Planning To Travel The World? How To Pack Up Your Life So It’s Ready For You When You Get Back

Sep 13, 2023

Last Updated on: Aug 26, 2025

Travel Blog

Before you set off on your global adventure, it’s crucial to have a well-thought-out plan for what to pack and what to store.

Create two lists; one for items you’ll need on your travels and another for possessions that will stay behind. This will help you prioritize and make the packing process more manageable. Remember, the aim is to travel light but also ensure that your life back home remains intact for your return.

Sorting Your Essentials

Deciding what to take with you on your journey is a balancing act between necessity and luxury. Start by listing all the essentials like travel documents, medication, TEFL accreditation, and basic clothing. Once you’ve got that sorted, think about the climate of your destination and pack accordingly.

Don’t forget to include a small first-aid kit and any specialized gear you might need for activities you plan to do. It’s always better to have a few versatile items rather than overpacking with things you might not use.

Using Storage Units

Storage units are an excellent option for keeping your larger possessions safe while you’re away. Not only do they offer a secure environment for items like furniture, but they also provide a climate-controlled setting for keepsakes that may be sensitive to temperature or humidity. Make sure to pack these items carefully, using bubble wrap or cloth to prevent any damage.

Opt for a storage facility that has robust security measures like 24/7 surveillance and coded access to ensure the utmost safety of your belongings. Safestore’s storage units all have 24-hour CCTV, and they have locations across the country. Their dry, clean, and secure units are the perfect place to store your belongings while you travel the world.

What To Do With Your Car

If you own a car, you’ll need to decide what to do with it while you’re traveling. Long-term parking can be expensive and may expose your vehicle to the elements. A better option might be to leave it with a trusted friend or family member who can occasionally run the engine and keep it maintained. Alternatively, you could look into professional vehicle storage services that offer secure, climate-controlled environments specifically designed for car storage.

Preparing Your Home For Your Absence

Before you leave, make sure to take care of household responsibilities that could become issues in your absence. Contact your utility providers to inform them of your travel plans and see if any services can be paused. Arrange for someone to collect your mail or have it held at the post office. If you have subscriptions or regular deliveries, pause or cancel them for the duration of your trip. These small steps will help you avoid unnecessary costs and complications when you return.

Make Your Return As Smooth As Possible

The excitement of traveling the world is unparalleled, but eventually, the time will come to return home. To ensure a smooth transition back to your regular life, it’s essential to plan your homecoming as meticulously as your departure. Start by making a checklist of tasks to complete upon your return, such as restocking your pantry, reactivating paused services, and checking the condition of stored items.

If you’ve left your car with someone, coordinate the return beforehand to avoid any last-minute hassles. Don’t forget to reach out to friends or family who’ve been looking after your home, plants, or pets to let them know your return date. A little planning can go a long way in making your return not just bearable but enjoyable, allowing you to seamlessly pick up where you left off.

Planning a long-term trip abroad is an exciting but complex task that requires meticulous preparation. From sorting your essentials and securing your possessions to taking care of your home and vehicle, each step is crucial for a hassle-free experience. By following these guidelines, you can embark on your adventure with peace of mind, knowing that everything will be ready and waiting for you when you return.

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Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

