The 50 best views in Washington DC (2024)

All of this incredible aeronautical history for free! The Smithsonian museums are such a gift. We went with our 4 kids aged 6 to 12 and they all had a great time. There’s something for everyone whether you’re a total science enthusiast or someone who doesn’t normally have much interest in this kind of thing. This is just a great family friendly activity. And did I mention that like all the Smithsonian museums at the National Mall, the museum is free?!

One of my son’s favorite museums! We had timed tickets for 2 and arrived at 215. It was only a 10 min casual walk from the Hilton at L’Enfant Plaza. About half of the museum is closed for renovations so I didn’t expect to need much time. I was so wrong. We saw two 25 min films in the planetarium (arrive early and sit in the back, you’ll be looking straight up) and for 2 adults and a jr ticket with military discount it was a little over $40. That ended at 325, leaving us with 2 hours and we were rushing to try to get glimpses of each room and the biggest attractions. The cafe closed at 5 so I didn’t see that, but we went to the gift shop 15 min before closing and lemme tell you, and 530- they are pushing you out the door. Politely, but no exceptions. I definitely feel like we left with no regrets. But I’d probably skip the movie, or plan for at least 4 hours.

I'm an aerospace engineer so I'm biased but my non aerospace friends say that this is the best Smithsonian (better than the natural history museum). I definitely agree. Seeing the selection was awesome. It is still under renovation so half of the museum is closed. Would definitely go back when it is fully open. I just have to do the museum in VA

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.

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.

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.

Even as the museum has only partially opened with much of it still undergoing renovation this is still an amazing place to visit. It's been close to 30 years or more since I've been there and I am still amazed at the items included in their exhibits. It's a place that you can come back to again and again and always find something new. Kudos to the staff. They're doing a great job!

What a great museum in the city to enjoy. If you love history and space, you should definitely check out the museum. A lot of exhibits were closed, however there was still plenty to do including watching the Discovery launch, touching a piece of the moon, reading about what happens to your body when you go to space, seeing space toilets, and different countries astronaut gear. There is an interactive exhibit where you can choose to ride in a space ship and complete a VR( virtual reality) experience, fly your own craft or ride a roller coaster… the prices for this ranged from $8.00 to $12.00 per person. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and get your very own space suit, hat or mission patches for your backpack!! No tickets are required, however we waited an hour and a half in line to get into the museum.

Possibly the most extraordinary museum in the world, I would think this museum alone a worthy destination of the transatlantic trip but the entire experience is brought low by the way in which it is currently managed.The refurbishment that’s currently underway limits the awe factor but it’s still there.About 8 rooms, four of these are above-average quality of content but the space related rooms and Moon exploration are quite simply extraordinary. The objects are wonderfully exhibited and you often sense that you are in a world-class, premiere museum.Despite that, I couldn’t quite rise above the experience of passing through the Smithsonian facility on a busy, rainy day. Access to seating is very limited given the size of the crowd; it was very difficult to get overpriced food and a struggle to find the space to eat it (I gave up). The museum store/shop is very large but very expensive.Entry to the museum is currently allotted by the hour and we joined a block-long line in the rain with tickets that required being booked two months in advance. Attendant staff seemed passive and tired or just grumpy, while the few curatorial staff we encountered seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the crowd.The collection here is unique and inspirational , containing touchstones of the most inspirational moments in human history, but limited by the exhibition space and feels cramped. Sharing that space with such a crowd is tiring.I brought my children for my first return since I was a child in 1982 and I often struggled to maintain enthusiasm. We enjoyed the Udvar-Hazy facility much more.

I give this 5 stars for being free but it would get 4 if I had to pay to enter due to the fact that you cannot enter even a minute before your scheduled time and it took 7 minutes in a queue before we could enter the building. Standing in line in the brutal sun is no joke. I highly recommend coming 20 or more minutes after your entrance time (you can come up to an hour later). The other issue is that there are very few places to sit. Saw lots of people sitting on the floor.Aside from these negatives, it's a great little museum. 1-2 hours is plenty of time to see everything and read tons and tons. I enjoyed reading the brief period of the Wright brothers' success and their home life.Large gift store inside and even a place to get personalized dog tags. A few interactive exhibits but not a ton for younger kids.One last thing, make sure to reserve in advance! Our whole weekend here in DC was during a very unbusy weekend but this place was packed and sold out.

