Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian Institution Building
4.5
08:30 - 17:30
Monday
08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday
08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday
08:30 - 17:30
Thursday
08:30 - 17:30
Friday
08:30 - 17:30
Saturday
08:30 - 17:30
Sunday
08:30 - 17:30
About
The world's largest museum and research complex is actually comprised of 19 museums and the National Zoo, with subjects that vary from African Art to the postal service, sculpture to space exploration.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Smithsonian Institution Building
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- Smithsonian • 4 min walk
- L'Enfant Plaza • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,492 within 5 kms
Attractions
621 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
3,552 reviews
Excellent
2,414
Very good
805
Average
274
Poor
51
Terrible
8
montanapescado
Albuquerque, NM1,186 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
This is easily the most striking building in the Smithsonian complex. To avoid disappointment, it's good to know going in that this is not specifically another museum, but rather more administrative in function, so there's not as much to see inside. If you're more interested in the curating side of museums than the displays themselves, this may be more your speed than mine.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,158 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful red bricked building on The National Mall. The front was full of reconstruction work while we were there (Sep 23) which meant it was impossible to take photographs
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand3,777 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Currently, seems to be closed for renovation, but the exterior is the coolest part of the iconic Smithsonian "castle" in any case. A real "Hogwarts" type place!
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexanderD
Jackson, NJ4,612 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We did not go inside here on a recent DC visit but did enjoy its architecture from the outside. It is like nothing else in its vicinity and lovely to behold. It is a bit of gothic architecture to contrast with the neo-classicalism popular among Washington’s prominent public buildings.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
the building is beautiful, there is a visitor center, you can see some exhibit inside, the interior is also beautiful,
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LANCE O
1,164 contributions
Dec 2022
There is no need to explain or comment...this is where the Smithsonian all began...just go visit...enjoy
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,204 contributions
Dec 2022
This is the original Smithsonian museum in 1855. Like a medieval castle, Smithsonian Institution Building chronicles the story of James Stimson aka the founder of everything and how one building emerges into a collection of nineteen comprehensive museums. The garden next to it is quite lovely.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧🇳🇱🇺🇸
Israel14,766 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
PROS
* Building in the design of a castle
* Unique style
* Original first museum
* Current exhibit is privately about the history of the building itself
* Contains the remains of founder James Smithson- in a humongous urn.
CONS
* Not everyone will be interested in a museum building about itself
* Most people don’t even know that the building is a museum
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… as part of my quest and mission to visit all the museums on the National Mall, and review all of them on TripAdvisor: first mission accomplished; second mission well underway and in progress.
Let it be said that I do remember when this building was all that there was, and we went to see ticket boosters which were in the parking lots.
Please also see my “helpful” photos.
* Building in the design of a castle
* Unique style
* Original first museum
* Current exhibit is privately about the history of the building itself
* Contains the remains of founder James Smithson- in a humongous urn.
CONS
* Not everyone will be interested in a museum building about itself
* Most people don’t even know that the building is a museum
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… as part of my quest and mission to visit all the museums on the National Mall, and review all of them on TripAdvisor: first mission accomplished; second mission well underway and in progress.
Let it be said that I do remember when this building was all that there was, and we went to see ticket boosters which were in the parking lots.
Please also see my “helpful” photos.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cary L
San Diego, CA707 contributions
May 2022
Be sure to stop at the original Smithsonian Institution Building (commonly called the Castle) before going on to the individual museums. It provides a nice history of the overall institution and a sampling of items from many of the museum exhibits.
Written 19 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan H
6 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Such a cool building and the gardens are amazing! When the design of a building was also meant to inspire. Nice little cafe and small exhibit space; perfect for relaxing after visiting one of the larger museums.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have a question concerning a item that has been passed down for several generations in my family about the murder of James A Garfield. Who could I contact concerning this item?
I have a question concerning a item that has been passed down for several generations in my family about the murder of James A Garfield. Who could I contact?
Velma Mabe
Can I record using the Go Pro camera inside the museum?
I visited this place🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧🇳🇱🇺🇸
Israel14,766 contributions
🤷🏻♂️
Eran R
Overland Park, KS209 contributions
Hi,
we tar traveling to Washington with two grandparents and three kids ( 14, 11, 8 ). we are planning to visit the museum on Thanksgiving
I would appreciate your help.
1. what activities/exhibitions are recommended for kids?
2. how much time should we reserve for the visit?
Thanks.
bustertheboa
Pennsylvania40 contributions
You can see the entire Smithsonian Institution Building in an hour or two, in my opinion. Spend some time outside in the garden and admiring the architecture. Then see the exhibits inside. It isn't so much a museum as it is a visitor center and information center. There are some exhibits and interactive stuff for small children. It is a pleasant diversion, but in my opinion not a main attraction.
Kimberly H
4 contributions
Is there a list of the Smithsonian museums with entry costs and addresses?
samir_bitar
Washington DC, DC19 contributions
Yes. Check out tripplanner.si.edu, Smithsonian's newest tool that helps you plan a visit across all the museum's in DC.
And all of Smithsonian's museum's in DC are free!
Francine B
Mirabel, Canada6 contributions
Bonjour ,il y a plusieurs années que j'ai visité l'ile D'Orléans,j'aimerais savoir si il y a encore des audio-guide au kiosque du tourisme ?(un cd que tu mets dans l'auto)qui te raconte toute l'histoire de l'ile. Ce fut très intéressant !
Merci de prendre la peine de me répondre.
Line L
Quebec City, Canada263 contributions
Malheureusement, je ne peux vous répondre car je n’étais même pas au courant d’un tel service.
Smithsonian_OVS
Washington DC, DC
Hi Laurie,
My name is Samir Bitar and my team oversees the main space inside the Castle, also known as the great hall. Can I ask when you visited? Where any of the new digital interactives in place? If so, did you use them? I ask because we are in the process of installing a new Smithsonian Visitor Center which will help visitors understand more about the Smithsonian and better navigate to and throughout our 19 museums and the National Zoo.
We are very interested in your input and look forward to any that you might contribute.
Very best,
Samir~
Ron
Oberwil-Lieli, Switzerland312 contributions
Hi, when we visited we didn't see any of these 'digital interactives' to be honest, so obviously we didn't use any.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingSMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUILDING: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Smithsonian Institution Building
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Smithsonian Institution Building:
- Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions (From €90.86)
- 4-Hour Small Group Guided National Mall Tour with 10 Top Attractions (From €90.86)
- Day or Night Grand Tour of Washington DC (From €54.15)
- Sites by Segway Tour In Washington DC (From €60.57)
- Washington DC Capital Sites Bike Tour (From €41.30)
- Hotels near Smithsonian Institution Building:
- (0.55 km) Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
- (0.62 km) Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- (0.66 km) Salamander Washington DC
- (0.94 km) Riggs Washington DC
- (1.00 km) InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C., an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near Smithsonian Institution Building:
- (0.36 km) Pavilion Cafe
- (0.27 km) Dolcezza Gelato
- (0.27 km) Atrium Café
- (0.69 km) The Capital Grille
- (0.71 km) Fiola
- Attractions near Smithsonian Institution Building:
- (0.03 km) Andrew Jackson Downing Urn
- (0.09 km) Trip Hacks DC
- (0.10 km) Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
- (0.10 km) National Museum of African Art
- (0.08 km) Enid A. Haupt Garden