Free Museums in Bull Run

"This gallery was created by Andrew Mellon in 1937 when he offered up his own personal collection and finances to Franklin D. Roosevelt to build this place. There are two different buildings and a sculpture garden filled with some of the world's most treasured pieces of art that donors have given to the museum over the years. It is free to enter and any history buff with an appreciation for creative thinking will jump at the opportunity to visit."

"Kid-friendly exhibits: In the West building, check out Degas's Little Dancer, Cassat's mothers and babies, or the only Da Vinci on display in the Americas. The newly renovated East building has modern art and is more kid-friendly, with large sculptures, Alexander Calder mobiles, and pop art exhibits. In nice weather, head west to check out the Sculpture Garden full of art, a cafe, a huge fountain in summer and ice skating in winter!"

"Visitors can wander the gallery on their own, taking in such pieces as Leonardo da Vinci's "Ginevra de' Benci," or take a free tour with one of the gallery's many docents. Guides can assist young families with games and highlights aimed at children 4 and older."

"The most popular are the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum. Choose the museum that interests you most and spend a few hours exploring. At the National Air and Space Museum, see the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. At the National Museum of Natural History, take a look at the Hope Diamond and other gems and minerals, examine the massive fossil collection, visit the 23,000-square-foot Ocean Hall, see a life-size replica of a North Atlantic whale and a 1,800-gallon-tank display of coral reef."

"Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is one of the best Smithsonian museums for children in D.C. This is a delight for all kids and grown-ups who love reading and knowing everything about space. The first thing that grabs the attention entering the museum is the huge aircraft hanging from the ceiling."

"If you’re interested in learning about aviation history, then this is your spot. The National Air and Space Museum boasts the world’s most extensive collection of historic air and spacecraft. You can expect to find actual astronaut suits and moon rocks."

"The most visited natural history museum in the world, the National Museum of Natural History boasts an incredible rotating collection of 127 million items including dinosaur bones, the Hope Diamond, ancient Egyptian mummies and so much more. Prepare to be amazed, engaged, dazzled and more when you experience the museum's 31,000-square-foot Deep Time exhibit, where you can journey back millions of years and see dinosaur fossils, learn about past mass extinctions and their resounding effects and witness the evolution of life from the oceans to ashore. The museum reopens on June 18, so make sure to check its website for info regarding timed passes, health precautions and more."

"The National Museum of Natural History is another museum that belongs to the Smithsonian family in Washington DC, but it deserves a spot in this list all of its own.The museum is free to enter and is open 364 days of the year (closed on Christmas Day), so no matter when you visit DC, you can rest assured that you can visit!. The National Museum of Natural History is a place that you’ll want to take the whole family as..."

"Featuring the Hope Diamond and the Hall of Mammals, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is an educational stop for kids curious about the world around them."

"The National Portrait Gallery is an art museum that is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It first opened in 1968."

"A vast collection of Asian art fills the rooms of these galleries on the Mall. Inside the Freer’s palazzo-style building is a collection that spans 6,000 years and comprises more than 25,000 objects, including Chinese paintings, Japanese ink drawings, Buddhist sculptures, and Korean ceramics. (The Freer will be closed for renovation from January 2016 until summer 2017.) Highlights from the Sackler Gallery’s collection include Iranian metalworks and Chinese bronzes."

"The Freer Gallery of Art is considered as a US National Historic Landmark. It has 26,000 objects, some of them dating back to 6000 years. These objects are ranging from Neolithic to modern eras."

"The art museums near the Smithsonian Castle are a great place to enjoy Washington DC without the crowds. The largest of these museums is the Hirshhorn. The Hirshhorn features contemporary art."

"The National Museum of African Art, located on the National Mall, is a Smithsonian Institution. The Museum currently has 11,861 objects from both Sub-Saharan and Arab North Africa in its collection, of which 10,746 are traditional and 1,115 contemporary. Its objects range from 15th-century sculptures and masks to multi-media contemporary art, and the photographs from photojournalists Eliot Elisofon and Constance Stuart Larrabee."

"Touted as one of the most important research facilities for African art in America, at this museum, you can expect to find over 9,000 pieces of ancient African art. There are exhibits dedicated to Egyptian carvings, sacred objects, and musical instruments. The National Museum of African Art reopened in July 2021, following renovations."

"The National Museum of African Art houses an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary African art. The collection includes over 300,000 photographs and 50,000 volumes of library. It is considered as the main venue for African art on an international platform."

