Vaca Part 5: The Museums

So I love when people ask if we went to the Smithsonian...because the only answer I have is which one? The Smithsonian is a series of museums covering art, history, science and space! We Had three at the top of our list, but managed to make it to quite a few of them. Admission is free, they are family friendly, and the gift shops were some of the nicest I have ever seen.

This is the "Castle" which is basically an office building with a snack area, a gift shop and information on all the museums. The building, which sits on Independence Ave, has been very well maintained and the gardens surrounding it were exquisite.

Next to the Castle are three smaller museums, the Freer, Sackler and African Art. Darling Daughter and I are the only ones who made it through these, as everyone else was warn out on our last day. But I am glad we took the opportunity to walk through, even if only for a moment. My favorite was a display in the African Art museum of quilts from the Cosby family. Photos were not allowed, but here is one from an article (Cosby Quilts) about the controversy of leaving the display up. I don't necessarily want to get into the controversy, but they were the only posts I could find that included a photo.

Down the street is the Museum of Arts and Industries which was closed for renovations, but was one of the most interesting architectural buildings, in my opinion.

Across the Mall, on Constitution Ave, is the Museum of American History and probably the overall favorite. Here are the kids in the lobby in front of a flag built with Legos!

We loved the display on transportation, but the displays on currency, technology and recording sound were also highlights. We girls liked the display on First Lady dresses and china...all so unique and elegant in their own way. But the one that we went looking for was of The Star Spangled Banner. No photos were allowed, but the kids loved learning about the flag that inspired our National Anthem. It was quite battle worn, but I was awestruck at the work it took to assemble it in the first place. I have a rather large home, but it would have taken up more space than I have!

Darling Daughter's favorite museum is actually separate from the Smithsonian...The National Art Gallery. Her love of art and painting specifically seemed to draw her into the pieces. We only spent an hour so saw very little, but I am glad we could give her this experience. The architecture was beautiful and the gift shop, of course, was lovely. We didn't purchase much, as per the budget we set, but I enjoyed the experience of shopping in these lovely spaces anyway!

Next...More Museums...