Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Wow! This museum exceeded my expectations. It showcased planes from various time periods, including the iconic Enola Gay, the SR-71, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. These incredible aircraft were right in front of us, making the experience truly captivating. Another great aspect of this museum is its free admission. Parking was $15, but it was worth it for the incredible exhibits. The staff was incredibly helpful and even offered free tours. They also seemed to have a variety of activities and exhibits for children, ensuring that everyone had a great time. One of the highlights of the museum was the observation tower. From there, you could watch planes take off and land at Dulles Airport, providing a unique and thrilling perspective. Overall, this museum offers a fantastic experience for aviation enthusiasts and families alike. World definitely recommend a a do again!

Great experience for the family! Tickets are free as well! They had so many aircrafts on display with free tours pertaining to history and educational inquiries on them. Parking was great with many spots available. They had a shake shack restaurant inside that was pricey like airport prices but good. They also had a gift shop that had books, ornaments, and kid friendly options.

This was a very nice air space museum option outside of DC. New facility, very spacious, bathrooms all over. Multiple levels and angles to see the air and space craft from. My husband and kids really enjoyed this. Spacious area for eating. The gift shop had really neat options at all price points and, of course, they had freeze dried ice cream! We enjoyed ourselves and totally recommend going here. It's free but parking is $15. It's totally worth the drive out to Chantilly. And my kids and I got to hold and pick several space rocks.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is absolutely breathtaking. Seeing iconic aircraft like the Space Shuttle Discovery, Concorde, and the SR-71 Blackbird up close is an unforgettable experience. The exhibits are incredibly well-curated, informative, and inspiring for both kids and adults. The space is massive, clean, and well organized, making it easy to spend hours exploring. A must-visit if you’re even slightly interested in aviation, space, or history.

This is a place I have been wanting to go to for years. Being a fan of aviation and especially of space, this was absolutely amazing! My only complaint was the screening at the front entrance. I understand why they have to but was a little inconvenient. Also the parking being $15 and then saying it’s free to get in is a little silly. This place was great. For anyone into space and aviation this is the second best aviation museum I have been to. By far the best is the one in Dayton but this has the SR71 and the Discovery space shuttle! Nothing beats that! I was in heaven here and would love to come back again.

Perfect place to visit! Admission is free, and parking is only $15, which is very reasonable for what you get to experience. The museum has an incredible selection of aircraft and helicopters on display, including the legendary Blackbird, the historic Kitty Hawk, the unique Oblique Wing research aircraft, and even the iconic Concorde. Each exhibit is well-presented, and you can get up close to the planes, making it both educational and exciting. There are also plenty of interactive displays and informative signs that explain the history and technology behind each aircraft, which makes it engaging for both kids and adults. One of the highlights is the observation area, where you can sit and watch planes taking off and landing—it’s such a fascinating experience, especially for aviation enthusiasts. The museum is well-maintained, clean, and easy to navigate, with friendly staff available to answer questions. It’s a great place for families, history buffs, and anyone curious about flight. You can easily spend a few hours here exploring everything. A must-visit if you’re in the area!

Admission to the center is free, and the quality of the aircraft on display is excellent — truly impressive and well worth seeing. The collection is well maintained and showcases remarkable aviation technology. There is a virtual space experience area for children. Our two kids tried it, but they both felt it was quite boring, with nothing particularly special or engaging. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes. After that, it costs $15. Overall, it’s a great place to visit for aircraft and aviation enthusiasts, but the children’s virtual experience may not meet expectations.

No crowds likely because there was an expected blizzard coming (travelling for hockey, hit up on the ride home). Amazing. Everything any flight enthusiast would want to see, Concord, Discovery, plus simulators, sit in a Cessna, so much - we only had about 90minutes and saw so much but could definitely spend 3 hours here if you added movies, shop, tower, actually reading anything. Loved it.

Amazing museum that's well worth the ride from the city. Had an incredible tour guide who had limitless aviation knowledge and answered so many questions. His passion for educating folks about the aircraft and their history really shone through. I really wish I could remember his name but he has white hair. Awesome guy.

