaust Museum is well worth a visit -- if you are interested in modern history, you might want to visit.
All of the museums on the Mall are free.

Answer 3

The Smithsonian Museums are probably the closest to the British Museum, but they are all spread out over various buildings and locations, while the BritMuseum has more in one location.
If you don't want paintings, I would say go to the Natural History Museum, and then maybe the Halocaust Museum (although if you've seen the Imperial War Museum in London it's got more in it that the Washington one). Even if you don't like paintings, but do like history, you might want to check out the National Portrait gallery. The presidentiall paintings I found fascinating, and the Portrait Competition pieces are also just amazing to look at! They aren't all paintings--there is a GIANT three dimensional baby head sculpture suspended from the ceiling. Lots of interesting photos, and sculptures, and other art.
It really depends on what you are interested in to determine more precisely what you would enjoy in Washington.

Answer 4

Only two ? Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum

The American History Museum is Closed for renovation until summer 2008

Try to find time for The Unites States Holocaust Memorial, US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where they print money), and the National Zoo.
If you are a US Citizen, Call your Congressman and ask about US Capital Gallery passes and White House tours.

Answer 5

When it was open, the Smithsonian Museum of American History was worth visiting. If you like natural History, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is real cool.

Air and Space is good to visit if you like that sort of thing.

A quick thing to visit is the National Aquarium in the Commerce Building. Not alot of people go, and it is something different.

The National Zoo is real good, but very large. You can see the giant pandas.

Museum of the American Indian is interesting also.

The Archives is a good place to see the constitution and other historical documents.

See the Vietnam memorial wall. To me it is one of the most moving memorials anywhere in the world. Its simplicity is impressive, and the mementos left by families and friends are amazing. Anybody who leaves without a hatred of war does not feel.

Another cool place to go is the FDR memorial. It is newer, and quite impressive.

The best thing is that every single item I have mentioned is free.

The best way to get around DC is by Subway. It is fast and clean and gets you to wherever you want to go.

Answer 6

The Smithsonian is actually a collection of museums, not a single one.

The Museum of American History (part of the Smithsonian) is good - it has a collection of things representative of American culture (Fonzi's jacket, Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers, Inaugural Dresses),

The Museum of Natural History (also part of the Smithsonian) jas fossils and dinosaur bones and the Hope Diamond and a lot of things that are representatitive of the physical sciences.

Answer 7

As others have said, it really depends on what you like. The Museum of African Art was fascinating. I liked the Botanic Garden, and Natural History. American History is closed. The Museum of the American Indian is fairly new, and interesting. And there's always Air & Space, if that's the sort of thing you like.

Answer 8

bypass to the national Mall. Park close to the Washington Monument. From there you may bypass to the Lincoln Memorial, international conflict II and Vietnam Memorial, the White homestead, the Smithsonian Museums, etc. it may take a week to truly see all of it. unfastened ALL DAY PARKING ON WEEKENDS!!!

Answer 9

Smithsonian, and White House.

Answer 10

holocaust (its kind of sad) and museum of us history