Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum image

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Science museum National museum

One of the Most Revieweds in Washington


Address

600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560

Website

airandspace.si.edu

Contact

(202) 633-2214

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (40.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (118) space (54) free (33) tickets (32) exhibits (30) time (28) visit (26) great (23) history (21) experience (21)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 C H. 1 year ago on Google
    All of this incredible aeronautical history for free! The Smithsonian museums are such a gift. We went with our 4 kids aged 6 to 12 and they all had a great time. There’s something for everyone whether you’re a total science enthusiast or someone who doesn’t normally have much interest in this kind of thing. This is just a great family friendly activity. And did I mention that like all the Smithsonian museums at the National Mall, the museum is free?!
    16 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin W. 3 months ago on Google • 586 reviews New
    It is partially opened again. Still terrific. It has some additional features, but it is the same Air and Space Museum you have visited if you've been there in the last 30 years. The planet section has a real cool immersive video room from various planetary missions. If you can get a docent, I highly recommend that as well.

  • 5/5 Alex L. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum to stroll around for a few hours. As others mentioned, there are some exhibits that are closed so I wouldn't treat this place as a main attraction to visit, museum wise. However, it is a great learning experience if your unfamiliar with USA space history and the early history of flight. Great crash course here. Definitely recommend if your in the Greater DC area. This museum is free admission as it's your federal tax dollars hard at work. They do have donation bins throughout the museum as well if you feel inclined to contribute.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Micah W. 2 months ago on Google • 156 reviews New
    Note: This museum is still undergoing renovations, and half of the museum is closed. If you have the option of waiting until it opens, I’d strongly recommend it. Advanced tickets are also required at this location. They are free, but can be hard to get at popular times. Definitely get your tickets early if you are planning to come on a holiday or other busy time. Finally, there’s also a Dulles location that is much larger with more exhibitions. If you’re picking between the two, I’d definitely go with the Dulles location. It’s less crowded and way cooler.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Serena L. 1 year ago on Google
    We got in on Oct 15th, 2022, which was the second day after reopening. A lot of people but not too bad. - no mandatory mask. - you need timed ticket reserved in advance. If you arrive after the reserved time, don’t worry you could go in immediately. If you are early, you need to wait outside. - right now, weekend tickets are booked out for 2+ weeks, but weekdays have plenty of tickets. - We arrived around 11AM, there were still plenty of parking spaces across the street, surprisingly! When we left around 3PM, no space at all. Plan accordingly if you drive. - The museum is brand new! Stunning designs and exhibitions. Obviously we didn’t finish most of them within 4 hours, but we love everything we observed, read, touched and experienced. I HIGHLY recommend study their website, there’s tons of information, and I particularly love the “stories” under “Explore”, very educational while interesting. I keep reading the articles for 3 hours the day after! - also don’t forget check their events / activities/festivals, like monthly Family day. It seems very entertaining for the whole family (we haven’t attend any of them but plan to). - the Mars cafe is good, not crowded at all, easy to order and find a table. and has some nutritious & delicious choices as well as some kids favorites. Restroom is super clean! Overall, we absolutely love our experience and will come back as soon as we can! Thank you so much NASM for your great efforts!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark H. 9 months ago on Google
    This museum is just stunning. Sadly only half of it was open. The museum was extremely interactive. Weather your exploring the space capsules from the 20th century, taking photos of military jets, and feeling the vibration from a 1950s airliner the museum has something fun to offer for everyone. Seeing the cockpit of the 747 and all the planes on the wall made my jaw certainly drop. I loved seeing all of the planes from the early 1900s and seeing how we got to the modern aviation we have today. Great experience for everyone.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa S. 7 months ago on Google
    I am totally shocked that this museum, along with the other ones I have visited while staying in DC, is free (with the exception of the planetarium). This place is truly fantastic. It has so much to see, some of which are interactive. The exhibits are well maintained, organized, and clean. My favorite exhibit was that of all the planes. I thought it was so cool to see the very first "flying car" that was ever created. Word to the wise though....even though this museum is free, you do need a timed ticket to enter. Don't be discouraged for the long lines as they move rather quickly, and you can be inside the museum within 10-15 minutes after your timed ticket. They have a cafe and gift shop that is definitely worth checking out. Overall, this place is great for all ages, and it could really bring out the nerd in all of us.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mary 4 months ago on Google • 119 reviews
    While visiting, I found that more than half of the venue was under construction, which was a bit disappointing. However, the accessible portions were quite fascinating. The exhibit provided a comprehensive journey through the history of aviation, starting from the Wright Brothers’ early airplanes and progressing to modern super-fast jets. The variety of unique exhibitions added to the intrigue, showcasing various aspects of aeronautical advancements. Additionally, there was an interesting section dedicated to the history of sports in the U.S., which was an unexpected but enjoyable inclusion.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Stephen H. 11 months ago on Google
