The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is one of the most impressive places to visit in Northern Virginia if you are interested in aviation history, military aviation, space exploration, or simply want to see some truly enormous aircraft up close. See Space Shuttle Discovery, the SR-71 Blackbird, Concorde, Enola Gay, and thousands of aviation and space artifacts at this massive museum near Dulles Airport. Located in the Chantilly area of Fairfax County, the center is just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport.
Virginia
3-4 Hours
Spring, Fall
Free
Overview
Instead of traditional small museum galleries, you’ll walk through two enormous hangars filled with large aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, military planes, and other historic objects. The scale of the building is part of the experience. You’ll find aircraft hanging overhead, massive machines surrounding you, and plenty of opportunities to get a close look at the technology behind some of aviation and space exploration’s greatest achievements.
This is also a great attraction for families, aviation enthusiasts, and travelers with a long layover at Dulles Airport. Plan on spending several hours here because there is much more to see than Space Shuttle Discovery alone.
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened in December 2003 in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport. The center was designed to provide the enormous exhibition space needed for large aircraft and spacecraft that could not be accommodated in a conventional museum building.
The facility features two enormous exhibition areas: the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. The Boeing Aviation Hangar contains aircraft from military, commercial, experimental, and general aviation history, while the space hangar focuses on space exploration, rockets, spacecraft, missiles, and other space artifacts.
The James S. McDonnell Space Hangar opened in 2004, expanding the center’s ability to display objects connected to America’s history of space exploration.
The Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar provides another unique part of the experience. Visitors can look into the restoration area and see specialists working to preserve and restore historic aircraft.
Over the years, the center has become known for its collection of iconic aircraft and spacecraft, including Space Shuttle Discovery, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Air France Concorde, and the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay.
Walking up to the Space Hangar
We loved seeing the shuttle up close
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Plan
For Stephanie’s 18th birthday, her family surprised her with a trip to Washington, D.C., to explore the city’s famous sights and experience the incredible history of the area. One of our first stops was the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. Since we landed early in the day, we headed straight to the museum before continuing on to our hotel in the heart of Washington, D.C. Stephanie has always loved airplanes and space, so getting to see the incredible aircraft and spacecraft up close made this the perfect first stop on our birthday adventure.
Getting to see an SR-71 Blackbird was the highlight of the museum for us!
Jennifer and Darrell looking at the Blackbird
Getting There
Location
The museum is in the Chantilly area of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, close to Washington Dulles International Airport.
Its location near Dulles makes it particularly convenient if you’re staying near the airport or exploring Northern Virginia. It is also close enough to Dulles that travelers with a sufficiently long layover may be able to visit the museum between flights, provided they allow plenty of time for transportation and airport security.
The surrounding countryside gives the center a very different atmosphere from the busy streets of downtown Washington, D.C. One of the best parts of the location is that you can actually watch aircraft arriving and departing from Dulles Airport from the museum’s observation tower.
Best Time to Go
I recommend visiting in the morning so you have plenty of time to explore the giant hangars. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25.
Weekdays can be a good choice if you prefer fewer visitors, although the size of the center means it can still feel comfortable even when there are plenty of people exploring.
Spring and fall can be especially pleasant times to visit Northern Virginia, while summer is convenient for family vacations. Since most of the experience takes place inside the giant hangars, the museum is also a good option on a hot, humid, rainy, or otherwise unpleasant day.
If you’re visiting during a busy travel period, arrive early and give yourself extra time for traffic around Northern Virginia.
Casi and Stephanie in front of the Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Unit
Looking up at the underside of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Who Can Go?
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a destination for just about everyone.
Families with children will find interactive exhibits and enormous aircraft that are impressive even if they aren’t already interested in aviation. Older kids and adults may especially enjoy the military aviation, space exploration, and aviation history exhibits.
Aviation enthusiasts can spend hours studying the aircraft, while history buffs will find important connections to World War II, the development of military aviation, commercial flight, and space exploration.
The center also provides accessibility features for visitors with mobility needs, including accessible parking, entrances, elevators, restrooms, and other accommodations.
What You'll See
Space Shuttle Discovery
The star attraction for many visitors is Space Shuttle Discovery.
Seeing the shuttle in person is completely different from seeing photographs. Its size, complexity, and unusual shape become much more obvious when you’re standing beneath it inside the giant James S. McDonnell Space Hangar.
Discovery completed 39 missions during its career and carried astronauts, satellites, and scientific equipment into space.
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Aviation enthusiasts should make a point of finding the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
The aircraft is famous for its incredible speed, altitude capabilities, and distinctive design. Seeing it up close provides a much better appreciation for the engineering involved in creating an aircraft capable of operating at such extreme speeds and altitudes.
Air France Concorde
The Air France Concorde is another must-see aircraft.
