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National Air and Space MuseumvsNational Portrait Gallery
Both are rated highly by those who travel for a living. Overall, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the choice of most reviewers compared to National Portrait Gallery. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has a TripExpert Score of 88 with positive reviews from 6 reviews such as Fodor's, Time Out and Travel + Leisure.
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.
National Portrait Gallery
Concierge Travel + Leisure Time Out
Afar Magazine Fodor's Michelin Guide Where Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
F Street NW, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, DC 20560
From $0/night
Concierge "There are portraits of every American president (including Gilbert Stuart's Lansdowne portrait of George Washington and Pat Oliphant's caricatures of Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon)."
Travel + Leisure "Traces the history of America through visual and performing arts that pay tribute to great American icons like Marilyn Monroe and Rosa Parks." Full review
Time Out "The National Portrait Gallery features people who played a role in the shaping of the nation and its culture." Full review
Afar Magazine "This gem is found in the busy Penn Quarter of downtown D.C. It is my favorite place to bring visitors." Full review
Fodor's "Devoted to the intersection of art, biography, and history, this museum has on view hundreds of images of men and women who have shaped U.S. history." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Modeled after its namesake in London, the National Portrait Gallery conserves some 20,000 paintings sculptures, photographs, engravings and drawings." Full review
Where "Famed faces of U.S. history and culture. Only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House. Daily 11:30 am-7 pm. Gift shop, café." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The Portrait Gallery is a great addition to the more popular stops, especially for those interested in a history of art, and the variety of people who shaped American history."
Washington, D.C. Travel Guide
March 1, 2021
Travel + Leisure "Thousands of works at the National Portrait Gallery include visual, performance, and new media art depicting presidents, poets, film stars, scientists, and more"
15 Best Museums in Washington, D.C.
March 20, 2023
Travel + Leisure "You will view spectacular pieces here, including Barack and Michelle Obama's official portraits...enjoy the museum's modern courtyard as well, which features a "floating" canopy of glass and steel"