    Possibly the most extraordinary museum in the world, I would think this museum alone a worthy destination of the transatlantic trip but the entire experience is brought low by the way in which it is currently managed. The refurbishment that’s currently underway limits the awe factor but it’s still there. About 8 rooms, four of these are above-average quality of content but the space related rooms and Moon exploration are quite simply extraordinary. The objects are wonderfully exhibited and you often sense that you are in a world-class, premiere museum. Despite that, I couldn’t quite rise above the experience of passing through the Smithsonian facility on a busy, rainy day. Access to seating is very limited given the size of the crowd; it was very difficult to get overpriced food and a struggle to find the space to eat it (I gave up). The museum store/shop is very large but very expensive. Entry to the museum is currently allotted by the hour and we joined a block-long line in the rain with tickets that required being booked two months in advance. Attendant staff seemed passive and tired or just grumpy, while the few curatorial staff we encountered seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the crowd. The collection here is unique and inspirational , containing touchstones of the most inspirational moments in human history, but limited by the exhibition space and feels cramped. Sharing that space with such a crowd is tiring. I brought my children for my first return since I was a child in 1982 and I often struggled to maintain enthusiasm. We enjoyed the Udvar-Hazy facility much more.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John H. 6 months ago on Google
    This is a very popular, free to the public, Smithsonian museum. Timed tickets are required for entry but easy to acquire online. You can easily spend the whole day here exploring all the exhibits. Half of the museum is closed for renovations right now. What is accessible is interesting, well maintained, and well displayed. Navigating the museum is fairly simple and easy. There's a cafe on-site with food options. There's also a gift shop with many fun items. Don't forget to buy and try some freezed dried ice cream; I remembered this as a child. There's also a planetarium on-site offering movies for a fee. We watched "Worlds Beyond Earth". I thought it was educational and worth the experience. There's 2 levels of exhibits and a lower small one operating the Mars Cafe, gift shop, and restrooms. This museum is educational and fun for the whole family to enjoy.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James S. 1 year ago on Google
    What an awesome incredible museum. So interactive and just tons to do! We spent 2 hours just walking around and seeing all the planes. Some of the coolest things are the two planes that you can walk inside and also the whole exhibit showcasing the Apollo missions. Seriously can’t wait for the whole museum to open. It’s an absolute must do even with half open. 10 out of 10 Ill be back.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Cat L. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a must see for everyone! This museum is huge! It encompasses this history of aviation in America and around the world. That particular day the museum was super crowded yet we were able to navigate it due to its size and organization of the exhibits. In regards to being accessible it was well laid out and accessible for my scooter. The bathrooms were also easy to navigate. My one complaint is that they have a scattered array of benches. In some areas there are more than enough and in others there are no where near enough for those that may need to take a break and sit down. My favorite exhibit was the one on the space ship. I also like how they have ramps all throughout the building to be able to see the air craft from all levels. Two other areas that could improve are the fact that they do not have any cafe or place to have lunch. You can get popcorn and soda if you are seeing one of the IMAX movies. You could literally spend all day here and it would be nice if there is a place where you could get a small lunch. Also, they had a private event going on and had an area blocked off where visitors should be able to see. We literally had to go around the entire building to get to the other side. They could’ve made a path for visitors to get through without having to run a marathon to see everything. This really is a great place to visit and it’s pretty amazing that these exhibits are over flow from the other museum.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandy Hoegg (Brandy H. 2 years ago on Google
    What a great museum in the city to enjoy. If you love history and space, you should definitely check out the museum. A lot of exhibits were closed, however there was still plenty to do including watching the Discovery launch, touching a piece of the moon, reading about what happens to your body when you go to space, seeing space toilets, and different countries astronaut gear. There is an interactive exhibit where you can choose to ride in a space ship and complete a VR( virtual reality) experience, fly your own craft or ride a roller coaster… the prices for this ranged from $8.00 to $12.00 per person. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and get your very own space suit, hat or mission patches for your backpack!! No tickets are required, however we waited an hour and a half in line to get into the museum.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alic W. 2 years ago on Google
    The museum is undergoing renovations and will at some point be closed down until late 2022. Many exhibits have already been removed, cafeteria is not functional. The line to get into the museum wraps around the building, taking 45 minutes to get into the building. It's a long, cold wait, so be prepared. Inside you will find a good narrative of the Wright brother's accomplishments, a kid's section on how we fly, old (many of them Soviet) space modules, rockets and parts, and an excellent hall dedicated to navigation on Earth and in space. The driving/flying simulator is worth visiting (and waiting 30 minutes for); it costs 8-12$, depending on the choice of a ride. I suggest the flight simulator after a few beers, as you can flip it around full 360 degrees and have a lot of fun. Here's hoping that the new and improved museum will bring its exhibits into the 21st century in late 2022!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dragan A. 2 years ago on Google
    I'm very grateful that I had a chance to visit this amazing Museum. Being able to see the remaining from the Apollo 11 mission and the landing on the moon, makes me very happy. This museum has very much to offer, plenty of airplanes and rockets, lot of history from the development of aircrafts. You can definitely learn a lot and be entertained. I highly recommend you to put this on your list while you are in Washington DC
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justine V. 7 months ago on Google
    I give this 5 stars for being free but it would get 4 if I had to pay to enter due to the fact that you cannot enter even a minute before your scheduled time and it took 7 minutes in a queue before we could enter the building. Standing in line in the brutal sun is no joke. I highly recommend coming 20 or more minutes after your entrance time (you can come up to an hour later). The other issue is that there are very few places to sit. Saw lots of people sitting on the floor. Aside from these negatives, it's a great little museum. 1-2 hours is plenty of time to see everything and read tons and tons. I enjoyed reading the brief period of the Wright brothers' success and their home life. Large gift store inside and even a place to get personalized dog tags. A few interactive exhibits but not a ton for younger kids. One last thing, make sure to reserve in advance! Our whole weekend here in DC was during a very unbusy weekend but this place was packed and sold out.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sakina D. 1 year ago on Google
