Free Timed-Entry Passes for National Air and Space Museum Available Sept. 14

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will require free timed-entry passes for visiting the renovated and newly opened west wing of its building in Washington, D.C. The free passes will be available online starting Wednesday, Sept. 14. The museum will reopen approximately half of the building Friday, Oct. 14, which will include eight new and renovated exhibitions, the planetarium, museum store and Mars Café.

An individual will be able to reserve up to six passes per day for a specific entry time. Each visitor must have a pass, regardless of age. To enter the museums, visitors can show their digital timed-entry pass on their mobile device or a copy of their time-entry pass printed at home. The link to reserve tickets will go live Sept. 14 at noon ET and can be accessed from the museum’s website.

The museum will release individual passes for six-week periods at noon ET on the following dates:

In addition to these advance ticket releases, a limited number of same-day passes will be released each day at 8:30 a.m. ET beginning Oct. 14.

Visitors looking to be among the first to see the new galleries have two opportunities to visit prior to the Oct. 14 public opening date: On Friday, Oct. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., the museum will hold a paid, limited-capacity reception in celebration of the new galleries. Tickets, which include hors d’oeuvres, drinks and valet parking, will cost $150. More information can be found on the museum’s website. Additionally, members of the museum’s National Air and Space Society are invited to a member preview open house Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. Museum memberships start at $35 per year. The public can visit the National Air and Space Society webpage to join.

The museum has been undergoing a seven-year renovation that began in 2018 and includes redesigning all 23 exhibitions and presentation spaces, complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements. Visit the museum’s website for more information on the renovation.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia. The Udvar-Hazy Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25) and does not require timed-entry passes. Admission is free. There is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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