Smithsonian Air and Space Museum: Semi-Private Guided Tour

Embark on a semi-private guided tour of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and discover the fascinating history of flight in the United States, from the Wright Brothers to the moon landing. Explore iconic artifacts like the Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 Columbia capsule, and even filming models from Star Trek and Star Wars.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • National Air and Space Museum - (PLEASE NOTE: The Air & Space museum is currently under massive construction and will remain as such for multiple years. This means that Many of the exhibits we describe may NOT be on display. We adjust our tour based on the changing stages of this renovation, and the exhibits that are available to us. here is a link for their website if you would like an updated list of what you may see during your visit: https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/now-view
    Thank you for understanding.)

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum doesn’t just cover extraterrestrial exploration. It covers everything from the early history of flight to the Space Race and moon landings. Learn what it’s like to be an astronaut today with one of our expert guides – there’s even freeze dried ice cream in the gift shop to get the full experience. You’ll see the first plane to take flight as well as the Spirit of St. Louis. Check out objects that have been to the moon and back like Buzz Aldrin’s space suit, moon boots, the Apollo 11 Command Module, and real moon rocks. Discover the history of the world’s foremost space program and the technology and innovation that made it possible to land a man on the moon.

Highlights of the tour generally include:

— Wright Flyer (original)
— Neil Armstrong Apollo 11 spacesuit (original)
— Lunar Module (backup)
— John Glenn’s Mercury capsule (original)
— Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis (original)
— Chuck Yeager’s Bell X-1 (original)
— Hubble Telescope (test vehicle)
— Skylab, America’s 1st space station (backup)
— Space Shuttle’s mid deck (model)

What's Included
  • Small Group Museum Tour
  • Professional Tour Guide
What's Not Included
  • Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
  • Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
  • Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Additional Information

Our 2-hour semi-private (up to 8 guests) museum tour takes you on a journey through American aviation history, culminating with the lunar landing. Step into the exceptional collection at the National Air and Space Museum that encompasses the internationally acclaimed U.S. space program.

Notable features typically include (subject to availability):
-1903 Wright Flyer
-1909 Wright Military Flyer
-Spirit of St. Louis
-Jackie Cochran T-38 Talon
-Alan Shepard’s spacesuit
-Freedom 7 capsule
-Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit
-Apollo 11 Columbia capsule
-Film model of Star Trek Enterprise
-Film model of Star Wars X-Wing

  • It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
  • A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed
  • Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
  • Notes: Air & Space Museum and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with ‘Skip the Line’ or ‘No Wait’ access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
Location
7TH ST & MARYLAND & INDEPENDENCE AVES. SW nb
Meet your guide outside Independence Ave SW entrance to the Air & Space museum, by the Continuum sculpture.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(127 Ratings)
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609santanup
Oct 1, 2024
Two hours well spent with Brenda leading us through the nuances and fine points of exhibits. Highly recommend it for all audienc - The tour was perfectly curated with deep dives into the Moon program and the Wright Brothers. Brenda was a brilliant guide with tremendous subject matter expertise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel64598019741
Sep 17, 2024
Guided tour of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum by Tim from Babylon Tours - Our guide Tim was very efficient and gave us a perspective of both the historical, political and cultural aspects of the various exhibits to cover the two floors within 2 hours along with pop culture and easter eggs of star trek and star wars. He also wove the stories with lots of anecdotes which made the tour of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Darrah_c
Sep 15, 2024
Fantastic tour & guide - Our tour guide Leigh was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We learned so much more with her than we would have had we wandered around on our own. Highly recommend this tour and Leigh as a guide!
Review provided by Viator
Tom
Aug 22, 2024
Very informative tour - This tour was wonderful. Our guide Brenda was very knowledgeable and was able to direct us to portions of the exhibit that we probably would have missed if we were left to our own devices.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour771895
Aug 22, 2024
Thanks Brenda and Babylon Tours for a truly memorable flight today!!! - We spent 3 hours this afternoon on a semi-private guided tour of the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC. Our tour guide Brenda was outstanding as she made us literally land on the Moon and fly with the Wright Brothers, amongst other experiences! We were visiting this museum after 40 years so could have simply walked in and read everything on each exhibit but are so glad that we were guided by Brenda who made this visit so memorable and exciting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J6013yidouglaso
Aug 10, 2024
Wonderful - Brenda was an exceptional guild, she work at just the correct pace as to see it all and spend time looking. I would highly recommend a guided tour at an museum. You will learn so much more than the items you read about. We had ample time after the tour to see more items that interested us specifically. Thanks again Brenda
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Don_k
Aug 4, 2024
Atmospheric experience - Rebecca was a fantastic guide. She balanced the tour with hidden highlights… great historical data and humor… I would recommend her for future tours.
Review provided by Viator
Maegaard
Aug 3, 2024
Amazing - My family and I (from Denmark) went on a guided tour with Brenda. Brenda took us through the museum and at the same time guided us through the history. It's easy to tell that she is very knowledgeable and passionale about the Air and Space museum. I think she can talk for hours on every item in the museum. The 2 hours passed so quickly and the guided tour was one of the highlights during our trip to US.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Audiobloke
Aug 2, 2024
Great tour - Chris our guide was super knowledgeable and very entertaining. Highly recommend this tour as you’ll learn lots of interesting facts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anavt5073my
Jul 31, 2024
Brenda as our guide ! - Brenda was knowledgeable as entertaining. She placed our group in position to see and hear the details along the way, she was kind to others when they wanted to listen in on our conversation. I’d ask for her for any tour in the future. We had a fantastic time. The kids are still talking about what they learned
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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