The Permanent Collection: National Museum of Natural History

Sasha, at one year old, holding a giant cockroach in the Insect Zoo

One of my New Year’s blogging resolutions was to re-organize a bit. I devote so much of this space to posting about special, timely events that I often neglect writing about the “tried and true,” those mainstay DC attractions that are  go-to pursuits for families. They’re mentioned now and then as recommendations for weekday or weekend activities, as well as in round-ups of indoor and outdoor ideas, but it’s not often that one gets a dedicated post with tips and insights garnered from my own adventures with my kids. This is somewhat ironic, since many of those places and activities are our trustiest, things we’ve been experiencing for years and enjoy on a regular basis — you’d think I’d have an overload of rambling posts about them.

So, with January nearly over, it’s about time I paid heed to that resolution and began documenting the tried and true as what I’ll call “The Permanent Collection”.  And what better way to start than with one of our absolute favorite places, the National Museum of Natural History. Or, as my kids like to call it, the Dinosaur Museum.

Hence, the “Dino Museum” nickname

One of the most popular of all the Smithsonian venues, the National Museum of Natural History never fails to thrill the kids. I can’t even count the number of times we’ve toured the exhibits; Owen is like my own personal docent when we visit, guiding us through the displays, naming every creature, and handling interactives like a pro. But the museum is a big place, and it’s practically impossible to see everything in one day, so we usually pick two or three exhibits/activities to explore (or re-explore, in our case), the following being our favorites. (Of course, if I am missing something really good, please let me know in the comments section!)

The  Elephant in the Room
You can’t talk about the Natural History Museum without mentioning the African elephant exhibit smack in the middle of the grand Rotunda. Even though they’ve seen it countless times, my kids still stand below, mouths agape, as they take in its enormity. They also like to press buttons on a surrounding display panel to hear its wild calls.

Dino-Mite
The lure of this collection in The National Fossil Hall is pretty obvious: What kid isn’t fascinated by the giant skeletal models of prehistoric beasts? And, like most museum exhibits, it gets better for the kids all the time. As Owen has gotten older, he’s become interested in smaller displays, like maps and dioramas that illustrate where different species lived and cases full of real fossils. And we always stop by the FossiLab to watch paleontologists at work through glass walls. (2021 Update: This exhibit went through a five-year renovation an reopened as the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils-—Deep Time.

A giant caterpillar encounter in the Insect Zoo at the Natural History Museum

Bugs & Butterflies
With interactive exhibits, live creatures on display, and opportunities to hold some of them, the Insect Zoo may just be my kids’ favorite part of the museum – both were handling giant caterpillars, cockroaches, and beetles before they could even talk. At various times throughout the day, museum volunteers bring out all kinds of creepy crawlies that guests can view up close and hold.  And depending on timing, you may be able to watch a tarantula feeding, too. For exhibits that aren’t alive, but still fun, kids can check out the “house” in the southwest corner to find out where different insects might make their home in your abode or try to match up bugs with their contributions to the human world on an interactive panel nearby. They can also crawl through a termite tunnel and examine scads of live insect species in terrariums.  Right next door, is the Butterfly Pavilion, where guests can walk among nearly 50 different species of butterflies as well as exotic plants.  It’s one of the few exhibits that requires a fee — $6/adults, $5/children 2-12, $5.50/seniors.  KFDC Tip: It’s free on Tuesdays, but you need to get timed tickets day of, so I recommend getting them when you arrive in case they are for later.  Then you can tour other exhibits, and return to the Butterfly Pavilion at your scheduled time.

Below the Surface
My kids are mesmerized by the aquariums full of colorful fish in the Sant Ocean Hall, underwater scenes projected on the walls, the whale and skeleton suspended overhead, and the giant squid stretched out inside a display case in the center of the hall. Located on the first floor on the opposite side of the Rotunda from the entrance, this exhibit is a must-tour for anyone, young or old, with an interest in oceans and marine life.

Hall of Mammals

Animals on View
The Hall of Mammals, a popular exhibit on the main floor, is a very cool showcase of animal species — and masterful taxidermy. The mammals have been preserved so well they look real; even their stances and expressions recall scenes from the jungle, out of the ocean, or off the African plains. Just beyond the wildlife display is a theater where guests can watch a short film about mammal evolution and get a photo op next to the bronze sculpture of Harriet the chimp.

Being Human
The Hall of Human Origins presents a study in human evolution with reconstructions of early humans and cast reproduction of real human skulls and bones. Don’t miss a favorite interactive element of the exhibit, a face morphing photo booth that snaps your pic and shows what you would have looked like as a Neanderthal.

The Really Big Screen
Many of the films playing at the Johnson IMAX Theater are perfect for young movie-goers with interesting topics relating to nature, relatively short run times (an hour or less), and the 3D aspect of “being there.” See the current schedule here.

Get Q?rius
The interactive and experiential learning space at the Natural History Museum is, in a word, awesome. Visitors can view up close, and in many cases handle, real artifacts and specimens from the museum’s collections. Microscopes let young guests feel like real scientists, and drawers full of everything from animal species to cultural relics are accessible for examination. It’s promoted as a space for teens and tweens, but my younger kids have really enjoyed it, too.

Make Discoveries
Young children can enjoy fun, interesting activities in Q?rius Jr. – a discovery room. They can dress up in costumes from different cultures, examine fossils and minerals up close, do related puzzles, find books, and much more. However, the hours are limited, so be sure to check the schedule as you plan a visit there.

Rock Out
While the Gem Gallery isn’t a usual stop for us at the museum — my kids go for the less subtle exhibits right now — I know it’s very popular with many folks, so it’s still worth a mention. And given Sasha’s penchant for sparkly things, it’s likely to become a favorite soon.

If you plan to go:

* The National Museum of Natural History is located at 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW. The closest Metro station is Smithsonian on the Blue/Orange line.

* If you drive, parking is available on nearby streets, or in parking garages across Constitution.

* There are two entrances, on the National Mall side and on Constitution Avenue. 2021 Update:  Entrance will only be on the Constitution side when the museum reopens.

* Admission to the museum is free, but fees are required for the Butterfly Pavilion ($7.50/adult, $6.50/age 2-12, $7/senior) and IMAX movies ($9/ticket). As mentioned, it’s free on Tuesdays!

* There is café located on the ground floor that sells sandwiches, salads, coffee and treats. 2021 Update: Food will not be served at the café, but you can BYO to eat there.

* Beware the museum shop if you leave via the Constitution exit. Small toys and other neat items are on open display, practically calling your child’s name. (We’ve had a couple of near-accidental shoplifting incidents because of it!)