Washington Natural History Museum Tips

The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, established in 1910, houses millions of specimens from around the world. It’s also one of the filming locations for “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” Here are some points to keep in mind: No reservation needed, and it’s free of charge! The museum opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. There’s so much to see, so plan to spend at least three hours. 🕰️🚪 There’s a check for food and drinks at the entrance; they’re not allowed inside. But don’t worry, there’s a café inside, and if you get hungry, you can buy snacks at the food cart near the entrance. 🍽️🚫 The museum’s highlight is the Gem and Mineral Hall on the second floor. The Hope Diamond might seem a bit disconnected from its name if you read its story online, but we won’t delve into that here. 💎🔍 On the second floor, there’s a small butterfly pavilion within the insect exhibit that requires a separate admission fee: $7 for kids and$8 for adults. They say you can only stay for 15 minutes, but no one will rush you out. Just know that a new group will come in after 15 minutes. Wear blue and spritz some perfume to attract butterflies! 🦋💐 Head to the first floor (L level) to find the information center where you can get a commemorative dinosaur stamp. There’s also a coin pressing machine nearby. If you use a credit card, you can make four coins at once. If they don’t turn out well, you can exchange them at the information center. 🦖🪙 #WashingtonNaturalHistoryMuseum #NMNH #WashingtonDCBucketList