If you live in DC, how often do you go to the Smithsonian’s?

[Anonymous]

I always take a day or two of my use-or-lose leave in Nov/Dec to hit up the museums. It's a perfect winter activity especially since it's the least crowded time of year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in Montgomery County and used to go 8 to 10 times a year on Sundays. But now that they are charging for parking on the mall, it’s more like once or twice a year.

Natural History is our museum of choice.

I'm 40 and parking has not been free on the Mall in my lifetime...

Parking has always been free at metered spots on Sundays. Has that changed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to events at the Blacksonian all the time. The others a couple times a year, more if family is in town

Blacksonian? There is no such museum. What are you talking about?

IYKYK. That poster is referring to The National Museum of African American History and Culture.

A good google might have helped that person, too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go to the zoo more often but they're still acting a fool, requiring reservations. I don't know what the point of that is. Maybe to stop the spread???!!!


hahahhaa

But seriously. They need to stop this. Not only is it useless, it's racist.

How is a reservation system racist?

[Anonymous]

Portrait Gallery about once a month since I work close by. All the rest about 5 times a year total. Other than the National Gallery, I don't find the other Smithsonians particularly well-done or interesting. Too much PC "context" and corporate sponsorship, and too few objects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd go to the zoo more often but they're still acting a fool, requiring reservations. I don't know what the point of that is. Maybe to stop the spread???!!!


hahahhaa

But seriously. They need to stop this. Not only is it useless, it's racist.

How is a reservation system racist?

I love how pissed you are at the FREE zoo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd go to the zoo more often but they're still acting a fool, requiring reservations. I don't know what the point of that is. Maybe to stop the spread???!!!


hahahhaa

But seriously. They need to stop this. Not only is it useless, it's racist.

How is a reservation system racist?

I love how pissed you are at the FREE zoo.

Also, I have yet to find a single time where I can’t arrive around 10am and pull up the site and make a “reservation” on the spot. (PP who lives 4 blocks from the zoo and goes o a whim when the kids have a free weekend morning.)

[Anonymous]

Just went last sat for 50th anniversary of Hip Hop celebration. Hadn’t been in years and I used to work there. The paid parking on the mall was disappointing and not surprising. I didn’t pay for parking (Sat eve) and didn’t get ticketed.

[Anonymous]

Every 2-3 years, not much changes faster than that

[Anonymous]

Too bad there’s not a Smithsonian Museum of Grammar and Usage.

[Anonymous]

My favorites are the Hirshhorn, National Gallery of Art, and the portrait gallery - I probably visit each one a few times a year? Metro is at least for now a $2 flat fee on weekends so it is pretty cheap to get there.

[Anonymous]

2-3x/year to the musems/botanic gardens and 1x/year to the zoo.

[Anonymous]

Kids go maybe 6-8 times a year. Parents maybe 2-3 times (it’s a common grandparent activity for days off school and school field trips if that counts). We have taken the bus and the metro before and sometimes park. I really don’t have any problem paying for parking (it’s free Sundays and holidays from what I remember). The parking is a small fraction of the cost it would be to go to any other museum with admissions. We love that we can go and only see a couple exhibits at a time since our kids are small. I’ve also used the portrait gallery atrium as just a lovely place to meet up with people and chat as a bar/cafe alternative.

[Anonymous]

Probably about 5 or 6 times a year, primarily to the art museums. I take the Metro, which is only $2 for everyone on the weekends.

DD is in college now, but we used to go about that much when she was little, more to the Natural History, American History and Air and Space museums then. I remember the Hirshhorn had a great free art program every month or two where she created a lot of fun things.

I think they're a great free resource.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too bad there’s not a Smithsonian Museum of Grammar and Usage.

Ha! And on National Apostrophe Day, too!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/14/apostrophe-appreciation/