Summer Tips for Visiting the Museum

The weather is getting warmer. Summer is upon us — and that means we will have plenty of visitors eager to explore the soaring planes and spacecraft at the Museum. To make your visit more enjoyable over the July 4th holiday, here are some tips to make your experience a great one:

1. Plan ahead. We’re one Museum with two locations: Washington, DC and Chantilly, Virginia at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Both have an IMAX theater. The Museum on the National Mall is likely to be crowded with lines to enter. We encourage you to schedule extra time in your visit.
2. Please don’t bring prohibited items into the Museum. Tripods, selfie-sticks, knives (including pocket knives), scissors, most food and drinks, aerosol cans, and other prohibited objects just don’t fly here.
3. Bring water — it’s allowed in the Museum. It tends to get pretty hot and humid. Make sure to drink lots of water to beat the heat.
4. Don’t bring bags if you can avoid it. Lines to enter the Museum can be long. Bringing minimal possessions can help you and your fellow visitors enter the Museum quickly.   
5. Wear comfortable shoes. Neil Armstrong may have taken one small step on the Moon, but visitors often find themselves taking many steps hopping between exhibits and museums.
6. Come later in the day to avoid crowds. The Museum is busiest in the morning, and it starts to become less crowded after noon and toward the end of the day. Great news, we're often open late during the summer. See our schedule of extended hours. 
7. Ask questions! The volunteers and staff at the Welcome Center are happy to answer any questions you might have.

And one more thing ... make sure to check out our new U.S. military tour through our GO FLIGHT app, created just in time for Independence Day. Check out artifacts like: 

John Glenn’s pressure suit. Glenn served in the Marine Corps before becoming one of the first astronauts. He flew in the Korean War, trained other pilots, and served as a test pilot while in the military.

Wright 1909 Military Flyer. Did you know the Wright brothers built the world’s first military airplane? Learn more on the tour.