Smithsonian National Museum of American History is a real time commitment — fit it in only if it's a priority.
Allow 2 hrs.
A magpie's museum — the actual Star-Spangled Banner, Dorothy's ruby slippers, Julia Child's kitchen, the First Ladies' gowns. The catch: it's a bit of a grab-bag with no single must-see narrative, so it rewards browsing more than checklist visitors.