Museum is free but definitely reverse a ticket in advance. The line was out the door and around the block at opening time, so don't be surprised if you have to wait. It moves very fast, though. Very interesting history on aviation from the first plane flown by the wright brothers to modern day planes and drones. The "space" section definitely was smaller but no less fascinating with parts from a real exploded rocket, models of Mars rovers, and a lot of interesting signage on the mysteries of the universe and quirks of our solar system. One of the most popular Smithsonian museums and I can see why, however I don't think you need to spend all day here. 3 hours is enough time.

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.

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!

Unfortunately right now, half of the museum is under renovation. But the half that we got to see was really cool. They've got a lot of really awesome exhibits and so many different interactive things. I really liked the interactive Earth exhibit on the upper floor. I wouldn't eat at the cafe though, everything was very overpriced.

When i visited this museum I found that half of the exhibits were closed off. Despite this, the historical information available was quite intriguing. And there were a lot of interesting displays. As well as interactive games that were very fun and informational. However, I was a bit disappointed to find that the gift shop and café were selling items at prices that were too high for what the items were. Overall, a nice museum with some fun things to see and do, just be mindful half of the exhibits are closed.

This museum is a must-see and is a favorite for our family. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here, so I recommend starting on the upper floor where the more interesting space-related exhibits are located. If you have time, check out a show in the planetarium. We had a great time.Due to current construction at the museum, you must reserve your free tickets in advance on their website and have to enter into the museum up to 1 hour after your time slot.

The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., is a renowned institution dedicated to human flight and space exploration history, established in 1946 as the National Air Museum. Its main building opened on the National Mall near L'Enfant Plaza in 1976. The museum offers two exhibition halls featuring historical airplanes and a planetarium on the second floor, where tickets can be obtained on-site. Additionally, visitors can explore the museum gift shop on the ground floor and enjoy the cafe in the basement. It's an exceptional venue for discovering the rich history of aviation and space exploration. Booking a timed ticket online before your visit is essential to ensure a seamless visit, although admission is free.

Great museum to stroll around for a few hours. As others mentioned, there are some exhibits that are closed so I wouldn't treat this place as a main attraction to visit, museum wise.However, it is a great learning experience if your unfamiliar with USA space history and the early history of flight. Great crash course here. Definitely recommend if your in the Greater DC area.This museum is free admission as it's your federal tax dollars hard at work. They do have donation bins throughout the museum as well if you feel inclined to contribute.

What an awesome incredible museum. So interactive and just tons to do! We spent 2 hours just walking around and seeing all the planes. Some of the coolest things are the two planes that you can walk inside and also the whole exhibit showcasing the Apollo missions.Seriously can’t wait for the whole museum to open. It’s an absolute must do even with half open. 10 out of 10 Ill be back.

The best things I can say are. It was great that the security staff monitor the line of people waiting to get in. Air quality was awful and it was just miserable out. Thankfully they let the 2pm folks in line inside early. The planetarium was great. Like the other recent reviews say. Half or more of the museum is under construction. The upstairs exhibits for space were nice but the rest was dull and not worth it. I think the only reason they have advanced tickets is because they have so little seating for crowds wanting to avoid the heat vs the other museums

This museum is one of the best I’ve been to. There is so much history and detail in the air and space industry, but the museum does a great job of capturing a ton of it. The planes on display are a stunning work of building masterpiece. My grandfather flew the DC-3 hanging up front and center, so it was really cool to see in person and quite inspiring.

The entrance is free but it requires a reservation for a timed pass. It does not allow for an early entry. On a hot summer day, it was no fun standing in a line outside the museum for almost 20 minutes until been letting in.Some of the exhibitions were cool. We enjoyed the early planes and inventions, flying cars, Nation of speed. Unfortunately the iMax theater was not open. And large spaces were closed due to renovations. The displaying planes were much less than I expected. We visited on Saturday which was a packed day for the museum. There were not enough sitting area. Overall it’s a nice place to visit. But I would wait for a couple more years before visiting again to have a more interesting and enhanced experience. On its website, it says the full building is expected to be open in 2026.

We visited this museum in the month of August 2023. The space museum is well maintained and has a lot of attractions. There are two different museums, if you are more interested in aircrafts and space shuttles you need to attend the other one. Remember to give enough time as they start closing the museum by 4:30, they wont allow you to walk-in to different sections after 4pm. Buying tickets in advance is recommended.The museum has a cafeteria inside, has restrooms and water refilling stations. You need to park your cars roadside or at garage.