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READ MORE Kiwi flights

Kiwi Flights Review – Login, Services, And Travel Experiences

BY  Barsha May 2, 2023

Based on Kiwi Flights reviews, I will be writing my experience of the Kiwi Flights and how travel experiences can be severely impacted. Further, I will address the advantages and shortcomings of the airlines! While we have heard about the exciting features of Kiwi flights that apparently helps users to plan their travel itineraries for savings and convenience, several regular users feel it might not always be a smooth ride. Although Kiwi is not really the ideal travel agency for all your trips yet it can prove to be a good tool for specific or even unique situations. For instance, you came across the perfect flight deal for Europe, but you are located far away from the departing location. Naturally, you will look for flights from your home city, but the prices turn out to be double the rates you were getting from the initial deal. In that case, most of us would bid adieu to another dream vacation. But, instead, have you thought of taking a different approach? With the help of Kiwi, you can combine another bus, train, or flight with the initial cheap deal to reach your dream destination without spending a lot of money. So, we decided to check out Kiwi and decide whether it’s legit or just another scam platform. Stay tuned to find out more. Exploring The Kiwi App: All That You Need To Know! Today, we are here to find out - is Kiwi flights legit? The official website of the platform looks pretty cool. Plus, the app has a good 4.3 rating, accompanied by mostly positive reviews from guests. But then we can’t just start depending on every platform based on positive online reviews though it is certainly a convincing factor. When booking a flight on Kiwi, it will take only 20 minutes but there are other concerns. With technical difficulties regularly occurring, booking flights in Kiwi can be a huge risk! There are instances when booking flights can more time. according to Kiwi Flights reviews, there is another issue because while booking, if there are technical problems, it might lead to an incomplete booking. So without wasting any time, scroll down to find out all that you need to know about the Kiwi platform - because we did check it out, and here’s what we found out! What Is Kiwi? So, what is Kiwi? Welcome to the Tour And Travel Blog’s Kiwi flights review. Today, we will discuss Kiwi, a travel agency that operates online. Based in the beautiful Czech Republic, the Kiwi platform specializes in combining different flights with various transportation types into one booking to make your dream vacation possible at affordable rates. The platform uses a wide database filled with different bus, train, and flight schedules - these are combined together to provide users with travel options that are fast and cheap. While the platform can give you a great deal - a cheap flight combined with the right bus, train, or another flight can sometimes reduce your travel expenditure drastically. However, there’s only one problem - at times, Kiwi can end up creating itineraries that are either complicated or overly competitive just to save some money. Using Kiwi Flights: When Should You Use Kiwi? For most of us, using Kiwi flights makes sense when the expenditure for any planned trip turns out to be really costly. For instance, you are in the middle of some last-minute emergency, or you need to book an international flight (one-way), or your itinerary is too complicated, and you are looking for an easy way to make things cheaper on the itinerary. Yet, it has been observed that Kiwi Flights have had a 95% accuracy rate in predicting flight prices several months in advance. When combining the features of low-cost carriers along with analyzing airfare, it is one of the best on the market. In all these cases, using Kiwi flights seems like an obvious solution. Here we can check out the benefits of using the Kiwi platform - stay tuned to find out more. Save on expensive airfares. Book one-way international flights. Book multi-city trips with the help of Kiwi Nomad. Manage last-minute emergencies. There are some advantages that Kiwi flights have such as saving on expensive airfares along with booking one-way international flights. There are different options to make the booking via Kiwi Nomad for multi-city trips. This site is one of the best for last-minute bookings according to the Kiwi Flights reviews! When there is an emergency, you can make the booking on Kiwi Flights as there