The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the most visited natural history museum in the world. Located on the National Mall in Washington DC, it houses over 148 million specimens and artifacts — from the legendary Hope Diamond to towering dinosaur skeletons and deep-ocean creatures.
Part of the Smithsonian Institution's 21-museum network, the museum has offered free admission since its opening in 1910. Its official virtual tour lets you walk through every gallery from the comfort of your home.
Virtual Tour Links
🦕 Official Smithsonian Virtual Tour
The museum's own immersive 360° virtual tour covers every floor and gallery, with narrated highlights and zoom-in details.
Start the Tour →📍 Google Street View Inside the Museum
Navigate the museum's halls in Google Street View, from the rotunda elephant to the gem collection.
Step Inside →Key Areas to Explore
- Hope Diamond — The 45.52-carat blue diamond, one of the most famous gemstones in the world, displayed in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.
- Hall of Fossils — Deep Time — A 31,000-square-foot exhibit tracing 3.7 billion years of life on Earth with stunning fossil mounts.
- Ocean Hall — A life-size model of a North Atlantic right whale and specimens from the deepest ocean trenches.
- Human Origins — Walk through six million years of human evolution with skull casts, tools, and interactive displays.
- Butterfly Pavilion — A tropical habitat with hundreds of live butterflies from around the world.
Quick Facts
- 148 million+ specimens — The largest natural history collection in the world
- Free admission — Always free, every day of the year
- Part of the Smithsonian Institution — A network of 21 museums and the National Zoo
- Founded 1910 — On the National Mall since its opening
💡 Pro Tip
The official virtual tour includes a "Current Science" room with rotating research exhibits — check it for the latest discoveries from Smithsonian scientists working in the field.
Enhance Your Virtual Visit
Recommended Gear for Virtual Travel
-
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset
Stand face-to-face with a T. rex in immersive virtual reality.
-
"The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects"
A curated journey through American history told through the Smithsonian's most iconic artifacts.