National Air and Space Museum with Kids. Photo by Jennifer at FamilyTripGuides.com
The most visited Smithsonian in DC and for good reason! Kids of all ages (babies to teens to adults!) will be excited to learn through exhibits and wonderful hands-on activities about flight and space!
National Air and Space Museum with Kids Table of Contents
- Know Before You Go
- Metro and Parking Tips
- Food Near Air and Space
- Babies and Toddlers Guide
- Elementary Age Guide
- Teens Guide
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National Air and Space Museum with Kids - Know Before You Go
Why Go to the National Air and Space Museum with kids?
The most popular museum in the United States! An incredible place to inspire and excite kids of all ages. Below are tips to help you navigate and avoid the crowds. Great info below on "Can't Miss" exhibits and "Skip This" recommendations.
Hours and Location of the DC Air and Space Museum
- The museum is open 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM every day except Dec. 25th. The Virginia Museum located near Dulles Airport in Chantilly is open. A little more info about Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum is here.
- Admission is FREE but requires advanced timed entry tickets here.
- All Smithsonians require full security screenings (like at an airport, but you can keep your shoes on!) Do not bring sunscreen in an aerosol can or food or drinks other than water. For a full list of prohibited items, see the last page.
- Located on Independence Ave. at 6th Street, SW (Next to the Museum of the American Indian)
- TIP: Arrive right at 10 AM or after 4 PM for the least amount of visitors. (50% less visitors than the peak times of 1 - 4 PM!) Mondays and Wednesdays are the least busy and weekends are the busiest.
MOM TIP:
- I like to get a book or two from the library or online before we go to get the kids excited before our visit! You can also purchase a space kit and make it a whole Space Themed week!
- Below are some of our favorites. We love the first book!
Security Information:
The following items are NOT PERMITTED in the Museum: tripods monopods, selfie sticks, guns knives pen knives, food and drinks, scissors, aerosol cans (like some sunscreen), tools, smoking, placards, signs, or banners
The following items are PERMITTED in the Museum: service animals, mobility aids (canes, walkers, etc.), strollers, cameras, bottled water.
Metro and Parking for the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum with Kids. Photo by Jennifer at FamilyTripGuides.com
Metro Tips to the Air and Space Museum
L'Enfant Metro Station is closest to the museum and is a 4-minute walk. Smithsonian Metro Station is a 10-minute walk from the Mall. See www.wmata.com for schedules, maps, and trip planner.
Bus:
The DC Circulator Bus is $1 or 50 cents with SmarTrip card transfers within 2 hours. There is a stop on Madison Drive in front of the museum. Check out www.dccirculator.com for schedules and maps.
Parking Near the Air and Space Museum - Personal Experience!
- Many might think parking in DC is impossible but I've been able to find street parking every time except once on a weekend. Most street parking is metered and you can pay via credit card or the ParkMobile App (directions on the meter.)
- Parking Tip: I have had great luck finding street parking if I drive in and arrive around 9:45 AM. Then you get to be the first ones to enter the museum when it opens at 10!
- If you can't find street parking, I use the Spot Hero App to find the closest garage.
- Garage for Weekends: There is a great garage 1 block away from the Air and Space Museum at 396 6th St. SW for a flat fee.
- If you are going to be on the National Mall for other museums or activities, check out my favorite parking near the National Mall here.
- MOM TIP! If you are driving with 2 adults and street parking is hard to find, drop off an adult and the kids by the Hirshhorn Gallery for them to look at the Sculptures while the other adult finds parking. The kids will be better contained!
Food Near the Air and Space Museum
- The Mars Cafe is on the lower level and is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily. (Also serves coffee!)
- Bring a picnic, store in a cooler in your car, and have lunch on the National Mall in front of the museum.
- Food Trucks are lined up across the street on 6th. St. and also along 4th St. SW and 3rd St. SW. They sell items like hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, chicken schwarma.
- Rice Bar – Popular Korean buffet restaurant 2 blocks from Air and Space Museum. Open M-F 10:30-7 PM, Saturdays 10 AM – 2 PM, and Sundays closed. Yelp here.
- More ideas on restaurants near each of the main Smithsonian Museums here.
Babies and Toddlers at the Air and Space Museum
Can't Miss Exhibits
- The "We All Fly" exhibit features interactive elements at kid-friendly heights
- On the 2nd Floor Exploring the Planets Gallery, there are also lots of interactives and beautiful lights. Step inside the surround sound videos of all the planetary landings.
- Finish up at America by Air for some up-close looks at commercial airplanes throughout the years. You can climb stairs and look inside a Boeing 747, and a DC7 and watch a simulated takeoff from Reagan National Airport (no line for the last one!)
- Family Care Suite: There is a Family Care Suite on the lower level with a family lounge, nursing rooms and a quiet room!
- Check out the weekly events for kids including story times and activities!
Air and Space Museum with Elementary Age Kids
National Air and Space Museum with Kids. Photo by Jennifer at FamilyTripGuides.com
Can't Miss Exhibits at Air and Space National Museum:
- Destination Moon on the 2nd Floor has been completely redone and is a fascinating exhibit for any kids who are interested in Outer Space. There is a "third floor" to view everything from even higher (stairs are very evident but there is an elevator around one side).
- Right when you enter on the 1st Floor, the first exhibit room on your left is the Wright Brothers & Invention of the Aerial Age. You get to see the actual 1903 Wright Flyer which was the first successful flight! The room also has a lot of interactives on how flight works and the basics of flight. My kids really liked this updated exhibit.
- On the 2nd Floor Exploring the Planets Gallery, there are also lots of interactives and beautiful lights. Step inside the surround sound videos of all the planetary landings.
- Don’t miss the IMAX theater and planetarium shows, which bring space and science to life in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate for elementary schoolers.
- Simulator Rides: The museum has 6 amazing simulator rides including VR Transporter: Spacewalk, Interactive Flight Simulators, and Passenger ride simulators. Tickets cost between $8 and $12. Located on the first floor Gallery 103 on the west end of the museum.
National Air and Space Museum with Teens
- Nation of Speed on the 2nd Floor is a cool new exhibit in Fall 2022 with iconic vehicles like Andretti's Indy 500 race car and the Sharp DR 90 Nemesis. Lots of interactives as well.
- Destination Moon on the 2nd Floor has been completely redone in Fall 2022 and is a fascinating exhibit for any kids who are interested in Outer Space. There is a "third floor" to view everything from even higher (stairs are very evident but there is an elevator around one side).
- On the 2nd Floor Exploring the Planets Gallery, there are also lots of interactives and beautiful lights. Step inside the surround sound videos of all the planetary landings.
- IMAX: How often can you watch a space movie at a Space Museum? Tons of different movies ranging from 25 minutes to new release movies full-length movies and ratings of G to PG-13. The link to the full schedule and prices is on the last page.
Favorite Part of the National Air and Space Museum with Kids
Our favorite part was Harvey, at the volunteer cart where we learned so much about meteorite and even got to touch one that is older than earth…4.5 billion years! Ask the info desk where the volunteer cart will be for the day.
