Popular Smithsonian museums extend summer hours

May 5, 5:12 PMDC Tourism ExaminerTonya Fitzpatrick

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Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough announced recently that the Institution’s most popular and highly visited museums on the National Mall will remain open later in the evenings through Labor Day.

The museums on the National Mall generally operate every day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (except on December 25th).  However, the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of National History and the National Museum of American History have changed their evening hours for the summer as indicated below.

Each museum is massive in size and unique in its mission.  The collections are vast and there are countless of new exhibits and events throughout the year.  Before embarking on a museum “trek” a well-planned visit to the National Mall should begin with a visit to each museum’s website.

The following provides a brief summary of the Museums:

Open 10:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM:  (National Mall) The largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world are housed in the two separate Museum facilities; one located on the National Mall and the second located near Dulles Airport.  Although not as large as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport , the National Mall building in Washington, D.C. has hundreds of artifacts on display including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that visitors can touch.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY:  The Museum houses millions upon millions of documented and preserved natural specimens and cultural artifacts including 30 million insects; 4½ million plants in the Museum’s herbarium; 7 million fish in liquid-filled jars; and over 400,000 photographs housed in the National Anthropological Archives. 

Open 10:00 a.m. until 6:30p.m.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY:  Recently renovated, the Museum’s collections form a fascinating mosaic of American life and comprise the greatest single collection of American history.  More than 3 million artifacts authentic national treasures are found within the walls of the National Museum of American History. Guests will see everything from the original Star-Spangled Banner and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.”

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM:  (Dulles) The largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world are housed in the two separate Museum facilities; one located on the National Mall and the second located near Dulles Airport.  The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport is a larger facility and displays many more artifacts than the National Mall building including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay and Space Shuttle Enterprise.

Tonya Fitzpatrick is CEO of Travel'n On Media Productions, the parent company of the Travel'n On Radio Show and Travel'n On TV.   Along with her husband, DC Airline/Airport Examiner, Ian Fitzpatrick, the duo creates programming with a mission to promote global citizenship, responsible tourism and cross-cultural understanding.  Travel'n On also exists to encourage all travelers to leave positive footprints and to "Celebrate Life Through Travel".  Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter, The Cultural Connector, ffrom the Travel'n On website, follow Travel'n On via Twitter and join the Travel'n On facebook fan club.  Happy Travels!