is always some seats available last moment. Are There Downsides To Kiwi Flights? While Kiwi is a good tool for booking cheap flights and making your itinerary simple, what most Kiwi flights reviews won’t tell you are the downsides of the platform that you have to note before you can start using the same. So, what are the downsides of Kiwi flights? Let’s find out - without wasting time, scroll down to find out more. There’s no guarantee that the flight options you will find on Kiwi will be the cheapest. If you do not pay extra, then there’s no reliable protection for your connecting flights. One of the biggest drawbacks is that the flights are not cheap so, people planning on traveling on a budget will find it difficult to book! At times, the authorities at Kiwi Flights take guarantees when booking flights. They inform customers that they will be provided connecting flights if there is an issue however, there is no guarantee of that! I personally would suggest to not rely on this guarantee considering there have been too many complaints and concerns regarding luggage lost, flight connections and other issues. Is Kiwi Legit? The User Reviews You Needed: So, the question that always pops up in reviews has made an appearance here as well - is kiwi.com legit? There are so many different kinds of customer reviews on Kiwi Flights that it’s honestly difficult to deduce. While the platform has a 4.3 rating on Google Play, it has only 1.5 stars on TrustPilot, and that too from more than 60K reviews. One of the best features is that the Airlines provide services to a wide variety of places. apart from that, they also take bookings last moment however there are concerns with improper bookings. At times, customers have experienced issues with flight bookings regarding availability and change. There are, however, some hacks that people who are traveling can use so that they can travel on a budget! A majority of concerns that customers have with Kiwi have a lot to do with different issues, such as long delays on different refund requests, improper bookings, and not always the cheapest rates. Naturally, you need to proceed with some caution while using the Kiwi platform. Review By Damien Powell: “I've used this service and app for several trips, one being a transatlantic flight. These are very good deals, but what really helps is the travel insurance that they provide. I had a delayed flight in Berlin that caused me to miss my connection in the US. They found me a flight home at no cost, it was really great during a very stressful journey. Review By Maxim Diatchenko: “An extremely irresponsible company. Bad communication: no phone contacts, email once a week. Very unreliable service. But they have a great website and mobile app. My story: I bought tickets months in advance. My criteria were: to fly in the evening. A couple of weeks before departure, the departure time was changed to nine and a half hours, moving it to the morning. I asked them to find me a similar flight or refund money to buy new tickets. They refused.” Review By John Villielm: “Absolutely ridiculous service. We booked two separate trips for the family to visit us overseas. Both trips were booked for 4 total flights, all of which were purchased as a set. Due to Covid, only 1 flight was canceled, but that started the problems. They give you two options, 1) 200euro credit (the tickets as a set were $3K and $4k), so 200euro is nowhere close to matching that. 2) a 3-month wait on a "potential" refund.” Our Verdict: Use Kiwi Flights With Caution! Most of the kiwi.com reviews are not great, which makes it absolutely important that you use Kiwi flights with caution. If the platform provides good service to you, then that’s great, but if they don’t, then you will be the only one losing out. So we recommend proceeding with caution while planning your trip via Kiwi. In recent times, there have been several complaints where the flight tickets have been known to be lowest however, they have been cancelled without prior information. The refund process has also been subject to availability and change so, you need to be careful before booking flight tickets. Feel free to share your thoughts on the same with us - and while sharing your thoughts, let us know about your experience, if you have used the platform before, in the comments below. Read Also: Hopper flights review- Login, services and Travel experiences Using flightscanner To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know! Using Google Flights To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know!