    A lovely gift to the city of Washington. Its a 2 floor museum with a cafe on the ground floor. The tickets are free but need to be taken. I want to say Huge section of the museum is closed for renovation and I took around 4 hours to visit the museum. Its very informative , presentable and interactive place even the kids can enjoy it. You can see the first as well as the lasts of things used in space. The Planetarium section have two movies which are paid but it is worth an experience I would say. The movies are short around 25 minutes. The gift store is pretty huge and have different merch available in variety of products. Highly recommended museum for all age groups.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert F. 1 year ago on Google
    This museum is one of the best, if not the best aerospace museum in the country. The planetarium and only about half of the exhibits are open. The rest of the exhibits are under renovation. Even for just half of the museum, its well worth a visit. The museum has free admission, though timed tickets are required. It's located on independence mall in Washington DC. Parking is available in a lot nearby. It's not too far from the Washington Metro
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mahjabeen R. 2 months ago on Google • 114 reviews New
    The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in DC is an awe-inspiring experience for aviation and space enthusiasts. The extensive collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the Wright brothers' plane and Apollo 11 command module, provides a captivating journey through the milestones of flight. The museum's engaging exhibits, informative displays, and well-curated artifacts make it a must-visit destination. The accessibility of the museum and its free admission further enhance its appeal. Overall, it's a fascinating tribute to the history and future of aviation and space exploration.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy S. 1 month ago on Google • 31 reviews New
    This was by far one of the coolest things we’ve done in DC. We took our kids—ages 7, 9, 12, & 14–and we all loved it. The biggest downsides were: (1) the day we went was super-crowded, and (2) we had already been to another museum, so we maxed out on walking around looking at exhibits faster than we would’ve if we would have started here. There are so many exhibits and so much information. Everywhere you turn is something else intriguing. I could hardly believe that we were looking at the actual aircraft/spacecraft from stories we’ve heard about all our lives. It was truly amazing. We especially loved the Wright Brothers’ exhibit and the entire section with space shuttles and spacesuits on display. And my husband was happy to find the Spirit of St. Louis, which was tucked away in a back corner, but a staff member graciously directed us on how we could see it. We’d love to return and hopefully try to schedule it for a less busy time (seriously, the crowds inside were very stressful at times), but we will also make sure this is the first or only museum we do that day. Highly, highly recommend!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mi S. 7 months ago on Google
    This is a great museum, BUT, the National Museum of US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio is much, much better. If you were impressed by this one you must visit the one in Ohio too. This museum though being smaller still showcases some variety of planes, space modules, planets etc. The best display is definitely the one of space without a doubt. You can see Neil Armstrong space suit, Lunar modules, various tech and memorabilia they used in space exploration - very cool to deep dive in history of that. I’d recommend reserving tickets in advance because I have seen families being turned down at the entrance without their free tickets. There is a huge souvenir shop on site. All in all it was good experience.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca G. 8 months ago on Google
    One of my son’s favorite museums! We had timed tickets for 2 and arrived at 215. It was only a 10 min casual walk from the Hilton at L’Enfant Plaza. About half of the museum is closed for renovations so I didn’t expect to need much time. I was so wrong. We saw two 25 min films in the planetarium (arrive early and sit in the back, you’ll be looking straight up) and for 2 adults and a jr ticket with military discount it was a little over $40. That ended at 325, leaving us with 2 hours and we were rushing to try to get glimpses of each room and the biggest attractions. The cafe closed at 5 so I didn’t see that, but we went to the gift shop 15 min before closing and lemme tell you, and 530- they are pushing you out the door. Politely, but no exceptions. I definitely feel like we left with no regrets. But I’d probably skip the movie, or plan for at least 4 hours.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 K R. 1 year ago on Google
    Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is one of the most popular museums in the world. Admission is free but you have to reserve an”timed” entry online. The displays are amazing, whether you are a science enthusiast or not. You get an insight into the history of American and world aviation. There are exhibits of aircraft’s, spacecraft La, missiles, rockets etc. You can see the Wright brothers 1903 airplane, Apollo 11 command module Columbia, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 space suit, studio model of Star Trek Starship Enterprise etc. If you visiting Washington DC, this a must see experience.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Esther C. 5 months ago on Google
    I highly recommend this place. Suitable for all ages. Entrance to the museum is pre-registration on the website (because most museums in the city are free so require people to book in advance because there is usually a load on the place). There is easy accessibility for strollers. There are several floors and each floor is particularly interesting and there are many new ones that I got to know. There are activities suitable for children (movie or entrance to one of the planes). There is a buffet, the prices are not cheap but it is nice to eat there after finishing your tour of the museum.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gary J. 1 year ago on Google
    Despite only half the museum being open, the amount of information on display will keep you occupied for a few hours. The cafe is rather expensive but tasty. The staff were friendly and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the speed, first flight and Wright Brothers exhibitions. The X-Wing from Star Wars was a bit random but welcome nonetheless. Definitely worth going to but book your tickets in advance.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Da-Wang W. 1 year ago on Google
    We reserved timed entry tickets online when the museum was still partially in renovation. There was still a 10-15 minute to get into the museum but not too bad. The museum has many interesting exhibitions from the invention of airplanes to the space technologies. Highly recommend!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jasmine R. 3 months ago on Google • 150 reviews New
    I absolutely love visiting DC learning for free! You have to get tickets ahead of time to enter the building. The QR code is in front of the building. Pretty cool stuff inside definitely needed more than an hour cool. There was some cool stuff and engaging stuff. Definitely visiting again!