To start, this museum is beautiful! It was touted to us as better than the one in DC, which I don't quite agree with, but that doesn't detract from how great it is on its own. There are great displays, though nowhere near the interactive pieces the DC counterpart has (I didn't see any, but I might've missed one or two). The VR and simulations were the highlight of the visit though. An extra $34 per person, you can ride the flight simulator $12, the VR space walk $10, or the most popular plane simulator with 360 rotation $12. The flight simulator was fun, barely any wait, very cool. The VR was surprisingly detailed and the view of earth and the International space station was phenomenal. The 360 plane simulator was the biggest draw though, and for good reason! We actually managed to stay upside down deliberately for a few seconds! There were pieces on the ground and hanging from the ceiling, all of which looked impeccable, and the display cases with air force memorabilia were informative and cool. Lots of repeated loudspeaker announcements of closing, when it felt like one announcement would have sufficed (rather than 3). They also don't have those hours of operation for all parts of the museum, since we had hoped to hit the gift shop on the way out, but the ropes and guard announced it was closed. They chose the hours and announced them, but they can't adhere to their own hours? That's what irked me as we left. So it is because of the closing practices as well as the lack of interactive pieces that a star was lost. Overall worth it, but not one of the best Smithsonian options available.

This is one of our go-to places to visit with our kids because of several reasons (not in order): 1) They have a Shake Shack within the facility with specialty a space themed shake and custard, 2) They have an annual Halloween "Air N Scare" event which is super fun, 3) There's ample space for our kids to roam around as well as enough range to navigate with a stroller/wagon, 4) All of the staff here are so warm and friendly and seem like they love working here! This museum is more "air" than "space" but has so many cool things nonetheless. We aren't super into aviation but I can see how those who are would love this place. The space portion is small but it does house the Discovery space shuttle! There's also an observation tower which also overlooks Dulles International Airport. There are also clean and well kept bathrooms as well as multiple elevators, stairs, and ramps throughout the museum. As with all of the Smithsonians, this one is also FREE but parking is $15 (you also have the option to pay inside vs. going through the booth). There's also an IMAX theater here with limited showings. I like having this museum in our rotation, especially since our kids enjoy coming here too!

This museum was accessible by transit, but it took a couple hours from downtown-ish. Their lockers are free - the bigger ones could actually fit our carseat. Smaller ones surprisingly could fit our biggest carry-on suitcase. We loved there was a Shake Shack, and loved how the length of the museum is parallel to an IAD runway, so while we were sitting there to eat, we could see planes landing along the length of the museum through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The design of the main building we noticed is like an airplane hangar, which is pretty cool. There was an unexpectedly interesting art/print exhibit of the history of balloons - something I hadn't considered as part of the world's pre-airplane history. So interesting to see the Discovery Space shuttle, Enola Gay, and a BlackBird. Note there is an extra charge for the flight simulator.

Amazing museum. Smithsonian style. Full of information. Beautiful displays of aeronautical history and people. Enola Gay, Discover shuttle, multiple WWII era planes, world's smallest plane, and hundreds of other specimens.

Worth the drive! The full collection on display. If you're a plane lover this is for you. The refurbish shit is an aviators dream. The shuttle is on full Display in an area exclusive to space aircraft. This hanger is devoted more to aircraft. Well done, full of history. Many of these were on display in Washington now here where they can spread their wings.

A great museum with lots to see for any space or aviation enthusiast. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, is a must-see destination for aviation and space enthusiasts. It is located near Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia, and far away from most of the downtown Smithsonian museums and the traffic. Parking is convenient but requires a fee. Admission to the museum itself is free. This museum showcases an incredible collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and aviation artifacts in a massive hangar-style setting that is visible on your entry to the facility. The centerpiece exhibits include the Space Shuttle Discovery, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Enola Gay, and the Concorde. All aircraft, spacecraft, and rockets are displayed in pristine condition, offering visitors a close-up view of the engineering marvels that shaped human exploration of air and space. The museum's layout allows visitors to walk among the aircraft, with elevated walkways providing unique perspectives on the larger exhibits. The Udvar-Hazy Center also boasts an IMAX theater and a place that allows you to see the ongoing restorations that are taking place. There are many interactive displays and knowledgeable docents to provide engaging insights into the history and significance of the artifacts on display. Whether you're passionate about aviation history or just looking for an unforgettable experience, the Udvar-Hazy Center is the place for you.

