National Geographic Museum

Founded in 1890 by local patricians, the Geographic has funded nearly 6,000 exploration and research projects to destinations from China to Peru and pole to pole. The National Geographic Museum hosts changing exhibitions on subjects as diverse as Real Pirates: the Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship, and Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution. The adjacent Grosvenor Auditorium hosts traditional illustrated lectures by explorers, but also presents international concerts and videos, and even beer tastings.
Filled with hands-on, science-oriented exhibits for the younger visitor, this museum-from-the-magazine also offers free family programs each Friday morning.