The New and Improved Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Fun fact: The National Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums on the planet—and it’s easy to see why! 🚀✈️ With so many incredible artifacts, the museum’s collection is split between two locations: one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Chantilly, Virginia. In this post, we’re taking you inside the D.C. location—where history, science, and imagination take flight!
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has undergone a massive overhaul and reopened its doors in October of 2022. Eight newly renovated galleries are now open. The remaining galleries are expected to be unveiled in 2025. The new exhibits invite visitors to explore air and space in new, interactive, and exciting ways. We can’t wait to visit again once the museum is completely open to see what this masterpiece evolves into! It is definitely a must-see if you’re in the Washington, DC area.
Table of Contents
History of the National Air and Space Museum
The Air and Space Museum was established in 1946. It opened its main building on the National Mall in 1976. In 2018, the museum had 6.2 million visitors, making it the 5th most visited museum in the world, and the second most visited in the United States. The museum includes iconic pieces such as the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the Friendship 7 capsule, Lindbergh’s the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer.
In March of 2022, the museum closed for six months for renovations and to make way for the future three-story Jeff Bezos Learning Center.
The Eight Brand New Exhibits Featured at the National Air and Space Museum
The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age
Wilbur and Orville Wright, the invertors of the airplane, completely opened up the world to the masses and helped changed the course of history.
The Wright Brothers & the Invention of the Aerial Age introduces visitors to the Wright Brothers and outlines their achievements and how they accomplished them. The highlight of the gallery is the 1903 Wright Flyer. There are other relics that belonged to the brothers, including a stopwatch, the 1900 Wright Glider, and other full-scale models.
Early Flight
Between the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the airplane evolved into an extraordinary machine that would help shape the future. This exhibit uses artifacts such as the Lilienthal Glider, the 1909 Wright Military Flyer, and other displays to show how humans continued to push the boundaries of air travel and how aircraft evolved over time.
America by Air
The America by Air exhibit follows the journey of commercial aviation in the United States. The exhibit shows how the federal government helped shape the airline industry, showcases the evolution in technology and outlines how the flying experience has changed over the decades.
Our kids favorite part of the exhibit was getting to step inside actual airplanes and see how they’ve changed.
One World Connected
The One World Connected exhibit shows how humans have taken to the skies and stars, launched satellites, changed the way we communicate, and become a global society. The exhibit features an array of satellites and tools that have opened the doors for human connection.
The exhibit shows how we use satellite technology for things beyond communicating with people on the other side of the planet and with astronauts. It also shows how we use satellites to listen to music, watch television, track animals, monitor the ozone, view changes in our landscapes, and for wildlife conservation.
Destination Moon
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Air and Space Museum without an exhibit about the moon. This exhibit celebrates America’s journey to the moon by sharing the technologies that made Neil Armstrong’s 1969 lunar landing possible.
The exhibit features iconic objects like Neil Armstrong’s Apollo spacesuit, the Gemini VII Capsule, Apollo 11 Command Module, and so much more.
This was probably our favorite exhibit in the museum because it included so many iconic pieces and offered a glimpse into the lives of astronauts.
Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery
This exhibit is awesome! It is vibrant, colorful, interactive, and totally kid-friendly! The exhibit highlights all of the planets that circle our sun and demonstrates how exploring these far-off places helps us better understand our home planet.
It features many cool artifacts such as a Stardust capsule, Mars Rover Curiosity, Mars Pathfinder, and random things like Spock’s ears from Star Trek.
Thomas W. Haas We All Fly
The We All Fly exhibit demonstrates how aviation has impacted our society as a whole. It explores general aviation, sport aviation, and careers available in the aviation world. It includes several planes and helicopters, including a Lear Jet 23, Aviation Specialties Unlimited Challenger III, and Cirrus SR22.
Nation of Speed
This exhibit was a bit unexpected, considering it’s the Air and Space Museum. The Nation of Speed is centered around human ingenuity and Americans’ desire to become the fastest on land, sea, air, and space. It features iconic vehicles such as Mario Andretti’s Indy 500-winning race car, a 1906 motorcycle, Evel Knievel memorabilia, and more.
Top Exhibits Kids Will Love
✨ Destination Moon
Meet the real Apollo 11 command module Columbia, see Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, and learn all about humanity’s first trip to the moon. Even younger kids are wowed by the scale and sparkle of space history.
✈️ America by Air
Step inside a real 747 cockpit, compare air travel through the decades, and learn how flight became accessible to everyone. Pro tip: let the kids play “pilot” in the recreated flight deck—it’s a photo opp and a crowd-pleaser.
🛰 Exploring the Planets
A colorful, interactive look at our solar system that’s perfect for curious minds. There are hands-on elements for little ones and engaging facts for older kids and tweens.
🚀 Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery
Great for all ages, this exhibit dives deep into planetary science—plus there’s a scale model of the Mars rover that’s a hit with every single kid we’ve ever met.
Plan Your Visit to the National Air and Space Museum
Location of the DC Museum
6th Street and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560
Please Note: The only public entrance is on Independence Ave
Hours
10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Open every day except December 25
- Free timed-entry passes are required for all visitors, regardless of age
- Up to six free timed-entry passes can be booked for your visit.
- If you are reserving for a group of 10 or more, you’ll need to book via the group reservations page.
- Passes are released in six-week blocks.
- A limited number of same-day passes are released online every morning at 8:30 am.
- Prepare to wait outside for your timed-entry. Plan accordingly for the weather, as you will not be allowed in the museum prior to your timed-entry.
Parent Tips for a Smooth Visit
Reserve tickets in advance. Even though it’s free, the museum requires timed-entry passes.
Arrive early. Mornings are less crowded and easier with young kids.
Bring water and snacks. While you can’t eat in the exhibits, you’ll want fuel between spaceship stops.
Have a game plan. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Pick 2–3 must-see areas and let the rest be bonus fun.
Download the Smithsonian app. It has maps, info, and accessibility resources.
What is There to do Nearby?
- The White House
- The White House Visitor’s Center
- Ford’s Theatre
- National Children’s Museum
- National Archives Museum
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Museum of African American History
- Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of American History
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Library of Congress
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Save a Pin and Start Planning Your Adventure
The National Air and Space Museum is one of those rare places that entertains and educates at the same time—and the memories you make here? Worth every second. Whether you spend an hour or a whole afternoon, you’ll leave with tired feet, full hearts, and at least one child declaring, “I’m going to be an astronaut!”
So grab your crew, reserve your tickets, and get ready to explore the skies
📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases
Post updated: 5/2/25
You May Also Like
Why You Should Add DC’s National Children’s Museum to Your Itinerary!
Experiencing The Seattle Great Wheel
