- Address: 6th Street and Independence Avenue SW, National Mall
- Hours: Open daily 10am - 5:30pm
- Admission: Free
Washington DC ATTRACTIONS See all
National Air and Space Museum
Each year, eight million people visit the cavernous halls of the National Air and Space Museum, for this popular Smithsonian museum is one of the best for kids of all ages, full of interactivity and things that go fast, boom, and swoosh!
The museum's 23 galleries trace the history of aviation and space exploration through interactive displays and historic artifacts. Walk through the DC-7 cockpit, check out the WWII permanent exhibit, and take the controls on the flight stimulator ride. Alighted airplanes and soaring spacecraft abound, including the Wright Brothers' Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis and the Apollo 11 command module. The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater offers a rotating list of films shown throughout the day. Alternative shows at the Albert Einstein Planetarium send viewers hurtling through space on tours of the universe.
The museum has a second exhibition facility, the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport. Visitors can wander across suspended walkways and airborne bridges to get a close-up view of hundreds of fighter planes, space ships and other flying machines suspended from the 10-story ceiling. Together the two sites comprise the world's largest collection of aviation and space artifacts.
Practical Info
The National Air and Space Museum is located on the west end of the National Mall, steps from other Smithsonian museums. All museums are easily accessible by metro and bus. The museum's cafeteria, the Wright Place, serves food from three popular American chains. Its three-level gift shop is the largest Smithsonian store. Whatever you do, don't miss the astronauts' ice-cream, which can be purchased in the museum gift shop.
If you plan to visit the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport, you can drive or take the shuttle bus, which transports guests from the Air & Space Museum to the Dulles airport facility four times per day.
Tours & Tickets
Washington DC in One Day: Small-Group Sightseeing Tour
See the very best of Washington DC in one day! Aboard a comfortable coach, see the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and more, and enjoy ... Read more
Location:
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Washington DC Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
Discover Washington DC at your leisure with a one-day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. Create your own itinerary to see the most popular sights of ... Read more
Location:
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Duration: 1 day (approx.)
Washington DC by Night Small-Group Tour
Take a guided evening tour of Washington DC’s monuments and memorials -- majestic by day and spectacular when floodlit at night! See the Washington Monument, ... Read more
Location:
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Washington DC Segway Tour
As you cruise through the Nation's Capital, past the monuments, White House and American icons, you will receive a great orientation, informative historical ... Read more
Location:
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