READ MORE When can navigation rules be overlooked

When Can Navigation Rules Be Overlooked?

BY  Nabamita Jan 5, 2023

If the question arises of when can navigation rules be overlooked, then the answer is that they should never be overlooked. However, there are moments when you only have the option to ignore these rules. Certain situations and groups can ignore and overlook these rules whenever they want. To know them, too, scroll down below. What Do You Mean By Navigation Rules? For every water vessel traveling through water bodies, specific rules are enforced to see their safe travel. These rules are like the traffic rules, but except for roads, they are for the waterways and waterbodies. These navigation rules ensure the safety of the vessel and the passengers onboard from dangerous rocks, shallow waters, and reefs. When Can Navigation Rules Be Overlooked? The navigation rules are set in place to ensure safe and secure travel on water, but there are moments when these rules need to be followed sometimes. So the situations that can force the sailors to ignore the navigation rules are as follows. Crossing Dangerous Waters When you are crossing turbulent and dangerous waters, with the people on board being unsafe, the navigation rules can be overlooked; their priority is to protect the passengers. When it comes to sailors, during storms and dangerous turbulent waters, they are not bound to follow the navigation rules. They can easily overlook them. To Avoid Immediate Danger Who may depart from the navigation rules? The operators may need to depart from the navigation rules while trying to mitigate imminent dangers. While traveling over waters, danger can happen anywhere, and at any point, so paying proper attention to the navigators is essential. They are trained for any sudden changes in water and air direction. So if travelers and navigators predict something dangerous, they can ignore all the navigation rules. This is how they can keep the onboard passengers safe. When A Vessel Has Little Maneuverability If the captain and crew feel like the vessel is going through a little maneuverability, then they are allowed to overlook all the navigation rules for boats. It is more important to keep the passengers safe than to travel in a hazardous environment. When The Sailor Is Inexperienced It is important that navigators and sailors should know how to navigate their way around the water. That way, they don't end up endangering the lives of others on the vessel. To save time, these inexperienced sailors sometimes disregard all the maritime navigation rules that are in place. When can navigation rules be overlooked? – if you are a navigator or sailor, look back to your novice years. Sailing In Poor Visibility When a sailor is sailing in a situation with poor visibility, then the rules of navigation are ignored. If the radar is not working properly, then the navigation rules can be ignored. When climatic situations make it difficult to see, and visibility becomes a big issue, navigation rules are entirely ignored. That is when experience and intuition come into action. What Are The Basic Rules Of Navigation? The "rules of the road at sea," or navigation regulations, apply to all boats. These regulations clearly indicate when to pass, approach, yield, and overtake other boats. The International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) and the fundamental rules of the water should be familiarized with by all boaters, regardless of the size of their vessel. For other masters to see your intentions, you should always move in a clear and deliberate manner. Never assume that the captain of a different boat will follow the rules; always be ready to prevent a collision. To prevent collisions with other boats, the Colregs provide clear signals for passing, approaching, giving way, and overtaking. These are the rules for boat traffic. Rules: Here are some of the basic rules of navigation that you need to be aware of when at sea: When navigating a river or channel, a boat must always operate on the starboard (right) side. You have the right of way when a boat approaches from your starboard (right) side. You have right of way if you approach another boat from the starboard side. However, you must act to avoid collision if the other boat does not yield. Each boat changes course to port (left) and changes course to port (right). Always assume that this is the case. You have the option of overtaking a boat from either side of the one you want to pass. But you have to stay far away from the boat you're passing. This is true for sailboats as well as powerboats. The sailing boat with the wind on the port side must give way when there are two boats with wind on opposite sides. The boat to windward must yield to the boat to leeward when both boats are facing the same direction. Sail usually triumphs over power. However, this isn't always the case. Due to their size, larger vessels, like ferries and container ships, are difficult to maneuver. By giving larger vessels a wide berth, masters of other boats, including sailboats, should always use common sense and good seamanship. What Are The Consequences Of Overlooking Navigation Rules? For those asking, "when can navigation rules are overlooked," it is essential for you to know that there are severe consequences for not following the rules. And some of the effects that may befall you if you overlook the navigation rules are listed below. They are endangering the environment. The ship and its onboard passengers can get lost at sea. With overlooking the navigation rules, a shipwreck is a strong possibility. A hazardous environment on the ship can create a dangerous place for the people onboard. This can lead to health issues and even death. The vessel and passengers can face legal trouble for not following the navigation rules. Read More: What Are The Different Types Of Cruises (And How To Choose The Right One For You)? Who May Depart From The Navigation Rules? The navigation rules are set up for everyone's safety and security, so not following them can be risky. However, some people ignore these rules to stay safe and do their work. Please scroll down to see who these people are, who can overlook the navigation rules whenever they want. Pirates And Illegal Fishermen For pirates, the rules of navigation don't apply. They are beyond any rules, which is why they are pirates. They do this so that law enforcement can't catch them, and they can run away free. That is the same for fishermen who are fishing illegally. Those In Imminent Danger The recent enforcement requires maritime law that the answer to the question of when navigation rules are overlooked is during imminent danger. Escaping a dangerous situation is much more important than abiding by the law. Read More: What Is Most Likely To Cause Someone To Fall Overboard? Research Vessels Marine life science research vessels can easily deviate from the navigation rules. The study is based on marine life and the ocean, so they need help to go by the navigation rules. Those Experiencing A Mental Health Crisis If someone goes through a mental health problem on a vessel, they can let go of the rules. Instead, they don't tend to follow them. In addition, if someone is emotionally distraught or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they might not follow the rules. Wrapping Up! Now that you know the situations and people who tend to ignore the navigation rules, your question of when navigation rules can be overlooked is answered. In these situations, people don't regard such laws when they travel on international waters. So if you want to know more about this topic, we have more articles on our website, so browse through them, but first give us a like and comment below. Read Also: The Ultimate Hotel Tipping Guide Top 10 Best Beaches In Florida For Families Speed Boat Miami Tour – Sightseeing And Entertainment

READ MORE free museums in dc

Explore The Top 15 Free Museums In DC! Must Visit Museums In 2024!

