Babylon Tours Logo

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Tour

Group Size Icon

Group Size

Max 8

Tour Duration Icon

Tour Duration

2.5 Hours

Satisfaction Guaranteed Icon

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Free Cancellation Icon

Free Cancellation up to 24 hrs

Highlights of the tour

Highlights generally include (as long the exhibit is not on loan or being restored): 

• 1903 Wright Flyer— step back to the dawn of aviation and see the original Wright Flyer, the first powered aircraft that launched the age of flight. 

• Neil Armstrong's Space Suit & Columbia Capsule — stand before the spacesuit worn by Neil Armstrong when he became the first person to walk on the Moon. Nearby, marvel at the Columbia Command Module, the only part of Apollo 11 that returned to Earth. 

• Spirit of St. Louis — discover the aircraft that made aviation history when Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927, flying from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis. 

• Jackie Cochran's T-38 Talon — learn about Jackie Cochran, one of the most accomplished female aviators in history. Her T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer, reflects her record-breaking career and leadership in advancing women in aviation. 

• Filming Model of the Star Wars X-Wing— see the original screen-used X-Wing model from Star Wars, one of the most recognizable spacecrafts in cinematic history.


Details

For over a century, the world has looked to the United States as a leader in aviation and space exploration. 

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum showcase the milestones that shaped the modern world, from the Wright brothers' first flight to the Apollo Moon landing and beyond. With a collection that includes historic aircraft, pioneering spacecraft, and artifacts from aviation's greatest moments, this museum tells the story of human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of the skies. On this private tour our expert guide will lead you through the museum's most iconic exhibits. Stand before the Wright Flyer, the first powered airplane, and the Spirit of St. Louis, which carried Charles Lindbergh across the Atlantic. Get up close to Neil Armstrong's space suit and the Columbia Command Module, the only part of Apollo 11 to return from the Moon. You'll even explore the influence of science fiction with the legendary Star Wars X-Wing and the Star Trek Starship Enterprise, both of which continue to inspire real-world innovation. 

By the end of your visit, you'll leave with a newfound appreciation for the visionaries, pilots, and astronauts who defied gravity and pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply curious about the machines that changed the world, this tour will bring history to life in an unforgettable way.


Itinerary

  • A 2.5-hour tour of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.” and add separate bullet “Independence Ave, Washington D.C.

Inclusion

• PRIVATE MUSEUM TOUR (Timed entry tickets included!)

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• ALL ENTRANCE FEES (TIMED ENTRY TICKETS INCLUDED)


Semi-Private Tour

Enjoy an intimate small-group experience
Book Now

Upgrade! Book as Private Tour

Have your guide exclusively for your group
Book Now

Family Friendly Tour

Private tour designed with families in mind
Book Now

What Our Customers Say

Enjoyable Tour
John Cosgrove 16 contributions

Enjoyable Tour

It was a very enjoyable and informative tour. Ryan, my grandson and I enjoyed discussing many of the exhibits with Ryan.

26 May 2025

A Guided Tour is the Best Way to Go
Deanna H 8 contributions

A Guided Tour is the Best Way to Go

Our guide was Leigh and she did an amazing job. Her enthusiasm for the history at the Air and Space Museum was infectious. Leigh was well organized and knowledgeable. We could not have been happier with the tour. It was just too short......you could stay here a month!

13 June 2025

Great time!
Joe F 1 contributions

Great time!

Meghan was awesome! The tour was so informative and she was able to answer all of our questions. Our favorite part of our trip to DC so far. Thanks so much

13 June 2025

Excelent tour
carolrodrigues 37 contributions

Excelent tour

Excelent tour for everyone, especially those that enjoy aviation and space. Our guide Tim was absolutely amazing: he knew everything about the museum and was super fun. Totally recommend it.

23 June 2025

SOOOOO Worth the Money!
48denat 4 contributions

SOOOOO Worth the Money!

Christopher was amazing!!! His knowledge was extensive, and he went above and beyond. He had so much energy and enthusiasm for the subject, and made the time fly by (no pun intended ?)! I would do this again in a heartbeat!

26 June 2025

Excellent guided tour!
Happiness262746 2 contributions

Excellent guided tour!

