Sight guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Visiting National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian's flagship aviation museum on the Mall holds the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
National Air and Space Museum is a museum in National Mall, Washington, D.C.. Allow 2–3 hours; it is free. Free timed-entry passes have been required since the museum's phased reopening; check the Smithsonian site before you go.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- National Mall
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- kids, free and rainy day
- Best months
- March–May
About National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian's flagship aviation museum on the Mall holds the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and galleries tracing flight from early aviation to space exploration. The building has been through a multi-year renovation, with galleries reopening in phases.
Tip: Pair it with the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport if you want to see the very large aircraft, including Space Shuttle Discovery.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: Free timed-entry passes have been required since the museum's phased reopening; check the Smithsonian site before you go.
- Where: National Mall.
Best time to visit National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- March: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- April: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Washington, D.C. has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Washington, D.C. itinerary visits National Air and Space Museum on day 3, together with National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- No. 5 of the 20 sights in our Washington, D.C. things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in museums in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in washington, D.C. on a rainy day.
- A family favourite in Washington, D.C. with kids.
Near National Air and Space Museum
Also in National Mall, so you can walk between them:
- National Museum of Natural History — 2–3 hours, free
- National Museum of African American History and Culture — 4–5 hours, free
- Washington Monument — 1 hour, free
If you like National Air and Space Museum
- United States Capitol — Capitol Hill, 1.5–2 hours
- Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) — Capitol Hill, 1–1.5 hours
- Smithsonian's National Zoo — Woodley Park, 3–4 hours
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center — Chantilly, Virginia, 2–3 hours
Staying near National Air and Space Museum
Where to stay in Washington, D.C. compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at National Air and Space Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours. With National Museum of Natural History nearby, it fits a half-day in National Mall.
+Is National Air and Space Museum free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit National Air and Space Museum?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Pair it with the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport if you want to see the very large aircraft, including Space Shuttle Discovery.
+Do I need to book National Air and Space Museum in advance?
Free timed-entry passes have been required since the museum's phased reopening; check the Smithsonian site before you go.
+Is National Air and Space Museum good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Washington, D.C.. Washington is one of the best US cities for families on a budget: dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond, space capsules and pandas are all free.