The National Air And Space Museum was established in the year 1946. The national air and space museum has the largest collections of historic aircraft and space craft in the world. The museum is the center for research into history science and technology.

The collections of the museum are original or backup of original. The museum also features the collection of planetary sciences and territory geology. The museum has two display venues for the guests: The national Mall building and the Steve F Udvar Hazy center.

The national Mall Building displays hundreds of artifacts which include the original Wright 1903 flyer, the spirit of St Louis, the Apollo 11 command module and the lunar rock sample. The Steve F Udvar Hazy center which is one of the display facilities of the National Art and space museum has the famous collections like Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 superfortrees Enola Gay and the Space shuttle enterprise.

The major exhibitions of the National Mall building display center are Milestone of Flight, America by air, Flight simulator zone, Military unmanned aerial vehicles, Golden age of flight, Jet Aviation, Early flight, looking at earth, and explore the universe.

There are tow exhibit stations in the Steve F Udvar Hazy center. Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S McDonnell Space Hangar are the two exhibit stations of Hazy center. The largest objects of the Steve F Udvar Hazy center are displayed in the two exhibit stations. The museum in the National Mall Building is located at:

6th & Independence Ave, SW,

Washington DC 20560.

Washington DC, a cosmopolitan city with a rich history and culture has numerous tourist attractions for visitors of all ages in recreation, sight seeing, fun, adventure and relaxation. Best of all, most of them are free of charge. That is to say, you can explore a variety of parks, art galleries, memorials, museums and many more things without spending any money. National Air and Space Museum is just a free attraction in Washington DC that you won't want to miss.

Part of Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum is a vast museum dedicated to the research into the history, technology and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics. It is home to the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft.

Established in 1976, National Air And Space Museum attracts more than 8 million visitors each year by its authentic spacecraft and rockets, space suits, a touchable moon rock, propellers, interactive exhibits and more, which makes it one of the most popular museums in the Smithsonian complex.

For those who decide to pay a visit to this museum, please note that the National Air and Space Museum boasts two display facilities: the National Mall Building in downtown Washington DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center a few miles south of Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. Both of them are admitted free.

- National Mall Building

This display facility serves as home to thousands upon thousands of artifacts on display including the Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module Columbia and a touchable Lunar rock sample. With 22 exhibition galleries, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, flight simulators, a three-level museum shop and a food-court-style restaurant, the building offers one-of-a-kind fun and never-ending enjoyment for visitors of all ages. For more info about National Mall Building, click here:

A Brief Introduction of National Mall Building

http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/flagship.cfm

If you are situated in downtown Washington DC, make sure to pay a visit to the National Mall Building. The facility, bordered by Independence Avenue, Jefferson Drive, 4th and 7th Streets in southwest Washington DC, is nestled between the Capitol Building and the Smithsonian Castle. The physical address is Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW Washington, DC 20560.

As the mall is located near Metro stops, this site is easily accessible by Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA). The nearest Metro station to the building is L'Enfant Plaza, served by the Blue / Orange and Yellow / Green lines. Also nearby is Smithsonian Station, served by Blue / Orange lines. You can find more info about Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on this page:

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

http://www.wmata.com/

If you prefer to drive to the location, make sure to figure out the driving directions to the National Mall Building before starting your engine. To get detailed driving directions from your location to the building, click here:

Get Driving Directions to National Mall Building

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&newwindow=1&biw=1280&bih=806&q=Steven+F.+Udvar-Hazy+Center&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

For driving visitors, limited metered street parking is available. Ensure to follow the signs for parking hours and permit restrictions. Parking is also available in several local lots, located two blocks south of the building at 4th and C Streets (under Holiday Inn).

Actually, it is not recommended to use your car to get to the site, as parking in this area and even the city of Washington DC is limited. However, if you prefer to drive, it is a good idea to come early in the morning (by 10am) on weekends. In that case, you may find a parking space free of charge.

- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the companion facility to the National Mall Building. Opened in December, 2003, this facility offers enough space to showcase aviation and space artifacts that can't be displayed on the National Mall Building. Visitors to the center can enjoy the Monocoupe 110 Special Little Butch and other aircraft hanging from 10-story-high trusses.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

The facility is situated south of Washington Dulles International Airport along route 28, about 0.5 miles north of the junction of Routes 28 and 50. The street address of the center is 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia 20151. If you are just arriving at this airport, start your Washington DC travel by visiting Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

There are a variety of transportation options that can take you to the center from the airport. Virginia Regional Transit (VRTA) just offers service between the Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles Town Center and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. For more info, call 540-338-1610 or visit this page:

Virginia Regional Transit

http://www.vatransit.org/

For those who don't mind the budget, taxi is one of the most convenient ways to get to the center. The estimated rates from the airport to the center may range from $14 to $15. Prices are subject to change. You can find more transportation options from major airports (Baltimore Washington International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to both facilities of National Air And Space Museum.

Transportation to National Air and Space Museum from Major Airports

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/transportation/airports.cfm

If you drive to the center from the airport, start on Saarinen Cir going towards Copilot Way and turn right on Copilot Way. Then bear right onto Cargo Drive. Follow the Cargo Drive until you get to Aviation Drive. Make a left to take ramp onto Sully Road (VA-28 S) towards #9A / US-50. Take the ramp about 0.2 miles and bear right on Air and Space Museum Parkway. You will find the center on the right at 14930 Air and Space Museum Parkway. To explore driving directions from various locations to the center, click here:

Get Driving Directions to Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&newwindow=1&biw=1280&bih=806&q=Steven+F.+Udvar-Hazy+Center&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

As a big bonus for driving visitors, the facility has a parking lot with a capacity of 2,000 parking spaces. Daily parking is available at a cost of $15. Parking is free after 4pm. However, no free drop-offs or pick-ups are available at the center's entrance.

