National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC: Tickets, Tours, Hours, Address, National Air and Space Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
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Closed until Jul 30, 2021
National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Jul 30, 2021
About
Note to visitors: Starting Oct 7, 2019, please enter through the Jefferson Drive entrance (National Mall side). The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- L'Enfant Plaza • 4 min walk
- Federal Center SW • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,897 within 3 miles
The Capital Grille
2,055
0.3 mi
Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
993
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Native American
Fiola
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0.4 mi$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Pavilion Cafe at the Sculpture Garden
311
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Rasika
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0.5 mi$$$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
445
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Capitol Bistro
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe
116
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cascade Café
237
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Starbucks
82
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Attractions
430 within 3 miles
Einstein Planetarium
22
2.2 ftTheaters • Observatories & Planetariums
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
5
274 ftMonuments & Statues
National Mall
8,269
0.2 miHistoric Walking Areas • Parks
National Gallery of Art
9,196
0.2 miArt Museums
National Museum of the American Indian
2,358
0.2 miSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Museum of the Bible
1,066
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
12,211
0.4 miNatural History Museums
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25
0.2 miArt Museums
National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
568
0.3 miArt Galleries • Parks
The National Archives Museum
3,488
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
23,302 reviews
Excellent
15,920
Very good
5,314
Average
1,705
Poor
292
Terrible
74
Debra R
Abbeville, GA452 contributions
Lots of History
Jul 2020 • Couples
Visited Nov 2019. Thoroughly enjoyed visited this area. Accompanied by adult nephew and his wife. We had a great time. Definitely a place to visit
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gingerwoods4
Indianapolis, IN35 contributions
Family outing to Air & Space Museum
Jun 2021 • Family
June 1, 2021 we went to National Air & Space Museum (Virginia) as a family (4 kids ages 8, 9, 16, & 18). I was really looking forward to a Wright Brothers’ display, but I believe it must in the DC Air & Space:-(. However, what we did see was great and especially loved seeing the Discovery space shuttle!!
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andye70
Rainbow City, AL70 contributions
This is a spectacular place
Jun 2020
Plan on spending some time. It will take 4-6 hours to go through the exhibit. What a piece of history to see. a MUST see attraction.
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie
Plymouth, MA84 contributions
Very interesting
Apr 2021 • Family
*April 2019
The museum was very informative and the displays were really cool. You really don’t need that much time here unless you are really interested in air or space travel.
The museum was very informative and the displays were really cool. You really don’t need that much time here unless you are really interested in air or space travel.
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christina
2 contributions
Must see give yourself time to walk through it all.
Apr 2021
Must see give yourself time to walk through it all. Eat a big breakfast. They let you go to the 5 and 4th floors for the experience. The 5th floor takes a lot longer than the 5th floor.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leland P
Marion, IN22 contributions
Everything to do with the history of flight is here
Dec 2020
Be prepared to be overwhelmed with what you will see here. The Spirit of St Lewis, The Wright Brother original plane, and John Glenn's Space capsule, greet you when you entire. One can walk through a 1974 Space Station, see a DC-3, and so on. No one, who has any interest in planes, balloons and rockets, will be bored by coming here.
Written February 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
smiller324
Indianapolis, IN35 contributions
My Favorite!
Dec 2019
The National Air and Space Museum is one that I find myself going back to every time while in the city! From the incredible space and aircraft to the incredible relics, it is one of my favorite spots in D.C.!
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Josephine Foo
Jakarta, Indonesia79 contributions
Check out Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 Spacesuit
Dec 2019
If you are into aviation and space artifacts, then this museum is for you. Some of the "must see" here would be Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 Spacesuit & The Wright Brothers.
Written November 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan Smith
30 contributions
Great Day!
Mar 2020
This was one of the most interesting museums that we visited. There is alot to see. Very interesting planes to see.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mjanedis
McLean, VA82 contributions
Another must even if science is not your thing!
Oct 2020 • Family
My kids don't love, love, love museums-but they Do Love this museum & you just cannot help it. It's just awe inspiring.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Japcarnutta
Harlow, UK31 contributions
Is there a retired ‘Air force one’ on display?
Pam2680
Rocky Top, TN102 contributions
Not that we saw, the biggest part with the planes and stealth was closed for remodeling and will be for 3 or 4 years , big disappointment.
