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    Smithsonian

    4.2 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

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    Ethan T.

    The National Air and Space Museum is absolutely worth a visit when you're visiting Washington DC. It's on the national Mall and one of the best of the museums. We spent about two hours there in total and it was incredible. We found that the Wright Brothers Section was one the most enjoyable to us. A very extensive history of aviation as well as land speed records. Their Gift Shop is absolutely amazing as well. Reservations are required and you cannot enter and tell the time of your reservation. Associates are quite welcoming and friendly when you enter. Overall, A+ experience!

    Part of the museum was closed for renovations
    Sharan G.

    This is great place to see and learn about the space and aircraft's. This museum has free entry but it can only be accessed via a reservation. If you are planning to visit this museum, I would recommend booking your timed reservation before few weeks. We unfortunately didn't know about the reservation part were denied entry on the first day we try to visit. When we checked online, there was no availability for two remaining days we were in the city. We were told that everyday few slots are opened sharp at 8:30am each morning and you can book it if still available. On first day, Saturday we tried but after 5mins of waiting time, there was no availability. We tried again the next day at 8:30 am and were lucky enough to get a 10:00am slot for 4 people. You can reach there between 10:00am to 11:00am for an entry to your 10am slot. There is so much to cover inside and if you are thoroughly going through all the information, you will need a minimum of 4 hours. The time when we went there was a portion that was closed for renovations so it could take even more time if whole museum is available. 2-3 hours is enough if you are glancing and quickly going through all the rooms. There are various stores inside for shopping and a restaurant. There are various paid planetarium shows that are available for booking. Parking can be little challenging on weekdays, but on weekends there were few spots that were free and not timed. If you are in DC, you should visit this museum. You would not be disappointed!

    Mindy Z.

    Went on a Friday afternoon mid March 2025, the week before the cherry blossoms bloomed. We were glad we arrived earlier because even after reserving a slot online (which was mandatory), we needed to line up. And not surprisingly, it was quite crowded inside. I imagine it would be even more crowded if the cherry blossoms were in full bloom! Very fun and interactive. I can't believe it's all FREE too! We spent 2 hours here easily just skimming through all the text. If you read everything, you'd need way more than 2 hours! The place looks clean and new. Again, I can't believe it's all free! Great place for people of all ages! They have elevators for accessibility.

    Karen H.

    You have to reserved a timed ticket and those are released at 8:30am every morning, otherwise you're out of luck. We didn't realize this until 10am but were lucky enough to be able to snag two tickets for the 4pm time slot. I would line up early for your time slot because we got there a few minutes before 4pm and the line to get in stretched all the way to the corner from the entrance. Thankfully the line moved quickly. A lot of the museum is under construction and not open to the public unfortunately, so I wouldn't prioritize this museum until construction is done. On the other hand, admission is free so you can't even be mad that there's not a ton to see. If you're an air/space fanatic it still might be worth it for you.

    Correy E.

    How could you not like this place!!! I could come here everyday for a month and barely scratch the surface. I highly recommend the Smithsonian to anybody visiting the area.

    Cirrus. Nice GA plane
    Alan A.

    I like my airplane! They need more airplanes here. We went in March '25. What they have is nice, but half of the place is under construction. And, it's the cool stuff that is being worked on - Pioneers of Flight, IMAX, WWI, WWII, Basics of Flight. Seriously probably 60% of the total museum off limits. Bummer. I had to take a star off. Anyway, it's free so can't complain too much. Go on line and reserve tix and an entry time...or you can do it on site. There will be a line. There will be a mass of humanity. Bathrooms, snack bar, and a gift store to part ways with your hard earned cash. Btw, every food truck known to man will be parked out front just in case you want some salmonella to go along with your museum visit. This joint would be an easy 4-4.5 stars when fully loaded. We'll be back.

    The Real Wright Flyer
    Ariana H.

    Such an awesome museum in DC! My family and I went to the National Air and Space Museum on a very chilly Friday morning. We made reservations on the phone and walked right in. While walking through the exhibits was cool, I really wanted to highlight the tour we had with tour guide/volunteer Raul. He was so incredibly passionate and very educated on each exhibit. We learned so much through his tour and were captivated every step of the way! It's always refreshing to be surrounded by people who are in their element. The planetarium show was cool, too, but I think the main exhibits are just fine to do, as it's all free.

    Mimi L.

