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Smithsonian National Museum of American History

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Attractions

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Washington, DC · National Mall

About

The 30-by-34-foot Star-Spangled Banner that Francis Scott Key saw over Fort McHenry in 1814 is in a second-floor gallery of this museum on the National Mall. Julia Child's kitchen is one floor down. It came from her house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her three 1990s cooking shows were taped in it. The museum also has an eight-foot, four-stool piece of the Greensboro Woolworth's counter where four students sat down on Feb. 1, 1960. Plan on about two hours, and bring a small bag: the lockers are narrow, and there's nowhere else to check one.

Highlights

The original Star-Spangled BannerDorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of OzThe First Ladies exhibition of gownsFree admission, open daily on the National Mall

Getting there

1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

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