Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution ( smith-SOH-nee-ən; or simply the Smithsonian) is a group of museums, education and research centers, created by the United States federal government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". Its address is in Washington. Last counted in 2012, visitors numbered 30M.
A museum inside Washington
One of the most looked-up attractions in the U.S.
About 276K people a year read its Wikipedia article, more than for 99% of the 7,799 attractions we track.
You can stay in Washington
Smithsonian Institution is inside Washington, which has 247 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Baltimore
Baltimore is about 36 miles northeast (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Established in 1846
Smithsonian Institution dates from 1846. About ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Sep and Oct
April, May, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 67–80°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Month by month
This is the year’s weather near Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution ( smith-SOH-nee-ən; or simply the Smithsonian) is a group of museums, education and research centers, created by the United States federal government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a trust instrumentality and is not formally a part of any of the three branches of the federal government. The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. It was originally organized as the United States National Museum, but that name ceased to exist administratively in 1967.
- Type
- Museum
- Established
- 1846
- Wikipedia readers
- 276K a year
Hotels and campgrounds near Smithsonian Institution
The closest lodging is in Washington (247) and Arlington (58).
- 1White House
- 2Washington Monument
- 3United States Triumphal Arch
- 4Arlington National Cemetery
- 5Lincoln Memorial
- 6National Mall
- 7Ford's Theatre
- 8National Air and Space Museum
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Smithsonian Institution | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | in town | — | 247 201 hotels · 2 motels · 24 inns & B&Bs · 6 lodges & cabins · 12 hostels · 2 campgrounds | 693,645 | $737K | D− |
| Arlington | 4 mi west | 5 min | 58 54 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 2 lodges & cabins | 236,254 | $895K | — |
| Alexandria | 6 mi southwest | 10 min | 44 41 hotels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins | 160,662 | $735K | C |
| Bethesda | 8 mi northwest | 15 min | 26 23 hotels · 1 inn or B&B · 2 lodges & cabins | 69,397 | $1,170K | — |
| Tysons | 11 mi west | 15 min | 25 25 hotels | 28,936 | $640K | — |
| College Park | 9 mi northeast | 15 min | 17 16 hotels · 1 motel | 35,418 | $438K | — |
| National Harbor | 7 mi south | 10 min | 10 9 hotels · 1 inn or B&B | 4,454 | $473K | — |
| Lake Arbor | 11 mi east | 15 min | 13 13 hotels | 14,335 | $461K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
While you are near Smithsonian Institution
You can reach each of these within 3 miles.
Big draw1in town National park siteWhite House311K visitors a year
Big draw2in town National MemorialWashington Monument204K visitors a year
Big draw32 mi LandmarkUnited States Triumphal Arch
Big draw42 mi LandmarkArlington National Cemetery
Big draw5in town National MemorialLincoln Memorial7.7M visitors a year
Big draw6in town National park siteNational Mall
Big draw7in town National Historic SiteFord's Theatre National Historic Site394K visitors a year
Big draw8in town MuseumNational Air and Space Museum6.9M visitors a yearPhoto credits
White House: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To see his entire port, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Washington Monument: Oren Rozen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · United States Triumphal Arch: Hstoops, CC0 · Arlington National Cemetery: Protoant, Public domain · Lincoln Memorial: Aerial_view_of_Lincoln_Memorial_-_east_side.jpg: Carol M. Highsmith derivative w, Public domain · National Mall: Raul654 at en.wikipedia. Later version(s) were uploaded by Michael Shields at e, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ford's Theatre National Historic Site: Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0 · National Air and Space Museum: David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Asked about Smithsonian Institution
Is Smithsonian Institution in Washington?
Yes. It’s inside Washington, DC.
When is the best time to visit Smithsonian Institution?
April, May, September and October, with highs of 67–80°.
How many people visit Smithsonian Institution each year?
30,000,000 in 2012, according to Wikidata.
How far is Smithsonian Institution from Baltimore?
About 36 miles northeast of Baltimore, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Smithsonian Institution?
Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), about 3 miles away.
Where should I stay near Smithsonian Institution?
Washington (in town, 247 places to stay), Arlington (4 mi, 58 places to stay) and Alexandria (6 mi, 44 places to stay).
Ask people in Washington
People in Washington have not posted tips yet; their Town Square is open.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.