Alexandria Archaeology Museum

105 N Union St #327, 3rd Floor Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-838-4399

Description: ALEXANDRIA. The unique heritage of Alexandria and the surrounding areas is studied in-depth at this museum. The continually updated museum features artifacts that take visitors back 10,000 years. Learn about how archaeologists are continuing to make new discoveries that allow us to see history in a new way. Look for maps, photos, historic study records and more. Several exhibits are devoted to the importance of conservation. Kid-friendly Discovery Kits are a hit with younger visitors. METRO: King Street
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Drug Enforcement Administration Museum and Visitors Center

700 Army-Navy Dr, at Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202-4207 202-307-3463

Description: ARLINGTON. The use of illegal drugs in America has long been a difficult problem, and this museum delves into the ways drugs have infiltrated our country, and the actions that have been taken to stem the tide. At the DEA Museum, the first of its kind in the US, see a recreated crackhouse, learn about the common over-the-counter drugs that once contained heroin and cocaine, and find out more about the diverse groups of people who have relied on illegal drugs for escape. Chronological exhibits examine time periods stretching back to the 1850s and leading up to today. Retired DEA agents serve as knowledgeable and interesting guides. METRO: Pentagon City
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Friendship Firehouse Museum

107 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-838-3891

Description: ALEXANDRIA. Learn about firefighting through the years at this museum, which began as a Fire Company in the late 18th century. See the items colonials used to fight fires, such as leather water buckets, hoses and engine-less fire engines, and learn about the development of the latest technology. A large section is devoted to the uniforms and capes worn by early firefighters. METRO: King Street
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National Building Museum

401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-272-2448

Description: DOWNTOWN. The Building Museum offers a wide array of exhibits covering architecture, construction and engineering, but the biggest draw here may be the architecture of the facility itself. The Great Hall is the essence of Italian Renaissance splendor, with massive columns, a dramatic fountain, and an ornate ceiling soaring 15 stories high. A 1200-foot terra cotta frieze decorates the exterior. Inside, learn about design through interactive exhibits, or see temporary exhibitions focusing on the development of ghettos, factories, parks, roads and more. A must for the architecture buff or the casual observer. METRO: Judiciary Square.
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National Geographic Society Museum at Explorers Hall

1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-857-7588

Description: DOWNTOWN. At the marble-and-glass headquarters of the National Geographic Society, this museum delves into archaeology and exploration of land and sea. The interactive Geographica exhibit is a highlight, allowing visitors to learn about primitive man, undersea life and the solar system. The 34-foot globe is said to be the largest in the world, and in the surrounding amphitheater, the Earth Station One show simulates space flight via high-tech special effects. METRO: Farragut North
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National Museum of Health and Medicine

6900 Georgia Ave, Bldg 54, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001 202-782-2200

Description: TAKOMA PARK. If you would like to see Paul Revere's dental tools, surgical tools from as far back as the 1600s, or examine the bullet that took the life of Abraham Lincoln, you can find all of that and more at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. The oldest facility of its kind, this museum's collection began during the Civil War and shows the development of medicine and surgery over the years. METRO: Takoma Park, then Metrobus K2
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National Museum of Natural History

10th St and Constitution Ave NW, National Mall, Washington, DC 20560 202-633-1000

Description: DOWNTOWN. This world-renowned museum offers endless opportunity for exploration and discovery, with an astounding 120 million objects ranging from an eight-ton stuffed African bush elephant to the Hope Diamond ­ at 45.5 carats, it's the largest blue diamond in the world. Geology, botany, zoology, anthropology and paleontology are just a few of the subjects covered in depth here, and every display is accessible and kid-friendly, especially the insect zoo and the hall of dinosaurs. METRO: Federal Triangle
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The Smithsonian Institution

1000 Jefferson Dr, Washington, DC 20560 202-633-1000

Description: NATIONAL MALL. The Smithsonian ­ for many, the image of the 19th-century sandstone "Castle" immediately springs to mind. The Institution itself is larger than most realize (19 museums and the National Zoo in DC alone) and granting only one day to "do the Smithsonian" is a mistake. Always-popular stops are the National Air & Space Museum and the National Museum of American History (closed until Summer 2008); however, the beautiful National Museum of the American Indian has emerged as a hot attraction, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington-Dulles serves as a fascinating repository of nearly 80% of the Smithsonian's air and space collection. METRO: Smithsonian
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