4/7/24 Free entry and no advance ticket needed. The Air & Space in DC does require timed tickets. Put your walking shoes on because it is huge! There are so many different types of air transport throughout. There is even a 2nd level with a walkway with planes hanging from the ceiling. Take the tour with a docent you will learn so much!

Came with a group of kids in our mentoring program for a field trip. I have not been myself since I was in middle school and it was a delightful experience. It was nice seeing all of the planes and seeing the story behind each one. There is plenty of parking available at a nominal cost. Inside of the museum many volunteers are there to guide you along the way. They have guided tours once every hour, and you can walk through at your own pace if you wish there are plenty of exhibits so make sure you wear some comfortable walking shoes to explore the entire museum. A great time in educational experience I encourage anyone to attend. I know once we get a new group of kids in our program we will be back.

This place is nothing short of impressive. Even if you're not an aviation aficionado, you will be awed and thrilled by this museum. Photos cannot do justice to the incredible display of historical airplanes and spacecraft. It is a hassle to get here from the city, and we were fortunate that a local friend was happy to pick us up from the District and drive us all the way there and back. If you don't have a car then the cheapest way to get there is taking the Silver Line out to a stop near the airport then either take a bus or a short Uber ride. Parking is $15 but admission to the museum is free. Almost all the planes on display have been restored to working order - that is, add fuel and oil to the Enola Gay and it could fly again. There are aircraft from all eras of human aviation, and a number of curious experimental and hobbyist crafts as well. The Space Shuttle Discovery is here. There's a complete 707. There's the Blackbird and the F35 Joint Strike Fighter. It's mind-blowing to see these planes so close you could practically touch them (don't try). This is completely worth the effort. Do not pass up an opportunity to come here.

Absolutely wonderful museum! The crafts on display are impressive - some unique ones here. The museum has an imax theater that shows movies & documentaries - yes, you can even buy popcorn for the show ;) There are even kid friendly events put on, like story time and a Halloween event. I can't say enough good things. Note that it does get busy on the weekends!

This is a must in the DC area. Seriously, so cool. I'm not really even into aviation, and yet this had me interested for a couple hours. All the different kinds of planes and helicopters, and the whole space section! You can walk around, below or above, and just take everything in. Even the history behind all the different items was fascinating. Kids or adults, this place is fantastic and worth the drive.

I've been to the Air & Space Museum in D.C. but always passed by this one. Finally took the opportunity to stop and immerse myself in this location. This location has more aircrafts on display. There's also an interactive area to experience. The space section reminded me of Kennedy Space Center. Variety of aircrafts showcased among the halls and massive hangers makes this museum fascinating. The bonus is there's a Shake Shack located inside the museum to dine. Museum is free but parking is $15.

Easy way to kill a few hours before your flight out of Dulles airport. They have lockers for your luggage too

One of the best museums in the DC area, and that's saying a lot. I feel like there's something for everyone here, and it's also great that there's a Shake Shack inside as well. I loved seeing all of the older planes on display, and teens really enjoy the simulator. One of my favorite parts of the museum is being able to be listen in to air traffic control by nearby Dulles airport. So cool to listen in!

Went on a special occasion, their 20-year anniversary. Parking was free just for that day (instead of the usual $15) with parking attendants directing. Inside, they had book signings, talks, kids activities as well as scheduled music performances. Loved going through various aviation and space artifacts (including displays of engines, propellers, uniforms, and planes from the early 1900s to now). On the space side, loved seeing modules, satellites and rockets). The restoration hangar was also open to the public. We were able to walk through and observe scientists/curators restoring artifacts as well as explaining the processes of archiving, packing, preserving and making miniature models of the items they are working on. We also were able to watch a free 20-minute IMAX presentation at their theater. Great place!

