10 Interesting things you can see in Washington museums

1. International Spy Museum

If you find the world of espionage interesting than the Spy Museum is the place for you. Considered the second oldest profession in the world the unique world of spies and their secrets are thoroughly and accurately illustrated in artifacts, historic photographs state of the art visual programs with extremely great special effects and computer displays.

2. The United States Holocaust Museum

Discover what Adolf Hitler had in mind when he ordered his subordinates to start applying the “Final Solution” throughout concentrations camps in Europe. The Final Solution refers to a stage in the systematic persecution and extinction of European Jewry by the Nazis. With over 900 artifacts, 70 video monitors and four theaters that show historic film footage and witness declarations the museum illustrates the horrors that took place in Europe during 1933-1945.

3. The Textile Museum

The textile museum is committed to furthering the comprehension of mankind's original realizations in the textile arts. One of the most interesting exhibitions displayed at the museum is the red exposition. From ancient times to the 21st century red color used in textiles represented power, passion, emotions and different human statuses and this unique exhibition illustrates these meanings across time.

4. The National Women’s History Museum

With the help of temporary exhibits, Cyber museum exhibits and different programs this museum promotes women’s history. The museum is utterly dedicated to conserving and commemorating the historic contributions of women throughout time. The cyber exhibit “Clandestine Women: Spies in American History” investigates women’s role during the American Revolution, WWI, WWII and the most recent Cold War.

5. The National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art displays some of the best art collections in the world and The Italian Cabinet Galleries are certainly nothing less. The classical Greece and Rome antiques and art works that were held in reserve and enjoyed in the chambers of Italian princes and renaissance collectors are presented in these three rooms.

6 The National Museum of Health and Medicine

With a collection of over 24 million items this museum has certainly a lot to offer visitors. The Battlefield Surgery 101: From the Civil War to Vietnam illustrates through photographs and artifacts from the 19th century to the 20th century the evolution of military surgery.

7. The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum

This National Air and Space Museum has on display the largest collection of air artifacts and historic spacecrafts in the world. The National Mall building has on permanent exhibit some unique items and relics such as: the genuine 1903 Wright flyer the command module of the Apollo 11 and the lunar rock.

8. The Phillips Museum

The Phillips museum is a museum of modern art featuring unique art work created by Cezanne, Dove, Braque, El Greco, Matisse Picasso and other prominent names. The American Art and Early Film exhibit (February 17- May 20, 2007) presents American realist paintings from the 19th century to the 20th century as well as some early experiments in film.

9. The National Museum of African Art

The museum present works of art from different African cultures including: masks, sculptures, ceramics from ancient to contemporary times; as well as the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives. The Body of Evidence is a wonderful exhibition that illustrates the movements and developments in the contemporary African art.

10. The Octagon Museum

The oldest museum in USA; designed by the first architect of the US Capitol William Thornton; the Octagon Museum is entirely dedicated to architecture and design.
One of the most interesting collections is the “Prints and Drawings Collection” which consists of more than 100.000 unique architectural drawings, 30,000 historic photographs, scrapbooks, sketchbooks, and models. To this day the collection represents important resource for architects, scholars and architectural historians.