Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Fantastic and fascinating museum to visit and learn about the history of air and space. Just like any other popular museum, there will be portions crowded and full of curious adults and children. Great experience! It's also free, but you need to reserve a time slot before going.

It's not hard to feel awe around space and flight discoveries. This museum does an incredible job of ensuring that awe gets passed on to every person that enters. My son has a future in flight and we were both enthralled with all the exhibits. We spent five hours here over two days and it still wasn't enough. The original airplane from the Wright Brothers was there! Neil Armstrong's actual space suit!! The exhibit on racing vehicles was cool, but a little too loud for me. We will definitely visit this again.

Such a great place to learn and enjoy everything air and space. There are demos that are done while you're walking around. You do have to order your ticket in advance, but it's so fun and a great place to take your kids.

Not to mention if you love gift shops, theirs is 3 floors 🤯 with so many different things from astronaut food to mini replicas of planes and solar systems you can build with legos.

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.

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.

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!

The Air and Space Museum offers an awe-inspiring journey through aviation history. The St. Louis and other iconic planes showcased provide a captivating glimpse into the evolution of flight. However, it's worth noting that the absence of the Blackbird and the space shuttle was a downside, leaving a notable gap in the otherwise impressive collection. Despite this, the museum remains a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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!

There is a Que R code required for entry they want at the door. Takes like two minutes to fill out. Other than that, it is a clean museum with a ton of different exhibits which offer interactive options. One really cool aspect they had is different stations with live displays explaining different concepts of aerodynamics.

Awesome museum for science lovers! Great for kids and adults! So many different exhibits. Staff is so nice and knowledgeable. Free to enter the museum and you only pay for the planetarium shows. They have two gift shops. Definitely an amazing spot on the mall.

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

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.

As an avigeek I enjoyed this place a lot. Had a good mix of air and space, but a bit more limited in terms of aviation. As a 2 hour activity in the middle of the day it was perfect

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.

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.