Fodor's Expert Review National Museum of Nature and Science

This museum houses everything from fossils to moon rocks—the 30-meter (98-foot) model of a blue whale perched at the entrance is a huge hit with kids. And what self-respecting science museum wouldn't have dinosaurs? Check out exhibits on life's evolution on earth in the Global Gallery. Although the museum occasionally outdoes itself with special exhibits, it's pretty conventional and provides few hands-on learning experiences. Kids seem to like it, but this is not likely a place to linger if you don't have a lot of time. At this writing, the museum was still requiring visitors to make advance reservations online.