WASHINGTON, DC.- The Smithsonian Institution will launch a new Web site Feb. 1 designed to help travelers maximize their time and enhance their experience in the nation’s capital by developing a personalized itinerary defined by their own interests and schedules. goSmithsonian.com is the only site that aggregates and organizes information about the 17 Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and the downtown area. Visitors will be able to use it to navigate the city’s rich collection of museum artifacts and landmarks with the click of a mouse. The newly redesigned printed guide (formerly MySmithsonian) also will be available and downloadable from the site.

"For the first time, we will be able to offer the 23 million visitors to Smithsonian museums and other visitors to the Washington area a dynamic, comprehensive collection of information before, during and after their National Mall experience with the goSmithsonian resource," said Smithsonian Publishing President Thomas Ott.

goSmithsonian.com will enable users to explore the National Mall and learn about programs available to them during their time in the city and will offer virtual tours of specific collections and exhibitions of Smithsonian’s museums and National Zoo—all from the comfort of the user’s own desktop. An interactive itinerary feature will help users add the museums and events presented on the Web site to their own personal itinerary, adjusting for museum hours and overlaps of concurrent lectures, tours and other programming. Printable floor plans, maps and schedules will help make each personal itinerary complete.

goSmithsonian.com also will locate local hotels, attractions, shopping, transportation and dining options and provide a booking engine to assist in reserving air, car and lodging accommodations. Additions to the site will include a community area—allowing visitors share stories, recommendations and trip photographs—and featured newsletters to keep visitors abreast of Smithsonian events in their own community.