Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center — Attraction in Chantilly

If you love the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, you will love the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Imagine a giant airplane hanger with some of American aviation's most prominent planes, jets, and helicopters.

Some true standouts include the Space Shuttle Discovery, the SST (AKA Concord), the SR-71 Blackbird, and The Enola Gay.

The museum is one large open hanger, a short .20-minute drive from central DC. According to the museum's website, public transportation is available, but the trip would take well over an hour, so consider Uber or renting a car.

Once at the museum, there are four main areas to navigate.

Most of the planes are in the main exhibit area, the Boeing Aviation Hangar. You can walk up and down the aisles and read about each one, where it was deployed, and why it's relevant. You can also head to the upstairs walkway and see all the planes from above and several others suspended from the ceiling. There is also a tour of this area that meets around the clock; check in when you arrive to find out the times. The Discover Space Shuttle has an area devoted to space travel, which is also super cool.

There are simulators within the main hangar area, which all cost money but are super cool.

There is also a 360-degree observation tower to watch (and listen to) planes landing at Dulles, as the facility is at the end of one of the runways. I found the lines here not worth the experience, but that may be because I live in a major metropolis and always see planes taking off and landing. That said, the view of the hills leading to the Blue Ridge Mountains was cool.

The IMax theater is located downstairs and offers the largest screen in the area (85'). Check show times when you arrive.

You can easily spend an afternoon here; yes, there is food. There is a Shake Shake at...

I can confidently say it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the sheer scale and grandeur of the exhibits.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the center is the opportunity to see historical aircraft and spacecraft up close. The actual sizes of these remarkable machines are truly awe-inspiring. Standing next to the Space Shuttle Discovery was a highlight of my visit; it’s hard to grasp the enormity of the shuttle until you see it in person. The attention to detail in the exhibits is exceptional, providing an engaging narrative that brings the history of aviation and space exploration to life.

The center is also home to a variety of other aircraft, from World War II fighters to the Concorde, each telling its own story of innovation and adventure. The layout is spacious and well-organized, making it easy to navigate while allowing you to fully appreciate each exhibit.

In addition to the impressive displays, the staff was incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share their passion for aviation and space. Their enthusiasm added an extra layer of enjoyment to the visit, as they were able to answer questions and provide insights that enhanced the experience.

Overall, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a must-visit for anyone interested in aviation, space, or history. The combination of stunning exhibits, fascinating stories, and the chance to see these incredible machines in their full scale makes it an unforgettable destination. I left feeling inspired and eager to learn more about the incredible feats of human ingenuity that have taken us to the...

I cannot rave enough about this museum. I wasn't much of an aviation buff when I came in, but I sure was when I left! The main attractions are of course the Discovery space shuttle, the Enola Gay, and the stunning Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The restoration hangar is also home to "Flak-Bait," a Martin B-26 Marauder which holds the record for the most bombing missions survived during WWII, having been shot over 1,000 times! Even from the observation window you can clearly see the symbols painted on its side representing its many missions. Another piece of WWII history here is a Sikorsky JRS-1 which is the only aircraft in the collection that was at Pearl Harbor on December 7. Other notables include Amelia Earhart's flight suit and some interesting items from the Vietnam War. The sheer size of the hangar is remarkable; I'd set aside two to three hours to see everything that interests you and longer if you (like me) like to read every plaque in a museum. The museum also has an observation deck where you can watch the planes landing and taking off from the nearby Dulles Airport while a live ATC feed plays. There are also several simulators but these do cost extra and honestly you aren't missing much if you skip them. Now for the drawback: this is out of the way for folks visiting DC and the metro does not run all the way out here, so you'll have to ride share or rent a car if you are coming from DC. Be advised that parking is $15. Otherwise, it's easily one of the best museums that Smithsonian has to offer, and if you have even a passing interest in military or commercial aviation or spaceflight, you...