    Outstanding newly renovated museum comparing to my first time 20+ years ago, it was way better and much more fun. Plenty hands on interactive experiments to engage in learning. Organized information and display. My favorite were the Wright brothers gallery and historical era of air travel exhibition. I spent majority of time in those two. There are two floors accessed by escalator. Sufficient restrooms and resting area. Can still get a dog tag for $10. Better to book ticket in advance through its website. Free entry like all smithsonian museums in DC. Very cool experience. Highly recommend it!

    X-Wing Fighter
    Jack G.

    Need reservations (free) for admission (2024). Must see! Half the museum was closed for renovations but still worthwhile.

    Lottie L.

    So much to see and so much to do! There's so much rich information and history here. There were some games that were out of service, which sucked bc our kids were looking forward to playing them. Nevertheless, the amount of things they have available to learn, touch, and play with was enough to make up for the non functioning devices. This is an entire day type of experience. This museum is free admissions. You'll just have to get a reservation ticket online. Get ready to learn about all types of airplanes; old and new. Did I mention: There's an interactive game simulation where you can pilot a plane. Our mission here was incomplete - so we'll be back!

    Sign
    HoyMay P.

    Normally I would give this Smithsonian 5 stars. However during this visit, a big selection of exhibits were missing due to an expansion of the building. Unbeknownst to us, visitors now need timed entry tickets. In the event you don't already have tickets, the scan code is outside of the museum for visitors. Not everyone is familiar with using this scan code. Staff will assist you and walk you through the process. You are not allowed in early. If you have an 11 o'clock entry, you will be admitted at 11 am. There are two gift stores available at the museum. You can visit 2 different floors for the exhibits.

    Greg W.

    Another must-visit if you're in DC. It's not as flashy as the one in Dulles, but there's definitely a charm that you get from the older building and smaller exhibits. If you can dodge the construction, that is! The cafe and gift shop is the typically overpriced stuff you'll find at any tourist spot, but they've got to offset the free admission somehow. It's an investment, I say! The pizza also looked much better than I thought it would. Classic frozen midwestern pub style. There are a ton of really cool interactive exhibits that take some hard to conceptualize concepts like the sheer scale of space, and make it easy for anyone to wrap their head around. Not to mention in the last few years they've really upped the A.V. game in the special exhibits. It's a great time for the family and nerds like me.

    Plane
    Christa C.

    We had so much fun at our visit!! Definitely make sure you get there a little bit early before your scheduled ticket time because the line starts forming early to get in. I would recommend heading upstairs first because the lower areas got pretty crowded because everyone rushed those areas when we could get in. So amazing all of the free things that you can do in Washington DC! I prepaid for parking in a lot close by. I recommend doing this as well as parking is a little tricky in the area.

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    Great museum! Need a timed ticket for entry and some things are ticketed. Half the exhibits seemed closed.

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    Smithsonian Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Smithsonian

    Is there parking?

    Street parking and several parking lots...i found parking on the street and on sundays it's free

    How long do we usually need to visit this museum?

    If you have kids or you want to explore everything extensively, it could take 4 or so hours. I would say the 1-2 hour range would be more typical. If you're planning to see a show, that will take up more time and you should check the schedule in… Read more

    Do you need advance passes or tickets, or can you just go? Thanks

    No need for tickets. It's free and open to the public :)

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Smithsonian

    The National Air and Space Museum was interactive, engaging, and told me so much about the history of air travel.

    Mentioned in 188 reviews

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    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - She's looking right at me... it's a she, I peeked

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Had a wonderful time here. This was the top museum we wanted to visit on our trip to DC. I could…read morehave stayed and wandered for hours, but I let my kids lead the way. Some of the things I thought for sure they would love, were not a hit as I had expected: namely dinosaur bones and the animal displays- but it was also very crowded and a lot to take in. Every where we turned there was more info, more interesting things to see- beautiful, fascinating, interesting- but I think it can be overwhelming- it is almost too much, if that is possible! We had to pace ourselves. A museum is designed for all ages in mind, so it is difficult to know what exhibits will appeal to whom. The part my kids loved the most was the live bug displays. So many species, and so fun to try to find each creature. We stayed here a long time. The exhbits are built with children in mind, many at eye level for little ones. The exhibits with glow in the dark species were so fun! I had to block the way at the end of the exhibit so they didn't move into the mummy section, as just seeing the hint of this display really scared them. I had a blast in the gems section, but my kids were not as excited about this section as I had hoped. We had to take breaks by going to the eatery on site, perusing the gift shop (I let them fill a bag of gems, which was incredibly exciting for them!), and chill out watching a documentary in a screening area.

