Photographs courtesy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian displays iconic planes, jets, satellites, and more at two major locations
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is a world-renowned institution celebrating the history and achievements of aviation and space exploration. The impressive collection of historic planes, artifacts, immersive displays, and exhibits span two locations—the original museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Together, these museums offer a comprehensive look at the innovation, science, and ambition that propelled humanity into the skies and beyond.
The National Mall location is an architectural marvel, famous for iconic exhibits like the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, and a piece of moon rock that visitors can touch. This location emphasizes the evolution of flight and space exploration through carefully curated galleries that tell stories of ingenuity, perseverance, and discovery.
Most notably, this museum is home to many Wright Brother’s artifacts, the pioneers of modern flight and aviation. Additionally, this location hosts “Observe the Sun” every Friday and Saturday from 12–3 p.m., allowing visitors to view the sun through a filtered telescope.
Photographs courtesy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Is your child a fan of Sesame Street? “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” is the perfect way for your little one to explore the night sky through an interactive viewing filled with Sesame Street characters on Thursdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Exploring the galaxy as if you are in the thick of it, the Planetarium Shows provide a multitude of ways to “tour the universe.”
Traveling with a group of 10 or more? Reservations can be made! Daily planetarium shows are available at a ticketed price, while monthly virtual shows are offered for free on Zoom. “The Sky Tonight,” taking place on the first and third Saturdays of each month (at 10:30 a.m.), gives an unrivaled tour of the world after sunset, all brought together by a guided facilitator.
Meanwhile, the Udvar-Hazy Center, with its massive hangar space, is home to massive artifact vehicles that could not be displayed in the main museum, such as the Space Shuttle Discovery, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Concorde supersonic airliner, and the Enola Gay, the World War II aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This location is home to large displays of fighter jets, helicopters, satellites, rockets, and revolutionary personal aviation vehicles. This facility also features a state-of-the-art Airbus IMAX Theatre, observation tower, and restoration hangar where visitors can observe ongoing conservation work.
Photographs courtesy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is undergoing a multi-year renovation that began in 2018. Most recently, eight new galleries opened in 2022, with the remaining galleries opening in various phases throughout 2025 and 2026. Some of the most recent and upcoming exhibitions are:
At Home in Space: An interactive, fully immersive exhibition that takes visitors along a journey that spans over 40 years, delving into how humans can continue to live and work in space.
Climate Change: Features innovations that have contributed to better understanding and mitigating climate change.
Flights and the Arts Center: This exhibit explores the relationship between arts and flight through the display of permanent collections and new temporary installations.
Textron How Things Fly: Roughly 50 interactive pieces come together, showing the functions and cohesion of all working parts that make things fly.
Jay Y. Kislak World War II in the Air: Putting aviation at the center, this display will feature historic artifacts and prominent figures from World War II, focusing on the impactful conflicts that made America a superpower.
A free-timed entry pass, reserved online, is required to visit the National Air and Space Museum’s D.C location. At the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, entry is free with no needed reservation, but parking on site costs $15. Both locations are open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. For more information visit airandspace.si.edu.
