Smithsonian Highlights Tour #2: Natural History

Did you know there's no single Smithsonian museum? There are actually several. With so much to see, the options can be overwhelming for first time D.C. visitors. This guide offers a very brief highlights tour for the various museums to help your planning process. Also, feel free to ask any questions about the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the comments and we'll do our best to get you an answer.

The labyrinthine Natural History Museum features some of the largest and most impressive exhibits in the institution's entire collection. Massive dinosaur skeletons, hundreds of stuffed animals and scores of brilliant gems are on display. The giant Tyrannosaurus Rex and celebrated Hope Diamond are two of this museum's most notable items.

More curious visitors will appreciate how many items in this museum's collection bear the "please touch" sign. Several fossil cast and rock displays can be touched — including a Mars rock! — and multiple lab stations are scattered throughout the facility.

The interactive highlight, though, is the beautiful Live Butterfly Pavilion. This experience allows visitors to walk through an enclosed habitat populated by 400 butterflies representing 30 species. If you've ever wanted to snap a great butterfly photo or wished one would land on your head, this wondrous exhibit is for you.

Be aware that this museum, which is designed to maximize its available display space, requires a significant amount of walking to see all the sights. To facilitate a comprehensive viewing, plan to rest with a meal or snack at the halfway point. Alternatively, the "Fast Track" path offers an abbreviated experience.

How to get there: Short walk from Smithsonian Metro.

Time to view: About four hours.

When to go: On your first trip to Washington, if you can manage it. It's one of the top three Smithsonian museums.