Explore the National Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Most travelers to Washington, DC, rave about the National Air and Space Museum. I’ve enjoyed wandering its halls a couple of times. But during my last visit, I discovered a companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum – The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. More than 1,000 aircraft are housed in the large museum, including my favorite – Space Shuttle Discovery.
Aviation and space enthusiasts should make the trek from Washington, DC, out to the National Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. It’s a great place for families to explore and learn more about aircraft throughout history.
Here are some helpful tips to help you plan and enjoy a visit to the National Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center just west of Washington, DC.
Directions to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The National Air and Space Museum: Steven f. Udvar-Hazy Center is located roughly 25 miles west of Washington, DC. If you’ve got a vehicle, it’s pretty easy to navigate to the museum. Just head toward Washington Dulles International Airport and you’ll see the signs on the freeway for the museum. There is a $15 fee to park a vehicle at the museum – but there is no admission fee.
If you don’t have a vehicle, or want to take the metro/bus, that’s a great option. It’s how I made my way out to the museum. The downside – it takes about 1.5 hours each way. So you’ll want to allocate enough time in your trip for three hours of travel and 1-2 hours at the museum. But for me, it was well worth it.
TAKING THE METRO
The Metro Silver Line is easily accessible in Washington, DC. Take it to the Wiehle-Reston East station, then transfer to Fairfax Connector Bus No. 983. Exit the bus at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center stop – you can’t miss it.
TIP: I purchased a $13 day pass (+$2 for the card, unless you already have a card) to have unlimited use on the metro. If you go the single fare approach, it’s $6 each way.
I didn’t know there was a bus to the museum, so when I arrived at the Wiehle-Reston East station, I had an UBER take me the rest of the way. For my return trip, I did the same thing. It cost me $42 round trip for those UBER rides. The bus and metro route is MUCH, MUCH cheaper.
Check out Space Shuttle Discovery and Other Spacecraft
My main purpose in visiting the National Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was to see Space Shuttle Discovery. So that’s the first place I went to after entering the museum. The hangar where it’s housed did not disappoint. In addition to the space shuttle on display, there are other human spaceflight vehicles.
The Gemini IV space capsule is on the display. Astronaut Ed White flew this spacecraft when he completed the first EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity) or space walk for America. Mercury capsule Friendship 7 is there as well. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, flew in this spacecraft. A second Mercury capsule is on display – it was the spacecraft slated for the Mercury 10 mission, which was scrubbed as America moved to the Gemini program.
The James S. McDonnell Space Hangar also has items worn in space, prototypes of other space craft and replicas of satellites. It’s a spacecraft wonderland you won’t want to miss. There’s also an area of rockets and missiles you can explore.
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Now that I’ve seen Discovery, I’ve seen all but one of the Space Shuttles from the program. The only one I still need to see (Atlantis) is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I saw Endeavour when it was being decommissioned in the Vehicle Assembly Building (Kennedy Space Center) back in 2011. It’s now on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California. The Enterprise never flew in space, but it’s on display on the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York City. Sadly, Challenger and Columbia were destroyed in separate accidents.
See Military Aircraft Throughout History
After exploring the spacecraft portion of the museum, make your way out to the main hall and tackle the north section first. You’ll find military aircraft – planes, jets and helicopters – from the Korean and Vietnam War and the Cold War. Included in this section are more modern military aircraft, like the Lockheed Martin X-35B STOVL.
As you make your way south through the massive hangar, you’ll find additional military aircraft. There’s a section on planes of World War II, which includes the Enola Gay – the plane that dropped one of the atomic bombs on Japan. There’s also a section dedicated to German aircraft in World War II. If you want to circle back to World War I, you’ll find a Nieuport hanging above some of the pre-aviation aircraft.
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Other planes from the 1920s and 1930s include the Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk, Boeing P-26A Peashooter and a Loening OA-1A San Francisco.
The museum really provides a unique collection of military aircraft through the last century. Don’t forget to look up as you wander through the museum, because you’re surrounded by planes and other aircraft.
Explore Business, Commercial and Other Aircraft
Aviation isn’t always about military aircraft. After all, I, like many others, use aircraft to travel – whether for business or pleasure. The southern section of the large hangar is centered around commercial aviation. The piece de resistance is the largest plane in the collection – a Concorde Jet from Air France. It’s such a large plane, that other planes are on display below it.
Beyond commercial planes, like the ones I’m used to riding in for my travels, there’s a few business focused planes on display. These are the charter planes used to transport executives around and include the Lear Jet.
Another section of the museum is dedicated to acrobatic aircraft. A few of those planes are even displayed hanging upside down from the rafters. Seems appropriate. Some of the aerobatic planes include the Bücker Bü-133C Jungmeister, Monocoupe 110 Special and Grumman G-22 Gulfhawk II.
And none of the planes on display would be around if it weren’t for the pioneering days of the Wright Brothers. Similar early planes, like the Fowler-Gage Biplane is on display in the pre-aviation section of the museum.
And if vertical flight is more your thing, check out the southern area dedicated to helicopters.
Check out the View from the Observation Deck
When my UBER driver was dropping me off at the National Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center, he pointed out the observation deck. He recommended I make my way to the top and look at the landscapes surrounding the area. I was excited to do just that.
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However, by the time I finished exploring the hangar, the observation deck was closed. So my advice to you: Check the hours of the observation deck when you first arrive, and plan accordingly. There is no additional fee to ride the elevator to the top of the tower. I was sad I missed out on it, but I guess that means I’ll have to visit this place again.
Take Flight in a Simulator + IMAX Theater
Near the middle of the hangar is an area dedicated to flight simulators. There is an additional cost to ride in one. These are the pods you climb into and go for a ride. They looked really fun. I’m sure they put my Microsoft Flight Simulator on my home computer to shame. But I fear I would get motion sick and don’t want to be the guy who vomits all over the place during or after the ride. The marketing of the simulators tout doing 360-degree barrel rolls. Yikes!
If you’re wanting to experience something on the Big Screen, make your way to the Airbus IMAX Theater near the museum’s front entrance. There are several movies playing, in addition to more major motion pictures. Currently, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is playing, but other movies include Blue Planet, Journey to Space, The Dream is Alive and To Fly! Visit their website for current movies and showtimes.
Plus, if you are watching a film in the IMAX theater that concludes after 5:30 p.m., there is no charge for parking. Wahoo!
Before you leave, be sure and visit the gift shop to pick up a souvenir from your visit. There are some pretty cool things available, including astronaut ice cream, books, clothing, collectibles and toys.
The Details
Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151
How long to spend: 1-2 hours
Cost: There is no admission fee to enter the museum. However, there is a $15 fee for parking before 4 p.m. IMAX films are also an additional cost, along with snacks from the concession stand.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Closed on December 25). The hours for the Observation Deck vary.
Website: https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
Phone: (703) 572-4118
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