  • 5/5 Javad S. 2 months ago on Google • 72 reviews New
    My visit to the National Air and Space Museum was nothing short of amazing! Witnessing the original Wright brothers' Flyer and Neil Armstrong's space suit was a real game-changer - that's what I call a top-notch experience. The museum is a treasure trove of high-quality exhibits, from futuristic flying car concepts to the iconic Apollo 11 command module and Mars Rovers. Ever seen a Stardust collector? Well, here you can! This probe collects dust from comets, a mind-blowing addition to the collection. Honestly, I can't recall all the fascinating artifacts, but this museum stands out as the best I've ever visited. Pro tip: book your tickets in advance for a seamless experience!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria H. 3 months ago on Google • 144 reviews New
    The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum isn't just a place to see impressive artifacts; it's a place to be inspired. It's a place where children's eyes widen with wonder, and adults rediscover the magic of human achievement. It's a place where you leave with a renewed sense of possibility, knowing that the sky is truly not the limit. This captivating gallery takes you on a mind-bending journey through our solar system, showcasing the wonders of our moon and neighboring planets. Book passes online (check their website) before you go. SPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS!

  • 5/5 Jonathan F. 2 months ago on Google • 49 reviews New
    Out of all the Smithsonian museums this was the one I was most excited to do and boy did it not disappoint. I walked right in on a Friday morning right after opening and stayed busy walking though the museum till about 3 o'clock. There is a ton of stuff to do from getting to see the wright Brothers first plane to seeing all the things it took for us to get men on the moon. There is a vast amount of stuff to do and see especially if you like aviation and space travel. They have a whole section on the planets where you can see copies of the Mars rovers to another section where it covers aviation and domestic flight and how the industry grew to what it is today. When I went in January of 2024 they did have sections of the museum that were being redone so there are things that I probably didn't get to see so I definitely want to go back after construction is finished. The only other thing now is to go do the other part of the Air and Space out by Dulles airport. That's going to be one of my next stops and I can't wait.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anar G. 1 month ago on Google • 102 reviews New
    I visited the museum on a weekday and didn’t have to wait at all which is great. This was my second visit since 2019. Unfortunately some parts of the museum are still undergoing to renovation and we were not able to see the space modules, rockets etc. Someone working there said it will be back to fully open in 2026. Still a nice place to see if you are in the area.

