1. The Smithsonian Institution

NATIONAL MALL.   The Smithsonian – for many, the image of the 19th-century sandstone "Castle" immediately springs to mind. The Institution itself is larger than most realize (19 museums and the National Zoo in DC alone) and granting only one day to "do the Smithsonian" is a mistake. Always-popular stops are the National Air & Space Museum and the National Museum of American History (closed until Fall 2008); however, the beautiful National Museum of the American Indian has emerged as a hot attraction, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington-Dulles serves as a fascinating repository of nearly 80% of the Smithsonian's air and space collection. METRO: Smithsonian   (© 10Best)

With 19 museums plus the National Zoo, this is the largest museum complex in the world. For an orientation, stop first at the red-turreted castle, which houses the Smithsonian Information Center. (from Southern Living)

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