National Air and Space Museum Opens Five New Galleries July 28

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will open five new galleries, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and the museum’s redesigned entrance on Jefferson Drive along the National Mall Monday, July 28. The renovation will culminate next year when the remaining galleries open July 1, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the museum in Washington and in time for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

“We are thrilled to open this next phase of exhibitions to the public,” said Chris Browne, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum. “Reopening our main hall with so many iconic aerospace artifacts, as well as completely new exhibitions, will give visitors much more to see and enjoy. We are nearing the end of this multi-year renovation project, and we look forward to welcoming many more people into these modernized and inspiring new spaces.”

New entrance procedures will also begin July 28. All visitors will enter through the north entrance on the National Mall (600 Jefferson Dr. S.W.). Visitors will be able to exit through the south doors on Independence Avenue or the doors on the National Mall. Free timed-entry passes will still be required to visit the museum. Passes are available on the museum’s website.

Thousands of artifacts will go back on display in the reopened galleries. Favorites such as the Spirit of St. Louis, the North American X-15, John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule, Apollo Lunar Module 2 and the touchable moon rock will be back on view. Several artifacts new to the building in Washington will include the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo, a Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule mockup and a Goddard 1935 A-series rocket.

Galleries opening July 28:

• “Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall”

• “Futures in Space”

• “Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight”

• “World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation”

• Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery

The renovated Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater offers improved sound and picture quality as well as conveniences such as ticket pre-orders and select-a-seat options for Hollywood films. Visitors will have the option to watch daytime films in 2D or 3D. The theater also features new seats and an updated theater lobby and queuing area. 

The project to renovate the entire museum began in 2018 and includes redesigning all 20 exhibition spaces, complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements including the addition of a new entry vestibule. The first phase opened in October 2022 with eight new exhibitions, the planetarium, the museum store and the Mars Café. Since then, nearly 5 million people have visited the museum. 

More information about how the museum is transforming all of its exhibitions and revitalizing the building is available on the museum’s website.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Jefferson Drive between Fourth and Seventh streets S.W. and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required to visit. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, timed-entry passes are not required and parking is $15.