Child’s Astronaut Suit available at the National Air and Space Museum. Photo from the Smithsonian Store.This is the fifth in a series of holiday shopping guides that focus on local options. See also the other posts on food gifts, local and/or D.C.-themed Etsy items, holiday markets, and gifts for kids.
Christmas is this Sunday, in case it’s slipped your mind. If you still have some shopping to do, consider hitting up one of D.C.’s many museums for some cultured holiday gifts this year. Pop in during your lunch break or on the way home from work and pat yourself on the back for avoiding the malls.
Memberships
A museum membership (get some ideas from our 2007 gift guide) is a great idea, and one that gives back all year. Not only can you support a deserving institution, some memberships include free museum admission, special offers and discounted tickets to events. For example, a membership at the Phillips Collection gets you in for free at Phillips After 5 events, and a National Zoo membership—which comes with a a panda-emblazoned tote bag—means cheaper tickets to events like Brew at the Zoo.
Gift Shops
If you’re looking for something to place under the tree, museum gift shops offer interesting items like art books, spy gadgets, mini space suits and more. Read on for some of our museum gift shop picks, and what you can find there.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Location: 500 Seventeenth Street NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesdays
Gifts: The main reason to stop by the Corcoran gift shop is for the original artwork by Corcoran students and alumni that’s for sale. There are other fun things to be found too, including art-inspired apparel (love this tie), signed art books, items related to exhibitions, and more.
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Location: 1050 Independence Avenue SW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Pick up some unique items like vintage Japanese Haori jackets, kimonos, and obis.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Location: Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Find modern art books, clever toys like Ball of Whacks Magnetic Blocks and colorful jewelry and accessories. Check out TBD’s Hirshhorn Gift Guide for some especially cool items.
National Air and Space Museum
Location: Independence Ave at 6th Street SW
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Pick up some astronaut ice cream and a little space suit for those little ones shooting for the stars. Or, go for the always popular Star Wars items, which Air and Space is carrying right now, including Yoda backpacks and hoodies that make the wearer look like Darth Vader or an Imperial stormtrooper.
National Building Museum
Location: 401 F Street NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday:
Gifts: A variety of architecture and engineering related items like the Bridge Basics Program Kit, a Falling Water Lego set, and Roman Arches Blocks.
National Gallery of Art
Location: 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Unique art books are the biggest draw, plus you can fuel up at the adjacent gelato counter.
National Geographic Museum
Location: 1145 17th Street NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Sunday, closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Things for young explorers and inquisitive minds in your life, including maps, atlases, National Geographic DVDs and travel accessories.
National Museum of African Art
Location: 950 Independence Avenue SW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Gifts: Crafts and items inspired by African culture and in some cases made by African artisans.
National Museum of the American Indian
Location: 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25.
Gifts: Books, CDs, jewelry and other items featuring American Indians.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Location: 1250 New York Avenue NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday., closed Dec. 25
Gifts: Prints, books, games and gifts featuring the work of female artists like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe.
Phillips Collection
Location: 1600 21st Street NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26.
Gifts: Nice selection of Christmas cards and ornaments, as well as gifts like abstract art cufflinks, mobiles, and art and building sets for kids.
Spy Museum
Location: 800 F Street NW
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Gifts: Spy gadgets like pen camcorders, invisible ink and books about spys and espionage.
Textile Museum
Location: 2320 S Street NW
Hours:
Gifts: Handmade items by “Fiber Artists,” like Dominique Bello’s hand painted ties and scarves, Donna Radners’ intricate quilts and Kelly Marshall’s woven bags.
