Best History Museum in Gaithersburg

"The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares space with the National Portrait Gallery in a historic Greek Revival building that is one of the oldest public buildings in Washington, D.C. The American Art Museum is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. More than 7,000 artists are represented in the collection, including major masters such as John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Joseph Cornell, Jacob Lawrence, Helen Frankenthaler, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Lee Friedlander, Roy Lichtenstein, Nam June Paik, Irving Penn, Martin Puryear, Robert Rauschenberg and Bill Viola. Be sure to visit the National Portrait Gallery and see the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House."

"National Mall Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm Permanent exhibits at the NPG include America's Presidents, the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. You can also check out portraits of creative geniuses, from P.T. Barnum to Elvis; and Champions, a mix of legendary figures from the world of sports."

"It houses tens of thousands of pieces, seen by over 2 million visitors a year, within a Greek Revival frame. The gallery’s indoor courtyard is also one of D.C.’s most beautiful interiors."

"National Mall Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm While some exhibits, like the segregated rail car, are still closed, and safety modifications have been made to others, much of this wonderful museum is open now, including an exhibit of African-American movie posters, a peek at how African-Americans have influenced film and the theater, African-American contributions to sports, and—of course—galleries devoted to the history of slavery and civil rights in the United States."

"A super-popular celebration of the African-American experience Opened in 2016, this museum’s floors are lined with music, sports, and pop-culture memorabilia along with powerful reminders of slavery and the civil rights movement. Guests can also learn about the museum’s long road to reality. Same-day timed-entry tickets are released online at 6:30am daily (limit four per order) and are still hot commodities."

"More than 2.5 million visitors have passed through the doors of the Smithsonian Institution's newest museum since it opened in September 2016. This is the hottest ticket in town, with passes snapped up months in advance — but it's free, and same-day passes are available."

"The United State Holocuast Memorial Museum is the official museum dedicated to Holocuast history. The museum also promotes human rights and regularly hosts programs and education for world leaders and visitors. The museum has over 12,000 artifacts, almost 50 million pages of documents, 1,000 hours of footage in its collection."

"This museum hosts permanent and special exhibits about the horrific events of the Holocaust. There is no entry fee, although timed tickets are required March 1 to Aug. 31. If advance tickets aren't available, visitors can try for same-day tickets online or in person."

"The USA's official memorial to the Holocaust, the main museum takes you on a journey of a single Holocaust victim. There is a special exhibit geared more towards young children. It is free but passes do run out in busy times."

"The Octagon House is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC. In 1898, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) established The Octagon as its national headquarters. In the 1970s, The Octagon was opened to the public as a museum."

"In Foggy Bottom, you can find this architecture and design museum. The house was built between 1798 and 1800 by the architect of the U.S. Capitol, Dr. William Thornton."

"This museum, dedicated to telling the stories of architecture, engineering and design, may not at first glance seem geared toward children but it's actually one of the best attractions you will find for kids of varying ages in the nation's capital. For smaller children, be sure to check out the Building Zone where kids can drive play bulldozers and trucks, build a brick wall or explore a custom built green house. Older children may enjoy checking out different tool kits and working on projects such as building a house, playing I spy and creating architectural design patterns."

"Kid spaces: The Building Zone - a playspace for ages birth through 5 years, timed tickets; Play Work Build - a construction play area for elementary aged kids. Smaller children can enjoy building with the big blocks, too, but note that some toys in this area are small enough to be choking hazards. Kid-friendly exhibits: The above exhibits are likely to take up all of your visit, but other exhibits can be accessible to kids as well, especially special/temporary exhibits."

"Formerly known as the Pension Building, this immense Italian Renaissance–style structure is home to more than 200 exhibits showcasing the construction, architecture, and engineering heritage of the U.S. and Washington, D.C. A favorite is the..."

"Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office is a museum and historic site. It consists of the restored rooms where Clara Barton had lived and worked during the Civil War."

