WASHINGTON, USA - APRIL 10: People visit the Smithsonian Institution on April 10, 2014 in Washington DC. 18.9 million tourists visited capital of the United States in 2012.
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Smithsonian Castle

Washington, DC


James Renwick designed this turreted, red-sandstone fairy-tale in 1855. Today the castle houses the Smithsonian Visitor Center, which makes a good first stop on the Mall. Inside you’ll find history exhibits, multilingual touch-screen displays, a staffed information desk, free maps, a cafe and the tomb of James Smithson, the institution’s founder. His crypt lies inside a little room by the main entrance off the Mall.

Transportation

  • bus: Circulator National Mall
  • metro: Orange, Silver, Blue Line to Smithsonian

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