For the first time in four years, visitors can spend a weekend touring the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The iconic museum on the National Mall officially reopened Friday after closing in 2018 as part of a $1 billion renovation project. .
This marks an important milestone, although work is still in progress. Only the west wing of the museum is reopening, as construction work on the east wing is expected to be completed by 2025.
However, there are plenty of reasons to visit now. The Smithsonian announced eight brand new exhibits on Friday as part of the first phase of welcoming returning guests, and also featuring improvements to other parts of the building. For example, visitors will be able to enjoy new technological innovations at the building’s planetarium right away.
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How to visit
However, if you hope to visit in the near future, you may want to plan ahead. Anticipating strong demand, the museum is controlling crowd size with free admission tickets, which are available hourly from 10am to 4pm. available online.
Check the calendar, there are no tickets left for the first few weekends, but there are plenty of seats available during the week and from late October onwards.
On top of that, the museum issues same-day admission tickets, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day.
Museum director Chris Browne said: “We are delighted to finally announce the first part of the newly renovated museum.
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What you will see
Museum visitors can now have the chance to see both new artifacts and fan favorites.
The exhibits include the plane Jacqueline Cochran flew as the first woman to break the sound barrier in 1953; racing aircraft Sharp DR 90 Nemesis, known as the most successful aircraft in the history of aircraft racing; the Apollo 11 Columbia command module, used to help humans land for the first time on the Moon; Aerobatic biplane built exclusively by Sean Tucker; and the 1903 Wright Flyer.
“The Apollo 11 Columbia command module will be housed in a custom-designed, climate-controlled box that will be the focal point of the ‘Destination Moon’ exhibit alongside Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit,” The museum said in an August 2 press release.
“1903 Wright Flyer will be exhibited in a dynamic new environment to better tell the story of the invention of the airplane and its implications for world history.”
“Star Wars” fans will be especially excited to see the full-size X-Wing Winged Warrior from “Rise of Skywalker” for the first time.
“Many years ago, when I moved to the area for the first time and visited the museum for the first time, I remember being particularly attracted to the Apollo 11 command module, which I was really excited about. because they are kept,” said TPG editor Christine Gallipeau. “Ever since I was raised in Florida by the Kennedy Space Center, anything space shuttle or rocket themed is super fun for me.”
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In particular, AvGeeks may be attracted by some of the screens announced later this year.
“USA by air“Is an interactive exhibit that examines the history of U.S. air transportation and how the flying experience has changed over time. “Early flight“Use artifacts – such as the Lilienthal Glider, Wright’s 1909 Military Flyer, and Bleriot XI – to discover what happened in aviation between the Wright brothers’ first flights in 2005. 1903 and the start of World War I in 1914.
If you are particularly interested in the Wright brothers – who are known to be the architects of the world’s first successful aircraft – consider visiting the duo’s second exhibition. “The Wright Brothers and Invented the Air AgeThere is a return to the 1903 Wright Leaflet, one of the museum’s most famous artifacts.
Universe fans can enjoy”Kenneth C. Griffin Explores the Planets Gallery“Is an exhibition of exploration of the planets and moons, based on research by the museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.
“This is one of the most exciting times in the history of the National Air and Space Museum,” Browne said. “As we open our first reimagined galleries, we hope all first-time visitors are inspired by the exhibits on display, favorite aerospace icons that are presented in new ways and with diverse storytelling.”
Non-exhibition areas are open
In addition to the eight new and renovated exhibits, as mentioned, the museum has reopened the planetarium, complete with new screen television capabilities, connecting the planetarium to others around the earth. country. In addition to the museum shop, Mars Cafe is also open.
Since 2018, the museum has renovated all 23 galleries and exhibits. Crews are also updating the exterior and fixing other structures. As renovation work on the east end of the building continues, other parts of the museum – including additional galleries, the Imax theater and a new entrance due to open in 2024 – are expected. will gradually reopen. The east side of the building will take shape in 2025.
How to get to the museum
The National Air and Space Museum is located on the National Mall in the nation’s capital and is within walking distance of many Smithsonian museums and other DC monuments. Although there are parking lots and metered parking lots around the museum, finding a spot is often challenging and can be expensive. The museum recommends using Park Whiz to reserve a spot near the museum.
The closest DC Metro station to the museum is L’Enfant Plaza, served by the system’s yellow, green, blue, and silver lines.
Key point
While the entire National Air and Space Museum is a few years away, the reopening of the building’s west end this week is an important step forward for its fans. , who can tour the exhibits for the first time since 2018.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Washington, DC’s cherry blossoms
Additional reporting by Sean Cudahy.
Featured photo courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum.
