Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
4.9(30K)google
4.7(760)yelp
AviationScienceEducationalFamilyIndoor
Overview
Situated in Chantilly adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a massive, world-class aviation and space sanctuary that serves as the companion facility to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Housed within two colossal aviation hangars, the center displays hundreds of historic aircraft and spacecraft that could not fit in the downtown museum. Highlights include standing inches away from the actual Space Shuttle Discovery, the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, the Enola Gay B-29 bomber, and an Air France Concorde supersonic transport liner.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeAn all-weather indoor aviation masterpiece open year-round. Entering precisely at the 10:00 AM opening on a weekday is highly recommended; this ensures the lowest foot traffic across the colossal industrial hangar bays, letting you marvel at the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Concorde under perfect overhead natural skylights.
Getting ThereSituated right next to Dulles Airport at 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway in Chantilly. Driving via VA-28 directly to the dedicated exit is seamless, sweeping into a colossal paved parking courtyard (flat-fee pricing applies before 4 PM). By transit, ride the D.C. Metro Silver Line to Innovation Center station, then swap to the Fairfax Connector Route 983 bus.
Travel Tips
- While museum entry is entirely free, on-site parking incurs a steep $15 fee per vehicle (free after 4:00 PM). To completely bypass this fee, take the Metrorail Silver Line to Innovation Center station and transfer to Fairfax Connector Bus 983.
- The massive hangar spans huge distances on hard concrete floors; supportive walking shoes are mandatory. The climate control system keeps the hangars cold year-round, so bringing a light jacket is highly recommended even in summer.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Airport-grade security is enforced. Knives, pepper spray, tripods, and selfie sticks are banned. Bags larger than 17x15x9 inches are prohibited inside; there are no locker facilities, so large luggage must be left in your car.
Reviews
Positive
- The massive hangar houses the authentic Space Shuttle Discovery and the SR-71 Blackbird; its visual impact and authenticity are world-class.
- The interior space is spacious and modern, accessible paths are highly complete, restrooms are plentiful and very clean, and multilingual tour services are very professional.
- Due to its massive size, it doesn't feel overly crowded or noisy even during peak visitor times; crowd order is strictly managed with a highly professional atmosphere.
- As part of the Smithsonian Institution, it is completely free to enter, and its priceless aviation core value makes its cost-effectiveness unbeatable.
- As the massive hangar extension of the Air and Space Museum, it houses the actual Space Shuttle Discovery and SR-71 Blackbird; its visual impact is unmatched.
- Two grand, modern climate-controlled hangars feature sharp signage, paired with multi-language digital media and elevated accessible catwalks for perfect viewing.
- Watching professional artifact preservation experts live-restore vintage aircraft through giant observation glass delivers peak fun, educational, and high-utility merit.
- True to Smithsonian heritage, it costs zero general admission, granting close encounters with the pinnacle of aerospace engineering; an unbeatable value.
Heads up
- Although the museum is free, parking fees are very expensive (charging over a dozen dollars per car), creating a disguised admission-fee 'rip-off' feeling.
- The only dining supply inside is fast food like McDonald's, offering limited options and prices noticeably higher than regular outside stores, making in-museum dining poor value.
- It is very far from downtown DC, located near Dulles Airport; for non-driving tourists, navigating public transit and transferring buses takes an extremely long time.
- Recreational activities like flight simulators and the IMAX theater require pricey extra tickets, attracting crowded lines that often require long waits in peak season.
- Though general entry is free, the site enforces a steep $15 mandatory parking fee per vehicle (free after 4 PM), inflating solo driving expenses.
- Located near Dulles Airport far out in the outskirts, it is a 40-minute drive from downtown DC, lacking streamlined Metro rail links; inconvenient for non-drivers.
- The grand steel hangars span an immense walking footprint, and to safeguard vintage aircraft skin materials, the environment relies on dim lighting, causing minor fatigue.
- The single on-site dining retail shack provides thin fast-food combo selections and prices its burger kits significantly above regular suburban market rates.