What’s Up

Investigating Orchids

Not only are orchids studied at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland, they thrive on the 3,000-acre grounds, which, for the first time, are open to the public Monday through Saturday.

Stampede

This 1868 stamp is worth $935,000. No kidding. It’s the rarest U.S. issue. Just two exist. See one at the Postal Museum through September.

Origins of Ecotourism

Lured by romantic landscapes, 19th-century nature lovers flocked to Yosemite, Niagara Falls and the Catskills. Travel-related ephemera and paintings (including an 1873 Winslow Homer) are at New York City's Cooper-Hewitt until October 22.

Go With the Floe

"Antarctica can't be tamed," writes Joan Myers, who photographed a water-carved iceberg off the Antarctic Peninsula from an inflatable raft in 2003. Her oh-so-cool images are at the National Museum of Natural History through July 23.

Native Beauty

Form surpasses function? 400 objects from 11 Pacific Coast tribes become exquisite artworks at the American Indian Museum, to January 2.

Kids With Cameras

Elementary students in Southeast Washington, D.C. captured decisive moments, including refreshing takes on the national pastime. At the Anacostia Museum through August 27.

Beth Py-Lieberman | | READ MORE

Senior editor Beth Py-Lieberman is the author of the The Object at Hand: Intriguing and Inspiring Stories from the Smithsonian Collections.