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".
A museum inside Washington
One of the most looked-up attractions in the U.S.
About 301K people a year read its Wikipedia article, more than for 98% of the 2,009 attractions we track.
You can stay in Washington
Smithsonian Institution is inside Washington, which has 79,930 hotel and restaurant jobs, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
Established in 1846
Smithsonian Institution dates from 1846. About ↓
A day trip from Baltimore
Baltimore is about 36 miles northeast and Philadelphia is about 127 miles northeast (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
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, Census job and town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Washington. Green months are the mild ones.
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
- 301K a year
Stay in Washington, or close by
Towns within 30 miles, closest first. Hotel and restaurant jobs show how many places there are to stay and eat.
| Town | From Smithsonian Institution | Hotel & restaurant jobs | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | in town | 79,930 | 681,294 | $737K | D− |
| Arlington | 4 mi west | 16,664 | 236,254 | $895K | — |
| Hillcrest Heights | 5 mi southeast | 217 | 16,063 | $364K | — |
| Mount Rainier | 5 mi northeast | 96 | 8,245 | $530K | D |
| Colmar Manor | 5 mi northeast | 110 | 1,566 | $371K | D |
| Brentwood | 5 mi northeast | 31 | 3,777 | $413K | — |
| Cottage City | 5 mi northeast | 3 | 1,158 | $343K | — |
| Glassmanor | 5 mi southeast | 18 | 16,981 | $351K | — |
| North Brentwood | 6 mi northeast | 10 | 624 | $417K | — |
| Forest Heights | 6 mi south | 252 | 2,642 | $372K | — |
| Alexandria | 6 mi southwest | 9,532 | 156,976 | $735K | C |
| Silver Hill | 6 mi southeast | 63 | 5,193 | $323K | — |
Day trip from
Straight-line miles.
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Smithsonian Institution
Other well-known places within 8 miles. Numbered ones are on the map above.
Big draw1in town🏞 National park siteWhite House311K visitors a year
Big draw22 mi📍 LandmarkArlington National Cemetery
Big draw3in town🏛 National MemorialLincoln Memorial7.7M visitors a year
Big draw4in town🏞 National park siteNational Mall
Big draw5in town🏛 National Historic SiteFord's Theatre National Historic Site394K visitors a year
Big draw6in town🏛 MuseumNational Air and Space Museum6.9M visitors a year
Big draw7in town🏛 MuseumQ2148671.7M visitors a year
Big draw88 mi📍 LandmarkKryptosPhoto 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 · 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 · Q214867: AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kryptos: Jim Sanborn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Visiting 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 and Philadelphia?
About 36 miles northeast of Baltimore and about 127 miles northeast of Philadelphia, 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, 79,930 hotel and restaurant jobs), Arlington (4 mi, 16,664 hotel and restaurant jobs) and Hillcrest Heights (5 mi, 217 hotel and restaurant jobs).
Tips from people in Washington
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Washington’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.