This post provides information about visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC. (We also have a post for the Dulles location).
We include details about how to get here, when you can visit, exhibits to see, security checks, and more.
Let's get started!
OVERVIEW
The Air and Space Museum is a Smithsonian museum located on the National Mall, and it’s entirely free to visit.
The attraction will be open DAILY 10am-530pm. Tickets are Required. (see below)
There are several exhibits on display here covering some of the most notable moments of aviation history in the United States.
Since it’s located on the National Mall, the National Air and Space Museum isn’t too difficult to find, but you can always check our section on how to get there for step-by-step instructions.
HOW TO GET TICKETS TO THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
As the newly refurbished museum is just reopening, timed tickets are required to enter.
You may reserve tickets here, released on specific dates. or join us for a name-your-own-price tour of the museum!
You may enter up to one hour after your timed tickets. If you are unable to get tickets for your desired date, same-day tickets are released at 830am.
Visitors to the Smithsonian museums should expect “airport-style” security screening, meaning metal detectors for all guests and X-Ray machines for bags.
This could add up to 15 minutes to get through security, and during the busy school season possibly even longer.
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms or ammunition
- Knives (including pen, pocket, or “Swiss Army”-style knives)
- Aerosol cans (including pepper spray and Mace)
- Scissors
- Tools (screwdrivers, awls, etc.)
- Placards, signs, or banners
- Pets (except service animals)
- Wagons (collapsible and fixed wheel)
In addition to the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall, there is actually a second branch located at the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport.
However, it can be a little challenging to reach, making it an attraction better suited for someone with a car or other means to visit.
If you want to know more, please read our post covering the Udvar-Hazy Center.
GETTING HERE
The main museum is located on Independence Ave SW, between 4th and 7th streets. If you are taking the Metro, the closest stop is the L’Enfant Plaza Station.
Follow signs leading to the Maryland Avenue exit and take the escalators up. Once you are on the street, you will be at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and 7th Street, NW. At the intersection, turn right.
The Museum is one block away, but the entrance is on Jefferson Drive, one more block up. Then turn right on Jefferson Drive to get to the entrance.
You can also use many of the hop-on / hop-off bus companies to get around town – all of which have stops at or near the Air and Space Museum.
If you are driving, street parking is limited and is usually only 2-3 hour spots, so be sure to read the sign before you leave your vehicle.
WHEN TO VISIT
March-July is the busiest time of the year for DC. With Spring Break and school letting out, this is the time when most families and school tours visit. This means longer lines and crowded exhibits.
Saturday afternoon is one of the busiest times to visit.
We suggest visiting this museum on a weekday.
If you want to avoid crowds, we suggest planning a visit to the museum for the off-peak season (January-February and September-December.)
Typical weekdays during the high months will be a little more manageable, especially if you arrive when the museum opens at 10 am.
Opening Hours
- Daily
- 10am - 530pm
- Admission is Free
How Long to Spend at the Museum
The National Air and Space Museum has many galleries exhibiting hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts, as well as a planetarium and an IMAX theater - however during renovations only 8 of them are open.
Your timed tickets do not limit how much time you may spend at the museum, but you are not allowed to exit and re-enter.
With so many things to see and do, we recommend budgeting at least 2 hours to see the museum.
GUIDED TOURS
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry! we’re here to help with our tour of the Air and Space Museum.
Whether you’re simply unsure which path to take or want to breeze through the museum with efficiency, a private tour is a perfect way to get the most out of your visit. You can book a private tour with us.
Once you’re done with the museum, enjoy exploring the rest of DC with one of our walking tours.
The National Mall and Capitol Hill tours are both nearby and are a great way to continue exploring Washington, DC.
EXHIBITS
Please note that until 2025 there will be rolling closures as the entire Air and Space Museum undergoes renovations to the decades-old building and exhibits.
America by Air
Look up as you enter or see a better view from the second-floor overview.
Make sure you head over to the Museum's Planetarium where you'll see the full-size T-70 X-wing used in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hanging from the ceiling.
On the opposite end of the main hall, Jackie Cochran's T-38 is on display - the plane that she flew to create eight different records in 1961.
Exploring the Planets
In this exhibit, you'll find three versions of the Mars rovers, huge models of planets to explore the different worlds orbiting the Sun.
The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age
The original 1903 Wright Flyer is the centerpiece of the exhibit that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Explore the beginning of flight with over 250 photographs and 150 artifacts that includes a reproduction of the Wright Brothers’ 1899 experimental kite.
Destination Moon
Destination Moon celebrates the first lunar landing in 1969 and beyond.
The exhibit is here with one-of-a-kind artifacts from the historic mission, including Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit.
It showcases the incredible exploration of the Moon, from the Moon race of the 1960s and 1970s to what is going on today.
Nation of Speed
The need for speed! Explore our desire to be fast - on air, water, land, and space. See two motorcycles that set land speeds 100 years apart.
In 1907, Glenn Curtis went 136 mph on a V8 and in 2018, Erin Sills rode her BMW S 1000 RR exceeded 219 mph.
One World Connected
Look out the International Space Station's cupola to see how astronauts observe Earth.
Early Flight
After the Wright Brothers powered flight, the world took to creating an industry around aviation. See how flying machines that were once only dreams became reality.