"This underutilized patch of grass, complete with flowers, fountains, and benches, sits next to the Smithsonian Castle, one of the more memorable looking buildings on the National Mall. While the hordes of tourists are huddled, drenched in sweat, on the steps of the various museums, in-the-know Mall-goers can escape to this oasis of green for some shade, a moment of peace, and the free Wi-Fi.Best for: checking your e-mail while smelling flowers.Photo by Flickr user cliff1066™"

"The Tidal Basin is a beautiful place to spend a few hours in the heart of Washington, D.C. During the warmer months of the year, kids enjoy paddle boating as a break from traditional sightseeing. You can also visit the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial and learn about a few of our most prominent historic leaders. The Tidal Basin is a man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River."

"Close to the National Mall, puts visitors smack in the center of all things cherry blossom. This man-made inlet that sits next to the Potomac River is the perfect spot to wile away the hours on a paddleboat or take in the beauty of the seasons. In spring, visitors to the famed festival find themselves in the perfect spot to take in all of the magic of the cherry blossoms."

"The Tidal Basin is a man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It offers beautiful views of the famous cherry trees and the Jefferson Memorial and is a wonderful spot to enjoy a picnic or rent a paddle boat."

"Want to take a trip around the world? Stroll northwest along Massachusetts Ave from Dupont Circle (the actual traffic circle) and you pass more than 40 embassies housed in mansions that range from elegant to imposing to discreet. Tunisia, Chile, Turkmenistan, Togo, Haiti – flags flutter above heavy doors and mark the nations inside, while dark-windowed sedans ease out of driveways ferrying diplomats to and fro. The district has another 130 embassies sprinkled throughout, but this is the main vein."

"Address: 1200 N George Mason Dr.Length: 0.34 milesDifficulty: EasyBikeable: NoTrail Map:ViewDescription: Trails through Lacey Woods offer a small escape from an urban environment. You will find mature trees, an azalea garden, and an active group controlling invasive plant species. You may even come across red salamanders who make their home among the logs here."

"Built in 1888, the Rawlings Conservatory features five greenhouse rooms and a half-acre garden. Capture pictures of exotic flora in the Victorian glass and iron greenhouse, feed the koi at the indoor pond or wander outside to take pictures in its exterior gardens in Druid Hill Park. Catch a baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards downtown."

"A true hidden gem in Baltimore, the Rawlings Conservatory is a historic greenhouse and botanical garden right next to the Maryland Zoo. Entry is donations-based, so you can pay as much as you want for total exploration of vibrant tropicals, gorgeous orchids, and a room full of impressive palms. By @willpowerphotos."

"National Mall, 1050 Independence Avenue SouthwestWashington, DC 20560. What's more romantic than kissing in a garden inspired by Beijing's Temple of Heaven?"

"These unique and beautiful gardens are one of the most delightful things to do in Washington, DC. Festivals celebrating different seasons and plants happen year-round, such as the Lotus and Waterlily Festival. The longest path or trail in the park is about half a mile, so there is no need to worry about getting overheated. You can stop at any time."

"Located along the east bank of the Anacostia River, this beautiful spot is filled with hiking trails and boardwalks enticing visitors year round. Play a round of golf, test your skill at the driving range, bird watch, hike, canoe, or enjoy the company of a friend. Visit in summer for the beautiful spectacle of the water lilies in bloom."

"If you’re looking for unusual tourist spots in Washington, DC, consider the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. They’re captivatingly beautiful, but they’re definitely not your average park!. What sets them apart is their water-based plant life."

"You can be forgiven for assuming that the Heurich House Museum is some grand palace built for long-forgotten aristocracy. Its Victorian-style architecture includes stone archways, wide windows, spire-topped towers and all of the stairs and alcoves that you’d expect from a gothic building. The truth, however, is that the Heurich House Museum was built by a European immigrant in the 1890s."

"This residence-turned-museum is known as the “Brewmaster’s Castle.” It is a lesser-known building that once housed the world’s oldest brewer, known as Christian Heurich. Heurich is recognized as the city’s most successful brewer. During his life, he was D.C.’s second largest landowner and largest non-governmental employer."

"Built from 1892 to 1894, this uniquely intact Victorian mansion was the home of German-American philanthropist and beer magnate Christian Heurich. Considered the world's oldest brewmaster, he ran the Christian Heurich Brewery on the site where the..."