The crème e la crème of the United States’ science, history, art and nature come under the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, it hold s major US collection of just about anything imaginable. The institution itself is gigantic and visitors should be prepared for multiple visits spanning over a few days to truly explore and understand the exhibits in display at the Smithsonian. All in all the institution encompasses 16 museums, the national zoo of Washington DC and countless other wings devoted to science and research.
The Smithsonian Institute was gifted by an English scientist who had never even set foot in the United States, James Smithson the illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland established the Smithsonian in 1846 as a centre that would encourage the increase and the diffusion of knowledge. The original home of the institute was a Norman style “Castle” that stands on the Mall halfway between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. As the institute grew larger it necessitated the construction of several buildings alongside the Mall.
The ornate tomb of James Smithson (having visited the US posthumously) is in an alcove just off the Mall entrance, and the lovely flower-filled Enid A. Haupt Garden fronts the Castle on the south side. You can still get a feel for the days when the Smithsonian was known as "the nation's attic" by visiting the adjacent Arts and Industries Building which was Washington DC's first "National Museum," and it once displayed the hundreds of objects sent here for safekeeping after the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Although some of the Victorian artifacts remain on display, the building's main focus now is temporary exhibitions by the African-American History Center and the American Indian and Anacostia museums.
One of the more famous out of the sixteen is the national Air and Space Museum that was opened in the year 1976 and celebrates the history of aviation and space travel. Exhibits include the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis, and moon rock collected by the Apollo astronauts (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin) from the lunar surface, when they touched down on July 20 1969.
As mentioned earlier to explore the Smithsonian fully one would need a few days so it is advisable that tourists book in to Washington DC hotels that are located close to the Smithsonian. Many Washington DC hotels are located in the area and they also offer great access to other exciting sights and sounds of the city.
James Cook is an executive working for Hotelseye, which is a popular online reservation portal with a wide collection of Washington DC hotels and also this portal also it provides services links to Washington DC travel such as car rentals and flight reservations. For more info please visit http://www.washingtondchotelseye.com