    What a great museum! How can you not love going here? I didn't have time to read a lot or explore…read moretoo many things in detail, but walking through, I could tell I wanted to come back. It has a decent layout and the maps guide you to the various areas nicely. Obviously dinosaurs are cool and prevalent in any Natural History museum. But they had lots of other cool things too. Probably the biggest draw is the Hope Diamond... It's big and beautiful diamond (BBD) and just something you should check out if you're here. This is one of the more popular of the museums straddling the National Mall, so plan accordingly if you want to get in and spend more time exploring. The crowds can get a little crazy. I got there at 3p and there was a line to get in.

    Photos
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Line at 3p or so

    Line at 3p or so

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Hope diamond

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    Hope diamond

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - 'Give yourself a gift: the present moment'
     --Marcus Aurelius

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

    4.2(48 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Space... the final frontier.... Whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart, your mind will wander…read morewith the possibilities of seeing the actual vehicles and relics of historical significance and marvel at the drive of the human spirit to first take flight, then zoom past the curvature of the ocean until you hit new land, and, finally, break the bonds of gravity and stake your claim in the cosmos. I've been so many times, and it's free to go and see these incredible achievements of humanity in real life. You can look at the lunar capsule and imagine the bravery and ingenuity of the millions of people whose guts and brains it took, over thousands of years, to make such an achievement possible. This is the true legacy of humanity and it inspires while posing the question, what is next for mankind....

    We loved coming to the air and space museum. We got the 10 am tickets for when it opened and the…read moreline wrapped around the building. We had a lot of fun here and watched one of the IMAX shows which was about the future of space, it was perfect timing because the astronaut on Artimus II was in it and it was the day they launched. My only wish is that it wasn't so crowded or a way to have less people to be able to enjoy exhibits more and have it be less overwhelming. My kiddo was definitely overwhelmed and overstimulated as were we. We didn't get though everything but all the top floor and some of the first. The cafe doesn't have a ton of food options and the line gets long but it was what we had for lunch.

    Photos
    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - Solar system area

    Solar system area

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.
   -Dizzy Gillespie

    It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -Dizzy Gillespie

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

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    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    4.6(892 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    The Art Museum is a sight to behold, pun intended! Where else can you go to see all these amazing…read moreworks of art under one roof? I loved the comfortable seating areas offered all throughout the museum. This gave me the opportunity to really reflect on what message the artist was trying to convey. Can't wait to go back again!

    They should call this the Butts, Boobs, Balls, and Bare Feet museum. With that being said, they…read morehave some other cool art here for sure... Some Da Vinci stuff, modern art (in the east building), statues, furniture, and paintings galore. Every piece is displayed in a way that brings out the colors and life of them. The lighting people here must keep busy. It's amazing how old they are and how good they look, with zero plastic surgery... although I'm sure there's some restoration happening. This sentence fits the "things you can say about art that you can't say about your partner" category. This was probably the most difficult museum to navigate though. There's no clear way to see every room as you'll be going different directions, through different doors, hitting dead ends, and at certain points, going the wrong way even though there's not logical order to exploring. I used the paper map to make sure I saw everything... and it was a lot of work to do so. One thing that was interesting that for people wearing backpacks, the staff made them wear them on the front like they were human kangaroos... which is brilliant as people are F'ing idiots swinging them around without any care in the world if they're going to hit something (they should do this on airplanes too, BTW). So my advice, leave the backpack in the car or the hotel unless you really need all that crap with you. I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this museum or not, but ended up really appreciating the beauty of some of the artwork. Moreso with the Oil Paintings on the 2nd floor of the middle building. And that Da Vinci painting in person... pics don't do it justice. Italians just do it better, I guess...

