Best Smithsonian Institution Day Trips & Things to Do

The magnificent red sandstone structure dating back to 1849 is situated in Washington, D.C.'s National Mall housing the offices and information center for the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution was designed in faux Norman style by noted architect James Renwick, Jr. and is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The building contains the tomb of the Smithsonian Institution's founder British scientist James Smithson. The nonprofit organization runs 19 museums, nine research centers and has 180-plus affiliated museums. Smithsonian Institution offers free admission to its collection of museums - mostly in the nation's capital - to 30 million visitors per year.