"The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to celebrating the artistic achievements of women. The permanent collection features more than 3,000 works of art including a wide range of styles and media by women from the 16th century to the present. Special programs and tours are designed to highlight the works of specific artists, composers, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and dancers."

"Since 1987, this museum has celebrated women who have influenced the art world. From Frida Kahlo to Mary Cassatt, the National Museum of Women in the Arts ensures that women artists are never forgotten or under-acknowledged. The museum's collection has more than 4,500 pieces of art."

"Founded in 1981, this museum has an extensive collection showcasing six centuries of female contributions to the arts, from Flemish painter Clara Peeters to Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe. 1250 New York Ave., NW; 202-783-5000; $8 to $10."

"Just behind the National Archives, you will find the Newseum, which is still on our list but I’ve heard it is terrific. Younger kids also love the International Spy Museum. Our personal favorite from this trip was the National Museum of the American Indian."

"Its bright colors can be seen from miles away, especially since most of the surrounding neighborhood was demolished years ago. The Culture House was only spared from the bulldozer because it used to belong to the Friendship Baptist Congregation, an African-American institution that supported low-income families and provided them with fun, creative ways to express themselves. The Culture House has gone through various owners since then, but its mission remains the same."

"A historic neighborhood church is reborn as a psychedelic arts collective. See All 232 Things to Do in Washington, D.C."

"Colourful murals adorn this building, once known as The Blind Whino. Previously a Church, it now houses an art gallery."

"The Luther W. Brady Art Gallery and the Dimock Gallery make up the George Washington University Art Galleries. They display the University's permanent art collections, as well as visiting exhibitions. The collections include painting, sculpture, and photographs, ranging from rare historic pieces to Washington and Americana to modern art."

"A vast collection of Asian art fills the rooms of these galleries on the Mall. Inside the Freer’s palazzo-style building is a collection that spans 6,000 years and comprises more than 25,000 objects, including Chinese paintings, Japanese ink drawings, Buddhist sculptures, and Korean ceramics. (The Freer will be closed for renovation from January 2016 until summer 2017.) Highlights from the Sackler Gallery’s collection include Iranian metalworks and Chinese bronzes."

"The Freer Gallery of Art is considered as a US National Historic Landmark. It has 26,000 objects, some of them dating back to 6000 years. These objects are ranging from Neolithic to modern eras."

"The art museums near the Smithsonian Castle are a great place to enjoy Washington DC without the crowds. The largest of these museums is the Hirshhorn. The Hirshhorn features contemporary art."

"Serenity Day Spa is located in Old Town and provides a variety of unique spa treatments and services for its clients. It is known for its spa packages and spa parties, which makes it a popular choice among bachelorettes and their girlfriends who are enjoying a weekend away in Alexandria. One of its most popular packages is the Day of Luxury Package, which is a five-hour spa experience that includes a facial, a massage, a pedicure and a manicure."

"If you are looking to unwind after a tiring day of work, with aches and pains hindering your evening plan, then drop by at the Bluebell Spa to unwind comfortably. Nominally priced massages and skincare packages will ensure that you do not burn a hole in your pocket just to relax those tense muscles. The expert therapists are well trained in a variety of massages that are designed to treat various problems and muscle groups."

"Bluebell Spa DC is dedicated to providing you with a peaceful and nutritious environment. They are a day spa that focuses on both physical and mental well-being. They have a dynamic group of professionally trained therapists who are extremely enthusiastic about their work."

"Having taken input from both adults and children, new park features include a tot lot with a focus on climbing, new trees, and a bioretention for stormwater management. // 4012 17th St. North, Arlington"

"Tide Lock Park gets its name from a canal system that used to exist here and in the days of old the entire waterfront area of Alexandria would have been dotted with gorgeous locks made of wood. Unfortunately the locks died out in the 1800s, but if you visit the park you can see a replica of a lock and part of the canal system. Some parts of the original are also visible here such as the stones that would have made up sections of the canal walls."

"This great picnic spot is located only feet away from Cafe 44's Curbside Pick-Up. Enjoy the art and lush green grass as you watch the boats and planes go by. We highly recommend this picnic location for evening date nights."

"Tide Lock Park is home to the "Promenade Classique," a neoclassical sculpture among waterfalls and pools by French sculptors Anne and Patrick Poirier. Park Features: Biking trail and riverfront seating area"