  • 5/5 Amin Z. 4 months ago on Google
    One of the most amazing and attractive places in Washington DC. A great place to take your family. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, is an awe-inspiring tribute to aviation and space exploration. Its vast exhibits showcase historic aircraft, spacecraft, and artifacts, allowing visitors to journey through the remarkable milestones of flight and space travel. From the Wright brothers' plane to the Apollo 11 command module, it's a captivating experience for enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danny V. 4 months ago on Google
    The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is a soaring tribute to humanity's age-old dream of flight and our relentless pursuit of the skies and beyond. Earning a well-deserved 5 stars, this museum encapsulates the very essence of human innovation and the boundless spirit of exploration. From the delicate wings of the Wright brothers' pioneering aircraft to the robust structure of the Space Shuttle Discovery, the museum charts a captivating journey of progress, risk, and innovation. Each exhibit tells a story — tales of ingenuity, determination, and sometimes, breathtaking audacity. Beyond just the hardware, the museum dives deep into the narratives of the men and women who dared to dream, to push boundaries, and to venture into the great unknown. It's awe-inspiring to stand in the presence of these machines and realize the leaps and bounds air and space travel have taken in just over a century. For anyone with even a fleeting interest in flight, space, or the boundless potential of human endeavor, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is a must-visit. It's not just a collection of artifacts, but a testament to how far we've come and a nod to the endless possibilities of where we might go next.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anvik N. 6 months ago on Google
    It was one of the best experiences I have ever had, it was very fun and it was ginormous, I would say the best part is the flight motion simulators since they were very fun but unfortunately they are very expensive to buy tickets for. The gift shop is also very big and everything in there is pretty high quality and is very well made. Even the food there is not bad since there is a shake shack. The only annoying thing was there was barely any parking when I went there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 William H. 6 months ago on Google
    Excellent way to spend 3-4 hours! The museum is going through a renovation, but there is still plenty to see and do. The Apalllo 11 command module was the highlight of my trip! They also have a speed section that is really neat with a Mario Andrey and Richard Petty race car. Also the “shop”. Section has a good ole harbor freight welder up top. Hahaha!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Terry N. 7 months ago on Google
    Awesome place to visit. Be early the line gets ridiculous to get in. You need reservations or you're not getting in. The planetarium is cool. They have free and paid shows you just need to see the counter on the second floor to see which are which. Every exhibit is great fun for kids and adults alike. The item shop is a little expensive but what did you expect from in the middle of DC. In the basement, they have a food court, and continued item shop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bogdan M. 7 months ago on Google
    When visiting Washington, one of our goals was to visit the Air and Space Museum. We did it and we didn't regret it. We saw exhibits related to aviation and the space program that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. There is always not enough time to study everything in detail.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew H. 7 months ago on Google
    An absolutely wonderful museum for families to visit! For the child with an engineer's mind, there are many displays which fascinated my youngest son. My son who loves Star Wars enjoyed the large X Wing hanging from the ceiling. I have a daughter who loves all things space who loved the Moon and Space exhibits. My youngest daughter loved all the hands on displays. I highly recommend a visit to the National Air and Space Museum!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Scott P. 8 months ago on Google
    Wow what a great museum but a couple of things to note. The museum is going through some work so about half is closed to create some new content and you must prebook if you want to visit it’s all free thanks to the American tax payer and regardless of what’s closed it’s still fantastic. Once you have pre booked it’s easy. It’s very roomy and so much to read and see. An absolute treat for any space and air enthusiast
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John W. 8 months ago on Google
    This museum is one of the best I’ve been to. There is so much history and detail in the air and space industry, but the museum does a great job of capturing a ton of it. The planes on display are a stunning work of building masterpiece. My grandfather flew the DC-3 hanging up front and center, so it was really cool to see in person and quite inspiring.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dennis W. 1 year ago on Google
    Best in the world museum. Rarest one of a kind artifacts on display. Only partially open with new galleries being prepared. Need to go online to get free timed tickets. Little too much pop culture that is not aerospace. Dislike the new Speed gallery with cars, motorcycles, boats and other non aviation items.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Casey M. 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice museum dedicated to space and air travel. They have some rockets and space suits along with some cool Wright brothers items. They are currently doing renovations, so many exhibits aren't available now, so it felt a bit light on exhibits. If you are looking for the best museums dedicated to space, I would definitely recommend Kennedy Space Center over this museum, but the fact that it's free makes it a great deal. I think once the renovations and new exhibits are added, it will be a five star place for sure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kathy C. 1 year ago on Google
    During renovation, some of the artifacts are missing. I much prefer the Air and Space Museum in Virginia.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 B E. 1 year ago on Google
    Many different displays and lots of fun artifacts to see and read about.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anthony S. 2 years ago on Google
    Always a good place to check out. The exhibits are good to check out and see firsthand. A few places were roped off when we went. But still had a good time visiting. One of the most convenient museums on the national mall in my opinion.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John S. 1 year ago on Google
    Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is absolutely fantastic! There is so much to see there. We spent over 5 hours and I think we only saw half of what is available even though it looks like a good part of the museum was under renovation. Bring a camera or phone, water and a snack. Tickets are free, but you must reserve them on the website. They let groups in by the time slot they booked. We booked a Monday a few days ahead of time and already the morning entry times were not available. This is my number one must-see in DC! Parking is a challenge. We used a parking garage two blocks away. Cost was $24. Metro stop L'Enfant Plaza is the closest to the museum. Look for the North exit if you can find it! We took the Metro Silver line there another day from Reston, VA.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Joseph W. 1 year ago on Google
    It was not open it was under renovation very disappointed
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan K. 10 months ago on Google
    This was a very cool experience. This is one of the Smithsonian museums you should definitely check out.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Syble B. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited on a weekend. Entry is free, highly recommend to reserve the timed entry. The line to enter went around the building even with tickets, so plan on arriving slightly early of the entry time. The museum is a must visit if you enjoy aircraft, it's history and space. Great place to get kids. Took about 3 hours to go through all the galleries plus 30 mins for the planetarium show (worlds beyond earth). The planetarium tickets can be purchased at the museum itself with no wait times. Overall we had fun and enjoyed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 George S. 2 months ago on Google • 13 reviews New
    I was here on a Saturday afternoon. I absolutely enjoyed every second of it. 1. It is free!! 2. So much to see you and so many fun activities 3. Fast! Even tho when I arrived the line was super long, I only had to wait 5 minutes 4. Crowded but expected to be so 5. Close to a lot of other touristy places Nothing went bad. Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Abram W. 1 month ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    They only allow groups in on the hour of every hour with passes per person, passes are free just get them on your phone, they only let a certain amount of people in with passes to manage the crowd. Half of the museum is under renovation, but there's still plenty to see. Skipping a little bit, it still took me 3 hours to get a good look at what was open. Will definitely be going back to see the rest! There's an S&P parking garage that's a 7 minute walk away $20 to park all day. Near plenty of food options.

