[2024 Sully Attraction] Travel Guide for Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Updated Oct)

Instantly recognizable, the SR-71 Blackbird is one of the most impressive airplanes every designed. Capable of speeds in excess of mach 3, it was standard operating procedure for pilots to simply accelerate and outrun any air defense missiles launched to target it. Note the skunk on the tail, a reference to the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, which designed the SR-71. #triplocal

Tremendous Air and Space Museum!

we spent nearly two hours in here. It’s really cool and kind. you might want to be a pilot or space explorer. I highly recommend this place.

The Observation Tower at the Udvar-Hazy Center is nice for the view it offers; however, I was disappointed in the exhibit. They could have done much more to recreate the experience of being in an airport control tower. Instead there are just a few things displayed to give the most basic sense of tower operations. It's worth it for the view, but don't expect much if you go up there. #triplocal

When NASA retired the Space Shuttle fleet, it was generally assumed at least one remaining orbiter would wind up in the National Air and Space Museum. The Space Shuttle Discovery is now an integral part of the space exhibits at the Udvar-Hazy Center, where a purpose-built addition was constructed just for it. #triplocal

Udvar-Hazy Center is a part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and is located at Dulles International Airport. Though the Udvar-Hazy is less easy to access than the Air and Space Museum's main location on the National Mall, it is, in my opinion, the better of the two locations! There's really a lot of amazing aviation history on offer including the Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb ever used in war on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.  #triplocal