Welcome

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. We are a community of learning and the opener of doors. Join us on a voyage of discovery in person or learn and explore online.

Visit

Learn about visiting our world-class museums and zoo.

Select a topic to discover featured collections and stories, OR search millions of digital records.
Miles Davis' jacket
Smithsonian Spotlight

Don't Forget Your Jacket

Some amazing people have left their jackets at the Smithsonian.
astronaut lunch box and thermos with moonlanding pictured.
Smithsonian Spotlight

1969: A Year in the Collections

Take one small step back to 1969 through the Smithsonian's collections.
German Christmas Songs
Smithsonian Folkways

Holiday Music Map

This holiday music sampler from the Smithsonian Folkways collection includes 56 songs from 24 nations on an interactive map.
holiday bag with Santa in a space suit
Smithsonian Spotlight

Holiday Shopping Bags

We can't do your shopping or returns for you, but we can hold the bags.
poinsettia engraving
Smithsonian Gardens

Poinsettias

Horticulturalist Monty Holmes gives an inside look at the history, culture, and science of poinsettias.
shark
National Museum of Natural History

Ocean Portal: All About Sharks

Learn about these incredible animals—and the ecosystems in which they play a role.
To Ask Freedom for Women is not a Crime
Smithsonian Spotlight

Votes for Women

A look at the fight to get the right to vote through the Smithsonian's collections.
3 bears caught on camera
Smithsonian Collaboration

eMammal: See Wildlife, Do Science

Place “camera traps” in your community to assist researchers in answering questions about mammal distribution and abundance.
Captain America 41 cent stamp
Smithsonian Spotlight

Excelsior! Super Superheroes

A look at superheroes in the Smithsonian's collections and remembering Stan Lee.
Technics Turntable, used by Grandmaster Flash.
Smithsonian Spotlight

Hip-Hop and Rap

This Technics brand turntable was used by hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash. Discover more hip-hop items in Smithsonian collections.
Big Jazz Painting
Smithsonian Spotlight

Jazzed About Art

Seeing sound through art in our collections.
Chuck Berry’s Cadillac
Smithsonian Spotlight

Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll

Any old way you choose it, for many, it's got to be rock and roll music.