  • 5/5 Rich T. 1 year ago on Google
    You can get a lot of things for free. Agro from the neighbours, sunburn, the clap, verruca's and the flu. However this.....THIS beats them all. Hands down, no argument it is just fab! And you don't have to pay! God bless Washington. God bless America and God bless the Smithsonian accountants that calculate that they can let you in for nowt. Visit it people. If you take no notice of me whatsoever in anything else, take note of this.

  • 5/5 Alan V. 1 year ago on Google
    A must visit in DC. A spectacular (free) exhibition of exceptional engineering and science that enabled humans to air transportation possible and explore space. Plan to spend at least 90 minutes, and if you really want to see the 15+ real life sized planes and visit the planetarium or IMAX theaters, then allot 3 hours. They also have science sections where you can play and see how various things actually work. The section on aviation pioneers is also definitely worth a visit. They have eateries and multiple restrooms inside (Visited in August 2019).

  • 5/5 Ganindu M. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely a wonderful place to go through the development and astonishing discoveries in the Aviation industry and space exploration. You literally can just walk through the meuseum in 3-4 hrs but it would definitely take an entire session of the day to go through it worthfully. There are enough and more informative leaflets and virtual experience inside the meuseum. I loved walking inside the space shuttle and Touching the moonstone fragments. 😁

  • 4/5 Nik K. 2 years ago on Google
    Going through a renovation so many areas are closed off and displays have been removed. It’s Great to see the our proud history of space travel and it was intriguing but far from my favorite museum. Talk to the guides. They are a wealth of information and very interesting facts.

  • 3/5 Mark D. 1 year ago on Google
    first, make sure to get your free ticket in advance, you go on their website put in the day and time you were going and they email you a barcode. They have some one a kind stuff, that's for sure. But, the rest of the museum will not be open until 2025. With that said as an aviation enthusiast it's hard to walk around when bus loads of tourists are just walking through the place with no interest in what they are looking at getting in the way. They do have a speed area with cars that is very popular it seems like. Why they would have cars in an aviation museum is beyond me but they do. There's other air museums around the country that I think at this point will definitely exceed a visit to this museum until the rest is completed. No warbirds.

  • 5/5 Alex C. 1 month ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    I visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and I was amazed by the exhibition. It has many real artifacts that show the incredible journey of science and engineering for the achievements and knowledge we have today. It is fascinating for curious people of all ages. Even 5-year-old children can find something for themselves and maybe get inspired by our space future. I highly recommend this museum to anyone who loves aviation and space exploration.