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.

Note: This museum is still undergoing renovations, and half of the museum is closed. If you have the option of waiting until it opens, I’d strongly recommend it.Advanced tickets are also required at this location. They are free, but can be hard to get at popular times. Definitely get your tickets early if you are planning to come on a holiday or other busy time.Finally, there’s also a Dulles location that is much larger with more exhibitions. If you’re picking between the two, I’d definitely go with the Dulles location. It’s less crowded and way cooler.

Get your online free passes in advance! It gets booked rather quickly. All the exhibitions were amazing, and there’s something for everyone. We watched Dark Universe, it was worth it (you need to get paid tickets for this area).Accessibility was good for the most part, ramps, elevators, but with the big crowds it can get hard to walk around. Take it slow and easy and you’ll enjoy it better.It was a memorable visit!

Admission is free. Just book a slot. When I got to the museum, I was really scared because the queue was endless, it was really long, but the process itself was quick and efficient! It's a pity that the part I was looking forward to the most is under renovation! I'm very disappointed with this. otherwise a very nice place. very nice souvenir shop, a bit expensive but nice. very nice ladies at the information desk, handing out maps on the road. Poor cafeteria, the worst iced tea I have ever had in my life, there is a lot of room for improvement of the entire gastronomic aspect because it is poor. And a lot of kids come over well lost opportunity!

Summary:I'm biased due to my love for aviation, which is why I believe that the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the best museum on the National Mall. Friendly staff, immersive exhibits, and cool planes dotting the museum make this place a joy to visit.Don't Wait or Come Early:Free timed tickets are required for entry, but no early entry is permitted. I'd actually encourage NOT to line up early, because you'll likely spend ~15 minutes burning in the hot summer sun while standing in line. Instead, if you arrive roughly 10-15 minutes after your scheduled arrival, you'll pass through security in <1 minute. You can enter an hour after your scheduled entry, so don't worry about being turned away.Stay Time:I spent around 6 hours cumulatively over two visits, since I took the time to read the exhibits thoroughly. You can definitely cut it to around 2-3 hours if you don't stop and read everything though.The Planetarium:I watched two movies here: "Dark Universe" and "Worlds Beyond Earth". Admission is $9 for one movie, or $16 for two. I highly encourage watching at least one of these two movies here, because the 360 degree theater is captivating eye candy, as well as a great place for kids to learn about science.Also, try to sit near the back of the planetarium, so you don't have to consistently tilt your head up to watch the movies.Food Trucks (right outside the NASM):If the food truck doesn't have a valid permit, please stay AWAY from them. There was a rather infamous incident of one food truck using the Air & Space fountain water. Visit r/washingtondc for similar stories.I highly advise eating before coming, as the Mars Cafe inside the museum is pricey.

This is a beautiful museum with many unique items on display.We spend a couple of hours here, but if you like to dig deeper into air and space history, you could easily spend many more, reading up on all the shared information.The tickets are free, but you need to book them online in advance.

Location at the national mall and near Dulles airport are wonderful. Dulles was impressive and highly recommended. The metro now goes to the airport, short, Uber ride or come up potentially, a metro bus, will take you to the gigantic hanger complex. We love seeing the full-size aircraft since basically the right brothers, an SR 71, the Ebola Fay, a Concorde, the prototype for the Boeing 707, a space shuttle, capsules for mercury, Jimmie and Apollo missions, etc. We also enjoyed seeing the captured German and Japanese aircraft.As Air Force veterans, my friend and I would have enjoyed seeing the aircraft we were used to seeing, riding on, etc. I would love to have seen a B-17, and a C-130 Hercules fully restored. These are iconic aircraft. Perhaps the museum attempt to provide these.Food at the location on the main mall downtown was frankly terrible. It was also grossly over priced. The food at the location near the airport was at least terrible with a decent hamburger. We did have trouble with the person taking our order who was thickly accented and very rude. But we eventually got things sorted. The rest of the people at the airport location were very nice.If you wanted chips instead of fries, which I did, I couldn’t order the chips the main desk at the airport. I had to go to a so-called autonomous counter at the other end of the cafeteria, which absolutely did not work. It was absolutely completely frustrating and pathetic. Eventually, an employee rescued us. I hope they fix it soon. This is absolutely outrageous. This is not unique. I kept watching while we were in the restaurant, and everyone seem to have the same problems with this so-called autonomous checkout counter. It is pathetic.So, except for the cafeterias at both locations, I have very positive recommendations.

