National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the United States, and after taking your family through it, you will understand why. Located on the National Mall in Washington DC, this Smithsonian museum houses an absolutely staggering collection of aircraft and spacecraft — and the fact that it is completely free makes it one of the best family destinations in the country, period.

The museum recently completed a massive multi-year renovation, and the results are spectacular. The galleries have been completely redesigned with modern interactive displays, immersive storytelling, and much-improved flow between sections. The renovated spaces feel current and engaging in a way that addresses the one legitimate criticism the museum used to get — that it felt dated.

The Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall on the first floor is where most families start, and it is immediately overwhelming in the best way. The original 1903 Wright Flyer hangs from the ceiling next to Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis.

The Apollo 11 command module Columbia sits behind glass, the actual capsule that carried Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins to the moon and back. There is a touchable lunar sample — an actual piece of the moon — that kids can put their fingers on. The look on a child's face when they realize they are touching something from the moon is worth the entire trip to DC.

The aviation galleries trace the history of flight from the Wright Brothers through World War I and II combat aircraft to modern commercial aviation. The World War II section has actual fighter planes and bombers hanging overhead, with stories of the pilots who flew them. For kids studying world history, walking under a Spitfire or a Messerschmitt brings the textbook to life in a way that nothing else can.

The space exploration galleries are equally compelling. Beyond Apollo 11, you will find spacesuits, satellite models, and exhibits on the science of rocketry that are genuinely educational without feeling like homework. The Exploring the Planets gallery connects space science to the ongoing Mars missions that kids follow in the news.

For families with younger children, the museum is stroller-accessible with elevators to all floors. The galleries are wide enough to navigate with a double stroller, though weekend crowds make this tighter. There are family restrooms with changing stations on both floors.

The one thing every family needs to know: free timed-entry passes are now required. You book these online through the Smithsonian website up to 30 days in advance. Popular time slots — weekend mornings, spring break weeks, and summer — fill up. Book as early as possible. If your preferred time is taken, early morning weekday slots almost always have availability.

Budget two to four hours. Families with genuine aviation or space enthusiasts will want the full four hours. Families with mixed interests or younger kids should plan for two hours at the main exhibits plus lunch. The museum food court is adequate but expensive — bringing your own snacks and water will save you $30 or more.

If your family is truly into aviation and space, consider also visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport in Virginia. This annex houses the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Concorde, and hundreds of additional aircraft in a massive hangar setting. It is less crowded and equally impressive, though it requires a 40-minute drive from the Mall.