At the heart of the National Mall are a series of museum buildings, together which compose the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian was originally funded by James Smithson, an Englishman who donated money to the US to found this institution of "knowledge."

Today the Smithsonian is one of the largest and most popular museums in the world. Tourists flock to the National Air and Space Museum to see the "Spirit of St. Louis" airplane used by Charles Lindberg on the world's first trans-Atlantic flight. The Space Museum also includes rockets and space capsules from the US missions to the moon.

There is something for everyone at the Smithsonian including museum buildings dedicated to Natural History, American History, and Art from the U.S. and around the world.

or  see additional photos and learn more about the The Smithsonian Institution.