One critic described it as "middle Mussolini, early Ramses, and late Neiman-Marcus." Another called it an architectural "natural disaster."

A nostalgic bibliographic gem.

Need a hardcopy of the 50-title Code of Federal Regulations? This is the place.

The "lovely red Vega" of the legendary record-settling pilot.

The actual model from the original "Star Trek" series is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

Fittingly, America's museum of architecture is itself a magnificently designed old building.

Washington's iconic carousel has a nice piece of Civil Rights history.

Home to items never before seen by the public.

A portal into the bricked up canal that runs through the heart of Washington D.C.

The most decorated dog of World War I is preserved in the Smithsonian.

Legend has it that President Grant’s frequent drinking in the lobby gave rise to the term “lobbyist.”

The bank that helped fund the Mexican-American War and the purchase of Alaska met its downfall after helping Augusto Pinochet launder money.

The first purpose-built art gallery in the United States is once again open as a center of craft arts.

A wondrous old library overlooking the nation's capital.

A convincing little bit of ancient Egypt smack dab in Richmond, Virginia.

This museum devoted to the gothic author holds such interesting ephemera as his socks and walking stick.

This once-palatial plantation may have been the site where a draft of the Declaration of Independence was written.