Chelsea’s guidebook

Chelsea
Chelsea’s guidebook

Neighborhoods

Georgetown is that classic DC neighborhood of fancy townhomes, George Washington University students, a beautiful waterfront development, restaurants, bars, and clubs with something for everyone. My favorite spots: - Gypsy Sally's - live music, divey, relaxed - Rooftop Bar - pretty self-explanatory - Lots of place on M Street
664 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Georgetown
664 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Georgetown is that classic DC neighborhood of fancy townhomes, George Washington University students, a beautiful waterfront development, restaurants, bars, and clubs with something for everyone. My favorite spots: - Gypsy Sally's - live music, divey, relaxed - Rooftop Bar - pretty self-explanatory - Lots of place on M Street
The Courthouse / Clarendon area of Arlington, VA has multiple metro stops accessible to it and access via bus routes as well. The area has become more dense and is full of single-family homes and mid-rise mixed-use along Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Ave. Clarendon is frequented by students and young professionals so it is lively any day of the week but most lively from Thursday to Sunday. Things to do include casual walks, restaurants for all times of day, clubs, bars, bicycle paths, a dog park, and more. - Clarendon Ballroom - Don Titos - The Board Room - Bar with board games, darts, billiards, and more. - Lots of other places around Clarendon Ballroom and Don Titos to bar hop if one place isn't your style, there is bound to be another that is.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Court House
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Courthouse / Clarendon area of Arlington, VA has multiple metro stops accessible to it and access via bus routes as well. The area has become more dense and is full of single-family homes and mid-rise mixed-use along Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Ave. Clarendon is frequented by students and young professionals so it is lively any day of the week but most lively from Thursday to Sunday. Things to do include casual walks, restaurants for all times of day, clubs, bars, bicycle paths, a dog park, and more. - Clarendon Ballroom - Don Titos - The Board Room - Bar with board games, darts, billiards, and more. - Lots of other places around Clarendon Ballroom and Don Titos to bar hop if one place isn't your style, there is bound to be another that is.
Dupont has the historic underground which functions as an art gallery during the day. The area has tons of bars, restaurants, clubs, and walkable places to see. Accessible off the metro lines, this place serves residents and visitors alike.
301 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dupont Circle
301 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dupont has the historic underground which functions as an art gallery during the day. The area has tons of bars, restaurants, clubs, and walkable places to see. Accessible off the metro lines, this place serves residents and visitors alike.
Home of the 9:30 Club, this neighborhood is an energetic spot most days of the week and very active from Thursday to Sunday for its variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, the Lincoln Theater, and more. It's accessible of the metro and multiple bus lines. The neighborhood feels like a cross between a partially gentrified neighborhood and a solid foundation of original buildings and inhabitants. Frequented by locals looking for a wild time out at night. My favorite spots: - The Lincoln Theater - music & entertainment venue - The 9:30 Club - music venue - Codmother's - dive bar
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
U Street Northwest
U Street Northwest
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Home of the 9:30 Club, this neighborhood is an energetic spot most days of the week and very active from Thursday to Sunday for its variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, the Lincoln Theater, and more. It's accessible of the metro and multiple bus lines. The neighborhood feels like a cross between a partially gentrified neighborhood and a solid foundation of original buildings and inhabitants. Frequented by locals looking for a wild time out at night. My favorite spots: - The Lincoln Theater - music & entertainment venue - The 9:30 Club - music venue - Codmother's - dive bar
This is the neighborhood in which my listing resides. It's walkable, safe, and active day or night.
Columbia Pike
Columbia Pike
This is the neighborhood in which my listing resides. It's walkable, safe, and active day or night.
"This culturally diverse neighborhood is known for its nightlife and eclectic dining scene thanks to all the bars and restaurants dotting the 18th Street corridor." https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/adams-morgan Enough said!
287 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Adams Morgan
287 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
"This culturally diverse neighborhood is known for its nightlife and eclectic dining scene thanks to all the bars and restaurants dotting the 18th Street corridor." https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/adams-morgan Enough said!
Located near Penn Quarter, DC's Chinatown has everything you would hope for - authentic food, karaoke, history, and more. It's accessible from multiple metro stops and is home to the National Portrait Gallery.
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barrio Chino
604 H St NW
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Located near Penn Quarter, DC's Chinatown has everything you would hope for - authentic food, karaoke, history, and more. It's accessible from multiple metro stops and is home to the National Portrait Gallery.

