The Official Guide to the Smithsonian (Turtleback)

by Smithsonian (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world, holds more than 142 million artifacts and specimens in its trust. This colorful guide to the eight museums and galleries on the National Mall, five more in the Washington metropolitan area, two in New York City, and the National Zoo presents an enormous amount of history and pertinent museum information, ensuring a rewarding visit. Each detailed section presents the history of each museum and offers a fully illustrated, gallery-by-gallery tour. All the practical information-location, hours, phone numbers, public transportation, services, tours, dining, gift shops, special attractions for children, Web site addresses-is also included. This strudy guide has been accessibly produces by the Smithsonian's award-winning designers and is beautifully photographed throughout in full color.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588340031
• ISBN-13: 978-1588340030
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,533 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Museum Studies & Museology
  #5 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Museums & Collections > Museums > Exhibition Catalogs
  #9 in	Books > Travel > United States > States > New York

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What You Would Expect, December 15, 2004

By	Virgil Brown (White Oak, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is just what you would expect from the Smithsonian, 224 pages of glossy pictures that leave you wanting more. The _Guide_ starts with about 35 pages of useful information such as how to get around DC and some of the history of the Smithsonian Institution. Then comes a quick survey of the different museums starting with that favorite, the Air and Space Museum, which is the home of the Wright Brothers first flying aircraft. And don't forget the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport or you will miss a proto-type space shuttle. After surveying the rest of the Smithsonian museums near the National Mall, the _Guide_ includes a few other attractions in DC such as the National Zoological Park. A few noteworthy mentions in NYC round out the _Guide_.

Of course, you could spend your entire two week vacation at the Smithsonian and never see it all. (Do an online search to see how big it is.) If you use the _Guide_ to plan a trip to DC, one thing I might suggest is that you learn to use the Metro (subway) system. The _Guide_ mentions it, but it is too bad that a map of the Metro system was not included. (Get one online.) If you buy the _Guide_ in order to remember a trip to DC, one thing that will quickly catch your attention is that the National Museum for the American Indian mentioned is the one in NYC. Either way, the _Guide_ is well worth it.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monique'a review, October 6, 2008

By	M. M. Laperle "Lover of stories" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Official Guide to the Smithsonian (Turtleback)

The guide is in excellent condition. And if you can't go to the Smithsonian, this certainly is the second best way to visit.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Official Guide to the Smithsonian, January 20, 2008

By	JCB California - See all my reviews

This guide was purchased for a 12 year old who will be visiting the Smithsonian for the first time. I have visited the Smithsonian several times and feel this guide will be very helpful.