  • 5/5 Brianna O. 4 months ago on Google
    Really enjoyed visiting this museum! The pictures don't do it justice. A guided tour is worth it to learn about the planes and history behind them. Very spacious, clean, well kept, lots to see, kid friendly, and an awesome exhibit of the engines and turbines.

  • 5/5 Kiet T. 1 year ago on Google
    They just opened about a month and a half ago and it can be crowded there. To skip the crowd, I suggest getting free timed entry tickets. The museum is cool, you can learn about aviation and space history on your visit here. I love the new exhibits and the remodeled museum. Some parts are yet to open but you should still go. An amazing museum and a must go-to in DC!

  • 5/5 Ayodele F. 1 year ago on Google
    The experience was great. Kids and adults love it here. You need to buy free pass online before you can get access, and buying some days before your visit is better. Ensure you get one ticket for everyone in your company. Same day pass is always difficult to get on weekends or holidays. Enjoy every bit experience on every floor.

  • 5/5 Brad 4 months ago on Google
    Nice museum, can get crowded at times. I recommend getting tickets early as unlike the museum of Natural History, they admit by tickets. Tickets can be found free online at the Smithsonian website. Of all the museums I visited here, I found this to be one of the faster to tour and get through. Though dont take that as its not great, it is really something to see, it's just not near as big as the others.

  • 5/5 Maya 2 years ago on Google
    I love it here !!! This was me and my husband’s first time visiting and we enjoyed ourselves. This is definitely a museum to bring your family , kids would love it and it’s very educational. They have stimulation rides for adults and children . There will be new exhibits in 2022 and they’re renovating as well so definitely go visit now and in the future.

  • 5/5 Chloe T. 5 months ago on Google
    Museum is free but definitely reverse a ticket in advance. The line was out the door and around the block at opening time, so don't be surprised if you have to wait. It moves very fast, though. Very interesting history on aviation from the first plane flown by the wright brothers to modern day planes and drones. The "space" section definitely was smaller but no less fascinating with parts from a real exploded rocket, models of Mars rovers, and a lot of interesting signage on the mysteries of the universe and quirks of our solar system. One of the most popular Smithsonian museums and I can see why, however I don't think you need to spend all day here. 3 hours is enough time.

  • 3/5 Cassie R. 4 months ago on Google
    A bit disappointing as over 1/3 of the museum is currently closed for renovations, so I didn't get to see some of the collections that I had hoped to visit. Pros: friendly staff, cool gift store, and the planetarium show was pretty neat ($9 per ticket, shows beginning every half hour). You do need a free timed entry ticket to visit, that can easily be reserved online.

  • 5/5 Doug B. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved it, not quite as good as Wright Patterson, but great...

  • 4/5 Ruben A. 5 months ago on Google
    This was a good experience, the place is beautiful and it has a lot of things about the space that are very interesting. The only problem is that it's too difficult to get the tickets. Daily tickets open up in the website at 8:30 am, but even if you are ready at the time, you don't get tickets until 3 pm. The temperature outside in summer was too high, and the people were waiting under the sun in a line until they could get inside. So I recommend getting exactly on time.

  • 4/5 Aggie W. 7 months ago on Google
    The entrance is free but it requires a reservation for a timed pass. It does not allow for an early entry. On a hot summer day, it was no fun standing in a line outside the museum for almost 20 minutes until been letting in. Some of the exhibitions were cool. We enjoyed the early planes and inventions, flying cars, Nation of speed. Unfortunately the iMax theater was not open. And large spaces were closed due to renovations. The displaying planes were much less than I expected. We visited on Saturday which was a packed day for the museum. There were not enough sitting area. Overall it’s a nice place to visit. But I would wait for a couple more years before visiting again to have a more interesting and enhanced experience. On its website, it says the full building is expected to be open in 2026.

  • 5/5 Hao S. 8 months ago on Google
    If you like planes or rockets, this is the place to be! First ever built plane is here (and not a replica!), they even have real CCCP astronaut suit. They also have asteroid for you to touch. Such a magical place for space and aviation fans. After pandemic, you need to reserve a time to enter the museum. So reserve about 2 months before going.

  • 3/5 Rodrigo De L. 8 months ago on Google
    As of July 2023 this is not worth it. Looks like half of the exhibits are closed and they don’t really have anything super interesting as far as aviation goes. If you want to look at cool planes better go to NYC’s Intrepid. It’s interesting that it’s one of the few museums that requires reserving tickets in advance but it wasn’t that crowded. Id visiting DC from elsewhere this can be safely avoided.

  • 5/5 Payam G. 8 months ago on Google
    I'm an aerospace engineer so I'm biased but my non aerospace friends say that this is the best Smithsonian (better than the natural history museum). I definitely agree. Seeing the selection was awesome. It is still under renovation so half of the museum is closed. Would definitely go back when it is fully open. I just have to do the museum in VA

  • 1/5 Ben S. 10 months ago on Google
    The food was terrible and overpriced. They charged me $1 for ice for my mocha and it was $2 above the menu price.