Sightseeing

The Southwest Waterfront (aka The Wharf) is a new development that features The Anthem. The Anthem features top music and entertainment acts and is an awesome venue. I go see shows here any chance I get. The area has restaurants, bars with live music, and plenty of outdoor spaces to sit to quietly enjoy the water if that is your preference. It is also down the street from The Wharf Seafood Market which has fresh catches to sell daily - raw or cooked.
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Southwest Waterfront
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Southwest Waterfront (aka The Wharf) is a new development that features The Anthem. The Anthem features top music and entertainment acts and is an awesome venue. I go see shows here any chance I get. The area has restaurants, bars with live music, and plenty of outdoor spaces to sit to quietly enjoy the water if that is your preference. It is also down the street from The Wharf Seafood Market which has fresh catches to sell daily - raw or cooked.
This is one of my favorite museums. Located in Chinatown and easily accessible off the Chinatown Metro, this is a Smithsonian museum that is free to go to with thousands of portraits and landscapes from different times and different subjects with a regular turnover of exhibits. There is something new to see every time you go.
365 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
National Portrait Gallery
365 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is one of my favorite museums. Located in Chinatown and easily accessible off the Chinatown Metro, this is a Smithsonian museum that is free to go to with thousands of portraits and landscapes from different times and different subjects with a regular turnover of exhibits. There is something new to see every time you go.
This place makes me very emotional. It's a beautiful memorial to see sculpturally, and so heavy during Memorial Day where you can read letters to or about those lost, place flowers, and learn from a personal aspect about the war.
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monumento a los Veteranos de Vietnam
5 Henry Bacon Dr NW
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This place makes me very emotional. It's a beautiful memorial to see sculpturally, and so heavy during Memorial Day where you can read letters to or about those lost, place flowers, and learn from a personal aspect about the war.
Similar to the Vietnam Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial Statue is heartbreaking and beautiful. It is located in the national mall where many of the other memorials are which make it accessible by bus, metro, and car.
Vietnam Women's Memorial
5 Henry Bacon Dr SW
Similar to the Vietnam Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial Statue is heartbreaking and beautiful. It is located in the national mall where many of the other memorials are which make it accessible by bus, metro, and car.
I recommend seeing this place at night. All the monuments are beautifully lit up, relatively walkable between each other, and it is so much less crowded and cool at night than during the day. Either side of the statue has his Inauguration Speech and his Gettysburg Address which are emotional and somehow never becomes irrelevant to current events. Across the reflecting pool from the Washington Monument and the US Capitol building, it's a stop along the National Mall that you have to see.
697 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monumento a Lincoln
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW
697 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
I recommend seeing this place at night. All the monuments are beautifully lit up, relatively walkable between each other, and it is so much less crowded and cool at night than during the day. Either side of the statue has his Inauguration Speech and his Gettysburg Address which are emotional and somehow never becomes irrelevant to current events. Across the reflecting pool from the Washington Monument and the US Capitol building, it's a stop along the National Mall that you have to see.
The Natural History Museum is one of my favorites. AND mid-summer 2019 they opened a new permanent exhibit of dinosaur fossils which is awesome.
647 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Smithsonian
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
647 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Natural History Museum is one of my favorites. AND mid-summer 2019 they opened a new permanent exhibit of dinosaur fossils which is awesome.
I haven't gotten a chance to take the tour of the US Capitol building but I've been told by everyone who has gone on it that it is awesome and better than the short one you get if you are able to get a tour of the Executive Mansion (The White House). The outside grounds are pretty.
671 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Capitolio de los Estados Unidos
First Street Southeast
671 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
I haven't gotten a chance to take the tour of the US Capitol building but I've been told by everyone who has gone on it that it is awesome and better than the short one you get if you are able to get a tour of the Executive Mansion (The White House). The outside grounds are pretty.
Visitors can tour George Washington's primary estate. For real. Buy tickets though!
97 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mount Vernon
97 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Visitors can tour George Washington's primary estate. For real. Buy tickets though!

