Established in 1910, the National Museum of Natural History aims to inform people about the natural history of the earth through its exhibits. Nestled within this museum is the famous Hope Diamond, which has gained notoriety for supposedly carrying a curse. Apart from that, some of the museum's popular galleries include The Discovery Room, Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, Dinosaurs/Hall of Paleobiology, Insect Zoo, Teleology: Hall of Bones, Ocean Hall, Hall of Human Origins, and many more.
Dating back to 1946, the National Air and Space Museum is home to quite a few aircraft that narrate fascinating stories. Everything from the iconic Wright Brothers' Flyer and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis to World War II planes and Apollo 11 is displayed here, attracting history aficionados, science buffs, and aviation fans alike. Visitors also have the option of using the audio-visual aid to understand the technical aspects of the marvelous exhibits. Moreover, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater located here screens aircraft and space films on a huge five-story screen. Apart from that, the National Air and Space Museum also has the original Star Trek model of the USS Enterprise on display, which is one of the popular attractions among the visiting crowds at this world-famous place.
The U.S. Navy Museum, one of the fourteen naval museums, was established in 1961. It displays artifacts that date back to 1793 and the collection provides insight into U.S history. With artifacts like the world's deepest diving submersible, it attracts hoards of visitors every year. Apart from that, it also houses photographs and other materials, vital for researchers and students. By hosting various exhibitions, it not only creates awareness but also pays respect to the national heroes. You can also take back a part of the history from the memorabilia displayed in the gift shop. As the museum is located in the Washington Navy Yard, all visitors to the museum must have a military ID, Department of Defense Common Access Card, be a museum employee or be accompanied by someone with one of these credentials.