10 FREE THINGS 6. DISCOVER THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE 9. FEEL THE BEAT OF A LOCAL TRADITION AT MERIDIAN HILL PARK A state-of-the-art addition to the National Mall in 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture offers five floors of vital history, from the origins of the slave trade to the Civil Rights movement to the legacy of contemporary heroes like Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey. On Sundays at 3 p.m., the scenic Meridian Hill Park near U Street and Columbia Heights vibrates with its famous drum circle, a fixture in the park for more than 20 years. You can experience the drum circle and feel the power of DC’s mix of lively communities. 7. PAY HOMAGE TO ONE OF THE LEADERS OF AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial sits prominently along the gorgeous Tidal Basin. The four-acre site features a 30-foot statue of Dr. King carved into the Stone of Hope, which displays soul-stirring words from his “I Have a Dream” speech. The Inscription Wall offers 14 inspirational quotes from King’s speeches, sermons and writings. 10. ENCOUNTER THOUGHT-PROVOKING ART AT THE SMITHSONIAN HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN You’ll find cutting-edge modern art, architecture and sculpture at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden . Rotating installations showcase groundbreaking creative work and perspectives, and outdoor works range from a gigantic pumpkin sculpture by Kusama to Rodin’s Burghers of Calais . And make sure you get your selfie with Pepper, the ultra-friendly, on-site humanoid robot. m seu Mu 8. LEARN THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM America’s proud postal history is on display at the National Postal Museum , located near historic Union Station. Glimpse the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, which features thousands of noteworthy stamps and artifacts of mail transportation, from stagecoaches to prop planes. and Sculptu re G or n ar n de 10 | OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE Hirs hh
Washington DC Official Visitors Guide Spring/Summer 2019: Page 10
