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National Museum of American HistoryvsNational Air and Space Museum
Both are rated highly by experts. On balance, National Air and Space Museum is preferred by most professionals compared to National Museum of African American History and Culture. National Air and Space Museum ranks #7 in Washington DC with praise from 7 reviewers like Time Out, Fodor's and Travel + Leisure.
National Museum of American History
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Time Out
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Where Michelin Guide
Fodor's Frommer's
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington DC, DC 20560
From $0/night
Frommer's "As a bastion of U.S. culture and history, this museum tells America's story in terms of everyday life." Full review
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Be sure to visit the museum's gift shops and dining options, also revamped during the remodeling.
Lonely Planet "This institution has accented itself with the daily bric-a-brac of the American experience... along with icons such as Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Kermit the Frog." Full review
Time Out "Among the exhibitions, America on the Move chronicles the changing ways Americans have got around a large country and how different modes of transport have transformed the nation." Full review
Travel + Leisure "One of the most popular museums in the Smithsonian collection, The National Museum of American History tells the story of America through its politics, technology, wars, pop culture, and food." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"This unique museum captures the essence of America by presenting the objects and ideas that have figured prominently in the nation's material and social development." Full review
Where "With five million visitors annually, this museum is one of the Smithsonian’s most popular." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a staggering lesson on the journey and emancipation of Afro-Americans." Full review
Fodor's "The 3 million artifacts and archival materials in the country's largest American history museum explore America's cultural, political and scientific past." Full review
Frommer's "A visit to the National Museum of American History today is a more penetrating, fun, and interesting experience than it ever was before." Full review
National Air and Space Museum Frommer's Travel + Leisure Time Out Michelin Guide Where
U.S. News & World Report Fodor's Frommer's Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
6th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington DC, DC 20560
From $0/night
Frommer's "The museum, now in its 36th year, chronicles the story of the mastery of flight, from Kitty Hawk to outer space." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The world's most-visited museum is heavenly for adults and a must for kids." Full review
Time Out "The imposing Tennessee marble modernist block, by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, incorporates three skylit, double-height galleries, which house missiles, aircraft and space stations." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"This fascinating museum welcomes more than nine million visitors annually, making it one of Washington's and the world's most popular." Full review
Where "World’s largest collection of aircraft and space vehicles (Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, Bell X-1, 1903 Wright Flyer). " Full review
U.S. News & World Report4.0
"The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum contains a trove of celebrated aircraft." Full review
Fodor's "This is the one of the country's most visited museums." Full review
Frommer's "This is among America’s favorite museums...it does so in a multi-layered fashion, mixing extraordinary artifacts with IMAX movies, videos, and hands-on exploration of displayed equipment." Full review
Travel + Leisure "One of Washington’s most popular destinations, the museum features the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world"
15 Best Museums in Washington, D.C.
March 20, 2023
Travel + Leisure "With eight new exhibition spaces housing aviation artifacts. If that's not enough, you can head to the affiliated Udvar-Hazy Center to peruse legendary aircraft like the Discovery space shuttle"
32 Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C., From Must-see National Landmarks to Renowned Museums
July 31, 2023
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Keep in mind that the Air and Space Museum in D.C. needs a timed entry pass, so book yours well in advance, especially if you're visiting on a weekend.
