Smithsonian National Museum of Natural HistoryvsNational Air and Space Museum
Both Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and National Air and Space Museum are praised by those who travel for a living. Overall, National Air and Space Museum is preferred by most writers compared to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. National Air and Space Museum comes in at 90 with praise from 7 reviewers such as Fodor's, Travel + Leisure and Lonely Planet.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Frommer's
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Time Out
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Where
Atlas Obscura
U.S. News & World Report
Fodor's Show All Reviews
10th Street and Constitution Ave., Washington DC, DC 20560
From $0/night
Frommer's "The National Museum of Natural History is the largest of its kind in the world and one of the most visited museums in Washington." Full review
Lonely Planet "The Smithsonian’s second-most popular museum clogs with kids, but adults will find lots to love here too." Full review
Lonely Planet "The castle houses the Smithsonian Visitor Center, which makes a good first stop on the Mall. Inside you’ll find history exhibits, multilingual touch-screen displays, a staffed information desk." Full review
Time Out "The gem at the heart of the Museum of Natural History is a state-of-the-art IMAX cinema and an 80,000sq ft brushed steel and granite Discovery Center housing a cafeteria and exhibition space." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The National Museum of Natural History investigates the world and its creatures, examines ancient rituals, and explores the unfolding universe." Full review
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Be sure to see The Last American Dinosaurs, the Hall of Mammals, the Hope Diamond display, and the walk-through butterfly house.
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The National Museum of Natural History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, ranks as one of the most visited museums in the world." Full review
Where "Exhibits track the natural world since prehistoric time (anthropology to zoology)." Full review
Atlas Obscura "The 28,000-year-old specimen is remarkably intact. " Full review
U.S. News & World Report8.0
"With more than 126 million artifacts on display, this robust Smithsonian museum on the National Mall attracts millions of visitors each year." Full review
Fodor's "One of the world's great natural history museums offers 18 exhibition halls...there are more than 145 million specimens in the collection. Marvel at the enormous African bush elephant" Full review
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Orkin Insect Zoo (don't miss the daily live tarantula feedings).
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
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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.
