Smithsonian Homepage
Plan Your Visit
View guides for the Smithsonian's 17 free DC-area museums and zoo—plus two museums in NYC. Admission is free at all locations except Cooper Hewitt in NYC. Find out what's on and learn about our events and exhibitions.
Featured
Explore collections, stories, and research from across the Smithsonian.
-
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in the nation’s capital for the march where King declared, "I have a dream." -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Back to School Days
Time to gather school supplies and bid farewell to summer with scholastic items from across the Smithsonian. -
Smithsonian Open Access
Digital Backgrounds
Put yourself in the scene! Download high-res images to use as your video meeting or desktop background. -
Smithsonian Snapshot
An Eloquent Argument
“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense...”—Thomas Paine
-
Smithsonian 3D
Neil Armstrong's Space Suit
Explore and download 3D models of Armstrong's spacesuit and other Apollo 11 objects. -
Smithsonian Commemoration
Our Shared Future: 250
Explore events and exhibitions honoring America’s 250th that will take place in 2025 and through 2026 across the Smithsonian. -
Around the Smithsonian
Mysteries of the Universe
Beginning with studies of our sun in 1890, the Smithsonian has been answering questions about our atmosphere and beyond. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
1925: A Year in the Collections
Look back one hundred years into the Smithsonian's collections. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Votes for Women
A look at the fight to get the right to vote through the Smithsonian's collections. -
Smithsonian Story
Six Animals the Smithsonian Has Helped Save from Extinction
Conservation efforts help bring endangered species back from the brink.
-
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
American Revolution
Explore collections and stories related to the founding of the United States of America. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Color Journey
Take a colorful tour through art and artifacts in the Smithsonian's collections.
Sidedoor Podcast
The Smithsonian's flagship podcast sneaks you through the side door to learn the stories you won't find anywhere else.
-
Sidedoor Podcast
The Battle of Blair Mountain
More than 100 years ago, a diverse group of coal miners banded together to demand better pay and safer working conditions.
-
Sidedoor Podcast
King's Speech
Sidedoor traces the evolution of King's dream, from a secret friendship to an experimental poem to the speech we all know today.
-
Sidedoor Podcast
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
We track the lore of this notorious gem through the centuries.
-
Sidedoor Podcast
The World’s Deadliest Animal
The world’s deadliest animal isn’t the tiger, the snake, or even the alligator—it’s the mosquito.
