Where is The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian), Washington, District of Columbia?

Written by | Last Updated: November 19, 2025, 12:28 PM ET

The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) is located in Washington, D.C., USA. It lies between Constitution Avenue and the National Mall and is situated in downtown Washington, D.C.. It is famous for its historic aircraft and spacecraft, and exhibits on aviation and space exploration.

The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) Location Map, Washington, District of Columbia

Where is The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) Located in Washington, District of Columbia
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Top Attractions Inside The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian)

  • Wright Flyer – The first powered airplane that launched modern aviation.
  • Spirit of St. Louis – Charles Lindbergh’s historic plane for the first solo transatlantic flight.
  • Apollo 11 Command Module – Spacecraft that carried astronauts to the Moon in 1969.
  • Hubble Space Telescope Model – Full-scale replica showcasing astronomical discoveries.
  • Milestones of Flight Gallery – Collection of iconic aircraft and spacecraft from aviation history.
  • Planetarium & IMAX Theater – Immersive shows exploring space, science, and astronomy.

The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) Facts

Official NameNational Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian Institution)
LocationWashington, District of Columbia, USA – National Mall
Latitude & Longitude38.8882° N, 77.0199° W
Total Area~161,000 sq ft (≈15,000 m²) of exhibit space
Established / OpenedEstablished 1946; Opened to public 1976
Managed BySmithsonian Institution
RegionNational Mall, Washington, D.C.
Address600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Zip Code20560
Area Code202
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZoneEastern Time (ET) – UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptAviation, space exploration, aeronautics, spacecraft, history of flight, STEM education
Main Sections / GalleriesPioneers of Flight, Space Race, Apollo to the Moon, Wright Brothers & Early Aviation, Military Aviation, Spacecraft & Satellites
Famous AttractionsWright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 Command Module, Lunar Rocks, Space Shuttle Discovery, Enola Gay
Annual Visitors~7 million visitors
Entry Fee TypeFree General Admission
Ticket Price RangeFree; Some IMAX films and Planetarium shows require paid tickets (~$5–$15)
Ticket OptionsGeneral Admission Free, IMAX Theater, Planetarium Shows, Guided Tours, Special Exhibits
Best Time to VisitWeekdays and mornings; Fall and Spring for lower crowds
Nearby AirportRonald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 5 miles (8 km); Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 26 miles (42 km)
TransportationMetro (Smithsonian Station), Bus, Car / Parking nearby, Walking along National Mall
Official Websitehttps://airandspace.si.edu

Distances from The National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) to Nearby Landmarks

  • National Mall – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Smithsonian Castle – 0.4 km (0.25 mi)
  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • United States Capitol – 1.6 km (1 mi)
  • Lincoln Memorial – 3.1 km (1.9 mi)
  • Washington Monument – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
  • Smithsonian National Museum of American History – 0.4 km (0.25 mi)
  • Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture – 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
  • National Gallery of Art – 0.6 km (0.37 mi)
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial – 2.9 km (1.8 mi)
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Jefferson Memorial – 3.5 km (2.2 mi)
  • World War II Memorial – 2.8 km (1.7 mi)
  • Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – 0.7 km (0.4 mi)
  • Smithsonian National Postal Museum – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • Old Post Office Pavilion – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • Union Station – 1.6 km (1 mi)
  • Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • National Museum of Women in the Arts – 0.8 km (0.5 mi)