Two garages that always have available spaces, are within walking distance of the museums, and are well-priced are the garages at Union Station and at the Ronald Reagan Building. The rate at Union Station for 2-10 hours is $20 and for 10-24 hours is $24.

Parking in Washington, D.C. near the National Mall and Smithsonian museums can be a significant challenge, but there are a few "best" strategies depending on your budget and tolerance for walking. For those arriving early, there is limited metered street parking along Madison and Jefferson Drives, directly on the Mall; however, these spots are highly competitive and usually have a three-hour limit. A more reliable option is the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center parking garage, which is centrally located and offers a large, secure underground facility within walking distance of the Museum of Natural History and American History. Another excellent choice is the Union Station parking garage, which is spacious and provides easy access to the Capitol and the Postal Museum. Many frequent visitors recommend using parking apps like SpotHero or ParkWhiz to reserve a spot in a garage in the Penn Quarter or Chinatown areas, which are about a 10-15 minute walk from the Mall. Given the congestion in D.C., the most "stress-free" method is often parking at a suburban Metro station and taking the train directly to the Smithsonian or Archives stations.