The small space houses a collection that has spanned the globe and flown to the Moon.
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Washington, D.C. More than 3 million people visited the Museum in 2019, the last calendar year before lockdown.
I’ve toured the Museum many times, with local friends or guests from out of town. Once I attended a state-society Inaugural Ball there, juggling my glass of wine and butter plate of hors d’oeuvres, as my gentleman friend and I walked amid some of the Museum’s extraordinary artifacts, including:
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, click here.
-
- the Wright Flyer, in which Orville made the first sustained (12 seconds) manned airplane flight, while his brother Wilbur watched, on December 17, 1903, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
- the Wright Flyer, in which Orville made the first sustained (12 seconds) manned airplane flight, while his brother Wilbur watched, on December 17, 1903, at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
-
- the Columbia, the Command Module for the Apollo 11 mission, when Americans first landed on the Moon on July 19, 1969
- the Columbia, the Command Module for the Apollo 11 mission, when Americans first landed on the Moon on July 19, 1969
There is also a planetarium showing short space-related documentaries.
Like most Smithsonian venues, the main building of the National Air and Space Museum is located on the National Mall. (There’s also an annex in Virginia.) There are lots of suitable hotels within walking distance:
Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
The luxury Waldorf Astoria took over the Old Post Office Pavilion building that once housed the Trump International Hotel. It boasts spacious rooms, excellent service, and a spectacular lobby bar displaying an enviable collection of crystal decanters. The closest Metro station is Federal Triangle on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. The hotel is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum.
Riggs Washington D.C.
This historic hotel occupies one of the few remaining Romanesque Revival buildings in Washington. It used to house a leading bank, and 23 presidents are known to have conducted business there. The closest Metro stop is Gallery Place on the Yellow, Red, and Green lines. The hotel is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum. It is also near Ford’s Theater, where you can see a show, take a guided tour, and view the flag-draped (no-longer-used) Presidential Box.
InterContinental Washington D.C. — the Wharf
This business hotel boasts waterfront views, a rooftop pool and bar, and contemporary rooms with smart TVs, Nespresso machines, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The closest Metro station is L’Enfant Plaza on the Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green, and Silver lines. The InterContinental is a 10- to 15-minute walk to the Air and Space Museum.
Kimpton George Hotel
This boutique hotel features a French bistro, a complimentary daily wine hour, and modern rooms with accent walls displaying cursive lines from George Washington’s first Inaugural address. I once toured the building for a conference I was hosting, and the staff rep sent me back to my office in a limousine, complete with flags flying from the hood, and me struggling not to open the window and wave at all the people stopped to wonder who I might be. The closest Metro stop is Union Station on the Red line. The hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum.
Hilton Washington D.C.
National Mall the Wharf
This upscale hotel sits in L’Enfant Plaza, midway between the National Mall and the Wharf, a vibrant waterfront strip teeming with lots of restaurants and shops. The building formerly housed the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel (where my parents used to stay when they came to visit me in college). The closest Metro station is L’Enfant Plaza. It is a 10- to 15-minute walk to the Air and Space Museum. It is also steps away from the International Spy Museum.
Holiday Inn Washington Capitol —
National Mall
This midscale hotel has two restaurants, a spacious lobby, and a roof-top pool and bar. The closest Metro stop is L’Enfant Plaza. It is a three- to four-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum.
Residence Inn by Marriott
Washington D.C. National Mall
This extended-stay hotel offers spacious rooms with full kitchens, a comfortable lobby with a gas fireplace, and complementary breakfast buffet daily and social receptions three nights a week. The closest Metro station is Federal Center SW on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. It is a five- to ten-minute walk to the Air and Space Museum.
Hyatt Place Washington D.C. | National Mall
This select-service hotel offers spacious rooms, complementary breakfast, and a roof-top bar. The closest Metro station is Federal Center SW. It is a five- to ten-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum.
What to Know before You Go
to the Smithsonian’s
National Air and Space Museum
The main building of the National Air and Space Museum is located at 6th Street and Independence Avenue SW in Washington, D.C., near the U.S. Capitol building. The visitors’ entrance is on Independence Avenue.
As a Smithsonian venue, the Museum is free of charge to explore, but you must reserve a timed-entry pass. There is a ticket charge to see the movies in the planetarium.
The Museum has several shops selling space kitsch and a small café with a limited selection of lunch items.
Wear loose layers and comfortable shoes. Allow two to three hours.
I believe that we enjoy everything more when we know its story. Read more …