Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Home to the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, and Apollo 11 command module, the museum traces the history of flight and space exploration and is one of the most visited museums in the world.
Planning your visit
The National Air and Space Museum holds objects that changed the world, and it holds the actual objects. The 1903 Wright Flyer, the first powered aircraft. The Spirit of St Louis, in which Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic alone. The Apollo 11 command module Columbia, which carried three men to the moon and back and still bears the scorching of re-entry. The Bell X-1 in which Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier, a lunar module, a Skylab workshop and the Space Shuttle material.
It is among the most visited museums in the world, and it has been undergoing a multi-year phased renovation with galleries closing and reopening in sequence — checking what is currently open before visiting is essential rather than optional.
Free admission now requires timed-entry passes, which are released in advance and go quickly at peak periods.
The Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles airport holds the larger aircraft including a Space Shuttle and the Enola Gay, and is a separate visit.
Bookable options include small-group and semi-private guided tours. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum?
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is in Washington DC, United States. The map on this page marks its exact location.
What are the opening hours of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum?
daily 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. Hours change on public holidays, so check the official site before travelling.
Do I need to book Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.