BY  Ankita Jun 7, 2023

What are the best free museums in DC that you and your family can visit while you are in the state? Well, if this is something that you have been searching for, then I have the best thing for you! Washington, D.C., is home to so many amazing museums. The best thing, though? A lot of them provide free admission. You can research history, science, culture, and the arts for free. And if you want a list of them, then you will find this article to be of help! Keep reading this blog till the end to learn more… Which City Has The Highest Number Of Museums? With 85.4 museums per 100,000 people, Washington, D.C. is the US city with the highest number of museums per capita, according to a 2019 report by the American Alliance of Museums. There are numerous explanations for Washington, D.C.'s abundance of museums. First of all, being the nation's capital and the seat of government, it is home to numerous national institutions and museums, including the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian Institution, which is composed of 19 museums and galleries. Moreover, museums are a big draw for tourists to Washington, D.C., another well-liked vacation spot. The city's museums are accessible to all, offering a broad range of topics from science and technology to art and history, and many of them are free to the general public. Ultimately, a great deal of Washington, D.C.'s museums are dedicated to preserving and presenting the city's rich cultural legacy. For instance, the National Museum of the American Indian focuses on the history and culture of Native Americans, while the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016, is devoted to telling the story of the African American experience in the United States. 15 Best Free Museums In DC That You Need To Check Out! Every day, scholars, researchers, visitors, and locals are drawn to our nation's capital. The diversity and caliber of free museums here attract the crowd. However, with so many choices, selecting an itinerary might be difficult. That is the reason why I have come to your rescue. In this article, I have planned and listed the top 15 free museums in DC that you can visit! So, without further ado, let us get started! Here are the best free museums in Washington DC that you need to visit: 1. National Gallery Of Art This renowned art gallery spans two significant buildings joined by an illuminated tunnel. It also has an indoor waterfall and a six-acre (2.4 ha) sculpture garden. It features both traveling exhibitions and a changing exhibition of works from the permanent collection. The permanent collection offers a marvelously thorough selection of the best artwork. It spans from ancient to modern times, including masterpieces like da Vinci, Degas, and Calder. The National Gallery of Art is a fantastic family outing. It offers free public programming like art history films, classical performances, and kid-friendly hands-on activities. Check out the ice skating rink in the sculpture garden if you're here in the winter. Every day from 10 am to 5 pm, the National Gallery of Art is open at 6th Constitution Avenue North West, Washington, DC, 20565. 2. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum One of the biggest disasters in human history, the Holocaust of World War II, teaches us some of history's most difficult lessons. Except for the children's-oriented Daniel's Story exhibit, it is intended for visitors 11 and older due to the nature of the issues covered in this museum's exhibitions. The Holocaust is a permanent exhibition that offers an insightful look at this historical tragedy through a wealth of artifacts, videos, and human accounts. James Ingo purposefully evoked architectural characteristics of various historical Holocaust places in the Freed building. He does so in an abstract, open-ended manner without making direct parallels to any of these locations. Four commissioned works of art are also on display within the museum: Consequence, a wall drawing by Sol LeWitt; Gravity, a monolithic sculpture by Richard Serra; Loss and Regeneration, a sculpture by Joel Shapiro; and Memorial, a grouping of four white wall sculptures by Ellsworth Kelly. Due to COVID, timed-entry tickets are required, and they can only be purchased in groups of six or fewer. Additionally, there is a $1 processing fee for online ticket purchases. This museum deserves a place on the list of the best free museums in DC. Everyday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the museum is open. In Washington, DC, 20024, at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place South West, is the location of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 3. National Museum Of Natural History There are 147 million specimens and artifacts on display at the Natural History Museum with the highest visitors in the world. Some of them are The Hope Diamond, meteorites, ancient Egyptian mummies, and live insects, including butterflies. The focus of traveling exhibits on natural history issues is on plant and animal biodiversity as well as human history. To further improve your experience, they also offer do-it-yourself, free, printable exhibitions. Because the museum is so big, it's a good idea to take a break and unwind in one of their two cafes or the Garden Lounge, which has live plants. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In Washington, DC 20560, at 1000 Madison Drive North West, is where you may find the National Museum of Natural History. 4. National Museum Of American History Explore the over 1.7 million objects that span over 300,000 square feet (27,870 square meters) and tell the narrative of America with the four million visitors who flock here each year. The "Star-Spangled Banner"'s inspiration, the Greensboro lunch counter from the Civil Rights demonstrations, Julia Child's kitchen, the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and Lincoln's stovepipe hat are just a few of the most well-known and well-liked exhibitions. In addition to exceptional events like guest lecturers and performances, the museum offers regular programming as part of some exhibits like Spark! Lab and Wonderplace. The National Museum of American History is located at 1300 Constitution Avenue North West, Washington, DC, 20560, and is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. 