S. Dillon Ripley Center Museum
Smithsonian research and visitor center on National Mall
On Washington's National Mall, the Smithsonian's S. Dillon Ripley Center hosts rotating exhibitions, event spaces and an international gallery; visitors use it for special shows and as an entry point to the Smithsonian complex.
S. Dillon Ripley Center at a Glance#
Address: 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC
Website: https://www.si.edu/visit/ripley-center
Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00am-5:30pm (may vary with Mall events)
Admission: Free
How to Get to S. Dillon Ripley Center#
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., near the Smithsonian Castle and National Museum of Natural History. Accessible on foot from most Mall museums and via Smithsonian Metro station (Blue/Orange/Silver lines).
Tips for Visiting S. Dillon Ripley Center#
- Check the Ripley Center calendar for Smithsonian seminars and lunchtime events that use the center's auditorium spaces.
- The Ripley Center is a convenient place to pick up visitor information and maps for the National Mall and nearby Smithsonian museums.
- If interested in the Castle and East Garden, the Ripley Center often coordinates tours and information desks.
Best Time to Visit S. Dillon Ripley Center#
Open year-round; best used as a planning hub before visiting nearby museums, especially outside peak spring weeks.
Weather & Climate near S. Dillon Ripley Center#
S. Dillon Ripley Center's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1041 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 6° | -2° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 9° | 0° | 69 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 2° - 13° | 5° | 91 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 20° | 13° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 25° | 19° | 103 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 87 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 101 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 95 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 94 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 9° - 21° | 15° | 82 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