The supersonic passenger aircraft represents one of the most fascinating chapters in commercial aviation history. The Concorde’s sleek design looks just as unusual in person as it does in photographs.
B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay
The B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay provides an important connection to World War II and the history of the atomic bomb.
Its display gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the aircraft, its crew, and the complicated historical events surrounding its 1945 mission.
Space Artifacts
The James S. McDonnell Space Hangar contains an impressive collection of rockets, missiles, spacecraft, satellites, and other objects related to space exploration.
One notable artifact is the Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Facility, which was used following the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts from the Moon.
One notable artifact is the Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Facility, which was used following the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts from the Moon.
Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar
Make sure you take a look inside the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.
This area offers visitors a close look at the preservation process. Depending on the current projects, you may be able to watch specialists restoring historic aircraft.
Observation Tower
The Donald D. Engen Observation Tower is another fun stop.
From the observation tower, you can see the surrounding Northern Virginia countryside and watch large aircraft taking off and landing at Washington Dulles International Airport.
For aviation enthusiasts, watching modern aircraft operate while surrounded by historic aircraft inside the museum is a pretty unique experience.
IMAX Theater
The center also features an IMAX theater, showing educational films and Hollywood features.
If you are spending most of the day at the museum, an IMAX movie can be a fun way to take a break from walking through the large hangars.
Lockheed XV-4 Hummingbird
A display of scale models of historic rockets and shuttles
What to Bring & Wear
The most important thing to bring is a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. The center is huge, and you’ll spend a lot of time walking between exhibits.
Other things you may want to bring include:
- Phone or camera
- Refillable water bottle
- Small backpack
- Light jacket or sweater
- Snacks for before or after your visit
- Sunglasses if you plan to spend time outside or visit the observation areas
Bottled water is permitted, but food and drinks aren’t allowed in the aircraft display areas.
Free lockers are available for small bags and carry-on-sized items, which can be especially helpful if you’re visiting before or after a flight from Dulles.
The museum also has food options and a gift shop with aviation- and space-themed souvenirs.
Where to Go
The easiest way to reach the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is by car. Enter the following address into your GPS: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, Virginia 20151
By Car
The center is located near Washington Dulles International Airport and is easily accessible from the major roads serving Northern Virginia.
If you’re renting a car, this is a relatively easy attraction to add to a Northern Virginia itinerary.
Parking is available at the museum and costs $15 before 4 p.m. Parking is free after 4 p.m., and vehicles staying less than 30 minutes are not charged.
By Public Transportation
You can reach the center by public transportation using the Metro Silver Line and Fairfax Connector.
Take the Silver Line to Innovation Center Station, then transfer to Fairfax Connector Bus No. 983, which serves the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Check the current Fairfax Connector schedule before your trip because bus frequency varies.
From Washington Dulles International Airport
One of the biggest advantages of this museum is how close it is to Dulles Airport.
The center is only about 10 minutes from the airport by bus, making it an interesting option for travelers with a long layover.
If you’re considering leaving the airport during a layover, make sure you have enough time for transportation in both directions, airport security, and any potential delays. I would only attempt this with a generous layover rather than trying to squeeze in a quick visit.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress named Enola Gay
How Long Does it Take?
I recommend allowing at least 3–4 hours for your first visit.
That gives you enough time to walk through the major hangars, see Space Shuttle Discovery, find the SR-71 Blackbird, view Concorde and the Enola Gay, explore the space artifacts, and visit the observation tower.
If you’re traveling with aviation enthusiasts or want to see everything at a slower pace, plan on spending most of a full day.
There is simply a lot to see.
The giant hangars make the museum feel almost endless, and you’ll probably find yourself stopping frequently to look at aircraft details, read the history behind an artifact, or take photographs.
Cost
Admission to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is free.
Regular visitors do not need a timed-entry pass.
The main expense is parking if you arrive by car. Parking costs $15 before 4 p.m. and is free after 4 p.m.
You may have additional costs if you decide to watch an IMAX movie, purchase food, or shop for souvenirs.
Tips for Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Plan on spending at least 3–4 hours at the center.
- Allow even more time if you're an aviation enthusiast or want to see everything.
- Arrive in the morning so you don't feel rushed.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes because the hangars are enormous.
- Don't miss Space Shuttle Discovery.
- Bring a camera or phone because there are plenty of unique photo opportunities.
- Use the free lockers if you don't want to carry your bag around.
- Remember that food and drinks aren't allowed in the display areas.
- Consider public transportation if you don't have a car.
- Check the Fairfax Connector schedule before relying on Bus No. 983.
- Take advantage of the museum's location near Dulles if you're staying in the area.
- A long layover can make this a unique opportunity, but leave plenty of time to return to the airport.
- Check the museum's website before visiting for current exhibits, events, theater schedules, and any temporary changes.