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Author
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Topic: Visiting the National Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
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MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1278
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted May 21, 2009 09:09 PM
   
I will be visiting D.C. in July and of course, I want to go to the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) and to the Udvar-Hazy Center. I would like to know the following: - How much time should I allocate for each building?
- Is there transportation from NASM to Udvar-Hazy? If so, how long does it take to get there?
- Any other pointers and advice I may need.
Thanks and please post away! |
dtemple
Member Posts: 563
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted May 21, 2009 09:21 PM
I suggest you allow about 4 to 4-1/2 hours for the NASM in DC. There is just so much to see there. You can probably expect to spend about as much time at Udvar-Hazy Center though I have not been through it yet. |
mikej
Member Posts: 302
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted May 21, 2009 10:17 PM
NASM originally ran a shuttle between the two museums (quoting a drive time of 45 minutes to an hour), but discontinued this service due to "scant ridership and mounting expenses."There are public transportation options, but NASM notes that "there is no direct MetroRail or MetroBus service to the Udvar-Hazy Center." |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1285
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted May 21, 2009 10:35 PM
You can take the Metro to National Airport, take a shuttle from there to Dulles Airport, and then take a shuttle or cab from Dulles to Udvar-Hazy. I'd allow a couple of hours in transit if you take that combination of transport.Even though Udvar-Hazy is physically large, the actual number of items on exhibit is relatively small (because almost all the items are full-sized aircraft and spacecraft!). You can see everything in 2 hours or less. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1278
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted May 21, 2009 10:56 PM
My dad and I are staying at a hotel about 3 miles away from Dulles. I just did a MapQuest search on it and Udvar-Hazy is 6 miles away! So I guess it should be no problem getting there (I just booked the flight and the hotel).Thank you guys for the replies. I really appreciate it.
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Rizz
Member Posts: 1204
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted May 22, 2009 02:32 PM
We are planning a class trip to D.C. next May, taking with us ten 8th graders from Hawai'i.We will be packing in a lot of sites when we arrive, and wondered if we had an opportunity to visit the NASM or the Udvar-Hazy, which would appeal more to the kids. We may only have enough time to visit one, and not both. Any thoughts? |
mikej
Member Posts: 302
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted May 22, 2009 05:55 PM
If you have time for only one, I'd go for NASM: It's on the Mall, which is near numerous other D.C. sights (as well as other Smithsonian museums). It also has a lot more "big ticket" items: Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, X-15, manned Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, LM-2, etc. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1285
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted May 22, 2009 07:46 PM
Agree, Mike. There are also far more interactive exhibits in the NASM on the Mall that would appeal to kids. However, it is hard to beat the impressive size of the Shuttle Enterprise when you see it up close and personal! |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 885
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted June 11, 2011 12:50 PM
So is it better to drive to the Udvar-Hazy Center? We will be visiting D.C. in a couple of weeks and we want to go to the Udvar-Hazy Center. We will have our own car so driving should not be a problem. We will be staying in downtown D.C. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1285
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted June 11, 2011 04:54 PM
Driving is definitely the way to go. |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 885
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted June 11, 2011 07:48 PM
Thanks, I may just try to plan on arriving in D.C. that morning and touring the Udvar-Hazy Center then go to the hotel. I am looking forward to seeing the National Air and Space Museum again and the Udvar-Hazy Center for the first time. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 871
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted July 12, 2011 11:20 AM
I am going down to the National Air and Space Museum on July 29th for the Al Worden signing. I've never driven in DC before and have concerns about parking. Are there any free parking areas in the National Mall area? Thanks!Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23960
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted July 12, 2011 11:24 AM
I would suggest, if possible, choosing a Metro station in Maryland or Virginia (as convenient), parking there and riding in (take the Metro to the L'Enfant Plaza station, which is just a block away from the National Air and Space Museum). You'll still need to pay for parking at the station, but it will be less expensive than the parking garages in DC. Your other option is to find a spot on the street and feed the meter, but those can be hard to come by. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 871
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted July 12, 2011 12:21 PM
Thanks. Just got my trip planned out. Now I don't have to worry about DC traffic. |
thump
Member Posts: 532
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted July 12, 2011 01:14 PM
If you do go the route of parking at a Metro station, keep in mind that you will need to pay (for the most part) using a Smartrip card, only limited stations have metered parking, or will accept credit cards...
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MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 847
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted July 12, 2011 01:23 PM
For a day at the National Air and Space Museum, I currently ride the Metro to the L'Enfant station (I think).I used to park at one of the parking garages about one block west of the museum for about $10-$15 but the stress of DC and I-395 driving, especially in the 4 pm - 7 pm time period, convinced me to take the Metro and relax both ways. You now need to purchase a plastic debit card (SMARTCARD) at the Metro Station for both riding and parking. For evening lectures at the museum, I park outside of the museum for free after 6:30 pm. The National Air and Space Museum is my favorite all-time tourist destination. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 871
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted July 12, 2011 01:41 PM
Thanks for the heads up. Have to say, $13 to see Al Worden and the National Air and Space Museum is a good deal. |
GTspace
Member Posts: 166
From:
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted March 04, 2012 01:13 PM
I'm planning a trip to DC in the near future and was wondering if anyone could tell me where the best place to park and how much parking costs while visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Thanks so much for your advice.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 847
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted March 04, 2012 01:58 PM
There is an underground parking garage across from the Holiday Inn about one block west of the west entrance of NASM.It may cost about $15 for all day. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1285
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted March 04, 2012 02:01 PM
If you arrive right at 10:00 or a few minutes before, you can park for free along Jefferson Drive right in front of the museum, or at Madison Drive next to the National Gallery of Art. That street parking fills up quickly, though. The Park Police also patrol it to keep people from loitering around until 10 a.m. Once, I arrived at 9:55 and was sitting in my car in the spot I intended to occupy when the museum opened at 10. A Park Policeman shrieked his siren at me and made me circle the block. Luckily, there was still a spot on the street when I returned.There is on-street parking along 3rd Street and Independence Avenue between 10:00 and 4:00; meters cost $2 per hour and you're limited to 1 or 2 hours depending on location. There are several garages to the south of the NASM, which may be your best bet if you'll be there all day. Cost ranges to $20 for a full day, but can be less if you arrive before 9 and don't mind killing time for an hour before the museums open. |
vamanboatin
Member Posts: 69
From: vienna, VA. USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 04, 2012 02:20 PM
Don't forget to visit the Udvr Hazy Center in Virginia. It is only 25 minutes from DC. It is located on the grounds of Dulles International Airport. There is always plenty of parking. A $15 parking fee covers admission for all in the vehicle. With Enterprise, Jim Irwin's Lunar EVA suit a SR-71 and lots more it is a must do activity. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1145
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted March 04, 2012 02:21 PM
If you go on a Sunday, street parking in DC is free! |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3042
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted March 04, 2012 02:55 PM
Much like London, if you can leave your vehicle and take the subway, you might find it a better experience. The middle of the city is designed very nicely for subway stops and walking, not so much for parking.Having said that, I've had great luck on Sundays, parking right next to the White House and other central locations. |
GTspace
Member Posts: 166
From:
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted March 04, 2012 09:09 PM
Thanks everyone for the GREAT advice. It will make my time in DC a lot better knowing ahead of time where to go, what to see and where to park.Thanks so much everyone for your time. |
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