Maps of Movies
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Where Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
The Smithsonian is Washington's, but most of its battle was built in a Vancouver studio
View on the map
Scenes and places
Larry's old museum in New York (2009)
Larry, now a businessman, drops in on the museum and learns that most of its exhibits are about to be shipped to Washington. Then a panicked call from his tiny cowboy friend sends him south.
Set in American Museum of Natural History — Larry's old workplace, where the exhibits he knows are being packed up. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The huge natural history museum on the Upper West Side, home of the series' exhibits.
Filmed at American Museum of Natural History, New York — Scenes were shot here in August 2008. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Arriving at the Smithsonian (2009)
Larry reaches Washington and talks his way in as a night guard, to reach the archives where his friends are held.
Set in Smithsonian Institution Building (the Castle) — The red sandstone building on the National Mall that stands for the Smithsonian. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The Smithsonian's first building, opened in the 1850s and used as its headquarters.
Filmed at Smithsonian Castle, Washington, D.C. — One news report names the Castle among the real Washington locations; the Wikipedia article says only that select scenes were filmed inside the Smithsonian. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The archives and Kahmunrah's lair (2009)
In the archives Larry finds his friends trapped by the pharaoh Kahmunrah, who wants the tablet's power to conquer the world.
Set in Smithsonian archives (underground storage) — A vast storage complex under the museums where the New York exhibits are held.
A fictional storage complex; no real address exists for it.
Filmed at Vancouver Film Studios, Burnaby — Interiors for the archives are attributed to sets at Vancouver Film Studios by a single museum-travel site; no on-location source. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Inside the V-J Day photograph (2009)
Larry and Amelia Earhart slip into a famous photograph to lose Kahmunrah's soldiers.
Set in V-J Day in Times Square photograph — The 1945 photograph, which the characters enter as a place of its own.
No filming location is documented for the photograph scene.
The Lincoln Memorial (2009)
On their way across the Mall, the statue of Abraham Lincoln comes to life and takes Larry and Amelia for a couple.
Set in Lincoln Memorial — The marble temple on the Mall where the giant statue of Lincoln sits. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The 1922 memorial at the west end of the National Mall.
Filmed at Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. — A scene was shot here on the night of May 21, 2008. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The National Air and Space Museum (2009)
Larry and Amelia reach the museum, where he has to stop every rocket and aircraft from taking off, and meet historic aviators along the way.
Set in National Air and Space Museum — The Smithsonian's aviation and spaceflight museum on the Mall. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The most visited of the Smithsonian museums, home to the original Wright Flyer.
Filmed at National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. — One news report says many scenes were shot at the Air and Space Museum; which ones is not stated, and a studio set may also be involved. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The Gate of the Underworld (2009)
Kahmunrah opens the Gate and summons warriors from the Underworld, drawing every exhibit into a battle.
Set in Smithsonian main building, the Gate — The place inside the Smithsonian where Kahmunrah opens the Gate.
No real address exists for this set.
Filmed at Vancouver Film Studios, Burnaby — The showdown is attributed to a studio set by a single travel site; no on-location source. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Back at the Natural History Museum (2009)
The story returns to the New York museum where it began.
Set in American Museum of Natural History — The New York museum where the exhibits live. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The museum's Roosevelt Rotunda and halls double as the film's home base.
Filmed at American Museum of Natural History, New York — Scenes were shot here in August 2008. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Characters
- Larry Daley — A former museum night guard turned inventor who rushes to Washington to save his friends.
- Amelia Earhart — A wax figure of the aviator who helps Larry through the Smithsonian.