5. Hirshhorn Museum And Sculpture Garden Next on the list of the must-visit free museums in DC, we have Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. This museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts because of its enormous collection of contemporary and modern art from throughout the world. Featured and well-known artists include Yayoi Kusama, Henry Moore, and Pablo Picasso. Over 30 sculptures are on display at the sculpture park, including Yoko Ono's well-known Wish Tree. One of the most well-known American modern art museums, the Hirshorn has been open for 50 years and provides a platform for contemporary art and culture on a national scale. For special exhibits, timed passes can be necessary. The museum offers exciting educational opportunities like storytimes, guest speakers, their mobile Art Cart, and film festivals in addition to its permanent and special exhibits. The on-site cafe, Dolcezza, offers pastries, gelato, specialty coffee and tea in a beautifully decorated space. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is located at Independence Avenue South West & 7th Street South West, Washington, DC, 20560, and is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. 6. National Museum Of The American Indian In this relatively recent addition to the National Mall, explore the richness of culture, language, history, tradition, and futures of indigenous peoples of the Americas. Visit the engaging, fun-filled imaginative Activity Centre (Tuesday–Sunday) for children ages 10 and under to learn the traditional cultural and scientific knowledge of many indigenous peoples. The National Native American Veterans Memorial, a stainless steel circle balanced on a carved stone drum with intricate symbolic carving, was inaugurated at the museum in November 2020 to honor and remember the Native American military veterans. Take a mouthful of some traditional food at the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, which offers Native American foods at five themed food stations. The museum offers a number of special events and programs, including performances, special guest lecturers, film festivals, and concerts, to share indigenous traditions with people of all ages in addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions. The National Museum of the American Indian is located at 4th Street South West, Washington, DC, 20560, and is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. 7. National Museum Of African American History And Culture Visit the one and only national museum that was established in the autumn of 2016 and is dedicated to preserving and promoting African American life, art, history, and culture. With an exhibition area of 85,000 square feet (7,897 square km), it will take at least two hours to see everything. Discover African American cuisine at the Sweet Home Cafe with its four themed stations and occasionally offered "Chef's Tables" special meals, such as those for Black History Month. You need a free-timed admission pass. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is located at 1400 Constitution Avenue North West, Washington, DC, 20560, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 8. National Museum Of Asian Art Visit the Freer Gallery to learn more about Asian art. The Sackler Gallery is home to ornamental and religious items. The Freer Gallery was the first Smithsonian institution designed purely to keep art. They collectively house about 45,000 items with a 6,000-year history. It includes some American artworks in the Freer Gallery. For example, the greatest collection of James McNeill Whistler's paintings in the world. Recent substantial improvements to the galleries have given the museum new energy and technology. Additionally, the museum presents a number of special events and programs, including workshops, performances, films, and guest lecturers. In Washington, DC, 20560, at 1050 Independence Avenue South West, lies the National Museum of Asian Art. 9. National Museum Of African Art Next on the list of free museums in DC is the National Museum of African Art. It was initially founded in 1964 and was bought by the Smithsonian in 1979. It collects and exhibits traditional as well as modern and contemporary art from Africa. A variety of media and issues are covered in the exhibitions, such as photography, portraiture, sculptures, film, and more on tradition, history, slavery in America, politics, and African cinema. They offer a variety of performances as well as notable speakers as part of their special programming. In Washington, DC, 20560, at 950 Independence Avenue South West, lies the National Museum of African Art. 10. National Archives Museum The three most significant historical documents in American history are kept there. There is also the museum and the National Archives and Records Administration. Discover more important documents that affected American history at the Rotunda's interactive Public Vaults permanent exhibit. It features the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The David M. Rubenstein Gallery houses one of the four remaining original copies of the 1297 Magna Carta. It is the ongoing exhibition of the Record of Rights. There is also a 17-foot (nearly 5-m) touch screen on the national discussions surrounding subjects like citizenship and free speech. Additionally, the museum hosts a variety of passing exhibits. It includes a featured document display and the Boeing Learning Centre. Here visitors can check out white gloves and a magnifying glass to examine replica documents like an actual archivist. The National Archives Museum is located at 701 Constitution Avenue North West, Washington, DC, 20408. It is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. 11. National Air And Space Museum Visit the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, for a fun-filled free museum. Visit the renowned National Air and Space Museum to learn more about the power of flying and how it propelled humans off the planet. The Air and Space Museum, like many other museums, is undergoing renovations that will last until 2025, although eight new exhibits are already open. The Wright Brothers & the Invention of the Aerial Age explores the history and force of flight with a special emphasis on its creators. Discover how we reached the moon in 1969 and why and how we are returning in the new blockbuster-level exhibit Destination Moon. You must have a free timed admission pass, otherwise you can skip the queue. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centre, their secondary location, is located in Chantilly, Virginia, about 40 minutes from Washington, D.C. Here, you may learn about human spaceflight and World War II aviation while also seeing planes and a space shuttle. The National Air and Space Museum is located at 600 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC, 20560, and is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. 12. National Zoo Bears, lions, and tigers, and so much more! Discover a variety of animal species from all over the world, as well as daily animal demonstrations and habitat displays. There are entrance passes that must be purchased in addition to paid parking passes in advance (if you decide to drive and park there). A few same-day passes will be available on-site, although it is advised to make a reservation in advance. Visit the Kids' Farm, the unusual Me and the Bee playground, and the seasonally open Squirt Zone if you're traveling with children. Kids will enjoy the Speedwell Conservation Carousel, but keep in mind that each ride costs $4. Two to three hours are suggested or anticipated for a trip to the zoo; be sure to wear shoes that are suitable for walking around in. You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks (no glass bottles), though they do have some food options on-site. The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue North West, Washington, DC 20008, and is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. 13. National Portrait Gallery Discover portraits of some of America's most prominent people in the visual, performing, and new media arts, including artists, politicians, scientists, innovators, activists, as well as entertainers. The museum is home to the only comprehensive collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House, which includes works by renowned artist Gilbert Stuart. For a customized visit with your group, schedule a tour five weeks in advance for ten or more people, or try your luck with the walk-up tours on Saturdays as well as Sundays at 12 and 2.30. The National Portrait Gallery is located at 8th Street North West & G Street North West, Washington, DC, 20001, and is open daily from 11.30 am to 7 pm. 14. American Art Museum Discover the country's first collection of American art. It is one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of American art in the world. It is also a unique world-class chronicle of the American experience. The museum has taken the lead in seeking out, gathering, and displaying exceptional as well as outstanding representations of American visual art culture. In addition to the conventional, expected kinds of art in a museum, there is photography, current folk and self-taught work. There are also frequently unsung cultural arts, such as African American and Latino, and even computer games. The museum has two locations. However, they are only a 25-minute walk apart. The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is in the downtown cultural center. The Renwick Gallery, which specializes in craft and decorative art, is close to the White House. Check out the Experience America exhibition, which captures American culture in a variety of artistic mediums. There is also Janet Echelman's 1.8 Renwick, a commissioned colorful fiber and lighting piece dangling from the ceiling. Moreover, it highlights the relationships between people and the natural world across time. The SAAM site is open from 11:30 am to 7 pm, as well as the Renwick Gallery is open from 10 am to 5.30 pm. Both locations are open every day. While the Renwick Gallery is located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue North West #1 in Washington, DC, the SAAM is housed in the same building as the National Portrait Gallery at G Street North West & 8th Street North West. Read More: Understand More About The Vatican’s Museums 15. National Postal Museum Last but not least, on this list of the free museums in DC that you must visit is the National Postal Museum. Who knew using the mail could be so much fun? Learn about the practicalities of how your letter gets from your mailbox to its destination as well as what it's like to work for the postal service. You can also learn about the transportation used by the postal system. In this amazing stamp collection, you may engage with stamps in ways you never thought possible. Along with regular special programming including story times, art programmes, reading groups, talks, and even multilingual options like Hello, Museo for kids, daily tours are also offered. The National Postal Museum is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue North East, Washington, DC 20002, and is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. Bonus: Phillip's Musuem Nestled amidst the exquisite row houses of Dupont Circle, this modern art museum was founded in 1921 within a Georgian Revival mansion that had previously served as Duncan Phillips' family home. The location is a favorite among Washingtonians because it is both sophisticated and intimate. Impressionist and modern art are the main foci of the modern art museum, and it excels in both areas. Renoir's well-known "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and pieces by Georgia O'Keefe, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Richard Diebenkorn are among the highlights of the permanent collection. A single bench is surrounded by four of the abstract expressionist artist's paintings in a small but cozy Rothko Room. In celebration of the centennial of The Phillips Collection, visual artist Daniel Canogar created a digital piece that melds 550 pieces from the museum's collection into a captivating, swirling projection using an algorithm. Wrapping It Up! I hope that this guide has been of help to you in finding the best free museums in DC. Is there more that you want to know? Feel free to scroll down and leave your queries at the bottom of the page. And I will be there to answer them all for you! Read Also: Top 10 National Parks In Oregon That You Need To Explore Tips To Make Your Vacation In Gatlinburg More Enjoyable 6 Things To Know Before You Visit St. George