The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall. The building opened in December, 2003, and provides enough space for the Smithsonian to display the thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on the National Mall. The two sites together showcase the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world.
Visitors to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center admire the Monocoupe 110 Special Little Butch and other aircraft hanging from 10-story-high trusses.
The Center was named in honor of its major donor, and features the large Boeing Aviation Hangar in which aircraft are displayed on three levels. Visitors can walk among aircraft and small artifacts in display cases located on the floor, and view aircraft hanging from the arched ceiling on elevated skywalks. Many engines, helicopters, ultra-lights, and experimental flying machines are on display in a museum setting for the first time. Among the aviation artifacts on display are the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world; the Boeing Dash 80, the prototype of the 707; the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay; and the deHavilland Chipmunk aerobatic airplane.
The space shuttle Enterprise 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.
The James S. McDonnell Space Hangar opened in November 2004 and displays hundreds of famous spacecraft, rockets, satellites and space-related small artifacts. The centerpiece of the space hangar is the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Other space artifacts include the Gemini VII space capsule; the Mobile Quarantine Unit used upon the return of the Apollo 11 crew; and a Redstone rocket.
In addition, the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower provides an excellent location from which visitors can watch air traffic at Dulles Airport.
The Center also offers the Airbus Imax Theater; flight simulators; food service; a museum store; free docent tours; daily educational programs; and school group tours and activities are available.
Evening view of the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor outside the entrance to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
A special feature of the Center is the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor. Situated along the entryway to the Center, the Wall of Honor is a permanent memorial to the thousands of people who have contributed to our aviation and space exploration heritage. Names of honorees are inscribed on the air-foil-shaped wall, which will continue to grow in the years to come. One name could be yours
All times are approximate.
Click here for our Departure Locations
Departing from Frederick MD at 8:30am.
We will depart from Skate Frederick Parking lot on Riverbend Way rear of Wal-Mart Rte 26 Frederick.
Departing from Hagerstown MD at 7:45am.
We will depart from MTA ParknRide Col. Douglas Dr off of Rt 65 Sharpsburg Pike across from the Sleep Inn between Wendy's and the MVA.
WAIVER POLICY:
SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES
Trip Cancellation: Pays lost deposits and tour payments due to unforeseeable sickness, injury, or death of you, an immediate family member, traveling companion, or business partner, inclement weather conditions causing delay or cancellation of travel; your home being made uninhabitable by fire, flood or similar natural disaster, vandalism, or burglary; your being subpoenaed, required to serve on jury duty, hijacked, or quarantined; being involved in or delayed due to an automobile accident en route to departure location. Waiver fee is not refundable.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION WAIVER:
If waiver is purchased with your reservation, the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion will be waived. This is applicable to all coverage's contained in the waiver. You must be medically able to travel when you pay your waiver fee. In the event that a claim is filed, the injury or illness must be substantiated to the Claims Department.
This waiver must be purchased no later than your final trip payment date.
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION EXCLUSION APPLICABLE TO ALL COVERAGES:
This waiver will not pay for loss or expense incurred as the result of injury, sickness, or other condition of you, a traveling companion, or immediate family member of you or your traveling companion which manifests itself during the 60-days immediately preceding and including your coverage effective date, unless the condition is controlled through the taking of prescription drugs or medication and remains controlled throughout the 60-day period. A sickness has manifested itself when medical care, treatment, or diagnosis has been given.
The above is a summary of the coverage being provided.
All benefits provided are non-insurance services, not insurance benefits. When waiver is not purchased, any costs associated with, and purchase price of the tour, are the responsibility of the traveling party.
Non-Waiver Refund Policy:
A cancellation notice must be received 45 or more days prior to departure date for single day tours, in order to receive a refund. A refund will be issued less $10 processing fee per seat if cancellation is received 45 or more days from the date of departure per seat cancellation; from 45 days to day of departure, refund less $10.00 per seat fee can only be issued if seats are resold or cancellation waiver is purchased. In order to resell seats, trip must be sold out. NO SHOW on the day of departure mean NO REFUND! All monies due on day of departure will be charged to customer's account. No refunds are made for tickets to Broadway plays, sporting events, or other special entertainment – events for which admission Kewl must purchase tickets. Waiver Fee is non-refundable.