The Air and Space Museum is a must-see! I just wish that I had more hours inside. The exhibits were fantastic, with just the right blend of history and science, so everything was keeping my interest. The planetarium—the visit was very memorable. If you are going to come, I highly advise advance tickets to really make the most out of your time. Whether you are a space enthusiast or just interested in aviation, there is a lot of stuff here. Looking forward to going again to visit!

A second trip is necessary!! This is such an amazing experience. If you’re into as science, space, love airplanes, and history, plan a visit. There’s much to discover and there’s a section upstairs for viewing the solar system and in the middle, a 7 min. video about satellites with some actual footage. Read about tectonic plates, pilot clothing, and hospital planes. Worth the trip. The cafe is downstairs and the gift shop id on the main floor.

I liked this museum so much. It was the best in Washington. But now because of the renovation - half of the museum is closed. Additionaly 25percent of this half are museum stores.There was little information about the booking passess. We made the booking next day exactly on 8:30 but unfortunately most of the tickets were gone in less than 1 minute for that day :(.Still some people are not coming after making booking and Museum is not letting the other in although there are free spaces.

This place is a blast to walk through, but since half of it is closed, I can't give it more than 3 stars. Lots of hands on things to do and still plenty of planes and aircraft to see, but you're only seeing half of what this place usually offers. Bear that in mind as the renovations are slated to take a year or more. The space exploration stuff is great and I enjoyed the early flight stuff. It's free, so it's still worth a visit, but 1-2 hours here is more than enough.

This place was great. There were lots of planes and other notable aircraft displayed dynamically in the air. Exhibits had plenty of information about various topics. Unfortunately, half the museum was under renovation and couldn't be accessed. Would like to see it when it's fully renovated.

Great, but under construction. (7/3/2024)Would go again but with about a 1/3 of the museum behind while construction tarps I feel we missed a lot this time. Also there were a lot of people...a lot. To the point were you queued in lines to walk past exhibits. This meant you couldn't enjoy most things. Normally it is recommended you take 4 hours for this building. We were done in about 2.5 hours. We did have a reserved time in advance. I do like that system and recommend it. We walked through every display.The lower level Cafe needs more options. As a diabetic, the options were not very conducive. So we chose to leave and eat somewhere else. Though I will say the sheer number of food trucks outside was insane.

It was a life long dream to go here. Being able to stand in the presence of all the planes and history that was there was amazing. Was everything I wanted it to be.They don't have a ticket counter, so I'd reserve your tickets prior to getting there. You can scan the qr code at the door and reserve a ticket. It was super quick to do.

Great experience for those of us who are interested in the science behind the biggest feats in human history. Half of it was closed for renovations, but what we got to see took us around 2-3 hours, so it was definitely worth it. I recommend getting tickets in advance, because otherwise you’ll be stuck in a huge line waiting for around 40 minutes.

Get your ticket as early as 8:30 am because the place gets jammed. Only half of the museum is open right now, but it was enough for me and my 7-year-old boy. We watched every artifact and tried every interactive screen in the museum. We touched some asteroids and meteorites. We learned about space food, astronauts, and rocket ships. We loved the planets exhibit. We spent a good 3 hours in the museum. We will come back to see the new part and the planetarium.

This is a must visit while in DC. Almost everything you about space and aviation, you can find here. Kid friendly. Handicapped and stroller friendly. They have an elevator. Enjoy and have fun. Get your tickets online. They have time blocks to enter.

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is a very popular tourist spot in DC. Advanced planning is necessary since (free) ticket sales are limited each day. As soon as you plan your DC vacation, book your tickets here to get the day and time you prefer. Please note that the museum is currently under a major renovation, and almost half of the museum is currently (June 2024) closed.

Of course this place is amazing. It soars above all others. There is enough space for everyone! As national travelers, my kids were particularly fond of the airplanes. Since our trip my son has been obsessed with planes and has tried to learn everything he can about them. Talk about inspiration! He is now collecting planes. He is 9 and he can you everything from. The Concord to Southwest Airlines. 🙌Thank you Air and Space. My other son loved the gift shop. All of the gift shops. Especially the three leveled gift shop. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum offers a remarkable journey through the history of aviation and space exploration. Celebrating 55 years since the moon landing, visitors can marvel at the iconic spacesuits and lunar rovers from the Apollo missions. The museum also features the Wright brothers' pioneering glider and a vast array of historic aircraft, making it a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts. It's an excellent destination for families, with engaging exhibits for children. Be sure to book tickets in advance, as the museum didn’t accommodate walk-ins.

