Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum
Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum
5 minutes read•Published on 27-10-2024
In Washington D.C., United States, you will find the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This museum is known for its amazing collection of old airplanes and spacecraft. It is part of the larger Smithsonian Institution. Here, visitors can see many different exhibits that share the history and science of air and space travel. Admission to the museum is free, making it a great place for people of all ages to learn more about the progress of aviation and the exploration of outer space.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. first opened its doors to the public on July 1, 1976. It was set up with a goal to keep and show the history and facts about aviation and space travel. The museum takes care of and shows various items related to aircraft and spacecraft, and other things that show how far we have come in aviation and space.
The museum was an idea of the Smithsonian Institution's aeronautical department. Since its start in 1946, the department had collected many items connected with aviation, but there was nowhere to show these things. That's when they thought of having a museum just for these items. The final plans for the museum were ready in 1972, and then the building started soon after.
There are many well-known items in the museum. For example, the first aircraft that the Wright Brothers created in 1903, the main part of the Apollo 11 spacecraft that took the first humans to the moon, and even a rock from the moon that visitors can touch. In total, the museum has about 60,000 items that tell the story of aviation and space travel.
Nowadays, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is among the most visited museums in the world. Every year, many millions of people come to learn about the history of flying and traveling in space. The museum keeps helping people learn about the amazing world of aviation and the interesting things about the universe.
One reason to visit
The 1903 Flyer, made by the Wright Brothers, is one interesting thing you can see at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
This airplane is very important because its the very first one that could be controlled and could fly for a good amount of time. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, used this airplane for their historic flight. When you look at it, you can learn about how airplanes started to become a common thing. You can also learn how hard the Wright brothers worked to solve problems and make their airplane design work. If you like learning about airplanes or history, you will find this exhibit very interesting.
Getting there
Assuming you begin your journey from the Washington Monument, start by walking towards the east on Independence Ave SW. Continue straight on this road, going past the Smithsonian Metro Station on your right until you reach 7th St SW, where you'll turn right. Continue on 7th St SW, and in a short while, you will arrive at your destination, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which will be on your right. It is approximately a 12-minute walk, just about 0.6 miles. Make sure to obey traffic rules, cross roadways at the appropriate pedestrian lanes, and always stay on the pedestrian walkways for safety.
Assuming you're starting from Union Station, ride south 0.2 miles on Columbus Circle NE towards E Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Take the second exit from the roundabout onto Delaware Avenue NE. Follow this road for approximately 0.6 miles and then, take a slight right onto Louisiana Avenue NW. After 0.2 miles, turn left onto First Street NW and then after 0.1 miles, turn right onto D Street NW. Continue onto Constitution Avenue NW for approximately 1 mile. After passing the Washington Monument on your right, turn left onto 15th Street NW. Just 0.2 miles later, turn right onto Jefferson Drive SW and The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will be on your right after 0.1 miles. Always make sure to carefully follow all road signs and adhere to traffic rules while biking.
Firstly, to reach the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, locate the nearest Metro Station. From here, you need to take the Orange, Blue, or Silver line trains to L’Enfant Plaza Station. The entrance for the museum is located 0.3 miles, approximately 7 minutes walk, from this station: exit the station using the Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums exit. After exiting, head west on Maryland Ave SW towards 7th St SW. Then, turn right onto 7th St SW. After crossing Independence Ave SW, the museum is directly on your left. Alternatively, if you prefer the bus, take the 52, 54, or 74 buses and stop at 7th St SW & Independence Ave SW. Then, walk slightly north, and the museum is on your left. Just keep in mind that the museum's operation hours are normally from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Remember to check the current schedules and routes because they may vary.
To get to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington by car, start from Washington Union Station and head west on Massachusetts Avenue towards Columbus Circle NE. After approximately half a mile, turn right onto 4th St NW. Continue straight for about 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Independence Ave SW. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will be on your right after only 0.1 miles. Please note that parking directly at the museum can be challenging due to its downtown location, so consider using a nearby parking garage or public transportation instead. The museum is well-served by the bus numbers 30, 32, 34, 36, 39 or by the Blue, Orange, Silver Metro lines, disembarking at the L'Enfant Plaza station which is a short walk away.
