Smithsonian Magazine

Smithsonian Magazine: popular science coverage of history, science and culture

Smithsonian Magazine is a periodical published in the United States that presents itself as one of the country's leading news magazines. Its content is organized around history, archaeology, science, innovation, the arts and culture, with in-depth articles and current affairs reports. The magazine combines a print edition with a website that publishes daily.

Sections and editorial lines

The outlet's structure includes regular sections such as Smart News, Latest Features, Most Popular, Special Report, Photo of the Day and America at 250: The Revolutionary Spark. Smart News gathers short items on current scientific and cultural affairs; Latest Features groups the longer articles; and Special Report brings together themed instalments, such as the special marking the 250th anniversary of the American nation. The At the Smithsonian section connects readers with research, exhibitions and collections from the Smithsonian museums.

Frequently covered topics

Among the subjects appearing in the material analysed are archaeology and heritage — from finds at sites to the reconstruction of prehistoric technologies —, palaeontology and biology, astronomy and space exploration, technological innovation and health, as well as American and European history. The magazine also publishes features on art, photography, travel and historical figures, and maintains a prominent presence of documentary and nature photography.

Formats and editorial products

In addition to its articles, Smithsonian Magazine produces a podcast titled There's More to That, in which the magazine's journalists explain how they research the topics they publish. The site includes a video section and a daily photography selection, Photo of the Day. The publication also offers email newsletters with different frequencies: a daily one with the latest stories, a bi-weekly one on travel and culture, another bi-weekly one on history, a monthly one on science and another focused on news from the Smithsonian museums.

Subscription and print edition

The magazine sells subscriptions and single issues, and keeps its print edition active with regular issues, such as the one corresponding to September/October 2026. Among the promotional offers featured on the site is a free tote bag with a subscription. The newsletters are managed through Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

Connection with the Smithsonian institution

The publication draws on the network of Smithsonian museums and institutes and includes content from its centres, such as the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery, the Anacostia Community Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives and the National Zoo. This connection is reflected in the Smithsonian Voices section and in coverage of exhibitions, research and anniversaries of those institutions.