Live Music & Entertainment

Some free entertainment, some requires the purchase of a ticket, and some may be 21+ only shows.
The Anthem is a big and new and beautiful music venue in the heart of The Wharf development at the Southwest Waterfront. I love this venue. It's big, with great sound, and not a bad seat in the house.
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Anthem
901 Wharf St SW
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Anthem is a big and new and beautiful music venue in the heart of The Wharf development at the Southwest Waterfront. I love this venue. It's big, with great sound, and not a bad seat in the house.
The 9:30 club doesn't look like much but it's a historic and intimate music venue that also owns the brand new The Anthem at the Wharf. It's a venue with beautiful sounds, a little divey, and an intimate setting to see any band. Definitely check out a live show here if you get the chance. Check out the specific shows for age limitations, if any, at shows. It's also just off of the U-Street corridor which is a popular spot for bars, clubs, and restaurants that can very VERY lively.
455 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
9:30
815 V St NW
455 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The 9:30 club doesn't look like much but it's a historic and intimate music venue that also owns the brand new The Anthem at the Wharf. It's a venue with beautiful sounds, a little divey, and an intimate setting to see any band. Definitely check out a live show here if you get the chance. Check out the specific shows for age limitations, if any, at shows. It's also just off of the U-Street corridor which is a popular spot for bars, clubs, and restaurants that can very VERY lively.
Feels a little bit divey, this place has live music, okay drink prices, and is located in Georgetown's Waterfront development. I'm a huge fan of this place for the live music - mostly rock or blues. There are two areas of the venue - one is the bar with free music and then there is an area where you pay to see a show with food, drinks, and music.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gypsy Sally's
3401 Water St NW
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Feels a little bit divey, this place has live music, okay drink prices, and is located in Georgetown's Waterfront development. I'm a huge fan of this place for the live music - mostly rock or blues. There are two areas of the venue - one is the bar with free music and then there is an area where you pay to see a show with food, drinks, and music.
It's a small, locally operated movie theater and performance theater that hosts not just movies but comedy shows too! Tickets aren't usually outrageously priced even for well known comedians - $20 to $30 typically. Movies are pretty inexpensive too and they serve food and beer during the shows!
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
It's a small, locally operated movie theater and performance theater that hosts not just movies but comedy shows too! Tickets aren't usually outrageously priced even for well known comedians - $20 to $30 typically. Movies are pretty inexpensive too and they serve food and beer during the shows!
Gambling! What else needs to be said? Tables are at least a $10 buy in and they do have events there too. Plus there's a great view of the Potomoc River. https://nationalharborboxoffice.com//?msclkid=9e491d5011c318773dba40d96e571326&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MGM%20National%20Harbor%20EQT&utm_term=MGM%20National%20Harbor%20Theater&utm_content=MGM%20National%20Harbor
359 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Ave
359 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gambling! What else needs to be said? Tables are at least a $10 buy in and they do have events there too. Plus there's a great view of the Potomoc River. https://nationalharborboxoffice.com//?msclkid=9e491d5011c318773dba40d96e571326&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MGM%20National%20Harbor%20EQT&utm_term=MGM%20National%20Harbor%20Theater&utm_content=MGM%20National%20Harbor

