Our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo are open today, and will remain open through Saturday, October 11. If the government shutdown continues past October 11, the Smithsonian will then close to the public.
Smithsonian Homepage
Plan Your Visit
View guides for the Smithsonian's 17 free Washington, D.C.–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!
Featured
Explore collections, stories, and research from across the Smithsonian.
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National Portrait Gallery
Harry S. Truman
President Truman makes the first televised speech from the White House on this day in 1947. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
The Art and Science of Bats
Shy, nocturnal creatures, bats have been both feared and revered. -
Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
The Queen of Salsa
During a career that lasted more than 60 years, Celia Cruz helped popularize salsa music in the United States. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Autumn Views
Celebrating the beauty of the changing season with art and objects in the collections. -
National Postal Museum
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places, and Events on Stamps
Discover Hispanic history and heritage in this bilingual online exhibition. -
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
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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 2026 across the Smithsonian. -
Archival Resources
It’s American Archives Month
Celebrate by exploring our photographs, drawings, scrapbooks, journals, manuscripts, and more. -
Around the Smithsonian
Mysteries of the Universe
Starting with solar studies in 1890, the Smithsonian has been exploring questions spanning from our atmosphere to deep space. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
1925: A Year in the Collections
Look back one hundred years into 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.
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Sidedoor Podcast
The Goddess of Broadway
The first Puerto Rican performer to tread the boards on Broadway, Diosa Costello was fearless, funny, and brimming with talent.
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Sidedoor Podcast
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
We track the lore of this notorious gem through the centuries.
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Sidedoor Podcast
The 'Gentle Anarchy' of the Muppets
Conserving the history of Jim Henson's Muppets.
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Sidedoor Podcast
Zoo's Clues
Grab your microscope and get ready to head through a very special side door of the National Zoo—behind the scenes with veterinary pathologists.
