The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum starts to amaze from the very first moment — once you see it, it’s impossible not to go inside.

The History of the Museum

The foundation of the National Air and Space Museum owes its existence to the Smithsonian Institution. Specifically, it began with a small collection of aviation artifacts. The collection started with the first steam-powered airplane engine by Stringfellow, acquired by the institution in 1889. Gradually, the collection expanded to include modern aviation and geographical artifacts: from ancient Chinese kites to the cutting-edge flying machines of the time.

The building on the National Mall was designed in the 1970s by Japanese-American architect Gyo Obata. It comprises four marble cubes connected by glass galleries, housing the majority of the collection. In front of the museum stands a spire with a futuristic constellation at its peak. At the time, the space race was intensifying, and such a sculptural composition was almost a mandatory element of the building. The sculpture is called "Ad Astra" or "To the Stars."

The Exhibition at Dulles Airport

The museum is not limited to its pavilions on the National Mall. It also includes the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center located at Dulles Airport. Named after a Hungarian philanthropist who funded its foundation, it formally belongs to the Smithsonian complex.

While the main building focuses more on history, this annex features a real aviation control tower, an IMAX theater, and an impressive collection of space shuttles, airplanes, and helicopters from various eras.

Describing the entire exhibition is a daunting task, but it includes every flagship model of global military and civil aviation, the real Space Shuttle Discovery, the strategic bomber Enola Gay, and many other aircraft that can be examined up close.

What to See in the Museum

One of the main exhibits is the Wright Flyer, the first controlled airplane by the Wright brothers, which made its first flight in 1903. You can also see the Spirit of St. Louis, in which Charles Lindbergh made the first solo transatlantic flight, and the Apollo 11 Command Module, which brought astronauts back to Earth after the first moon landing.

The museum also houses a vast collection of jet aircraft, space shuttles, and satellites. Visitors can learn about the history of aviation and space exploration, see models of space stations, and understand how various flying machines work.

Interactive Exhibits and Educational Programs

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum offers many interactive exhibits and educational programs. You can try your hand at piloting a flight simulator, learn about the principles of aerodynamics, and even visit a planetarium.

How to Visit the Museum

If you live and work in the USA, it might be tricky, but for tourists, it's easy! The Air and Space Museum, like all Smithsonian museums, offers free admission to both of its branches. However, its operating hours aren't very convenient: weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Despite this, it remains crowded. If you want to visit during a relatively less busy time, arrive half an hour before opening.

Note that in recent years, some training modules and attractions inside the museum have become paid, so it's advisable to bring some money. Parking in front of the museum at Dulles Airport costs $15, with the nearest free parking located about ten kilometers away.