Castle to Capitol: Museums of the National Mall Architecture Tour

Washington’s famous collection of museums are all laid out along the East side of the National Mall between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Called “America’s Attic,” the Smithsonian Institution is one of the largest museum organizations in the world, with 30 million annual visitors, 19 museums and over 140 million items in the collection. On this tour with DC Design Tours, explore how the Smithsonian Institution has helped shape the fabric of the National Mall since 1847, with grand buildings, secret gardens, and both beloved and reviled designs.

Please note we’ll be discussing the museums from the exterior, with the exception of the National Gallery of Art, which we will briefly go inside!

• Smithsonian Castle & Garden


• James V. Forrestal Building (Dept of Energy)


• Arts and Industries Building


• Hirshhorn Museum


• National Air and Space Museum


• National Gallery of Art East and West Buildings (from a distance)


• National Museum of the American Indian


• United States Botanic Garden


• Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

This tour meets in front of the Smithsonian Castle at 1000 Jefferson Drive SW and ends at the U.S. Grant Memorial at the foot of Capitol Hill. The tour takes about 2 hours and covers approximately 1 mile.