National Air and Space Museum

The Basics

Because of its large size, the National Air and Space Museum can be overwhelming. If you’d like someone to show you around, sign up for a private or small-group guided tour. Some tours combine a trip to the National Air and Space Museum with a visit to the nearby Museum of American History. While the vast majority of the museum is given over to permanent exhibitions covering everything from World War II to the Space Race, temporary exhibits are also hosted here. Free docent-led, 90-minute tours focusing on the highlights of the collection are held twice daily and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The museum has a second exhibition facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport, which showcases more aircraft from the collection, including the Space ShuttleDiscovery.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Bring small, easy-to-search bags to speed up your passage through security.

• Tickets are required for IMAX and Planetarium shows, and for the flight simulators.

• The National Air and Space Museum is accessible to wheelchairs.

• Wi-Fi is available at the museum.

How to Get There

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is situated at the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum is fewer than five minutes from L’Enfant Plaza station (Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow, and Silver lines) and about 10 minutes from Smithsonian station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines). To get to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, take the Silver Line to Wiehle-Reston East and transfer to the Fairfax Connector bus 983.

When to Get There

The National Air and Space Museum is busiest from March through August. Avoid the crowds by coming early on the weekends or in late afternoon during the week.

Highlights of the Collection

In addition to the Wright brothers’ famous 1903 flight machine, the National Air and Space Museum displays many other noteworthy aircraft. Look for Lindbergh’sSpirit of St. Louis jet, Chuck Yeager’sBell X-1 (the first plane to fly faster than the speed of sound), andSpaceShipOne, the first privately financed craft to successfully enter space. All are located in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.

How much does it cost to go to the National Air and Space Museum?

It's free to enter both National Air and Space Museum locations. You need a free timed-entry ticket to visit the Washington, DC, branch. Same-day passes are released at 8:30am and 12:30pm, and typically go quickly. No tickets are needed for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Can I take a backpack into the National Air and Space Museum?

Yes, you can take a backpack into the National Air and Space Museum. To speed up entry at the security check, it’s recommended that you leave large bags behind. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center branch in Chantilly, Virginia, has free (first-come, first-served) lockers that can accommodate small backpacks and coats.

Is the National Air and Space Museum part of the Smithsonian?

Yes, the National Air and Space Museum—with branches in Washington, DC, and Virginia—are part of the Smithsonian. It’s the largest museum of the Smithsonian’s 21 institutions. As well as its public-facing exhibits, the museum engages in research on earth and planetary science and the history of aviation and spaceflight.

Which Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is better?

Both branches of the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum—in Washington, DC, and Virginia—are worth visiting. The DC one is more popular, but the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly has its charms. Its large hangar accommodates oversized vehicles, and it's less busy than the DC original.

How long does it take to walk through the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC?

Walking through the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a full day. The amount of time you'll want to spend depends on your interests. Free guided tours take 90 minutes, but for most visitors two hours is the minimum.

What is the largest aerospace museum in the world?

If you judge by collection size, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is the world's largest aerospace museum. It contains more aviation and space artifacts and related art and archival materials than anywhere else. It's split between the main Washington, DC, branch and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.

Ways to explore

The National Air and Space Museum is part of the massive Smithsonian complex, which means it's free. You will need to reserve a timed-entry pass online, however. You can easily spend a whole day at the Air and Space Museum, or pair your visit with a nearby museum, such as the Museum of Natural History or the art-focused Hirshhorn Museum. Make the most of your time with a guided tour package that takes you to the collection's highlights. Later, visit the on-site IMAX theater and planetarium, which screens a variety of shows; tickets can be purchased on-site.

Accessibility

The Jefferson Avenue SW entrance has a wheelchair accessible ramp, and all bathrooms within the museum are wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available throughout.

Age limits

None; plenty of exhibits and events target younger visitors.

What to pack

Water bottle, credit card

What to wear

Good walking shoes and layers (you may have to queue outside)

Not allowed

Outside food, selfie sticks, pocket knives, pets

Amenities

Café, gift shop

Address 

The Smithsonian Institution complex is a busy area, and there is no designated parking. To skip the hassle of finding a spot, opt for public transit, cycling, or a rideshare.

Driving

From downtown Washington, take NW 14th Street to Jefferson Drive NW. There is limited paid street parking in this area, along with a few commercial lots.

Public transportation

The museum can be reached by the Blue, Yellow, Orange, Silver, and Green lines on the Metrorail subway, with the nearest stations being L’Enfant Plaza and Smithsonian.

Best times to visit

Timed-entry tickets allow admission on the hour, from 10am to 4pm, but there's no specified departure time. Try to reserve the earliest pass you can.

Best days to visit

The museum is a popular destination for field trips, so Sunday tends to be a good day to avoid the crowds.

Best months to visit

The museum is an excellent destination year-round—enjoy the AC in summer or the heat in winter.

Special events

The museum frequently hosts lectures, online and in person, on the history and culture of aviation, as well as special shows at the planetarium and IMAX theatre.