I never knew this musuem existed until I was looking at Google Maps of places to go nearby Dulles airport. I'm so glad I got to check it out. You can see Space Shuttle Discovery, Air France's Concorde, Boeing 707, Red Bull Stratos capsule, old school FedEx airplane, military aircrafts, and so much more. There's also a free observation tower. There's no admission fee but you have to pay $15 to park, which is reasonable.

Don't forget your comfy walking shoes, because you will need them for this huge museum. Although it is about an hour train and bus ride away from the DC Mall area, it is worth the trip for any aviation enthusiast. A must-see! PRO-PARENT TIP: Free entry!! No pre-registration needed when we went. PRO-PARENT TIP: There is a Shake Shack inside. PRO-PARENT TIP: Wagons and strollers allowed inside to help little ones enjoy every inch of the museum.

I was watching a documentary about the Concorde--the retired supersonic commercial airplane--and I wondered if any are on display. Turns out that one is housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center! This is an annex of the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum, and it does not disappoint. The building is basically a large hangar holding marvels of aviation history. You can physically see everything in one visit, but you'll probably want to come back to take it all in. The Concorde is beautiful and you can walk right under it. The Space Shuttle Discovery is another highlight of the museum, and it is in a spacious area centered around space travel. There are tons of early planes, gliders, helicopters, flight suits, and more. There are also WW2-era planes, including several of the Axis powers, as well as the Enola Gay; this was not spotlighted, but it was historically relevant and heavy to see. There is also a 360 viewing tower to watch planes takeoff and land from nearby Dulles airport. There is an imax theater, too! And the gift shop is worth a visit. We picked up a toy helicopter, postcards, and astronaut ice cream. Next to the gift shop is a Shake Shack, which is the only food allowed in the museum. (You can bring bottled water, but nothing else.) Parking was $15. Admission was free. The building is handicapped/strolled accessible. If you love aviation, this place is a must.

This are two Air and Space Museums in the area. One is located downtown and this one by Dulles airport. This museum has a huge parking lot that costs $15 before 4PM and is free after that. Also, the first 30 minutes are free for drop offs and pick ups. Admission to the museum is free and they do not require a time ticket. You will see the giant stainless steel sculpture, Ascent, towering in the parking lot. It is definitely worth a closer look. The museum features many attractions. Some notable ones include a flight observation deck, that you have to take a short elevator ride to get to (you can hear and see actual radio traffic from neighboring Dulles Airport), an IMAX movie theater, flight simulators (additional charge), and green screen souvenir photos. They also offer guided tours of the museum that are scheduled, but I oped to go at my own pace. The museum is huge and has over 100 aircraft, but its featured aircraft are the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71. You will find other various aircraft including a Concord, rockets, missiles, bi-planes, bicycle planes, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, a F-14 Tomcat for the Top Gun fans, bombers, private jets, crop dusters, blimps, ballons, aircraft mounted weapons, different space suits, a Coast Guard HU-16 Albatross, and the suit that they guy that jumped from spaced used. There is a lot to see at this museum. In addition to all the aircraft, they have Discovery Stations scattered about the museum that teaches you different things and has displays like astronaut clothing, astronaut food, the effect of space of the body, and other subjects. If you go up the stairs behind the Space Shuttle you will find windows that look out over the museum's restoration hangar where they reconstruct, repair and maintain the museums exhibits. Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10:30 am and 11:00 am, they hold what they call On-Site Drop In Story Time, where one of their museum educators reads a story to little ones. There are 3 different simulators to choose from: Ride Simulators, Interactive Flight Simulators and VR Transporter Experience. The cost of these experiences vary, as well as the height requirements. My littles were only big enough to Ride Simulator. I did not find it a very fun ride, but my little kind of enjoyed it. We spent about 2 hours here, and if we did not have plans, we could have spent at least two more. I really, really liked this museum. It is well organized, has an educational component, lots to see, and a amazing and friendly staff. Oh, and did I mention....It is free. I highly recommend checking this gem out. I know it is well off of the beaten path and will take some logistical planning if you are downtown, but it is so worth it.

