I will be in the area and, time permitting, wanted to give it a look-see. What’s a reasonable amount of time to allow to take in most of the stuff?
I have. I’d give it at least a couple hours (possibly more like 4) plus transit time. There are a lot of planes to see and things to read. If you’re going to be in D.C. and not driving up through NoVA I’d suggest taking the bus from the museum to Dulles.
Close to it is the Natural History Museum. That is my favorite one. I believe that is the one with the hope diamond too.
He’s asking about the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles, not the main museum on the Mall. On further review, four hours might be too much, but I’d still give yourself at least two.
I spent about four hours there, and I could have spent that much time just looking at the Enterprise. That’s the closest you’ll ever get to a space shuttle without working for NASA, and they’re AMAZING. Most people don’t understand just how BIG the shuttle is. About the only perspective you ever get is seeing them up against the SRBs and fuel tank and those are so big it’s scary. I’m a tall guy(6’2") and I could stand up without hitting my head in one of the thruster cones on the bottom/back of the shuttle.
Enjoy,
Steven
It was a great time. I’d allow closer to the 4 hours if you’re going to go into the simulators, but a few hours should be plenty to see everything. One of the guys I went with was disappointed we couldn’t tour inside the Concorde. I was amazed how close you could get to some of those planes, I could have touched the SR-71 (and maybe the Enola Gay if I wanted to be stupid, it’s suspended).
Don’t forget, they charge admission. Surprised me.
THe building alone is amazing. It houses a shuttle, a 707, the Enola Gay an SST and a basketload of other aircraft.
Surprises me too, as I don’t recall this. Various websistes (including Wiki) say there is no admission charge, though you do pay for parking.
The U-H is absolutely worthwhile. IMO 4 hours equates to rushing through it.
No, Xema’s right. No admission, but a relatively steep charge for parking. So, unfortunately, there’s almost no way to get there without paying, either for a bus, cab, or the parking.
Don’t forget that there’s an IMAX theater there, too. Add about 45 minutes to your time if you want to see a movie.
Or 2 1/2 hours if you want to see The Dark Knight, but it’s only running after 5 pm. (FYI, you don’t have to pay for parking after 5, but the museum is closed, except for the theater, at 5:30. So if you just want to see TDK, you don’t have to pay for parking.)
I would highly recommend the Udvar-Hazy museum. I thought it was awesome. At least 4 hours, depends on how much of an aviation buff you are.
A mission for you: see if you can find R2-D2. He’s small, but he is there. (Tip: not in the gift shop either).
Enjoy
When I went in 2006, admission was free but parking (per car) was $12.
I’m a bit of an aviation geek and I thought 4-5 hours (w/o an IMAX movie) was sufficient. You won’t see everything, but you’ll see what you want to see.
Also, hook up with a free tour on the ground floor.
I was there the summer it opened; flew down from Boston just for the day. Some protesters threw ashes on the Enola Gay and the museum was evacuated for an hour.
So, no, don’t touch it.
I’ve been there and I’d say about three hours, but I am not an aviation geek. If you are, probably four. Get there early enough to go up in the simulated “tower” to see how flight controllers work; that’s pretty cool. My favorites are the oldest planes, the WWI stuff and earlier, and the teeny-tiny aerobatic stuff. The smaller and older, the better for me. My husband was all interested in the Cold War and bombers and jets. Meh.