For any aviation enthusiast, a trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is a pilgrimage. The museum is filled with a jaw-dropping array of history-making airplanes and spacecraft.
There is no other place like the National Air and Space Museum that captures the story of man’s dreams of flying like the birds and reaching for the skies. It is no wonder that the museum on the National Mall is one of the most popular museums in Washington DC.
Telling the story of man’s pursuit of flight, the exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum start from man’s early aspirations and stretches all the way to the moon – quite literally.
Not just a place to look and gawk at amazing hardware (and there is a lot to look at), there are also hands-on experiences that everyone – both kids and adults – can enjoy.
The National Air and Space Museum is divided into two floors. Both floors are chockful of exhibits. You won’t believe how there are some historically significant aircraft and flying machines at every turn.
As of 2023, the National Air and Space Museum is undergoing a transformation. Eight new galleries are currently open and there are more new galleries to come.
Exploring the First Floor of National Air and Space Museum
The first floor of the National Air and Space Museum contains different galleries and experiences. These include Early Flight, America by Air, and Thomas W. Haas We All Fly.
In the Early Flight gallery, discover how the first decade of flight saw the expanding of possibilities of aviation and the public’s enthusiasm for flight through artifacts like the Lilienthal Glider, 1909 Wright Military Flyer, and the Blériot XI.
America by Air delves into the history of commercial aviation in America. For example, learn about planes like the historic Boeing 747D, the world’s first modern airliner, shaped air travel and the airline industry.
The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age on the first floor explores who Wilbur and Orville Wright were, what they achieved and how they did it, and how the world first reacted to their revolutionary invention.
At the center of the gallery is the original 1903 Wright Flyer, one of the most iconic artifacts in the Smithsonian’s collection.
This was the plane piloted by Orville Wright on December1, 1903, in North Carolina, for 12 seconds and covering a distance of 120 ft (or 39 meters), making it the first recorded powered flight in history.
Orville’s record would be broken later on the same day by his brother Wilbur who piloted the plane for 59 seconds, covering a distance of 852 ft (256 m).
Even though the first flights lasted for under a minute, it was enough to throw the doors wide open for a whole new world of aviation.
Thomas W. Haas We All Fly gallery celebrates the breadth and depth of general aviation and its deep impact on society. It also explores the many facets of general aviation and the careers available.
Second Floor of the National Air and Space Museum
There’s more to see and explore on the second Floor of the museum. The second floor galleries include Exploring the Planets, Destination Moon, One World Connected and Nation of Speed.
Destination Moon showcases the museum’s collection of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo artifacts. This includes Alan Shepard’s Mercury spacesuit and spacecraft, a Saturn V F-1 engine, and Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit and command module Columbia.
Nation of Speed dives into the desire to get faster and faster, and how technology developments have shaped the pursuit of speed along with American culture and national identity.
The Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery probes the science and history of our exploration of planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system. The exhibit tells the stories of the diversity of worlds circling the Sun and how exploring those worlds helps enhance our own understanding of Earth.
One World Connected tells the story of how taking to the skies and stars fostered two momentous changes in everyday life: the ease in making connections across vast distances and a new perspective of Earth as humanity’s home.
There are interactive panels where you can interact with a display of a globe.
The second floor is also where you can access the Planetarium.
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is currently undergoing a revamp. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to see different exhibits.
Previously at the museum, you would be able to view a multitude of different aircraft on display. For example, you would have been able to view the Douglas DC-3, a twin-engine plane that was so reliable that it became one of the most popular passenger planes in history.
There was the Tin Goose, as the Ford Tri Motor was nicknamed, was a three-engined transport plane, that was used for commercial passenger and freight flights from 1926. Its good safety record was able to help passengers overcome their fear of flying.
The name Charles Lindbergh is synonymous with the pioneering spirit of early aviators. His “Spirit of St. Louis” was on display at the museum. This was the plane that he used to fly from New York to Paris, France in 1927. This made him the first person to fly nonstop solo across is Atlantic, taking 33 hours and 30 minutes and paving the way forward for flight.
Another of the pioneers of aviation is Amelia Earhart. While we may never know for certain what happened to here, the Lockheed 5B Vega that she used in 1932 to become the first woman to fly nonstop solo across the Atlantic was also on display.
The Bell X-1 was also displayed. The experimental aircraft was the first plane in the world to break the sound barrier and piloted by Chuck Yeager.
Other historic planes on display included the Supermarine Spitfire, Mitsubishi Zero Fighter, and the Messerschmitt Bf. 109G-6.
Planetarium
Before completing your visit to the National Air and Space Museum, pay a visit to the Planetarium. Inside, you can sit back and pay a visit to the stars and zoom through space exploring different planets.
There are multiple Planetarium shows per day and it is best to check on the timings and shows for the day when you arrive at the museum. Tickets needs to be purchased onsite.
Useful Things to Know about Visiting the National Air and Space Museum
To take home something from your visit to the National Air and Space Museum, pay a visit to the museum store where you will find plenty of space and aviation-themed toys, clothes and gifts.
There is also a café at the Lower Level inside the National Air and Space Museum.
Do take note that free timed-entry passes are required to visit the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Where: 6th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Website
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Top Image Source: Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Photographer: Jim Preston
