ALEXANDRIA. The unique heritage of Alexandria and the surrounding areas is studied in-depth at this museum. The continually updated museum features artifacts that take visitors back 10,000 years. Learn about how archaeologists are continuing to make new discoveries that allow us to see history in a new way. Look for maps, photos, historic study records, and more. Several exhibits are devoted to the importance of conservation. Kid-friendly Discovery Kits are a hit with younger visitors. METRO: King Street

ANACOSTIA. Housed in a former Civil War fortress, this community museum broke new ground by combining art outreach programs with museum installations. It seeks to both "influence and archive" the culture of the community, and since its inception in 1967, it has honed in more closely on African-American culture and heritage. The museum is also unique in that it doesn't collect just physical artifacts, but stories and accounts in the oral tradition to develop a more comprehensive cultural view. METRO: Smithsonian

ANNAPOLIS. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is more than a state capital: The Treaty of Paris was ratified here in 1784, and the city even served as the nation's capital for a year. And yet, Annapolis is no staid museum exhibit. Naval Academy midshipmen and students from St. John's University impart a youthful vigor to the city. Its restaurants stand poised with cold brews and delicious blue-crab cakes. Boating, yachting and summertime festivals attract folks to the City Dock all year long. Charming and perennially welcoming, Annapolis is great for a day trip or a journey into the past.

NATIONAL MALL. Physician Arthur Sackler was fascinated by all things Asian, and the museum that bears his name is a magnificent showcase for the works that he painstakingly collected. Highlights of Sackler's collection include Chinese jades and bronzes, while the Vever Collection consists of an extremely rare collection of Islamic manuscripts from the 11th century through the 19th century. Japanese prints and portraits are also presented here, and the ImaginAsia program brings the East to life for children of all ages. METRO: Smithsonian

ALEXANDRIA. The entire African-American experience is explored at this well-organized museum and educational institute. Made up of a library, reading room, and a heritage park, the facility focuses on the lasting legacies and continuing contributions made by black Americans to Virginia and to the US. This is an excellent place to learn about slavery, abolition and civil rights, and much more, with exhibits stretching from the late 1700s to today. METRO: Braddock Road