Located about an hour outside of DC (depending on traffic), this hangar is a great supplement to the Air and Space Museum. Parking here is $15 and more or less the only way to easily access this museum. There is an hourly bus, but that's a big risk to take if the bus is late. Admission is free, and paid tickets can be purchased to the imax theater. The imax is... fine! I've been in better ones like the Pittsburgh Science Center, for instance. The guides here are amazing, and virtual volunteers can be found throughout the museum too! It's a great use of the space. You can also watch restorations take place! Cool!

Admission is free for this museum, but the parking is $15. This is a fabulous museum. There is so much history of planes. Not only do they have the space shuttle, the Concorde, and numerous World War II planes, but they have the Enola Gay! I have been here three times with friends and family who come to visit from out of town. It's a great place to spend the day with people of all ages.

Free admission,and on site parking for $15.00. Hundreds of historically significant air- and spacecraft, along with thousands of small artifacts, are on display in an open, hangar-like setting. Other features of the Center include the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, the. Airbus IMAX Theather, and the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, where visitors can watch museum specialists at work restoring artifacts. Spent several hours browsing the exhibit and enjoying the experience. If you love planes and history, this place is a must see!! Highly recommend!!!

Space Geek overload In progress. I've always wanted to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, and today was the day. This place was amazing The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde, in two large hangars.

Having been in the Washington D.C. Air & Space Museum, I never REALIZED you can discover the Air & Space Museum in Virginia. On April 4th we took a large group from Upward Bound to this museum. Mindblowing. But what it more amazing was the tour guide we had. His last name was Murphy, and I believe his first name was John. He was beyond a wealth of knowledge, His enthusiasm was heartwarming. He gave us 100% of his knowledge, enthusiasm, and energy, He even offered his throat lozengers out of his pocket as some of our students, who are at times shirt attention span with so many detailed facts as he provided, was beyond generous. When he talked, he looked right at us direct eyesight and his heart was beyond being connected to the details and people tied to so many vehicles in the museum. He brought these stories alive. One station by the NASA Space shuttle had a screen where there was a live guide at a remote location. It shocked them when they realized this was a live person on the screen and they interacted with him for over 10 minutes and this spurred more questions than we normally would have due to the unique situation of him being remote yet live. Great idea. We were right on the cusp of the start time of the Imax - your staff was courteous, patient, and got us in right on time. We went to the simulation center and several of us were late to get to both types of simulations, but you were able to get the group in and they LOVED IT. Alll your staff there made sure each of our students experienced an amazing simulation, and even refunded a few tickets for those that were in the store and did not have time to go through the second simulation you had, and they supported us without complaint. And the bookstore - your staff there were overwhelmed with people, OVERWHELMED - and yet they were patient, and even when a mug was bumped off the shelf and broke, a staff came over immediately. I had picked up the pieces in seeing them on the floor, and that staff member was amazing. As I waited for students, I walked around and put items back where they fell off because I had the time but because I was so grateful of the way your employees were so patient and helping so many in the store- they were GREAT. The volunteers you had giving out Eclipse glasses, AWESOME idea and thank you. The only area that we had a little bump and bruise in was the Shake Shack food area around 2:20 PM. I LOVE Shack SHACK and I love that you have one in this museum, LOVE. With a large group, there is always chaos, and yet, your young staff was awesome. The manager had some slight words and difficulty processing we needed a different type of burger than we had prepurchased due to one of our students practicing Ramadan, Instead of the standard Shake Shack Burger, we needed a Mushroom burger to replace the prepaid burger ticket we had obtained for the whole group. There was some disagreement in doing that, and we just ask that despite the chaos that occurs with large groups, if a little more understanding can occur in a situation like that. However, if you look above, the areas and experience we had were GREAT thanks to an amazing museum and we thank you. I will definitely be back again and our group was entranced. Thank you!

