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Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, Virginia

01 copyright havecamerawilltravel com 1 1068x712 - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center

Museums & Galleries
Fairfax VA, Smithsonian Institution

Opened in 2003, the new Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Chantilly near Dulles Airport is one of the two complexes of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum open to the public. It’s a new and impressive addition designed as a massive aircraft hangar and purpose-built to allow the museum to display the approximately 85 percent of its holdings that simply didn’t fit in the National Mall Building.

Because it’s a bit off the beaten track–about 30 miles from downtown DC–and harder to get to it doesn’t get the numbers of visitors of the main National Mall Building. But it is definitely worth the effort.

Highlights from civilian and military aviation and NASA’s space programs include the Space Shuttle Endeavour, an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, a Concord, and the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and that had caused so much controversy when originally displayed as part of an exhibit in the National Mall Building in the late 1990s.

I have a separate page with information on the National Mall Building.

Photos of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center

Planes on Display at Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Enterprise

Control Tower at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Clipper Flying Cloud

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum SR-71 Blackbird Wide Shot

Spitfire at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Enola Gay at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

SR-71 Blackbird at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Space Race at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Mobile Quarantine Facility at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Redstone Rocket at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Propellor on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center

Baldwin Red Devil at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

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Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Space Shuttle Enterprise Through Corridor

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Propeller Plane Silhouette

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Boeing Hall

How to Get to the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center

The Udvar-Hazy Center is about 30 miles southwest of downtown Washington DC in Chantilly, right next to Dulles Airport.

As with most museums–especially busy ones–you can count on crowds, although it’s rarely as packed as the National Mall Building. The museum is free, doesn’t require reservations (except perhaps for large groups) and there are rarely queues to get in; if there are, it’s most likely just to pass through security checkpoint. Once inside you can wander around at your own pace. See below about parking fees.

By far the most practical way to get there is by car, either driving yourself or by cab (which won’t be cheap). There’s ample parking for $15/car (free after 4pm); there’s no additional entry fee to the museum itself. Eventually there’ll be a metro line out to Dulles Airport, but that’s still being built and construction is running behind schedule.

And if you happen to have a long layover at Dulles Airport waiting for a connecting flight, the Udvar-Hazy Center makes for a very good way to kill time without the uncertainty of battling the interminable traffic to get to downtown DC.

Official Website

http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

Taking Photos at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center

In general, personal photography is allowed. Tripods and other standing supports are not allowed.

Much of the museum has fairly low lighting. There’s usually no problem using flash, although with such large items and big spaces there’s a limit to how effective it will be. Your bags will be searched entering the building and you’ll probably have to check any bags that are bigger than a typical walking around bag.

More Photos of the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center

You can find more of my photos of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center here.

Nearby & Related:

  • Spirit of St Louis
    Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum National Mall Building
  • Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • Apollo Theater Exhibit
    Smithsonian National Museum of American History
  • Photo of Smithsonian American Art and Portraiture Museum Interior Courtyard
    Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
  • Smithsonian Castle, Washington DC
    Smithsonian Castle
  • Exhibits in the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC
    African American Civil War Museum

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor’s Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.


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      # Museums & Galleries
      # Fairfax VA
      # Smithsonian Institution



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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