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heart-solid My Visit

Slideshow

  • Aerial View Green Forest Woods And River Landscape

    Learn and get inspired!

    Celebrate Earth Month with the Smithsonian arrow-right

  • Illustration of a bulletin board filled with maps, images, and clues connected by red string.

    Sidedoor: A Smithsonian Podcast

    Tapir Caper arrow-right

  • Castle with firerworks

    Reflect. Engage. Imagine.

    Our Shared Future: 250 arrow-right

  • Colorful collage of collection images.

    Create. Imagine. Discover.

    Smithsonian Open Access arrow-right

  • Cosmic Buddha sculpture shown with multiple image effects.

    Smithsonian Digitization

    Smithsonian 3D arrow-right

Smithsonian Homepage

Plan Your Visit

Discover the Smithsonian's 17 free Washington, D.C.–area museums and zoo—plus two museums in NYC. Find out what's on and join us for vibrant events and exhibitions that illuminate art, science, history, technology, and culture.

Plan your visit

Explore

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Our stories, collections, and research span the arts, sciences, and humanities. Explore, learn, and be inspired—wherever you are!

Start exploring


Topics

Explore your interests! Our extensive collections and the research that enriches them are available online for you to discover.

A woman looks out a bay window, riveted by something beyond the pictorial space.

Art & Design arrow-right

Three children in a wicker baby carriage with an American flag.

History & Culture arrow-right

Two large bison stand in a field of yellow wildflowers.

Science & Nature arrow-right

3D scan of interior of Apollo command module

Technology & Innovation arrow-right

Featured

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

  • Cherry Blossom slide

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Cherry Blossoms arrow-right

    No matter where you are, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in the Smithsonian's collections.
  • Heart Motif, Textile Design

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    We Heart Art arrow-right

    From amulets to valentines, the heart motif in art and design.
  • lavender heeled ankle boots  with Prince's Love Symbol as the zipper pull.

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Music and Fashion: Culture in Conversation arrow-right

    Music and fashion influence each other, and they reflect and impact the culture at large.
  • 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.
  • Textile with repeating image of a group sitting at a table set with plates and a candle holder. A girl stands nearby.

    Smithsonian Story

    Passover through the Eyes of a Child arrow-right

    A seder plate, candles, and family gathered around the table can be seen in this seder textile created by a 10-year-old student.

  • Egg covered in a geometric design with red, yellow, black and green.

    Smithsonian Story

    Designing Easter Eggs arrow-right

    Decorated using wax and dye, these eggs are exchanged at Easter to symbolize new life.

  • 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.
  • Lady Terrapins hat [2007.0224.07]

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    March Madness arrow-right

    Get ready for the big dance with basketball finds in the Smithsonian's collections.
  • Babe Ruth and other Red Sox pitchers

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Baseball History: Art, Artifacts, and Memorabilia arrow-right

    Swinging for the fences with these items in our collections.
  • NASA's Space Launch System on the launch pad.

    National Air and Space Museum

    All About the Artemis Program arrow-right

    The Artemis program is about more than going back to the Moon. It is NASA’s blueprint for the future of space travel.
  • color wheel

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Color Journey arrow-right

    Take a colorful tour through art and artifacts in the Smithsonian's collections.
  • Duke Ellington

    Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

    Duke Ellington arrow-right

    Legendary performer Tony Bennett, portrays the man he celebrated as his mentor. Learn more about Duke Ellington from across the Smithsonian.

Explore more by topic

Sidedoor Podcast

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

  • 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 featuring a monkey face looking over trees and people with podcast equipment.

    Sidedoor Podcast

    Monkeyin' Around on the Devil's Island arrow-right

    Follow along on a search for the elusive and rambunctious capuchin monkey on an island in the Pacific.

  • 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.

Discover more from Sidedoor

Membership

Friends of the Smithsonian help the Smithsonian thrive. Every membership includes a subscription to the award-winning Smithsonian magazine, shopping discounts, and so much more!

Learn how you can join us today arrow-right

Smithsonian Castle in spring with bright pink tulips

Giant Panda and panda cub plush toy

Shop arrow-right

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

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.

Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona

Travel arrow-right

Over 500 tours and cruises to all seven continents. Let the journey begin.

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