DC's Hidden Gem Museum: 📬 The National Postal Museum

I hadn’t originally planned to visit the National Postal Museum during my DC trip, but since it’s so close to Union Station, I decided to stop by—and wow, was I pleasantly surprised! 🎉 The experience far exceeded my expectations, with so many thoughtful perks and incredibly friendly staff. Highly recommend giving it a visit! 🎁 Some amazing museum freebies & perks: ▪️ After entering, turn right and head toward the escalator downstairs—there, you can pick up a free vintage-style postcard! Write and mail it right there, and relive the romance of the “good old days” when mail moved slowly but meaningfully. 💌 ▪️ In the stamp exhibition area, each visitor can choose 6 stamps from a massive collection to take home—a perfect way to dive into the nostalgic hobby of stamp collecting! 📮 ▪️ The museum offers a free guided tour daily at 11:30 AM, led by a kind and knowledgeable older gentleman who shares fascinating stories behind the exhibits. The tour lasts about 45 minutes. If you’re as lucky as I was, he might even give you a stamped postcard afterward! ✨ Check the official website for updates: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/visit/calendar ▪️ The Museum Store sells bags of assorted stamps for just $10—such a fun and affordable souvenir! 🛍️ 🏛️ Exhibits and design that totally wowed me: ▪️ At the entrance, a stunning tunnel made entirely of stamps stretches from the ceiling to the floor—creating a beautiful, immersive journey back to the golden age of letter writing. 🌈 ▪️ The pneumatic mail tubes: Drop a letter into one end, and watch as it’s whisked away through air-powered tubes to the post office! This technology was surprisingly advanced for its time—networks even connected Brooklyn and Manhattan across the river in the 1920s. Sadly, the system was eventually phased out due to high costs and lack of flexibility, but it’s amazing to see up close! 💨 ▪️ The first-floor gallery features heartfelt letters from immigrants about a century ago—including writers from China, Ireland, Italy, and Finland. Their words reveal the struggles and hopes of those starting new lives far from home. One letter from a Chinese student assured his father that he was studying hard and finishing homework—proof that the drive to excel has deep roots! 📖 📍 National Postal Museum 🏠 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 🎫 Admission is FREE! If you’re into Postcrossing like I am, this place is an absolute must-visit! Have you been? What was your favorite part? Share below! 👇 #Museum #MuseumLover #WashingtonDC #Postcrossing #PostalHistory #HiddenGem #FreeMuseum #DCTravel #StampCollecting #Nostalgia