The Udvar Hazy Center is a unique place to visit. Outside of "DC proper in the suburbs," it is right next to Washington Dulles International Airport. If you are lucky enough to get clear weather, the observation tower allows you to look over the runways not far off. Here you can listen to air traffic control, along with seeing planes landing coming in for their approach. All of the docents who volunteer here, are knowledgeable and well trained. See if you can get an organized tour, but even without that, there's plenty to see and do. What really always blows my mind, is standing next to the US Space shuttle Discovery. Admittedly love that this one, was first back after the Challenger and Columbia tragedies. The SR 71 Blackbird is remarkable, as is the Concorde. This is a must for aviation/space geeks. I was surprised that they had several former Soviet fighter jets, and the simulators are quite fun and realistic. The only fee is $15 for parking, and there's a McDonald's and Museum shop to peruse through. If you are in the capital region, add this one to your list.

Yes!!! Wow, this is the Air and Space center of my boyhood and dad hood dreams :) it absolutely is a five-star representation of the nation's (and the world's?) best and most well known planes and spacecraft. Definitely worth a trip out of downtown to see this. What puts it over the top is being able to see work in progress, from the restoration hangar, to literally having pieces of significant stuff out on the main floor, to just find?!?! Like when we were there yesterday, there's a fuselage and wings of a B17 just sitting out there on the main floor! And sections of the famous Flak Bait in various places. So good so good!

A must visit place if you are in DMV area. I have always wanted to visit this museum and got the opportunity to visit last weekend unexpectedly. There's no entry fee and parking fee is 15$. As soon as you enter you see the majestic supersonic jet blackbird. You will see all kinds of planes including Concorde, fighter jets, old gliders, the grand Discovery etc. They also have guides there sharing information about all the aircraft's. We also experienced fighter jet simulator and it was super fun. You could rotate 360degrees and it was amazing. We also watched a 20 mins movie on the history of planes in the max theater within the museum. This museum is for everyone and a nice way to spend few hours filled with knowledge and fun.

I have been to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum several times, but I had never been to this additional museum, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. It is well worth the trip whether you get here by metro or drive. If you take the metro, it's a little over an hour from The Mall. it is definitely worth the effort to get here. Two hangers filled with aircraft of all types, including the shuttle Discovery, an Air France Concorde, many space capsule's, satellites, cruise missiles, and it goes on and on. An IMAX theater has three or four different movies shown throughout the day. Eight dollars for admission with reduced prices for seniors and children. There is a fast food restaurant on site. I spent two hours here and ran out of time. I think I could easily spend a full day here.

My travels found me across the continent, on the east coast. My family & I decided to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. We made the short trek up from Quantico VA, and found the museum easily. The parking lot is clean, spacious, and well laid out. There is no entry fee and you do not need tickets however there is a fee for parking (somewhere around 12-15 bucks). The museum was incredible, there are thousands of aviation & space artifacts. Plan to spend at least 2 hours here, and that's moving through quickly. Some of my group tried the simulators & they (adults) said it was awesome, very realistic and worth the $. We did not watch any movies although I wanted to (if I knew ahead I would have planned to be there much earlier). Cool finds in the gift shop, overall really cool experience and I came away feeling like I want to learn more about the different aircraft's used during different time periods. Totally geeky but eek, so cool!!

Love taking my friends here when they're first visiting VA! It's a great experience to just walk through all of the history and different planes. My friends definitely have more knowledge on the exhibits here, and its super interesting to see their takes and read the information on each plane. Would definitely recommend as parking is also very cheap and free after certain times.

