The National Gallery of Art is undoubtedly one of the best museums in Washington DC. The east wing features modern art, while the west wing displays classical paintings and sculptures—plus, there’s an outdoor sculpture garden showcasing larger-than-life installations. This museum is full of surprises, from a giant blue rooster on the rooftop to a long, dark walkway filled with twinkling lights that connects both wings.

The National Museum of American History is another iconic museum in Washington DC that's part of the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibits here run the gamut of American iconography: See the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry; admire the ruby-red slippers from The Wizard of Oz; and view a classic Chicago streetcar and the first automobile driven across the US. You can tailor your day to your interests on a private tour, which allows you to design your own itinerary.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture explores everything from the brutality of slavery to the Civil Rights movement to the extraordinary accomplishments of Black Americans in contemporary culture. Keep in mind that this museum requires you to reserve timed entry, which you can combine with an African-American history tour of Washington DC that also includes stops at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

The National Postal Museum delves into the history of mail delivery in America. Step aboard a stagecoach, a train, and a mail truck at this highly interactive museum that invites visitors to experience various forms of mail delivery used throughout the Postal Service's history. Here, you can also discover a collection of stamps from around the world as well as an exhibition exploring how stamps are designed.

Those lucky enough to get an inside look at The White House only see a small portion of the president’s residence and office. The White House Historical Association filled that gap by establishing The People's House: A White House Experience, which provides an insider’s look at what it’s like to live and work there. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. Don't miss the replica of the Oval Office, a place usually reserved for political insiders.

Just a 15-minute walk from the White House, the free-admission Planet Word is an immersive museum dedicated to language. Interactive exhibitions explore how we learn to speak, the origins of many English words, the diversity of the world’s many languages, and how language evokes emotions from joy to despair. It'd not all talk, though: You can sing karaoke, enter a recording booth, and find out how funny you are in the museum’s humor gallery.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden holds one of the most significant collections of modern art in the world, with a collection that includes photographs, films, paintings, and an outdoor sculpture garden where art blends with nature. The museum itself is a striking work of art as well, as the round, brutalist building stands out from the more stately buildings on the National Mall. This free museum has frequent special exhibitions, so be sure to check to see what’s on during your visit.

No Washington DC museum guide would be complete without a trip to the International Spy Museum, dedicated to the art of espionage. Receive a new identity as soon as you step inside and create a disguise to make it convincing, before you hear firsthand accounts from former spies and view an exhibition featuring spies in pop culture, including an homage to James Bond. As this museum is on many travelers' itineraries, it's recommended to purchase your admission ticket in advance.

Found around Washington DC, the Smithsonian Institution is made up of 19 museums that make up a good portion of DC's museum scene (and of our list of must-sees). The Smithsonian Institution includes National Mall highlights such as the National Air and Space Museum and beyond. Check out contemporary art at the Renwick Gallery of the American Art Museum or see depictions of iconic American figures at the National Portrait Gallery.