How to get to/from the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
I'm visiting Washington DC in the near future and am thinking of visiting the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Since it's located a bit outside the city I'm wondering what's the best way to get there?
The museum itself suggests taking the Metro (Metrorail) and then switching to a bus (1h30min single trip). Is there a faster/simpler way to get there?
I've been thinking of renting a car. If so, is there anything else that could be interesting to visit nearby or on the route out there?
Best Answer
I've lived in the DC Metro region for over 20 years, and the Dulles corridor is rather hard to get around by public transportation right now. This is due to change soon when Metrorail's Silver Line is extended to Dulles Airport.
Renting a car for the day is a good option. A good way to get there from DC is to take I-66 west to Virginia Route 28. Take 28 north. Dulles Airport and the Udvar-Hazy Center are just off 28.
The Udvar-Hazy Center is almost literally across the street (Virginia State Route 28) from the Sully Historic Site (Google Maps link), a preserved 19th century plantation. This was a major operating farm before the US Civil War and slavery was practiced here (see the park service link), so keep that in mind if you are sensitive.
Source: Fairfax County Park Authority
You might also consider visiting the NRA National Firearms Museum (Google Maps link) at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax (about halfway from DC to Dulles) near I-66 if you like guns. This is very convenient to I-66. Get off I-66 to US Route 50 eastbound and turn left (north) on Waples Mill Road.
If you need to do any shopping, you can get off I-66 to US Route 50 westbound to Fair Oaks Mall. It's less than five minutes down US 50.
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What space shuttle is at Udvar-Hazy?
The space shuttle Discovery is the centerpiece of the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.How long does it take to go through the Air and Space museum?
Please note that the trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, and that visitors spend an average 2-4 hours at the Udvar-Hazy Center. We recommend planning a whole day for each location.Where do you enter the Air and Space museum?
National Air and Space Museum hours and location The museum is located on Jefferson Drive, between 4th and 7th Streets, SW., and admission is always free. Regular hours are 10 a.m. \u2013 5:30 p.m. The easiest way to reach the museum is via Metrorail or Metrobus.Are there two air and space museums?
Udvar-Hazy Center serves as a partner facility to the National Air and Space Museum. The two locations together attract more than 8 million visits per year, making the National Air and Space complex the most popular museum in the United States.Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum | Steven Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington DC
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