Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Chantilly, VA. |
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Rating |
Excellent |
Age |
5 and up |
Lockers |
Available |
Restrooms |
Adequate |
Food |
In Museum |
Closest Coffee |
In Museum |
Recommendation |
This is one of those museums that you should not miss. There are so many unique planes, and don't forget the viewing tower. |
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Review: by Dad
This is a great museum of aviation. The place is huge. We did not see everything by far, but what we saw was amazing. It is in a big hanger, with other buildings attached.
One of the things that really stood out to us was, of course, the full-sized mock up of the space shuttle.This is one of the models that was used to test fly the space shuttle on the back of a 747. The size is overwhelming, and as you walk around it, there are exhibits all around to keep you engaged. It was also interesting to see the trailer where astronauts used to be quarentined after they returned to earth.
Some of the other spectacular exhibits included a Lockheed Blackbird, a Concorde supersonic passenger jet, and, of historic significance, the Enola Gay. All of these exhibits were easily accessible, and you were close enough to get a real sense of the size of these machines.
One of the greatest things about this facility is the upper observation deck. The center was built on one of the main approaches of Dulles International Airport. The planes fly in fairly frequently. If you talk to the volunteers running the elevator they know when the best planes will be coming in that day. We were tipped into the fact that the KLM 747 would be coming in around a certain time, and we made sure to be back upstairs to view it. It is amazing to see something that size lumbering through the air from such an excellent vantage point.
This is a very family-friendly modern museum. All of the things you will need are readily available. There is food, drinks (coffee), adequate restroom facilities, and really nice and informative staff and volunteers. This is one stop you should not miss.
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