Tat W
60 contributions
This attraction listing needs to be expanded to include the Dulles Airport location
granizadodelimon
Ampthill, UK125 contributions
Yes it does as its in two locations and it is not obvious what is in each location
prepper
michigan152 contributions
Looking at this museum, Natural museum of History and Holocaust Museum. We have been to Kennedy Space Center in Florida (which was amazing!!). I know this museum has some exhibits closed down due to remodeling. If we have to cut out a museum due to lack of time I am thinking this one because we have been to NASA. Thoughts?
Amanda Evans
West Memphis, AR227 contributions
If you have been to NASA, then it will be ok if you miss this one. I would definitely do the Holocaust!!
prepper
michigan152 contributions
I just read about some of the gallery closings. I was disappointed to learn that the WW II area including the simulators will be closed.(along with the moon area) Did these closures affect your trip? We were planning on visiting in August.
nbell8
Collegeville, PA98 contributions
We were there today and my kids were not impressed. It is crowded and everyone is fighting to see the exhibits that are open. We left after an hour. The line to get In was long and I don’t think it was worth it unless you really love air and space.
Which airport should we fly into to Visit the DC Space Museum (coming from CA)
ask4abhijit
Bengaluru, India44 contributions
Ronald Reagan Domestic Airport would be the closest
SPANEE
Surat, India2 contributions
I am really impressed by the review. I am planning, with my wife and son of 13years, to visit air and space museum, france next week, on tuesday.
My son is very much interested in flight simulation training, he never miss a single oppurtunity to discuss about air controller, air crash investigations and much more..
so, he is very much enthusiastic to go for simulator,
but,
I could not find any booking for that online.
so, requesting you to guide me for how to book simulation slot
Michael C
Washington DC, DC175 contributions
Interesting you asked me because I happen to be a licensed commercial pilot with many many hours of simulator practice and thousands of hours as pilot in command in actual aircraft.
I was not aware that the museum offers walk-in simulator time. If they do, it can only be a very perfunctory amusement park sort of thing.
If your son is interested in aviation, he can do much better by getting one of many realistic simulator software packages for training for a Cessna or Piper single or twin aircraft. For $200-300 one can get one with included rudder pedals and yoke and maybe even a power quadrant (throttle, propeller pitch, and mixture controls).
vivien71
Montpellier, France3 contributions
Bonjour,
J'aurais voulu savoir s'il était possible de pré réserver ses billets( pour ce musée de l'espace) à l 'avance afin de ne pas faire la queue une fois sur place: est-ce possible?
je vous remercie!
christine
msic31
Buenos Aires, Argentina104 contributions
La entrada es gratis y no hace falta reservar, no hay demora en la entrada
Pode entrar com mochilas?
Fernando Noronha
Belem, PA156 contributions
Sim. Sem problema. Apenas serão revistadas.
Frequently Asked Questions about National Air and Space Museum
- National Air and Space Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- We recommend booking National Air and Space Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 National Air and Space Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience National Air and Space Museum:
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Guided Small Group Tour (From $79.50)
- The Smithsonian National Air Space Museum Private Guided Tour (From $79.50)
- Washington DC Sightseeing Trolley Tour with 1 Stop (From $49.00)
- Half-Day Grand Sightseeing Tour of Washington DC with Stops at 8 Top Sites (From $59.00)
- Smithsonian Air & Space & American History Museum Tour- 8ppl Max (From $143.10)
- Hotels near National Air and Space Museum:
- (0.17 mi) Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall
- (0.37 mi) Hyatt Place Washington DC / National Mall
- (0.59 mi) Trump International Hotel Washington D.C.
- (0.39 mi) Residence Inn Washington, DC/Capitol
- (0.67 mi) Riggs Washington DC
- Restaurants near National Air and Space Museum:
- (0.04 mi) The Wright Place Food Court
- (0.14 mi) Starbucks
- (0.17 mi) Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
- (0.14 mi) Subway
- (0.15 mi) Vie De France Bakery & Cafe
- Attractions near National Air and Space Museum:
- (0.00 mi) Einstein Planetarium
- (0.12 mi) Washington DC Urban Adventures
- (0.06 mi) Continental City Tours
- (0.05 mi) Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- (0.18 mi) National Mall