A Sky-High Thank-You This Veterans Day

Prepare for takeoff!

In Chantilly, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center houses more than 3,000 history-making objects in two enormous hangars near Dulles Airport, including over 200 aircraft and spacecraft.

As the Northern Virginia home of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, it’s a place where planes hang from the ceiling and space icons sit close enough to make jaws drop. Short, easy-to-read labels accompany each section, which makes the center a hit with the museum’s youngest visitors.

• Space Shuttle Discovery
  The star of the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, and every bit as impressive in person.
• Legends of the Sky
  The SR-71 Blackbird, the Enola Gay and an Air France Concorde, all under one roof.
• Observation Tower
  A 360-degree view from the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, where visitors can watch planes take off and land at Dulles Airport.
• Restoration Hangar
  A window into the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, where specialists repair and preserve rare artifacts.
• Tours & Discovery Stations
  Free docent-led highlights tours and hands-on activity carts throughout the museum.
• Simulators & IMAX
  Simulators that let visitors pilot a military aircraft or take a spacewalk, plus films on the five-story screen at the Airbus IMAX Theater.

Hungry explorers are in luck, too. The on-site Shake Shack serves its classic menu, plus two exclusive treats created just for the museum: the Constellation Crunch Concrete and the Out of This World Shake.

Admission is always free, while parking is fee-based. Families can find maps, visiting tips, and more online.

Details:
Website

Dates:
Open Daily (Closed Dec 25)
Free Parking Offer: Nov 11, 2026

Location:
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center ∙ Chantilly, VA

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.