Aerial view of Castle and surrounding Smithsonian museums.

Visiting the Smithsonian

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When you visit the Smithsonian, you’re entering the world’s largest museum complex, with approximately 155 million artifacts and specimens in its trust for the American people. Most of our museums are located in the Washington, D.C., area with two in New York City.

When visiting Washington, D.C., make the Smithsonian Visitor Center your first stop. Located in our signature building, the Smithsonian Castle; the Center opens daily at 8:30 a.m., before our other museums open.