Washington DC’s Smithsonian museums attract millions of visitors yearly, but many overlook their most fascinating hidden corners. These lesser-known treasures offer unique experiences away from the usual crowds.
Like a treasure map of cultural wonders, this guide will help you explore the extraordinary spaces that make the Smithsonian special.
The Butterfly Garden
The hidden butterfly garden at the National Museum of Natural History provides a
peaceful escape from the bustling museum halls. This secluded outdoor space between exhibits houses native plants that attract local butterflies throughout the
warmer months.
The garden’s wooden benches offer perfect spots for quiet contemplation or sketching. Regular visitors often bring sketchbooks to capture the delicate movements of painted ladies and monarchs as they flit among the flowers.
The Lunar Lab
Tucked away in a corner of the Air and Space Museum, the lunar research facility
showcases actual moon rocks being studied by scientists. The lab’s large viewing
windows allow visitors to watch real-time research on lunar samples.
This working laboratory provides insights into ongoing space exploration research. Visitors often catch glimpses of scientists using specialized equipment to analyze cosmic dust particles and meteorite fragments.
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The Miniature Models Room
The American History Museum’s basement houses an extraordinary collection of intricate architectural models depicting historical buildings. These meticulously crafted miniatures showcase lost architectural treasures from across America.
The room’s quiet atmosphere allows for a detailed examination of these remarkable pieces. Each model takes hundreds of hours to create, with some featuring working lights and tiny interior details visible through miniature windows.
The Innovation Wing’s Test Kitchen
Within the American History Museum’s modern wing lies a fully functional test kitchen where food historians recreate historical recipes. This interactive space regularly hosts cooking demonstrations using period-appropriate techniques and ingredients.
Visitors can often sample dishes that tell stories of American culinary history. The kitchen’s collection of historical cookware and utensils provides fascinating insights into how cooking techniques have evolved over centuries.
The Fossil Lab
The Natural History Museum’s fossil preparation laboratory offers visitors a behind-the scenes look at paleontology. Scientists work on real dinosaur fossils while explaining their techniques through an intercom system.
The lab’s viewing area provides excellent opportunities for photography and questions. Lucky visitors might witness the moment when a fossil is freed from its rocky matrix, revealing details unseen for millions of years.
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The Portrait Gallery’s Luce Center
The third floor of the Portrait Gallery contains the Luce Foundation Center, a visible storage facility holding thousands of artworks. This three-story space features floor-to-ceiling glass cases filled with paintings and sculptures.
The center’s electronic kiosks provide detailed information about each piece. The facility’s unique open storage concept allows visitors to glimpse the vast scope of American portraiture beyond the curated gallery spaces.
The Kogod Courtyard
The covered courtyard between the Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum offers a stunning architectural experience with its undulating glass canopy. This climate-controlled space features a peaceful water feature and comfortable seating throughout.
On select evenings, the courtyard hosts free jazz concerts. Local artists often use this inspiring space as an unofficial studio, sketching the interplay of light and shadow created by the remarkable ceiling.
The Castle’s Gardens
Behind the Smithsonian Castle lies a series of Victorian-inspired gardens that many visitors overlook. These carefully maintained spaces feature heritage plants and traditional landscaping designs.
The gardens provide excellent photography opportunities in all seasons. Early morning visitors might spot resident foxes exploring the meticulously maintained pathways.
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The Freer’s Peacock Room
The Freer Gallery houses James McNeill Whistler’s famous Peacock Room, an ornate dining room completely covered in gold and blue decorations. This stunning space originally stood in a London mansion before being transported to America.
The room’s intricate details reward repeated visits. On the third Thursday of each month, curators open the room’s shutters, allowing natural light to illuminate the gold leaf details spectacularly.
The Museum Support Center
This rarely-visited facility in Maryland houses millions of specimens and artifacts not
on public display. Monthly tours provide glimpses into vast collection storage areas and research facilities.
The center’s preservation labs showcase cutting-edge conservation techniques. The facility’s massive whale hall, containing dozens of complete whale skeletons, leaves visitors in awe of nature and museum science.
The Hirshhorn’s Sculpture Garden
The sunken sculpture garden at the Hirshhorn Museum offers quiet corners often missed by casual visitors. This modernist landscape features rotating installations of
contemporary sculptures among careful plantings.
The garden’s design creates unique perspectives on major artworks. The sculptures take on magical new dimensions during winter snowfalls as they become draped in white.
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The American Indian Museum’s Resource Center
The National Museum of the American Indian maintains a comprehensive research center for Native American culture and history. This quiet space provides access to rare books, photographs, and documents about indigenous peoples.
The center’s knowledgeable staff offers research assistance. The collection includes thousands of recorded oral histories that preserve the voices and stories of tribal elders.
The Arts and Industries Building
This recently reopened Victorian building showcases innovative exhibitions in its restored historic spaces. The building’s architecture features intricate ironwork and colorful tiles throughout its halls.
Its central dome provides excellent acoustics for periodic musical performances. The building’s basement still contains mysterious unmarked doors and passages from its earliest days as a museum.
The Anacostia Community Museum
This community-focused museum in Southeast DC tells stories of urban life and local
history. The museum’s archives contain extensive documentation of neighborhood change and development.
Its galleries feature rotating exhibitions about contemporary urban issues. The museum’s oral history project continues to capture the memories and experiences of long-time residents, preserving the area’s rich cultural heritage.
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The Museum Conservation Institute
This specialized facility in Maryland focuses on preserving and studying Smithsonian collections. Scientists here use advanced technology to analyze and protect
historical artifacts.
Monthly tours reveal the complex work of keeping museum objects safe for future generations. The institute’s X-ray laboratory can peer inside artifacts to reveal hidden details about their construction and history.
Beyond the Tourist Trail: A Journey Through Smithsonian’s
Secret Spaces
These hidden treasures within the Smithsonian system reward visitors who venture beyond the popular exhibits. While millions flock to see the Hope Diamond or the Spirit of St. Louis, these lesser-known spots offer equally enriching experiences.
Consider exploring these secret spaces on your next visit to experience the depth of
America’s greatest museum complex.
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