Would you believe that this was actually a really hard article for us to write? Not because there are a lack of museums in DC but because there are so many fantastic museums to choose from! If you love to learn, then DC is the perfect place for you. This is by no means a complete list of museums in DC but they are some of the best museums in the district. You may have heard of some of these before but others may be new for you! Here are 15 must visit museums in DC!

1. National Air and Space Museum

The Air & Space is by far one of the most popular museums in the District and for good reason! There are three galleries inside the museum which feature aircrafts, space stations, and much more. You can see the 1903 Wright Flyer, touch a piece of moon rock or watch a 3D presentation in their IMAX theater.

2. Newseum

Dedicated to journalism and free speech, the Newseum gives visitors a look at the world of journalism. You can view a gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs, parts of the Berlin Wall, and a fascinating display of more than 80 front pages from around the world. You won’t want to miss the panoramic view from the sixth floor of downtown DC either!

3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

This beautiful and moving museum is a must visit. The three floor exhibition has more than 900 artifacts, archive footage, and survivor testimony about the Nazi holocaust. Be forewarned, the material in this museum can be intense and is not recommended for young children. There is a specially designed children’s exhibition for children eight and over.

4. International Spy Museum

One of the few museums in the world dedicated to the unique world of spies, the spy museum is an adventure! Learn about the mysterious men and women who performed missions you only thought existed in the movies. The exhibits featuring spy gadgets will impress everyone!

5. National Gallery of Art

There are over 100,000 pieces of art at the National Gallery of Art. It includes everything from drawings to photographs, prints, new media and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the present. You will also want to save time to stroll the attached Sculpture Garden.

6. Hirshhorn Museum

The Hirschhorn is one of the preeminent museums feature a range of art . The building itself is practically a piece of art all on its own. Originally designed to house millionaire Joseph Hirschhorn’s collection of 20th century art, the museum now has a wide range of art and media.

7. National Museum of American Indian

One of the more recent additions to the Mall, the National Museum of the American Indian honors and memorializes the history of indigenous people in the United States. There are over 800,000 items and artifacts from many different tribes here. Additionally, this museum is known to have one of the very best cafes in the entire city, the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, which serves food inspired by Native American cuisines.

8. National Museum of African American History and Culture

The newest museum in DC, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016. The museum tells of African American life and culture in the US. It focuses on subjects such as community, family, religion, slavery, civil rights, segregation and art.

9. Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery

The American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery share a building and you can access one museum directly from the other. The American Art Museum is known as the nation’s first art collection and you can view the many different diverse works of art that have come from Americans from colonial times until today. The National Portrait Gallery tells America’s history through the people who shaped it and features over 20,000 portraits of some of the most influential Americans.

10. National Geographic Museum

This museum features the perspective from explorers, photographers and scientists who dedicate their lives to exploring and saving the planet. There are a variety of exhibits that are great for all ages!

11. National Postal Museum

Not as well known or as flashy as some of the other museums, the Postal Museum is an awesome experience. Learn about the history of the postal service, from the Pony Express until today. View fantastic collections of stamps and the many different planes, mail trucks and rail cars that have carried the mail over the years. As a bonus, it’s usually less crowded than other museums.

12. National Building Museum

A unique museum, the building itself is fantastic and earns a visit all on its own. But the National Building Museum features exhibits that focus on architects, architecture and buildings. You will get a sense of how architecture and home has evolved over the years.

13. National Museum of Natural History

From dinosaurs to diamonds, the Natural History Museum has a little bit of everything. There are hundreds of live butterflies inside the Butterfly Pavilion, spectacular dinosaur bones and lifelike animal scenes in the Ocean and Mammals Halls. You will also want to grab a glimpse of the 45.5 carat Hope Diamond and maybe stop off at the IMAX theater for a daily show.

14. Marian Koshland Science Museum

Quite lesser known than others, this is a private museum run by the National Academy of Sciences. It explores the science of daily life, including everything from weather to diseases to climate change. Their interactive displays are incredibly fun and interesting.

15. National Zoo

Yes, the zoo is technically a museum! An outdoor, living, breathing museum, that is. There are over 2,000 animals from 400 different species living on the 163 acres of park. In addition to the animals, there are several educational exhibits where visitors can learn about conservation and ecology of the different animals and species.

Did your favorite museum make the list? Keep exploring DC with the 18 best cheap things to do in the district!