I tried and tried to get into the main Air and Space Museum. I was a slacker and didn't plan in advance and couldn't get last minute tickets that they offer. What a bummer! But all is good as I found this gargantuan gem of a museum. By far one of the best aviation museum in the world. If you are an aviation fan this is a real treat. It's about a 34 minute drive from where I was staying in DC. Was a very easy drive. They do charge for parking but it's minimal. Parking lot is huge and best part you don't need to pre reserve. The inside is impressive. And the first thing you see is the black beast. SR71. It's amazing. I went there to see the SR-71, F35 and the space shuttle. Mission accomplished. Seeing the Concord, Enola Gay, and F14 was the cherry on top. I could have stayed all day... but my kids would have not allowed that. They have an Imax theater inside. Besure to check the schedule before you go. I would have loved to see the Imax on aircraft carriers. I'm going back soon!

My two year old grandson loves airplanes and really enjoyed going. We have taken him several times.

This museum is super cool and is chocked full historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the Discovery Space Shuttle, an SR-71 and the Enola Gay. My companions and I followed the walking tour group for a little while, the docent who was presenting was very knowledgeable and interesting. We also enjoyed viewing the work being done in the restoration area and the space shuttle totally stood out as a favorite aspect of the museum. Additionally, there is an observation tower with a 360 degree view of the Dulles/Chantilly area, there is an IMAX movie theater and a variety of flight simulators to check out. The location is very convenient, just off 28 by Dulles airport and the museum is great for all ages with lots to explore. I totally recommend checking this museum out, cheers!

This is a really top notch museum. Unbelievable number of planes with good interpretative info on each. Add in the space shuttle and this is one of the best museums (a Concorde is a nice touch). Can't beat the price (free, although parking is for a fee). Staff is very friendly and willing to share insights on exhibits. This is a must see museum.

This is way way better than the Air and Space in the National Mall. You really need a car to get here, which honestly is probably why it is accessible whereas the other location is not. It is also way cooler than the one on the mall. This location had a concord and a space shuttle. What more do you need? It would be cool if you could get closer to the displays - like maybe if you could go into the concord? But it is a must see...if not for the spaceship alone. Giftshop is overpriced, avoid if you aren't in the market to spend a lot on nothing.

If you're a fan of Transformers, Jetfire from the second movie is here. Really fun to look at everything for free. The simulator for $10 was less than exciting. "To Fly!" the movie was kind of boring, but a great theater. Awesome that the museum is free. Very impressive collection.

Very fun museum for plane-loving folks and even those that aren't super into planes. My son loved all the different types of air crafts and colors. We went on a week day and it was pleasantly empty. Volunteers are all pretty friendly.

This is my favorite museum in the greater DMV. It is a bit far from the other DC attractions, but I always recommend people try to prioritize it. I love the models, the interactive displays, and the employees are always knowledgeable and kind. The observation deck and the windows overlooking the restoration hanger are two of my favorite spots to check out. The fact that it also has an iMax theatre and a Shake Shack are bonuses. Highly recommend to locals and visitors alike!

One of the most impressive air museums that I have been to, and it is extremely accessible for all people (and photographers). There are a massive number of planes and spacecraft on display, and they are very easy to access from different angles and view points. If you are photographer, you should definitely bring a long lens and a wide angle lens and be prepared to shoot with high ISO. There are no tripods allowed, but I was able to use my gorilla pod (small adjustable mount for my camera that clamps to railings and fixtures). My favorite displays were the shuttle (Discovery), the SR71 and some of the cold war planes on the far end. Be sure to spend some time on the highest level, you can come "face to face" with the Enola Gay at eye level. There is a cafeteria and gift shop which are both excellent. If you are interested, there is a simulated air traffic control tower that gives nice views of Reagan Int'l Airport with the current tower frequency pumped into the speakers. Overall, it's a wonderful experience and well worth 2-3 hours of your time.

