Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Stories
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Slideshow

  • Colorful collage of collection images.

    Create. Imagine. Discover.

    Smithsonian Open Access arrow-right

  • sidedoor

    A Podcast from the Smithsonian

    Sidedoor arrow-right

Smithsonian Homepage

Welcome

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Explore, learn, and be inspired—wherever you are!

Engage with the Smithsonian’s digital collections and research spanning the arts, sciences, and humanities. Start your journey

Plan Your Visit

View guides for the Smithsonian's 17 free DC-area museums and zoo—plus two museums in NYC. Admission is free at all locations except Cooper Hewitt in NYC. Find out what's on and learn about our events and exhibitions.

Plan your visit

Explore our digital resources

Browse Topics

Art & Design arrow-right History & Culture arrow-right Science & Nature arrow-right Innovation & Technology arrow-right

Search our digital records

Featured

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

  • 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.
  • Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" Pamphlet

    Smithsonian Snapshot

    An Eloquent Argument arrow-right

    “In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense...”—Thomas Paine

  • 3D spacesuit scan.

    Smithsonian 3D

    Neil Armstrong's Space Suit arrow-right

    Explore and download 3D models of Armstrong's spacesuit and other Apollo 11 objects.
  • Smithsonian Castle and Fireworks

    Smithsonian Commemoration

    Our Shared Future: 250 arrow-right

    Explore events and exhibitions honoring America’s 250th that will take place in 2025 and 2026 across the Smithsonian.
  • 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.
  • U.S Army Curtiss R3C-2

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    1925: A Year in the Collections arrow-right

    Look back one hundred years into the Smithsonian's collections. 
  • 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.

  • commemorative facsimile of the signatures on the Declaration of Independence

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    American Revolution arrow-right

    Explore collections and stories related to the founding of the United States of America.
  • color wheel

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Color Journey arrow-right

    Take a colorful tour through art and artifacts in the Smithsonian's collections.
  • USA stamp with woman singing in front of a flag

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    American Music arrow-right

    American music flourishes within a wide variety of traditions drawn from our multicultural heritage.
  • Freedom of the press postage stamp.

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Freedom of the Press arrow-right

    Explore news media and journalism–related collection items from across the Smithsonian.
  • Judy Garland (with Mickey Rooney)

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Let's Go to the Movies arrow-right

    Explore images and objects related to the history of motion pictures in America.

Sidedoor Podcast

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

  • Coal miner and coal mine illustration

    Sidedoor Podcast

    The Battle of Blair Mountain arrow-right

    More than 100 years ago, a diverse group of coal miners banded together to demand better pay and safer working conditions.

  • 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 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.


Castle in spring.

Membership arrow-right

Keep the Smithsonian thriving by becoming a member today.

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.

Panda

Shop arrow-right

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

Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona

Travel arrow-right

Over 350 tours and cruises to all seven continents. Let the journey begin.

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use