Smithsonian (Washington Metro)

Infobox Station
name = Smithsonian

logo_size = 50px

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image_size =
image_caption =
address = 1200 Independence Avenue, Southwest
Washington, D.C. 20004
line =
other =
platform = 2 side platforms
tracks = 2
parking =
bicycle = 2 racks
passengers = 4.549 million
pass_year = 2006
pass_percent = 2
opened = July 1, 1977
rebuilt =
ADA = Yes
code = D02
owned = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
zone =
services =
mpassengers =

Smithsonian is a Washington Metro station in Washington, D.C., on the Blue and Orange Lines. It will also serve the planned Silver Line. The station is located near the center of the National Mall. The station's south entrance is at the southwest corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street, Southwest, the street elevator is at the northwest corner of the same intersection, and the north entrance is on the south side of the Mall near Jefferson Drive, Southwest.

The station is named for its proximity to the Smithsonian Institution's museums and is close to the Washington Monument, the Tidal Basin and other tourist attractions on and near the National Mall. The station is also near several federal office buildings, including those of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy.

Service began on July 1, 1977. Near this station, Metro had its first fatality, which occurred on January 13, 1982 when a train derailed. On the same day, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. The two events closed the federal government in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Smithsonian station has been closed all day on the Fourth of July since 2002, as its north entrance is within the secure perimeter established around the National Mall during Independence Day events.

Notable places nearby

* Several Federal Government buildings, including:
** Bureau of Engraving and Printing
** United States Department of Agriculture
** United States Department of Energy
* National Mall
* Several Smithsonian museums, nearest are:
** Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
** Arts and Industries Building
** Freer Gallery
** Hirshhorn Museum
** National Museum of African Art
** National Museum of American History
** National Museum of Natural History
** Smithsonian Institution Building (The "Castle")
* Tidal Basin (where the cherry blossoms bloom)
* United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
* Washington Monument

Bus routes

Metrobus
* 13A, 13B, 13F, 13G
* 52, 53
* V7, V9Loudoun County Commuter Bus
* Loudoun CountyOmniRide Commuter Bus
* OmniRide

External links

* WMATA: [http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/Stations/station.cfm?station=54 Smithsonian Station]
* StationMasters Online: [http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/SMITHSON/smithson.html Smithsonian Station]
* The Schumin Web Transit Center: [http://transit.schuminweb.com/rail/washington/blue-line.asp?station=D02 Smithsonian Station]
* The Mall Entrance (North Entrance) is at coordinates coord|38|53|20.7|N|77|1|42.2|W|type:railwaystation|display=inline,title
* The Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW Entrance (South Entrance) is at coordinates coord|38|53|14.7|N|77|1|42.6|W|type:railwaystation
* The Street Elevator Entrance is at coordinates coord|38|53|15.90|N|77|1|42.75|W|type:railwaystation