Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, at 600 Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the United States, holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. Newly renovated galleries show icons such as the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module Columbia and Friendship 7, which carried John Glenn into orbit. Large exhibitions cover the early years of flight, world wars in the air, commercial aviation, the Space Race, and the exploration of planets and moons, with hands-on displays that suit both enthusiasts and casual visitors. A planetarium and theater programs charge an extra fee, while general admission is free, though timed-entry passes may be required at busy periods and should be checked at airandspace.si.edu. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm and closed December 25. A typical visit lasts two to four hours, and the museum is large enough that enthusiasts can easily spend a full day. The most photographed spots are the Milestones of Flight hall with suspended aircraft and rockets, and the view from the main level down onto the largest spacecraft. The best approach is to reach the museum at opening and visit the most popular galleries first, then wander. Crowds are heaviest on weekends, school holidays and in spring; weekday mornings are calmer. A cafeteria and a shop are on site, and the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station is about 0.3 miles away. A second, larger sister facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport, is a separate trip.