Which Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC is the Best?

Short answer? It depends! If you didn’t already know, there are 2 air and space museums in the Washington, DC area. One is located on the National Mall near many of the other museums and the other is located in Chantilly, Virginia. Both museums are part of the Smithsonian and are free to visit.

Many people will tell you the one in Virginia is “better” due to the larger size and the ability to see the space shuttle. However, I think it all comes down to what you are hoping to get out of your visit. The Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC features more exhibits that dive deep into space and air travel. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia focuses more seeing the planes and space objects up close.

Here’s a closer look at what you’ll find at each museum so you can decide which one is right for you trip.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center – Chantilly, Virginia

What to See

The main reason to get out of the city to the Udvar-Hazy Center is to see the huge collection of the planes that require more room to display. The layout feels like a stunning, giant warehouse for planes and space vehicles. You can walk along the floor or head up the stairs to the catwalk to see the hanging aircrafts up close. If seeing these vehicles up close sounds like a great time, this museum is worth the trip.

Some notable things to see include Space Shuttle Discovery, planes from World War II, and a Concorde from Air France.

Time to Visit

Most people spend about 4 to 5 hours here, depending on your level of interest. There are so many planes to see and it is a huge space to explore. I always recommend seeing an IMAX film while you’re there. This is an additional cost but well worth it for the experience. Udvar-Hazy plays air and space themed shows during the day and also runs current Hollywood movies in the evenings.

Because of the time it takes to get to Virginia and the cost to park, I would make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy everything.

What to Eat

Udvar-Hazy has a Shake Shack inside for visitors. Otherwise, you’ll need a car or Uber to take you offsite for food. There are several breweries in the area plus spots like Cooper’s Hawk and Misson BBQ.

Getting Here

I am very pro-public transportation in the city. However, the easiest way to get to Udvar-Hazy is by car. Parking is $15 (the museum is free to visit like all of the other Smithsonian museums) but it’s worth it to cut down on transportation time.

If you want to take the Metro, take the Silver line to Innovation Center and then grab an Uber. You can also take the Fairfax Connector Bus #983 to the Udvar-Hazy stop, but it only runs every 25 minutes during peak times and every hour during non-peaks. This trip takes about 90 minutes if you leave from the Smithsonian stop in DC, but can be longer depending on delays.

Should I go?

Yes, if:

• You love planes and the space shuttle! You can’t wait to see them up close.
• You are staying in Virginia and/or have access to a car.
• You plan to spend a half day at Udvar-Hazy and visit another Virginia landmark like Arlington Cemetary or Mount Vernon.

No, if:

• You are short on time and most of your trip in the city.
• You don’t have a car and don’t want to deal with public transportation for over an hour.
• Limited food options might be a problem.
• It’s after 3 pm – you’ll want at least 2 hours to explore.

Air and Space Museum – Washington, DC

What to See

In my opinion, the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, has more of a storytelling vibe than the Udvar-Hazy Center. Instead of focusing on seeing the planes, the exhibits in this museum tell the stories of air travel, from the Wright Brothers to space travel. I find it incredibly moving to see the progress made in flight in less than a century. You’ll find exhibits for the Wright Brothers, the solar system, the moon landing, and more. I particularly enjoy how the moon landing exhibit illustrates how the event shaped the world, especially with everything else going on in the 1960s, including Civil Rights, the JFK assassination, and the impact of pop culture music.

If you’d like to see a show at the planetarium, check out the times when you will arrive. This way, you can choose the one that best fits your schedule. Shows run about 25 minutes and cost $9 for adults. Discounts are available for seniors, children 12 and under, students, the military, and adding a second show.

Time to Visit

You can see many of the exhibits in this museum in 1 to 2 hours, or you can linger for a half day if you want to read and fully immerse yourself in the exhibits. Some sections of the Air and Space Museum are under construction, so you’ll notice that some of the museum is closed off. The construction does not impact any of the open exhibits. Add about 25 minutes to your stay if you’d like to see a planetarium show.

Timed-tickets are required for the Air and Space Museum but you can usually enter any time during the hour that you select. For example, if you choose 11 am, you can enter until noon. This is noted on your ticket so double-check this for the day you choose.

What to Eat

The Air and Space Museums has a cafe where you can eat during your visit. Other options include the beloved cafe in the National Museum of the American Indian (next door) or the cafe in the Capitol Building. Directly across the National Mall near the Archives, you’ll find restaurants like Teaism, Jaleo, Oyamel, Hill Country BBQ, Raskia, and the Fresh Baguette. You can also head toward L’Enfant to get to The Wharf for more food options but the walk is a little bit longer than heading to The Archives.

L’Enfant and the Archives both have Metro stops that serve the Green and Yellow lines. It’s easy to bounce between the two via Metro.

Getting Here

The Air and Space Museums in Washington, DC is located on the National Mall between the Hirshhorn Gallery and the National Museum of the American Indian. It is an easy addition to any National Mall itinerary, especially if your day is centered around being close to the Capitol Building. The closest Metro stops are Smithsonian (Silver, Orange, Blue) and L’Enfant Plaze (all colors except Red).

Should I Go?

Yes, if:

• You love reading the stories of air travel from the Wright Brothers to space travel.
• You need an additional (potentially short) spot for your day near Capitol Hill.
• You need a museum that is Metro accessible.

No, if:

• Seeing planes and space objects is the main reason you want to visit one of the air and space museums.
• You are bothered that the museum doesn’t have as many exhibits due to some construction.