Rebecca was an amazing guide! She was extremely knowledgeable and very funny! I highly recommend booking a tour for the museums. Definitely worth it!

28 June 2025

Fun and engaging guided tour
Jade L 1 contributions

Fun and engaging guided tour

Our guide, Meghan, was very knowledgeable, engaging and she hit the major spots, although the museum was undergoing re-construction and exhibits were limited she managed to do the full 90 minute tour. We enjoyed it very much !

10 July 2025

The experience was fascinating and enjoyable, and we learned a lot of new facts about space and airplanes.
MUSHTAQUE F 2 contributions

The experience was fascinating and enjoyable, and we learned a lot of new facts about space and airplanes.

I liked the tour very much because I was able to understand and learn new stuff about how the first planes were made and about space trips and aircrafts.

16 July 2025

Great birthday gift to my girlfriend
Charles S 1 contributions

Great birthday gift to my girlfriend

Ryan was great...very creative and informative.He is very, very knowledgeableEnjoy the tour, he is delightful ? ☺️ ?

05 September 2025

Good tour of a great museum.
Dreamer08316391514 8 contributions

Good tour of a great museum.

A good tour, highlighting key moments in the history of flight. Ryan, our tour guide, was informative and added to the notes shown at each of the exhibits. Would recommend this tour, especially if you are on a tight timetable

10 September 2025

Great tour with Tim
Randy C 1 contributions

Great tour with Tim

Tim did a great job! We enjoyed sense of humor and his knowledge of all the displays and history of air and space. He took time to answer questions and involved us by asking questions.

07 April 2025

Air and Space tour. Tim is your man!
Steve C 5 contributions

Air and Space tour. Tim is your man!

Professional and experienced tour was with Tim and he was a perfect guide. It’s challenging to move through the crowds and still keep the narrative going. Tim was a real pro. Down to earth and loves his job.

12 April 2025

Wonderful tour guide Leigh
Trina C 7 contributions

Wonderful tour guide Leigh

Leigh is an excellent guide. She is very knowledgeable and animated. We enjoyed the afternoon with her. Would love to have her again as a tour guide.

11 May 2025

Fantastic Tour
Tom C 1 contributions

Fantastic Tour

excellent guide (Tim) . Friendly and knowledgable. We enjoyed the museum and learning about every segment of the museum

30 May 2025

Paul is the man!!!!
Chloe M 1 contributions

Paul is the man!!!!

Paul was amazing!!! Me and mom went on and on about him our entire trip. He had a wealth of knowledge, experience, and footage that made our tour just really top notch. He told stories and captivated us for the full 2 hours. I could never say enough good things about Paul and this tour company!

12 June 2025

Fun National Air & Space tour with Leigh
Casey G 4 contributions

Fun National Air & Space tour with Leigh

Leigh was incredibly knowledgeable and kept you interested throughout the tour. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting the National Air & Space Museum.

14 June 2025

Air and Space
Paula Allen 1 contributions

Air and Space

Christopher is very knowledgeable and happy to share all aspects related to the history of air and space. We enjoyed the time, appreciated learning new information as well as being able to ask questions along the way. A very worthy visit.

14 June 2025

Air and Space
Andres72423 5447 contributions

Air and Space

Another amazing Smithsonian museum, this time concentrating on Air and Space. The displays are phenomenal, some are interactive and others are audible. The only disappointing thing is the missing history of Gustave Whitehead the true first in flight inventor. If you don’t know the history, research and you might be surprised.

01 July 2025

Excellent option, highly recommended!!
Juan Carlos G 7 contributions

Excellent option, highly recommended!!

Excellent option, I went with my teenage son and it worked perfectly, our Brenda guide has an incomparable energy, I didn't tire of boasting that push with my work team, in the afternoon I talk to them!!! Definitely recommended

09 August 2025

Very informative worth it no way to get in the museum and we saw all parts
Global596819 1 contributions

Very informative worth it no way to get in the museum and we saw all parts

Excellent, very informative and very helpful very small group which had many questions she answered them all she took us to all parts of the museum. We didn’t miss anything.

19 August 2025

FAQ's

Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don't see the email in your inbox.

Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide's name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.

Other tours you might be interested in