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heart-solid My Visit

Slideshow

  • Castle with firerworks

    Reflect. Engage. Imagine.

    Our Shared Future: 250 arrow-right

  • American flag

    Sidedoor: A Smithsonian Podcast

    Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, and White Lies arrow-right

  • Aerial View Green Forest Woods And River Landscape

    Learn and get inspired!

    Celebrate Earth Month with the Smithsonian arrow-right

  • Colorful collage of collection images.

    Create. Imagine. Discover.

    Smithsonian Open Access arrow-right

  • Cosmic Buddha sculpture shown with multiple image effects.

    Smithsonian Digitization

    Smithsonian 3D arrow-right

Smithsonian Homepage

Explore from Anywhere!

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Our stories, collections, and research span the arts, sciences, and humanities. Explore, learn, and be inspired—wherever you are!

Start exploring

Plan Your Visit

Discover the Smithsonian's 17 free Washington, D.C.–area museums and zoo—plus two museums in NYC. Find out what's on and join us for vibrant events and exhibitions that illuminate art, science, history, technology, and culture.

Plan your visit


What interests you?

The Smithsonian has something for everyone from art to zoology.

A woman looks out a bay window, riveted by something beyond the pictorial space.

Art & Design arrow-right

Three children in a wicker baby carriage with an American flag.

History & Culture arrow-right

Two large bison stand in a field of yellow wildflowers.

Science & Nature arrow-right

3D scan of interior of Apollo command module

Technology & Innovation arrow-right

Featured

Explore collections, stories, and research from across the Smithsonian.

  • The Asian elephant calf born Feb. 2, 2026, explores her habitat in the Elephant Barn.

    Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

    Meet Linh Mai! arrow-right

    Asian elephant calf Linh Mai will make her public debut this Earth Day, April 22.
  • Triple-image Ella Fitzgerald

    Around the Smithsonian

    Jazz Appreciation Month arrow-right

    Performances, programs, and stories celebrating the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz.
  • NASA's Space Launch System on the launch pad.

    National Air and Space Museum

    All About the Artemis Program arrow-right

    The Artemis program is about more than going back to the Moon. It is NASA’s blueprint for the future of space travel.
  • A white carousel horse amidst other colored horses.

    Smithsonian Story

    Round and Round We Go arrow-right

    Read about the history of the carousel in honor of the Smithsonian carousel on the National Mall reopening after three years of restoration.

  • Heart Motif, Textile Design

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    We Heart Art arrow-right

    From amulets to valentines, the heart motif in art and design.
  • lavender heeled ankle boots  with Prince's Love Symbol as the zipper pull.

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Music and Fashion: Culture in Conversation arrow-right

    Music and fashion influence each other, and they reflect and impact the culture at large.
  • t-rex fossil

    Around the Smithsonian

    Natural History arrow-right

    Scientists from across the Smithsonian research the natural history of Earth and how it has changed and adapted over time.
  • Harmony in Blue and Gold The Peacock Room

    Smithsonian Open Access

    Digital Backgrounds arrow-right

    Put yourself in the scene! Download high-res images to use as your video meeting or desktop background.
  • The entire image is awash in intricate clouds, and swathes of superheated gas.

    Around the Smithsonian

    Mysteries of the Universe arrow-right

    Starting with solar studies in 1890, the Smithsonian has been exploring questions spanning from our atmosphere to deep space.
  • Duke Ellington

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Duke Ellington arrow-right

    Legendary performer Tony Bennett, portrays the man he celebrated as his mentor. Learn more about Duke Ellington from across the Smithsonian.
  • Earth from Space

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    A History of Earth Day arrow-right

    Buttons, posters, and memorabilia reflect nearly 50 years of Earth Day celebrations.
  • An American bison standing and looking at the camera.

    Smithsonian Story

    Six Animals the Smithsonian Has Helped Save from Extinction arrow-right

    Conservation efforts help bring endangered species back from the brink.

Explore more by topic

Sidedoor Podcast

The Smithsonian's flagship podcast sneaks you through the side door to hear stories you won't find anywhere else.

  • Illustration of a skeleton hand holding a sparkling blue diamond.

    Sidedoor Podcast

    The Curse of the Hope Diamond arrow-right

    We track the lore of this notorious gem through the centuries.

  • An illustration of a group of muppets next to the Smithsonian castle.

    Sidedoor Podcast

    The 'Gentle Anarchy' of the Muppets arrow-right

    Conserving the history of Jim Henson's Muppets. 

  • Illustration featuring a monkey face looking over trees and people with podcast equipment.

    Sidedoor Podcast

    Monkeyin' Around on the Devil's Island arrow-right

    Follow along on a search for the elusive and rambunctious capuchin monkey on an island in the Pacific.

  • Illustration of Kali Holder with purple hair surrounded by profiles of animals.

    Sidedoor Podcast

    Zoo's Clues arrow-right

    Grab your microscope and get ready to head through a very special side door of the National Zoo—behind the scenes with veterinary pathologists.

Discover more from Sidedoor

Membership

Friends of the Smithsonian help the Smithsonian thrive. Every membership includes a subscription to the award-winning Smithsonian magazine, shopping discounts, and so much more!

Learn how you can join us today arrow-right

Smithsonian Castle in spring with bright pink tulips

T-shirts, mugs and other merchandise related to the Artemis moon mission.

Shop arrow-right

Your purchase helps the Smithsonian bring exciting learning experiences to everyone.

magazine cover

Magazine arrow-right

Smithsonian magazine places a Smithsonian lens on the world.

Elephant with Cher

Channel arrow-right

Award-winning programming exploring science, nature, history, and pop culture.

Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona

Travel arrow-right

Over 500 tours and cruises to all seven continents. Let the journey begin.

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