Bus Travel Article

 Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. on the National Mall. The Smithsonian is home to several different museums, galleries and other exhibition locations. Included under the Smithsonian Institution heading are the Castle (Smithsonian Institution building), the National Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden), the National Postal Museum and many more.

Begin your tour of the Smithsonian Institution at the Castle for more information about where the different buildings and exhibitions are. In the orientation theater, watch a 10-minute video which provides an overview of the Institution. There are also some display cases which capture the history of the Institution. Marvel at two scale models of Washington, D.C.'s monumental core and have fun with the interactive touch-screen wall maps which show popular D.C. attractions.

The National Air and Space Museum is a fascinating part of the Smithsonian. There are dozens of exhibitions based on the history of flight and explorations of space. One display is about the Wright Brothers and the first flight. Another display shows the history of air transportation and modern airplanes. Stare in awe at the World War I and II aviation displays. Visit the Albert Einstein Planetarium for a trip through space and a look at the planets and stars.

Take a brisk walk past the front of the U.S. Capitol building, continuing down Louisiana Avenue to the National Postal Museum. Here you will find a history of the U.S. postal system, including postage stamp collections, postal stationery displays, as well as postal equipment. They have information on starting and maintaining your own stamp collection. You can even visit the National Postal Museum Library which is home to the National Philatelic Collection.

Of course, these locations are not the only buildings of the Smithsonian Institute you can visit. Make sure you find out more at the Castle before you begin your tour. You may even want to set aside a few days so you can get a look at everything. Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes, as the Smithsonian Institution covers approximately one mile of Washington, D.C.!