As if Washington DC doesn’t have enough to offer, the city is home to 17 of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums as well as the National Zoo. The opportunity to explore the museums making up the Smithsonian Institution alone is a good enough reason to visit the city.

We showcased a handful of the Smithsonian museums earlier, but here are a few more to keep you busy. We hope you have a lot of time to spare because once you get started you won’t want to stop!

Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

The Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden represents a spectacular collection of contemporary artwork rivaled by no other. The collections here represent later modern art dating from the latter portion of the 19^th century through the middle of the 20^th century as well as contemporary art dating from 1970 through the present. The museum includes three full floors of galleries as well as a surrounding plaza and a spectacular sculpture garden. Make sure you pick up a map of the museum when you enter – you’ll want to see as much as possible while you’re there.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, is referred to as the National Zoo because it’s just that – the official zoo of the United States. The zoo is home to a spectacular collection of animal species representing regions all around the world. While there you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for the zoo’s newest additions and make sure to take part in at least one of the daily programs. The zoo’s educated guides will teach you about the life of Asian Pandas, North American Beavers, and much more!

National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is home to a number of stunning collections representing the culmination of natural research conducted all over the world. The Evolution Trail explains exactly why dinosaurs are extinct while the Art of African Exploration brings light to life on the African continent during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Behind the exhibition halls lie a series of hallways where research specialists toil day and night. The collection of artifacts, fossils, minerals, plants, artwork, and even animals is astounding and is revealed to the public little by little as its mysteries are uncovered.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is home to a series of portrait collections representing various times throughout American History. Current exhibitions include portraits portraying the life of Abraham Lincoln as well as photographs depicting natural photography. There are several permanent collections dedicated to past and current presidents as well. In December of 2008 the gallery was able to unveil portraits of George H. W. Bush and his wife. The National Portrait Gallery was also able to add a portrait of Barack Obama just in time for Inauguration Day.

National Postal Museum

Believe it or not, there is a museum dedicated to the history of the United States Postal Service. It’s hard to recall, but there was once a time when sending a letter was the only way of communicating with those in distant places. The museum covers the history of the letter from post-Revolutionary America through the present. You’ll learn about current technologies used to send mail today, how important mail was during wartime, and about the evolution and history of the stamp. There is a lot to see in this museum, a perfect destination for the avid stamp collector or history buff.

Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is located in New York City and is one of the only museums within the Smithsonian Institution that charges a fee for admittance (though it is free on Sundays). The museum features a comprehensive collection of exhibitions portraying the evolution of design as it applies to all areas of life. Exhibitions include the evolution of children’s wallpaper and books, plans for affordable housing in China, and a spectacular collection of watercolor interiors from the Thaw Collection, created during the 19^th century.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a museum of the future. President Bush signed a legislative bill in 2003 making the museum an official part of the Smithsonian Institution, but its official Smithsonian location has yet to be built. It is the only museum in the country dedicated to the evolution of African American history alone. The museum’s exhibitions currently travel from gallery to gallery and will continue to do so until their permanent home in Washington DC is completed. Until then, visitors are encouraged to view information about collections on the museum’s website, track special programs sponsored by the museum, and even make contributions to the forming collections.

The Smithsonian Institutions represent years of dedication to our country’s natural, cultural, and political history. Combine them with tours of some of the national monuments and exhibits scattered throughout Washington DC and you’re guaranteed to walk away with a dose of history you never expected!

Image credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7