⚓️✨ DC Hidden Gem: National Museum of the United States Navy ✨🛳️

Last weekend, I visited the National Museum of the United States Navy, which is only open 6 hours a week—from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays. This schedule is truly unique, not just in the DMV area but across North America. The reason? The museum is undergoing upgrades and is set to relocate from its current military-restricted location in 2025. During this period, visitors are required to book online and then call the museum staff to escort them from the military base entrance. However, in practice, you can show up with valid ID, call the museum, and they’ll let you in! Just note that the base has multiple entrances, and on Saturdays, you can only enter through one specific gate: 📍 Located near a highway with views of the Anacostia River. The museum’s phone number is on their website. Staff usually come out every 30 minutes to escort visitors. Once inside, it’s a 5-minute walk to the museum. For security reasons, you’ll also need staff to escort you out when leaving. Despite the strict rules and the fact that the WWI exhibit is partially closed due to the relocation, as a ship model enthusiast, I was thrilled to see so many wooden sailing ship models! ✨Some highlights include: USS Vermont: A model of one of the few sail-powered battleships from the U.S. Navy’s sailing era (Pic 1). "Ohka" Training Missile: Used by kamikaze pilots during WWII (Pic 4). "Alvin" Submersible: Used in the search for the Titanic (Pic 5). "Trieste" Submarine: The first vessel to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench (Pic 7). A section of the USS Constitution’s hull removed during its overhaul. #DCMuseums #DMV #MuseumLife