DC Metro Area Attractions

National Zoo 

Covering more than 160 acres, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is easily accessible by Metrorail. The zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the US and is one of DC's most popular tourist destinations. During your visit, stop by the Africa Trail to visit the new Adax calf born in January or the Small Mammal House to see the new Cotton-Top Tamarin sisters (Toph and Suki) that the public recently voted on names for.

The National Mall
The National Mall is visited by more than 25 million people annually and is home to iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the World War II Memorial. At the eastern end is the domed US Capitol, and the White House is to the north. It's also flanked by Smithsonian museums and the nearby Tidal Basin reservoir, which is known for its blossoming cherry trees.

National Air and Space Museum
This popular tourist attraction has something for everyone with a wide array of permanent and rotating exhibits. Don’t miss the rock from the Moon on display for visitors to touch!

White House
If you want a tour of the grounds and state rooms, you’ll need to call your Congressional representative months in advance to help you secure a tour reservation. Advanced security and background checks are required.

Kennedy Center
Home to the National Symphony Orchestra, National Opera & Ballet and many touring artists, we encourage you to check Kennedy-Center.org to see what performances are available during your stay.

National Museum of African American History & Culture
Opened in 2016, this Museum is one of the newest and is the only national museum solely dedicated to the documentation of African American culture and history. The state-of-the-art building is an architectural marvel and houses over 35,000 artifacts with approximately 3,500 on display. Standout items include the shawl given to Harriet Tubman by Queen Victoria, training aircraft used by the Tuskegee Institute and the invitation to President Obama’s 2009 inauguration.

National Museum of American History
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. It helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The Museum collects and preserves more than 3 million artifacts including the original Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. The Museum’s collections form a fascinating mosaic of American life and comprise the greatest single collection of American history.

National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian buildings constructed exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities. Altogether the Museum is the size of 18 football fields, housing collections of more than 126 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts.