Museum temperatures?
 

This is totally trivial, but does anyone know how the museums in DC (both air and space museums, natural history, spy, etc) tend to run for temperature/air movement? :)

I've been in some museums where it's simply hot and there's no air movement at all, and I've been in others where a menopausal woman in the midst of a hot flash must have set the thermostat because it's about 60 degrees inside. We'll be spending much of our visit next week inside the museums so it'll help determine how I pack. Outside weather says shorts/skirts but inside the museums might want a parka! :)

They have always felt comfortable to me when there during the summer. I tend to feel too hot regardless but have never felt too hot or too cold in them. Bring a light sweater in case?

I remember comfortable temperatures (I run hot). Humidity is, of course, strictly controlled for the health of the art works. The downstairs area of the National Gallery is especially pleasant.

You won't be making that joke some day.

I live about 6 miles from all the wonderful Smithsonian museums. I haven't found them too cold in the summer. It's often so hot and so humid here that the AC is a great relief! Sometimes a large, light cotton fashion scarf is great. It can be wrapped around chilly shoulders, but can be folded and put in a bag or over an arm. Have a great time in DC. The National Portrait Gallery is a favorite of mine right now.

Thanks all! I just know that some places have a rep for leaning strongly towards hot or cold.

Sylvia, I've worked with enough menopausal women that it wasn't really a joke so much as an experience. Sometimes the only option was keep a fleece at your desk and offer ice cream in sympathy. :)

Not that you need further input, but I agree -- the museums in DC are, IME, consistently maintained at a comfortable temperature. During some VERY popular exhibitions, crowds at the National Gallery can raise the temperature a bit, but even then, I've never been uncomfortable.

Enjoy!

Just remember that any museum containing artwork must maintain a certain temperature to protect this artwork.