I recently visited the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and it was an incredible experience! The museum is a treasure trove of aviation and space exploration history, featuring a stunning collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and artifacts. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and provide an in-depth look into the evolution of flight, from the Wright brothers’ early experiments to modern space missions.One of the highlights for me was seeing the actual Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St. Louis. The interactive displays and simulators are great for all ages, making it a fun and educational outing for families. The museum staff were knowledgeable and passionate, always ready to answer questions and share insights.I also appreciated how well-maintained and accessible the museum is. There are plenty of rest areas, a well-stocked gift shop, and a nice café to take a break. Best of all, admission is free! I highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting Washington, D.C., whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a space nerd, or just looking for an inspiring experience.

Cool museum with lots of things for people curious about off ground activities. Love the moon section which has both real space capsules, as well as some original space suits. Including the suit NEIL ARMSTRONG wore on the moon landing!!! Love the gift shop which is giant, (3 whole stories), and has some awesome souvenirs. It also has the cutest space shuttle and rocket ship plushies. The air section has some cockpits and engines you can see as well as plenty of interactive experiences. All in all, it's a pretty good museum.

Free CostReserve your tickets in advance!We reserved our tickets at least a week ago for 3.31.2024 visit. The tickets 6 days prior to 3/31/2024 were pretty much taken except 4pm visit on 3.30.2024.When arrived at 12:30 pm for 1pm visit, we were instructed to wait in the line till 1pm. Right next to the escalator, it has a sign said more than half of space is under renovation, so there are more to see for sure. Of course, there are lots of people on Sunday, but it is still manageable, meaning you can still pretty experience most of things; even though there is a line, people move pretty fast.

The American air and space museum is such a great place to learn and enjoy everything. There are demos done while you're walking around. You'll need to order your ticket in advance, but it's a lot of fun and a great place to take your kids. Not to mention if you love gift shops, they have 3 floors with lots of different things you can build with Legos, from astronaut food to small planes and solar systems.

It's a must visit. I love the videos which they played at big screens inside about solar system, and moons. What planes looked like back then . Really amazing to see the original wright brothers plane and it's history behind it. The space part of museum looks really colorful and lively.

The air and space museum is one of the most visited museums in all of the world. Since it’s opening it has attracted over 350 million people and continues to attract thousands a day. It’s free to the public, but you need to make a reservation to be admitted. There are lots of things to learn, so come ready to read!

We really enjoyed the museum but disappointed that nearly 2/3 is under renovation. The open exhibits were full of science details and supported by the artifacts.Best: awesome security guard Imani was friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable about the Planets exhibit. She's hilarious! All while doing her job.I did see that the museum has made a few accessibility improvements for visually impaired visitors with tactile models. Not what we've seen overseas but it's a tiny start.

I visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on a high school trip, and it was an incredible experience! The entire place is exceptionally well-kept, with pristine exhibits and informative displays. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing our visit with their insights.The museum's layout made it easy to navigate, and the variety of exhibits kept us engaged throughout our tour. From the historic aircraft to the interactive displays, everything was fascinating and beautifully maintained.Overall, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum exceeded all my expectations. It’s simply a must go.

I enjoyed the exhibits. I just wish they had some blue angels information and more about the military aspects of air and space. I saw one small blurb about the W.A.S.P women in World War 2. But the Wright Brothers plane is there and is super cool! Also why are there Star Wars and Star Trek ships in a museum about air and space?

Love this museum, I think it is the best out of all the Smithsonian’s. There are so many interactive exhibits and videos to watch, and they’re all spread out; so it helps keep the masses of people from being on top of each other. The reason I gave 4 stars is that I wish it was open longer! The tickets are time-entry and one of time slots is 4pm.. by the time you get in the museum you have an hour before it closes which is NOT enough time to see or do even half of what the museum has to offer. The “same-day” tickets are a joke, there’s maybe like 10 tickets available and they’re at the 4pm time slot. I got tickets in advance to our trip but tried to get same-day for a better time slot, was waiting at 8:30, when they became available, and I didn’t get tickets.

