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National Air and Space Museum

ScienceHistoryClosed · Opens 10amFreeL'Enfant Plaza Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver/Green/Yellow, Exit A — about 10 minutes' walk)

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum holds the world's largest collection of aviation and spaceflight artefacts, from the 1903 Wright Flyer and the Spirit of St. Louis to the Bell X-1, John Glenn's Friendship 7 capsule and the Apollo 11 command module Columbia. Gyo Obata's 1976 building — four marble-clad blocks strung together by glass atria — has just emerged from a $360-million, eight-year renovation that refaced the exterior, redesigned all 20 galleries and added a new portico entrance on Jefferson Drive. Five reimagined galleries opened on 1 July 2026, the building's 50th birthday, including TEXTRON How Things Fly and the new Flight and the Arts Center. Two final galleries, At Home in Space and Modern Military Aviation, open in autumn 2026 to complete the project.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States

Nearest station: L'Enfant Plaza Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver/Green/Yellow, Exit A — about 10 minutes' walk), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver), Smithsonian Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:30
Tue10:00–17:30
Wed10:00–17:30
ThuToday10:00–17:30
Fri10:00–17:30
Sat10:00–17:30
Sun10:00–17:30

Admission

Free

Admission is always free, but free timed-entry passes are required for every visitor regardless of age. Reserve up to nine passes at a time; members get access to a members-only pass pool. Passes do not limit how long you can stay.

Nearby

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

ArtFree3 min walk

National Museum of the American Indian

HistoryFree3 min walk

National Gallery of Art

ArtFree4 min walk

National Archives Museum

HistoryFree7 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Air and Space Museum free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Air and Space Museum is free. Admission is always free, but free timed-entry passes are required for every visitor regardless of age. Reserve up to nine passes at a time; members get access to a members-only pass pool. Passes do not limit how long you can stay.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Air and Space Museum?
National Air and Space Museum is open Open daily 10:00–17:30. Closed 25 December. Free timed-entry passes are required for all visitors. All visitors enter through the Jefferson Drive doors on the National Mall. The At Home in Space gallery is closed until 30 October 2026 and Modern Military Aviation until 11 November 2026 while they are installed.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Air and Space Museum?
National Air and Space Museum is located at 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States, in the National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are L'Enfant Plaza Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver/Green/Yellow, Exit A — about 10 minutes' walk), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver), Smithsonian Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver).
What can I see at National Air and Space Museum?
The Wright Flyer, Apollo 11's Columbia and a touchable Moon rock — on the National Mall, reborn after an eight-year rebuild. Current highlights include The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight, The Art of Air and Space: Interpretations of Flight, Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.
Do I need to book National Air and Space Museum in advance?
National Air and Space Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free, but free timed-entry passes are required for every visitor regardless of age. Reserve up to nine passes at a time; members get access to a members-only pass pool. Passes do not limit how long you can stay.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit National Air and Space Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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