"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Opened in 1964, what is now the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a modern monolith with a streamlined marble exterior. This museum is huge, spanning about 750,000 square feet. A tourist must-visit on the National Mall, you could easily spend the entire day here exploring the collection of artifacts owned by famous and ordinary Americans alike. (Note that a number of exhibits are temporarily closed due to pandemic-related construction, but are slated to return in late 2021.) A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The National Museum of American History's brief is all-encompassing: tell the story of America using a collection of more than 1.8 million historical objects. That could be anything from Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves to Thomas Edison's light bulb, to a recently acquired Bob Ross painting. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? Most exhibits are ongoing, but recent special exhibits include “Reckoning with Remembrance: History, Injustice, and the Murder of Emmett Till” that closes in October and an upcoming spring exhibit geared toward elementary schoolers illustrating financial literacy. The Smithsonian has been committed to keeping this institution up-to-date: renovations in the past two decades modernized the building and organized the massive collection of objects into themes, like the second floor's “The Nation We Build Together” wing, which covers everything from religion to diversity to democracy. What did you make of the crowd? In the before-COVID times, this was school group field trip central—and a must-stop for tourist families as well. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? There are many escalators throughout the museum, but all levels are served by elevators as well. For seating and a spot to take a break, head to Unity Square. Any guided tours worth trying? The museum's audio guide rental program is currently suspended. However, you can click on a link, and a free audio guide is available on your mobile device in English or Spanish to lead you through museum highlights or tours organized by topics like “American Democracy.” Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Find miniature copies of the U.S. Constitution, Rosie the Riveter socks, books about Woodstock, and more Americana memorabilia at the museum's 6,000-square-foot museum store. Is the café worth a stop? The main 600-seat cafe, called Eat at America's Table, is temporarily closed. If you really need a drink or snack as fuel to keep exploring, the smaller The LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe is open. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? There really is something for every interest here: "Star Wars" fans can make a beeline to C-3PO, and gear heads can gawk at the collection of cars in the “America on the Move” exhibit. For a quick jaunt through the highlights, the museum suggests seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner, the lunch counter from Greensboro's famous sit-in during the Civil Rights movement, Dorothy's ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Julia Child's exact kitchen, and Michelle Obama's inauguration dress in "The First Ladies" exhibit, among others." - Adele Chapin
