Suggestions on Smithsonian if you had one day

I will be in Washington, DC in June for a business conference and have an extra day to spare.  I am thinking about spending that day at the Smithsonian.  I haven't been there for many years and am trying to decide which museum/section to visit.  My interests lean more to history than art.  If you had one day for the Smithsonian, which might you visit?   Any suggestions are appreciated.

If you're less interested in art and perhaps looking for something different than the NYC mix of museums, I'd consider starting with the American history museum on the west side of the mall complex. Divided into armed forces, culture and arts, home and community, med/science, politics, industry. Things like Dorothy's red slippers and Archie Bunker's chair, old cars and buses, war uniforms are there.

apple44 said:

If you're less interested in art and perhaps looking for something different than the NYC mix of museums, I'd consider starting with the American history museum on the west side of the mall complex. Divided into armed forces, culture and arts, home and community, med/science, politics, industry. Things like Dorothy's red slippers and Archie Bunker's chair, old cars and buses, war uniforms are there.

 That sounds interesting...kind of a fun mix of history and pop culture.  Thanks for the suggestion!

another consideration: if you are old enough to remember the thrill of space flights, I always loved the Air and Space Museum.  http://www.si.edu/Museums/air-and-space-museum

Air and Space Museum -  without a doubt - there are two locations, both mind blowing.   If someone had one trip to Washington DC in a lifetime, and could visit only one attraction - that would be it.

However, in an entire day you can see a lot more than just that museum .  I suggest the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial, and the FDR memorial .  Both are very moving.

I'm partial to the National Museum of the American Indian. It's also a good place for lunch on the Mall -- the cafeteria offers interesting indigenous regional foods.

If you like history, you could go to Ford's Theater where Lincoln was shot.  It can sometimes be closed for shows - it is still a working theater. Across the street is the Peterson House - where they brought Lincoln after he was shot.  He remained there until he died.  On a few floors above is a great exhibit running only until May 23rd. We just saw it this past weekend and loved it.  It has many items from the events of that night including the gun that John Wilkes Booth used to shoot Lincoln.

http://www.fords.org/event/silent-witnesses

Norman_Bates said:

apple44 said:

If you're less interested in art and perhaps looking for something different than the NYC mix of museums, I'd consider starting with the American history museum on the west side of the mall complex. Divided into armed forces, culture and arts, home and community, med/science, politics, industry. Things like Dorothy's red slippers and Archie Bunker's chair, old cars and buses, war uniforms are there.

 That sounds interesting...kind of a fun mix of history and pop culture.  Thanks for the suggestion!

The American History Museum also had Julia Child's kitchen. I took a bunch of photos.

I'll chime in for the Lincoln Memorial, as well as the National World War II Memorial, which I wasn't expecting to find as fascinating and moving as I did. (The National WWII Memorial is also a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - they're all relatively clumped together. I hit them all in an afternoon off the day before a conference.)

Unless they have changed/revised the exhibits extensively, skip the American Indian Museum (the one in NYC is vastly superior).

Small, but a nice collection: National Museum of African Art.  The Natural History Museum always holds my interest. 

Agree on either of the Air & Space Museums--compellingly awesome.  The one near Dulles is a fascinating history of flight.

I found the Korean War Memorial (in the same area as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial) to be the most interesting and evocative of the Memorials. 

The botanical garden is really nice also. It's on the same side as Air & Space (toward the Capitol, IIRC)

The beauty of the Smithsonian (besides free admission) is that you can add another museum or two to your day easily if your first plan doesn't take as long as you expected for whatever reason.

And second the memorials.  I always enjoy visiting those and there are many nice spots to sit and contemplate ...

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  So many great things to do.  Alas, I have but one day so I will have to make a choice.  The American History Museum and the Ford's Theater exhibit both seem to rise to the top of my interest list.  Air and Space, not far behind. Clearly, what I need to do is to spend a few days in DC.  It's something I periodically think about doing but never seem to act on it.  Much appreciated.

You really shouldn't miss lunch at the Museum of the American Indian. It's the best food on the mall, hands down. 

http://www.mitsitamcafe.com/content/menus/spring.menu.final.2015.pdf

We were just there last weekend. If you like history, I strongly recommend the Newseum.

The Newseum is great. Be aware, however, that unlike the Smithsonian, it charges admisison. Adult tickets are $23. If you are in the neighborhood and passing by, the front pages on display outside the museum are fun to look at, no charge.

Museum of American History and right next door is the Natural History museum.

Regardless of which one you choose (prefer Air/Space), amble through the sculpture garden on your way...will take all of 10 minutes to walk the oval and is one of my favorite spots in DC.

I would just walk around the mall and drop in at all of them, or as many as you have time for. It's a treasure. And then head to the POV bar at the W, a rooftop bar that overlooks the White House, for a gimlet at sunset.