Museums are cool because they have a rich history. They are also an important part of our culture, social life, and economy. Museums contain lots of valuable artifacts that teach us about the past.

Museums provide some great entertainment for kids and adults alike. They offer various educational courses and workshops to people of all ages – from toddlers to retirees. Lastly, they are a cost-effective way to learn about different cities and cultures across the world.

There are a number of museums in almost every city throughout the world, especially Washington D.C. Whether you reside in one of the many Washington D.C. apartments or you are just planning a weekend visit, let’s take a look at some of the museums you should visit. 

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the first museum dedicated to the history of African Americans in the United States.

The museum was established by an Act of Congress on February 27, 2003, and founded as a public trust. Its founding charter states that it is “dedicated to exploring, documenting, showcasing and celebrating the African American experience.”

National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is a nonprofit art museum that has been operating since 1987, with branches in Washington, D.C. and New York City. With an emphasis on women’s contributions to the arts, it is one of the largest museums in the country exclusively devoted to women’s history and culture. It also houses a research library with over 100,000 volumes focusing on women artists exhibiting at the museum or related to women’s art history.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts was established by Lois S. Jones as a private institution supported by charitable contributions from individuals and corporations for “the purpose of presenting American art with an emphasis on works by women.”

National Museum of African Art

The entry pavilion of this museum is just across the magnificent Enid Haupt Garden from its twin, the Sackler. The museum’s major focus is ancient and modern work from Sub-Saharan Africa, which it inaugurated in 1987. Visitors are immersed in many facets of African art and culture at the museum. The ceremonial clothing and fabrics, which include Mali-made blankets and embroidered shirts are definitely cool to see. 

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

The Peacock Room, a dining room designed by James McNeill Whistler and packed with a magnificent assortment of china, is the museum’s crown gem. It began with Charles Lang Freer’s private collection of art. The rest of the collection comprises masterpieces from Japan, China, and India, among others.

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

The largely neoclassical buildings along the Mall are enlivened by this magnificent, boldly contemporary cylindrical structure. The edifice, which was finished in 1974, was built to house the collection of 20th-century painting and sculpture owned by self-made Wall Street tycoon Joseph Hirshhorn.

The museum presently exhibits works on paper, painting, installation, photography, sculpture, digital, and video art, among other mediums. From Ai Weiwei’s Trace to Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors, the museum has hosted some of the most talked-about traveling exhibits on the planet. The sculpture garden, which has pieces by Rodin, Louise Bourgeois, and Alexander Calder, is a must-see.