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Natural History Travel: The Smithsonian's New Sant Ocean Hall

Where: 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20560
September 24, 2008 at 9:48 AM | by | Comments (2)

Move over giant blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC: You might just be getting replaced by a new, shiner version in DC. September 27 marks the opening of the new Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

At a total cost of $49 million, the Sant's 23,000 square feet are stocked with squid, whales and a 1,500-gallon tank featuring an Indo-Pacific reef with live specimens. Visitors will get to take it all in quite personally with the Sant's "Human Connections" stories which allow you to "become" a fisherman, scientist or, gulp, lawmaker to see how your decisions actually affect the ocean environment around you.

If you're more the sit-back-and-watch type, take in the "Science on a Sphere" room-sized, 360-degree global display system where images and narration will explain ocean systems and their processes.

Created in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Sant's also home to some picture-perfect gems like seven-foot prehistoric shark jaws and giant squid suspended in a fluid-filled tank.

The best perk in today's economy? Admission is totally free--you already paid when you sent in your federal taxes!--and no tickets are required. We might just be first in line at 10 am on Saturday!

Related Stories:
· National Museum of Natural History [Official Site]
· Museums coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Smithsonian Institution]

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Smithsonians

That's what's great about the DC Smithsonian museums...they're ALL free! All 19 of them!
philadelphiaguy on September 24, 2008 at 10:25 AM #Permalink

OK sounds kinda cool

but still, you can't beat that blue whale. He's just so awesome.
BS on September 24, 2008 at 10:29 AM #Permalink

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