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The National Archives MuseumvsNational Air and Space Museum
Both The National Archives Museum and National Air and Space Museum are rated very highly by travel writers. On balance, The National Archives Museum ranks marginally higher than National Air and Space Museum. The National Archives Museum is ranked #3 in Washington DC with recommendations from 10 reviews including Travel + Leisure, Where and Time Out.
The National Archives Museum
Concierge
Frommer's
Travel + Leisure
Time Out Frommer's
Michelin Guide
Where
Atlas Obscura
U.S. News & World Report
Fodor's Show All Reviews
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, DC 20408
From $0/night
Concierge "In the public vaults, visitors can research their genealogy, view original patent drawings (like the pencil), and listen to recordings of White House conversations during the Cuban Missile Crisis."
Frommer's "The Rotunda of the National Archives displays the country's most important original documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Seeing the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Magna Carta all under one roof (in the main rotunda) is impressive." Full review
Time Out "The vast collection of the National Archive & Record Administration (NARA) represents the physical record of the birth and growth of a nation in original documents." Full review
Frommer's "The Rotunda of the National Archives displays the country’s most important original documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Michelin Guide 0 Stars
"This Classical Revival "temple" just off the Mall holds the nation's documentary treasures, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Where "See the “Charters of Freedom”—the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Theater with free films. " Full review
Atlas Obscura "An atomic bomb-proof strongbox protects the U.S. Constitution from terrorists and thieves. " Full review
U.S. News & World Report13.0
"A treasure trove of the United States' founding documents, the National Archives Museum is high on travelers' to-do lists and almost always has long entrance lines." Full review
Fodor's "The National Archives is at once monument, museum, and the nation's memory." 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.