Food scene

With only a 10 minute walk from my place, this is a neighborhood bar & restaurant that has happy hour and/or food specials most days of the week and Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. The staff is very chill and the prices are excellent. I also really enjoy the food.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
L.A. Bar & Grill
2530 Columbia Pike
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
With only a 10 minute walk from my place, this is a neighborhood bar & restaurant that has happy hour and/or food specials most days of the week and Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. The staff is very chill and the prices are excellent. I also really enjoy the food.
This restaurant is a must go-to if you have the opportunity. This is one of a local chain of restaurants owned by the same duo with slightly different themes are each one. Located at the Georgetown Waterfront, it's not the easiest to get to by metro but there are bus routes and garages for parking. Be sure to make a reservation because otherwise there will be a wait when the time comes.
86 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farmers Fishers Bakers
3000 K Street Northwest
86 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This restaurant is a must go-to if you have the opportunity. This is one of a local chain of restaurants owned by the same duo with slightly different themes are each one. Located at the Georgetown Waterfront, it's not the easiest to get to by metro but there are bus routes and garages for parking. Be sure to make a reservation because otherwise there will be a wait when the time comes.
This restaurant menu still is like tapas. Small dishes meant to be shared by the group. The inside is beautiful and unique for the city. After its namesake, the entire floor is actually made up of pennies! Food is super tasty. Prices are on the middle-expensive side.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lincoln
1110 Vermont Ave NW
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This restaurant menu still is like tapas. Small dishes meant to be shared by the group. The inside is beautiful and unique for the city. After its namesake, the entire floor is actually made up of pennies! Food is super tasty. Prices are on the middle-expensive side.
This restaurant is described as "modern European" food. I don't entirely know what that means but it sure is tasty. They also have excellent brunch. Definitely recommend for a Saturday or Sunday morning. This is only a 10 minute drive from my place!
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ambar Clarendon
2901 Wilson Blvd
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This restaurant is described as "modern European" food. I don't entirely know what that means but it sure is tasty. They also have excellent brunch. Definitely recommend for a Saturday or Sunday morning. This is only a 10 minute drive from my place!
Busboys & Poets is a local chain of a restaurant, book store, and coffee shop all combined and it's amazing. The menu is diverse with a range of options for vegas, vegetarians, gluten free, and "normal" food. They'll have events and poetry readings throughout the year and at different locations making it a destination not just for the food.
569 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Busboys and Poets
450 K St NW
569 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Busboys & Poets is a local chain of a restaurant, book store, and coffee shop all combined and it's amazing. The menu is diverse with a range of options for vegas, vegetarians, gluten free, and "normal" food. They'll have events and poetry readings throughout the year and at different locations making it a destination not just for the food.
Founding Farmers is a local chain with only a couple locations throughout the DMV and owned by the same pair that owns Farmers, Fishers, Bakers in Georgetown. The menu is SO good and with a lot of options. But be prepared with a reservation or you'll be waiting a while.
183 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Founding Farmers DC
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
183 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Founding Farmers is a local chain with only a couple locations throughout the DMV and owned by the same pair that owns Farmers, Fishers, Bakers in Georgetown. The menu is SO good and with a lot of options. But be prepared with a reservation or you'll be waiting a while.
People travel from all over to partake in this ramen. It's so good! And decently priced. It's only 10 minutes from my place.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Boru Ramen
2915 Columbia Pike
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
People travel from all over to partake in this ramen. It's so good! And decently priced. It's only 10 minutes from my place.

Bars / Clubs

Typically 21+ years of age.
Board games, beer, billiards, darts, food and more! Accessible off the Clarendon metro plus a short walk. 10 minutes from my listing via Uber/Lyft/Cab.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Board Room VA
925 N Garfield St
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Board games, beer, billiards, darts, food and more! Accessible off the Clarendon metro plus a short walk. 10 minutes from my listing via Uber/Lyft/Cab.
I freaking love this spot. It's a dive bar that plays 90's music, gives you all the nostalgic feels, and once it gets lively turns into a dance spot - mostly on accident. It's accessible off the U-street Metro and in the U-street corridor with bountiful bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Codmother
1336 U St NW
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
I freaking love this spot. It's a dive bar that plays 90's music, gives you all the nostalgic feels, and once it gets lively turns into a dance spot - mostly on accident. It's accessible off the U-street Metro and in the U-street corridor with bountiful bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.
This place is ripe with video games, darts, arcade games, multiple bars, and definitely good energy.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Penn Social
801 E St NW
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This place is ripe with video games, darts, arcade games, multiple bars, and definitely good energy.
Who doesn't love Salsa Dancing? It's a 10 minute walk from my place to here. They do charge a cover after a certain time and have a dress code but they have food, drinks, and it's an excellent place for dancing.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
THE SALSA ROOM
8453 Tyco Road
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Who doesn't love Salsa Dancing? It's a 10 minute walk from my place to here. They do charge a cover after a certain time and have a dress code but they have food, drinks, and it's an excellent place for dancing.
This place is a brand new beer garden, a 10 minute drive from my home in Arlington. Lots of games and a decent beer selection of local and imported beers.
The Lot
3217 10th Street North
This place is a brand new beer garden, a 10 minute drive from my home in Arlington. Lots of games and a decent beer selection of local and imported beers.
This is an outdoor beer garden not too far from metro stops and the US Capitol building. Beer prices are pretty average for DC and they've got a couple of food trucks to pair with the wide beer selection.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wunder Garten
1101 First St NE
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is an outdoor beer garden not too far from metro stops and the US Capitol building. Beer prices are pretty average for DC and they've got a couple of food trucks to pair with the wide beer selection.
This is a cool rooftop bar in the southwest waterfront development that has excellent views of the water and is moderately priced on the expensive scale. Keep in mind that that moderate pricing is in comparison to pricing at other bars so it may be a bit expensive for people where drinks are typically cheaper. The restaurant is surrounded by lots of restaurants and music venues for plenty of entertainment while in the area.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whiskey Charlie
975 7th St SW
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is a cool rooftop bar in the southwest waterfront development that has excellent views of the water and is moderately priced on the expensive scale. Keep in mind that that moderate pricing is in comparison to pricing at other bars so it may be a bit expensive for people where drinks are typically cheaper. The restaurant is surrounded by lots of restaurants and music venues for plenty of entertainment while in the area.
If you are a whiskey fan, this is a great spot for you. They have (literally) hundreds of whiskeys to try and is located in the Adams Morgan area which is a little eccentric and another neat area of DC to check out.
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NW
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
If you are a whiskey fan, this is a great spot for you. They have (literally) hundreds of whiskeys to try and is located in the Adams Morgan area which is a little eccentric and another neat area of DC to check out.
The food here is great and if you are, once again, a whiskey lover this place has dozens and dozens of whiskeys and bourbons to try. It's a 10 minute walk from my place and they have a nice outdoor patio to enjoy on nice days.
Rebellion On The Pike
2900 Columbia Pike
The food here is great and if you are, once again, a whiskey lover this place has dozens and dozens of whiskeys and bourbons to try. It's a 10 minute walk from my place and they have a nice outdoor patio to enjoy on nice days.

