Girl Who Travels: A Story in Every Frame

Travel Date: June 2026

A Mid-Week Escape: The National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is easily one of my favorite places in D.C. Where else can you hang out with dinosaurs for free? There is no ticket, no fee, and no line—you simply walk right in.

I recently visited for a spontaneous Tuesday adventure, and it was a delight. Even for a weekday afternoon, the museum was buzzing with energy, filled with tour groups and curious visitors alike.

We stayed for a few hours, though we limited ourselves to just two exhibits: the fossils and the mammals. While the Hope Diamond is a classic, it’s a bit of a trek, and since I’ve seen it before, I decided to focus on my personal favorites this time around.

In the fossil hall, the T-Rex and the Triceratops remain the absolute highlights for me.

I was also struck by the Allosaurus, which is staged in a protective pose over her eggs—a truly impressive display of motherhood.

Over in the mammal exhibit, my favorite sight was the giraffe, captured in the graceful, precarious motion of leaning down to take a drink.

I also spent some time admiring these guys posted below. If you don’t look up, you’d miss them. So many people just don’t look up, you know? There’s a lot more in life to see than what’s right in front of you.

A Sculptural Side Quest

We had a little extra time before our dinner reservation, so we decided to wander over to the National Sculpture Garden. One piece in particular grabbed my attention from across the fountain: Aurora, by Mark di Suvero.

According to the National Gallery of Art, this massive installation is crafted from eight tons of steel. It’s also a deeply romantic tribute to the artist’s wife, Kate. What a beautiful gesture. It’s impossible not to imagine that, to him, she was larger than life—strong, sturdy, and undeniably powerful.