What a lovely museum! Lived in the area for a few years now and this was our first time visiting the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center. How exciting! There was plenty of parking available. It's $15 and you can pay at one of their machines inside the museum. Employees are incredibly helpful, patient, friendly, and knowledgeable. It is spacious, clean, and organized inside. They do such a wonderful job maintaining everything in here. There are restrooms all around and they are very clean. We learned so much and all of us had a great time together! The Airbus IMAX Theater offers a number of wonderful movies. Definitely check that out while you are here. Tickets are $7.50 for youth and $9 for adults. As for dinning options, there is a Shake Shack in here. Horray! There is also a small section at the back of Shake Shack that offers cold sandwiches, salads, fruits, yogurt, drinks, etc. The museum gift shop offers all sorts of goodies. I'm so glad we got a chance to visit and I can't wait to come back!

Every single visit is unique and enthralling. Keeps us captivated and engaging with friendly and always helpful staff

Highly recommend this place; it was awesome. So many things to explore and learn about. It went to space and brought me back.

Absolutely love this museum! We spent hours here checking out all of the historic aircraft and spacecraft. Definitely worth the trip out by Dulles.

You need to come here if you're in the Fairfax area and appreciate Aviation, Science, Technology or just someone who wants to learn some really interesting stuff!! I came here on a rainy Sunday afternoon and there seemed to he approximately 200 people or so at any given moment. There are planes that were in wars, flew in outter space, commercial airplanes and many other flying things like blimps. This museum gives you detailed knowledge about what you're viewing, but it isn't overwhelming. My two recommendations is to one, take advantage of the experts that are livestreamed to answer your questions and do the flight simulator!! The experts are very knowledgeable, friendly and will take the time to explain things thoroughly. The flight simulator was very exciting!! I was initially scared, but it is basically like being in a real fighter jet scenario. Highly recommend this museum, it's one of my favorites of all the Smithsonian museums!! -ODL Connect with me! IG & YouTube: @AOEAT

This is the extension to the more well-known Air & Space Museum off the Mall in Washington DC, located out by the Dulles Airport. The museum itself is free, but parking is $15 (if you exit within 30 min it's free, so Uber and bus drop offs are usually ok). This is a giant hangar and extensions where you can find the Concorde, space shuttle Discovery, Enola Gay, and SR-71 amongst the more famous residents, and there are planes and rockets and other equipment here that didn't fit in the main museum. The layout includes a floor path you can walk closer to the planes, and two levels of walkways that are suspended allowing you to walk above the planes, too. There are simulators and an IMAX theater (both at an additional cost), but the observation tower is free. There's also a cool restoration center in the back, a Shake Shack to feed you, and a small store. While I wish they sold a set of small die-cast metal version of the planes in the shop (more plastic and stuffed items and stuff that feels less solid), some Legos and other items. A good morning activity to walk through and look at the historic planes here, though not as detailed as the exhibits in the A&S Museum in the city.

Very awesome they have a lot of cool planes on display as well as a space shuttle. They also have some cool simulator ride things. Don't go to the shake Shack there it's horrible.

We went to this museum over the holidays with family. There's a little something for everyone! The kids enjoyed being able to go inside of an airplane and go to the top of the "airport tower." They enjoyed seeing everything from space as well. Overall there's a lot of interesting things packed into one space and while there were a lot of people there, it was clean and lots of room for everyone to spread out and see what the museum had to offer!

Why 5 stars? An excellent display of just about everything that goes up in the air. This is a must-see place if you're in the area and like museum experiences. Great place to go if you're into aviation, or just want to get away for the day outside of DC. It's "Free" as in you don't have to pay to get in which is awesome. I was told it was 15 dollars for parking, but I took a rideshare there from my hotel so it wasn't a big deal. I've been an Aviation geek since I can remember. Grew up w/ shuttle launches, SR71 blackbirds, and Air France's Concode excited me as a kid and I was so thrilled I could see them all here at the Udvar-Hazy center. I spent the greater part of the afternoon checking everything out and I could probably do this a few times and probably not see everything. They seem to have fit just about everything they could inside the space to include airplanes and things hanging from the ceiling as well! I also saw an abundance of experts throughout the place giving tours and they even had experts "working from home" answering questions remotely as you approached some of the largest displays which I thought was really cool. I didn't do the flight simulators or the IMAX theatre experiences but probably will next time around (these do cost money as well).