First Floor Exhibits

First Floor

New

Orchids of Latin America

  • Location: view map
  • January 26, 2013 - April 21, 2013
  • Explore the rich crossroads where orchid botany, horticulture, and Latin American cultures meet. Featuring orchids from the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection, the exhibit looks at the importance of orchids in Latin American folklore and cultural traditions, explores how that region is a hotbed for scientific research on orchid biology and evolution, and highlights conservation efforts to preserve them and their habitats for future generations.

Permanent

African Elephant

African Elephant

  • Location: Rotunda
  • Learn about the social nature of African elephants while pausing at this popular meeting spot.
Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs

  • Location: view map
  • Go back 3.5 billion years to learn about dinosaurs, ancient seas, and fossil mammals and plants.
Mammals

Mammals

  • Location: view map
  • Explore the incredible diversity of mammals in a variety of environments.
Ocean Hall

The Sant Ocean Hall

  • Location: view map
  • Dive into the ocean and our unparalleled scientific collections.
Human Origins

Human Origins

  • Location:view map
  • Learn how humans evolved over six million years in response to a changing world.
African Voices

African Voices

  • Location: view map
  • Examine the diversity, dynamism, and global influence of Africa's peoples and cultures.