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    National Gallery of Art - Mankind? That is an abstraction. 
 There have always been and always will be only individuals.
  ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals. ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    National Gallery of Art - "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer"
    -Ken Kesey

    "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer" -Ken Kesey

    National Gallery of Art - Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
          --Voltaire

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    Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal. --Voltaire

    National Museum of the American Indian - Spacious lobby

    National Museum of the American Indian

    3.6(528 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    One of my favorite national museums…read more The museum makes a strong first impression, with sculptures and a rushing waterfall surrounding the exterior. Inside, the soaring ceilings create a grand sense of scale. The walkways were accessible and easy to navigate, though the elevators were a bit slow. During our visit, the museum was not particularly crowded, allowing us to take our time reading the exhibits and fully appreciating the displays. What I appreciated most was the museum's emphasis on the differing perspectives of American Indians and Americans throughout history. Many exhibits presented both viewpoints side by side, highlighting how dramatically interpretations of the same events could differ. The timelines were thoughtfully organized and I learned about numerous Indigenous nations and communities that were rarely discussed in my prior education. The Americans exhibit was particularly memorable. It explored the representation of American Indians throughout popular culture, including television, sports mascots, advertising, food branding, and more. At the end, visitors were invited to write postcards reflecting on examples of Indigenous representation in modern life. Pocahontas was a recurring figure throughout the exhibit and I gained a much deeper understanding of both her historical significance and how her story has been commercialized and reinterpreted over time. The Nation to Nation exhibit focused more on cultural and historical artifacts, showcasing clothing, household items, tools, and musical instruments. Meanwhile, Water's Edge explored the importance of water through both artistic expression and its relationship to Indigenous life and traditions. The gift shop was easily one of the best I encountered among the national museums. It featured a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs, and the lighter crowds meant several items sold out elsewhere were still available here. I was surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews, as I found this museum engaging and informative from start to finish. It easily filled two to three hours and I left with a far greater appreciation for Indigenous history and perspectives. I would love to see future exhibits further explore Native American music, art, and cultural expression.

    I came for the taco and stayed for the art! After researching a few places for lunch, the reviews…read moreof the Mitsitam cafe here were amazing for their fry bread taco. The museum itself is gorgeous, inside and out. The grounds area has lots of plants and shrubbery to observe. It's kind of serene and takes you away from the capital craziness which isn't too far away. Inside, you'll find multiple floor with displays about history, conflict, and art. I took the elevator to the top then worked my way down each level via the stairs. It's an awesome place and the gift shop had some of the coolest stuff too. It's right next to the super popular Air and Space Museum so if you don't feel like walking too far after exploring that one, check this one out.

    Photos
    National Museum of the American Indian
    National Museum of the American Indian - Stewed Hominy and Lamb Stew with Fry Bread

    Stewed Hominy and Lamb Stew with Fry Bread

    National Museum of the American Indian - El Paso Tejas representation !!!!!

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    El Paso Tejas representation !!!!!

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Fernand Leger

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    4.3(548 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $

    The Hirshhorn offers a distinct contrast to the National Gallery of Art, and its rotating exhibits…read morehelp keep each visit feeling fresh. Some of the outdoor sculptures were visible, though a few pieces were either being relocated or blocked off. There were not many, so it made for a quick walk around the circular exterior. Upon entering, we went through security, which led into the main lobby where there is also a café. The coffee was both expensive and underwhelming, so I would recommend grabbing a drink elsewhere. The museum has three floors, and I found it easiest to start at the top and work your way down. *Laurie Anderson Four Talks: one of my favorite exhibits. The installation was fully immersive, covering the entire room. The writing and drawings across all four walls really brought the concept together. *Adam Pendleton Love Queen: a visually striking exhibit that transitions into a black and white video. While the artwork itself did not resonate with me as much, the video left both me and other visitors in a quiet, reflective state. *Revolutions Art from the Hirshhorn Collection: more traditional in style and subject matter. I did wish there was more context provided for some of the pieces, especially the sculptures, as a few lacked historical explanation. *Basquiat x Banksy: a more modern collection that reflects themes of racial and class divide. The bold colors and strong perspectives made this one of the more engaging sections. *Big Things For Big Rooms: a bit too literal for my taste, as it largely consisted of oversized objects without much added depth. *Mark Bradford Pickett's Charge: an older but well maintained exhibit. The circular layout of the museum complemented the work nicely. The textures and use of color were particularly compelling. The gift shop offered a wide range of items, including pieces inspired by past exhibitions and collaborations. I especially liked the Basquiat and Banksy merchandise, though it was nice to see representation from other collections as well. Overall, this is an easy museum to explore in one visit. I wish I could have seen the updated sculpture garden, but the rotating exhibits alone make it worth coming back.

    This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

    Photos
    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Henry Moore

    Henry Moore

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

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    Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

    Smithsonian - museums - Updated July 2026

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