  • 5/5 Misa M. 8 months ago on Google
    This is a great place to spend time with your friends and family. Very attractive station, very informative, and enjoyable. Finding parking is a little bit challenging but it worth to go. Better to go with uber or lift! Make sure to go for planetarium show. You should buy tickets for that inside museum.

  • 5/5 Anil D. 9 months ago on Google
    Updated museum with only half open. The “inconvenience” of timed entry isn’t too bad. The exhibits make up for it. Planetarium is great. Will go back once it is fully opened.

  • 5/5 Mariela S. 10 months ago on Google
    The museum is free but you have to get a ticket in the website for going inside because they only let a certain amount of people inside so check at least 2 days before for the available dates and times

  • 3/5 Greg P. 7 months ago on Google
    I would have loved to give this place 5/5 stars. It's been a bucket list museum for an avid aviation lover like myself. I'm sure it's a spectacular museum, unfortunately during my visit roughly 2/3 of the museum was under construction/renovation.

  • 5/5 Ballistic Giraffe Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Not as good as Udvar-Hazy, but still very good.

  • 4/5 Josi L. 5 months ago on Google
    Excellent fun for all esp the family. Timed tickets are required. If you don’t want to be stuck with the last time slot of the day at 4pm, book your tickets a couple of days in advance. The time slot is loosely valid for an hour to enter the museum. If you’re late for your time slot, don’t line up, just go through to the entrance. You can easily spend a couple of hours meandering through the museums. Children under 10 will most likely bounce around rather than absorb the content with does include lots of info to read. Overall a fun experience with my kids - we went twice for short periods.

  • 4/5 B W. 6 months ago on Google
    The exhibit was very interesting and cool. The best area was probably the one with all the cars and motorcycles. I enjoyed all of it. Although the gift shop was a little overpriced, the museum was still great.

  • 4/5 Johnny 9. 6 months ago on Google
    Just an amazing place. Unfortunately, much of it is under construction, but what is represented there is just great. From Wilbur and Orville to Moon landings and aircraft, all excellent. Recommend the current Planetarium show, which is always worth the small charge. Go during the week and don't forget you need passes.

  • 3/5 Monty Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Very crowded. Most of it is closed for remodeling.

  • 4/5 Craig R. 5 months ago on Google
    Some fantastic exhibits capturing the big events in aerospace engineering. The shuttle is incredible, sr-71 is amazing. The history is overwhelming. A must do when you are in the area. I would plan for 90 minutes and there is a restaurant serving burgers in the museum. Get a parking receipt when you arrive and pay for parking at a kiosk in the museum entrance.

  • 4/5 Edward C. 5 months ago on Google
    This is a must for family and kids to visit. This museum is an educational museum where you will like a lot about the history of airplane and space. The time I went was during weekdays and there are some section that are under construction. There is a reservation ticket requirement in order to enter the building. The line is long so please plan ahead of time. Once getting into the door there are security that may check your bags. If you want to have lunch there, you bring your own lunch or purchase food at the basement. There is no table setting for people who bring their own lunch. However there is stair chairs where you can sit down and enjoy. There are food trucks right outside of the museum if you are interested in getting food there.

  • 4/5 Megan H. 5 months ago on Google
    So, so cool. Timed entry tickets are required since this is so popular, we were lucky to be able to get ours online while at the door. There is a lot under construction and we look forward to coming back when the new areas are open. This was definitely the most packed museum we went to while in DC.

  • 5/5 PIYUSH K. 4 months ago on Google
    We visited this museum in the month of August 2023. The space museum is well maintained and has a lot of attractions. There are two different museums, if you are more interested in aircrafts and space shuttles you need to attend the other one. Remember to give enough time as they start closing the museum by 4:30, they wont allow you to walk-in to different sections after 4pm. Buying tickets in advance is recommended. The museum has a cafeteria inside, has restrooms and water refilling stations. You need to park your cars roadside or at garage.

  • 5/5 Dominic 5 months ago on Google
    Great museum! The exhibits were really interesting and informative. They span from the first flights all the way to the space missions. It was also timed entry, so the museum did not seem overly crowded. Just make sure you get you entry passes in advance.

  • 5/5 Durvank Y. 4 months ago on Google
    Fantastic place for curious minds. No entry charge although per-book is highly recommended. Depending on how long you can read, you can spend an hour to a whole day here. There are numerous galleries here highlighting the Wright brothers. Would also recommend the planetarium - it has an entry charge of $9 but members have it at $7


Call (202) 633-2214 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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