Summer is a great time to get out and explore the museums and monuments around D.C.
If you live in the mid-Atlantic area, chances are you’ve made multiple visits to D.C. to visit the museums around the city. Many of the exhibits have been around for years, but, the institutions keep things fresh by adding new and limited-run exhibits to the lineup. Summer visitors can several new things, including the newly remodeled National Air and Space Museum, a new baby gorilla at the National Zoo, and stinky corpse flowers blooming at the National Arboretum.
Baby Gorilla
Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
On May 27, a new western lowland gorilla was born at the National Zoo in Washington. The new baby was named Zahra after a public vote and is the second baby born to 20-year-old Calaya and 3-year-old Baraka. Zahra, her parents, and brother Moke can be observed daily in the Great Ape house until 5:30 p.m. Free tickets can be reserved online up to four weeks in advance.
Corpse Flowers
United State Botanic Garden
Like something from a horror film, the corpse flower is a giant plant that lures prey by releasing an odor of rotting flesh. The scent permeates the air before the flower blooms, and peak bloom only lasts between 24 to 36 hours. The plants are very unpredictable, taking anywhere from two to ten years to bloom. The United States Botanic Garden has several plants slated to bloom this summer. Get updates on blooms by following the Botanic Garden on Instagram.
National Air and Space Museum in D.C.
Originally opened in 1976, the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall is one of the most popular sites in D.C. The museum closed in March of 2022 to undergo a renovation, and half of the museum reopened to the public last fall. Visitors can see eight reimagined exhibits, see a show in the planetarium and grab a bite and the new Mars Cafe. Admission is free but you must reserve timed passes online ahead of your visit.
Summer Block Party: Look Here
National Building Museum
Each year the National Building Museum hosts a special exhibition in its lobby to celebrate summer. In past years, the museum built a ball pit ocean, constructed an indoor lawn, and built a maze of icebergs. This year visitors can “Look Here” at their own likeness through a series of mirror exhibits, look through an eight-foot kaleidoscope and learn about activism like the March on Washington in 1963. The museum is also hosting special events at Look Here, including early morning dance, sound baths and meditation, and late nights with live music and food trucks. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children aged 3 to 17.
United States Park Police Horse Stables and Wells Fargo Education Center
National Mall
The horses and officers that serve on the National Mall now have a new place to hang their hats. The U.S. National Park Service, in partnership with the Trust for the National Mall, just opened new state-of-the-art horse stables and public education center. The new facility replaces the temporary stable built in 1976 and was constructed ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Visitors to the Wells Fargo Education Center can learn about riding equipment and tack and see the horses in residence. The education center is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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