First visit since the renovations, they are still making updates. If you are into the history of aviation in America this is your place. Comparatively the other museum A&S museum in Chantilly is s more open space and focuses on displaying various aircraft. This one also has aircraft displays but more curated with multimedia displays and various miniature models. I made a reservation the day before our visit and it was pretty easy. I went on a weekday morning in mid march at 11am. It was still pretty busy, but manageable. My only critique is that the placement as well as the wording of the exhibits could improve. There were times that i was searching to try to find an explanation of what i was looking at.

Yes, you must pay to enter. Was it worth it? Did my young children enjoy this museum? Yes, we had such a good time we will visit again. I mean, just the planes were cool. But they have someone around to help you with history and events that are so important to know. This is a must go museum. The kids had an amazing time, and you will, too. If anything, do it once and I guarantee you will have a great time.

Half the museum is shut down. Felt ripped off from my experience. What was there, was very informative, interactive and exciting. Lots of cool displays and interesting little ways of teaching concepts. Virtual tools used all throughout to enhance the experience. Could easily spend 3 hours on the side that open. Great gift shop with lots of cool ideas for keepsakes or gifts.

Went here with the family and thoroughly enjoyed every exhibit in this museum. This was one of the highlights for the kids and they loved learning about the planets, space, and the history of the Apollo missions. They even have a hanging full sized XWing in there - obviously lots of Star Wars references here. This is a definite must go for everyone. Make sure to reserve an appointment days in advance.

What a fantastic museum! Loads to see and do, many original aircraft and other pieces, including the "real" Wright Flyer which are all kept in immaculate condition. It's easy to spend several hours here, and while the museum itself is free, we found the small charge for the planetarium shows was well worth it.I would definitely recommend a visit to anybody with even a passing interest in space or aviation history, but do make sure to order the (free) tickets online in advance as there were signs up as we arrived saying no on-the-day tickets were available as they were sold out. If you had tickets, however, there was no queue to enter.

The museum had a large amount of interesting exhibits and had a wide selection of aircraft’s to look at from the Wright Brothers first powered airplanes to modern day delivery drones it had something for everybody. The staff was super friendly and helpful when it came to assisting visitors.The bathrooms were very nice and there were lots of water fountains with water bottle fillers. There was a Mars themed cafe with a decent selection of foods and beverages for a museum. Overall a great museum to visit whether you’re visiting for a little while, you live near DC, or you just want to learn a little more about airplanes.

my favorite museum in all of dc. it was such an amazing experience seeing all the planes and cars and astronaut outfits. i highly suggest getting tickets early. i got mines a day before but they sell out pretty quickly. it’s free. the line is very very long but took only 10 minutes to get in.

Great experience! Sadly a big part of the museum is closed due to maintenance, but still worth it.Make sure to set your space in order to access the museum.

Absolutely incredible! The exhibits have so much info presented in a fun and engaging way. They cater to people with disabilities as well! There are visual, audio, and tactile exhibits. There are parts of planes that you can walk through, and an incredible planetarium experience (which cost us $9 each, and so worth it). I didn't know we needed to get tickets in advance until the morning of, but they release tickets throughout the day. I got online for the afternoon release at 12:30, and easily secured 4 tickets for my group. We spent about 3 hours inside. We looked at everything at least briefly, but we could certainly go back again to read all everything more in depth. During our visit they were in the process of expanding, so I can only imagine how much more there will be to see when that's done. I will say it was pretty busy, but we didn't have to wait in any long lines. 10/10 museum, I would go again!

Cool museum to see in person finally. The airplane exhibits and outer space exhibits were wall to wall and literally hanging from the ceiling. We took so many pictures. The museum is Busy busy busy. Make a appointment for your time slot prior to visiting the museum. If we had not scheduled our time we wouldn't have been able to enter. I recommend.

Wonderful museum in the heart of the city. A must visit for any trip to DC especially for older children. They have some amazing artifacts including the original Wright Brothers plane.To top it off, the museum is free. However for this one, advance bookings are needed presumably to manage visitor numbers.The extension near Dulles airport has an even more impressive collection of aircraft and is definitely worth a visit.

This review would have been 5 stars if half the place wasn't closed for renovation.I thoroughly enjoyed all the exhibits! I booked my free timed entry ticket for noon on Saturday, so it was rush hour. The security team efficiently got ~100 people in in the span of 5 minutes. I first visited the wright brother exhibit and the museum does a wonderful job of explaining the engineering behind the first plane. Remember to read as much as you can! The moon and solar exhibits were also first class, and there are photos of "earthrise" everywhere. Right now, expect to spend about 2-3 hours to see all the open exhibits.