Top Ten Museums
From the diverse and fascinating collections of the world-renowned Smithsonian museums to unique local museums illuminating maritime history and fine art, the Capital Region is home to some of America's best and most interesting museums.










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THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS
This collection of 19 renowned museums covers everything from art to history. Eleven are located along the National Mall.
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum, recreating colonial life in early America. Enjoy hands-on activities, guided tours of the original 18th-century buildings, and two art museums dedicated to folk and decorative arts.
CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM
Get immersed in nautical heritage at this unique museum, where many exhibits are literally on the water.
INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM
Find out if you have what it takes to be a double agent, or even the next Bond at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.
STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER
See a Concorde, the Space Shuttle Discovery and other major aviation and space artefacts at this attraction near Dulles Airport.
BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
Matisse fans will enjoy viewing the world’s largest collection of his paintings at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
See the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and other historical documents at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, explore over 33,000 works including Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Faberge.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland explores the innovation and advances that changed medicine forever.
THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
At The Phillips Collection visitors can admire artwork by Matisse, van Gogh and Renoir, including his celebrated Luncheon of the Boating Party.
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