Shopping!

Pentagon City Mall, conveniently where a metro stop is located, is a large shopping center with all kinds of stores at all kinds of prices from low-end of very fancy, high-end. There's a food court and restaurants and during the winter an ice rink nearby to partake in more than just shopping.
319 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes St
319 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pentagon City Mall, conveniently where a metro stop is located, is a large shopping center with all kinds of stores at all kinds of prices from low-end of very fancy, high-end. There's a food court and restaurants and during the winter an ice rink nearby to partake in more than just shopping.
Now this is a fancy shopping center. It's got BEAUTIFUL stores, expensive merchandise, and it's even an enjoyable walk not too far from Chinatown just to see the sculptures, lights, decorations, and cool technology integrated into the surroundings.
126 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
CityCenterDC
825 10th St NW
126 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Now this is a fancy shopping center. It's got BEAUTIFUL stores, expensive merchandise, and it's even an enjoyable walk not too far from Chinatown just to see the sculptures, lights, decorations, and cool technology integrated into the surroundings.

Consejos para la ciudad

Costumbres y cultura

Orienting yourself to DC

To help orient yourself with DC as a whole, especially if you'll be in town for more than a couple days, I absolutely recommend checking out the neighborhood guide on DC's website. https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods
Facilidad para moverse por la casa

Ubers/Lyfts/Bicycles/Mopeds

In this city, using companies like Lyft or Uber or even renting bicycles, scooters, and mopeds are both convenient and can be pretty cheap. Electric scooters are bountiful and companies like Uber and Lyft have partnered with various scooter companies so you don't even need to download a separate app to rent/reserve one if you have either of those apps. Electric scooters are an easy way to go places that may be a couple miles away but cheaper than getting an uber/lyft, especially with traffic. But be safe! Use caution when riding them. Here, Uber and Lyft have their respective carpool options which take a little longer to get directly from point A to B but are definitely cheaper than a private car and you get to see more of the city.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa

Getting to downtown

From my place, it is definitely faster to get to downtown with a Lyft or Uber for $6 or so for their carpool options which will serve up to 2 passengers in a single party. Alternatively, they may not be cheaper than using public transportation like a bus and train to get in and out of downtown from my place. So I recommend googling your preferred route and provide yourself options in case traffic is horrible or in a hurry.
Costumbres y cultura

Things to do!

A really cool reference to check out before you come for events to attend or things to do can be found on Bright Young Things. They have weekend AND weekday recommendations of things to do, bars to check out, grand openings to attend, and for events you have to pay for, links to buy tickets. 100% recommend checking them out. https://brightestyoungthings.com/articles/category/dc-stuff-to-do
Formas de ahorrar

Smithsonian museums are all free!

So. In case you did not know prior to visiting, all 22 Smithsonian museums are free! Every day! In the summer, most are open until 7pm while in the winter the hours become limited to 5, 5:30, or as late at 7 depending on the museum and day. Whichever topic you are interested in, check out their websites beforehand so see their hours. Do the museums during the day and monuments at night when they are all beautifully lit up. https://www.si.edu/museums
Antes de que te vayas

African American Museum tickets

This museum is new to the area. It's only a couple years old and still bustling for visitors. It is free to go into, as it is a Smithsonian, but be sure to reserve admission tickets that provide the museum the chance to stagger visitor rushes and prevent overcrowding through the museum.