The National Air and Space Museum's massive Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, displays more than 163 aircraft and 154 large space artifacts that are too big for the National Mall location, plus thousands of intriguing smaller items. The center includes the ten-story-high Boeing Aviation Hangar, the 80-foot-high James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, immersive flight simulators, the Airbus IMAX® Theater and the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, which offers views of the Washington Dulles International Airport runways. The aircraft and spacecraft are displayed in huge open hangars on the main floor, where visitors can walk among them, and on two levels suspended from the ceiling. A series of skywalks brings visitors nose-to-nose with the vehicles suspended from the ceiling, hung to replicate their flight maneuvers.
The hangar is laid out with military aviation on the north and civil aviation on the south. It is organized around ten themes:
The fastest jet ever built, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, looms beneath the entrance overhang. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay is fully restored and reassembled for the first time in more than 40 years. Don't miss a close-up view of its cockpit from the center walkway.
A recent addition to the aviation hanger is the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, commonly known as the Connie. Introduced in 1951, the Connie shortened transcontinental travel by an astounding five hours.
On the civil aviation side, the graceful 202-foot-long Air France Concorde dominates the aircraft around it. From the center skywalk, see the Pitts Special Little Stinker, only 15.5 feet long, which was flown by renowned aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton in the late 1940s and early '50s
“Lucky Lindy” memorabilia, a colorful assortment of commemorative items, illustrate the cultural phenomenon that followed Charles Lindbergh's famous 1927 flight.
Control the action! Try your hand at aerial combat. Seating for two, $8 per person. Or choose an adventure aboard a ride simulator and experience aviation ride films such as "Space Walk 3D," "Cosmic Coaster" "F-18 Experience" or "Wings." Seating for eight, $7 per person.
The space hangar is organized around four main themes: rocketry and missiles, human space flight, application satellites and space science.
Become a member of the National Air and Space Society.
The Udvar-Hazy Center Museum Store offers a variety of merchandise including souvenirs, books, DVDs, models, posters, clothing and more.
Let’s Eat! The museum offers a full-service McDonald’s (first floor), featuring burgers, salads and wraps. The McCafé offers specialty coffees and pastries.
Smithsonian Theaters Take you to new heights!
Stadium seating, six-channel digital sound and a five-story-high screen transport visitors on stunning visual journeys. Take an adventure of a lifetime in the Airbus IMAX® Theater, featuring a variety of air and space themed films on Northern Virginia’s largest screen. Call 202 633-4629 or visit www.si.edu/imax for tickets and showtimes. Discounts available for Smithsonian members. Schedules are subject to change, so check at the box office on arrival for ticket prices and show times, or for the latest schedule information, or call 202 633-4629; visit www.si.edu/imax.
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