To benefit frequent visitors, the center also provides a parking pass that is good for six entries to the lot. You can purchase a pass online or by phone (202-633-2603) using a credit card. The pass will be sent by U.S. Mail. Allow 10 to 14 days to receive your pass. For more info about Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center parking, visit this page:

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Parking

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/parking/

Note: Both facilities are wheelchair accessible. They also offer wheelchairs at no cost with valid ID. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can go to the Security Desk in each location to inquiry about wheelchair availability. If you want to reserve a wheelchair, contact the office at (202) 633-2563 at least two weeks prior to your visit. The hours of National Air and Space Museum Reservation Office are from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, with the exception of federal holidays.

Visitors with Disabilities

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/accessibility.cfm

Established in 1976, the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum houses the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft. NASM is also an important center to conduct research into the rich history, science and technology of space flight and aviation. The museum also focuses on research into terrestrial geology & geophysics and planetary science.

The National Air and Space Museum is a must-see destination for visitors to Washington, DC. The museum is the second-most popular of the Smithsonian Institution museums. It's also one of the most visited museums in the world and appeals to visitors of all ages. The museum boasts 22 exhibition galleries, displaying more than 30,000 aviation-related and 9,000 space-related artifacts. Many of the interactive exhibits are great for kids.

NASM also contains an IMAX Theater. Visitors can take a wonderful journey through the universe or view both manmade and natural wonders at the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. You can also watch one of the ever-changing films on the five-story screen with six-channel digital surround sound. Purchase a Planetarium ticket and take a tour of the universe at the Albert Einstein Planetarium, which features high tech dual digital projection system.

Homepage of NASM

http://www.nasm.si.edu

The museum has two display facilities. The National Mall Building in Washington, D.C. displays thousands of artifacts. There's a companion facility to the Nation Mall Building, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center that is located near the Washington Dulles International Airport. Keep informed of the hours of operation in advance before paying a visit to the facilities.

- National Mall Building

Visitors to the National Mall Building are sure to be marveled at its great displays, like the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, the Sprit of St. Louis, the Wright 1903 Flyer and a Lunar rock sample that you can touch by yourself. The museum on the National Mall is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm on regular days. The facility is open every day except Christmas Day December 25. During the summer of 2011 from March 25 to September 4, the National Mall Building will be open extended hours. It opens from 10 am and remains open until 7:30 pm.

Due to scheduled evening events, the National Mall Building in downtown Washington, D.C. will have early closures on some select dates. The museum will close at 5:30 pm on the following dates:

- Tuesday, May 10, 2011

- Saturday, May 14, 2011

- Sunday, May 15, 2011

- Wednesday, May 18, 2011

- Tuesday, May 24, 2011

- Wednesday, May 25, 2011

- Wednesday, June 1, 2011

- Friday, June 3, 2011

- Wednesday, June 8, 2011

- Saturday, June 11, 2011

- Sunday, June 12, 2011

- Monday, June 13, 2011

- Tuesday, June 14, 2011

- Thursday, June 23, 2011

- Friday, June 24, 2011

- Tuesday, June 28, 2011

- Wednesday, July 13, 2011

- Wednesday, August 31, 2011

You may feel tired after a complete tour of the National Mall Building. Take a short rest and taste the gourmet foods at the Wright Place Food Court. The food court has menu items from Boston Market, Donatos Pizzeria and McDonald's. A cafe is located upstairs, serving coffee, delicious pastries and a large selection of food items. The Wright Place Food Court at National Mall Building is open from 10 am to 7 pm. But you cannot bring foods and drinks to the museum. Bottled water is not included.

- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Opened in December, 2003, the Steven F. Udar-Hazy Center near the Dulles International Airport provides enough space to complement thousands of aviation and space artifacts to the National Mall Building. Famous exhibits at the center include the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower and Airbus IMAX Theater. The center's hour of operation is from 10 am to 5:30 pm every day. The center is also closed on December 25.

Extended operation hours will be available for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. From May 27 to September 4 in the summer of 2011, the center is available for visitors from 10 am to 6:30 pm. When there're scheduled events on select dates, the center will close early at 5:30 pm in the summertime. The dates of early closings are listed as follows:

- Monday, June 13, 2011

- Tuesday, June 14, 2011

- Wednesday, June 15, 2011

- Tuesday, June 5, 2011

- Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Steven F. Udar-Hazy Center also has a food concession for visitors. McDonald's & McCafe offers yummy burgers, original salads and other favorites from McDonald. Desserts offered include muffins and cakes. For drinks, you can opt for specialty coffees and other tempting McCafe treats. The McDonald & McCafe serves guests from 10 am to 5 pm.

Visiting Tips

1) The National Air And Space Museum is one of the busiest museums in Washington DC. Try to visit on weekdays to avoid big crowds. You can also arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it's less crowded. You're strongly recommended to buy IMAX and Planetarium tickets in advance or as soon as you arrive. Remember to leave at least 2-3 hours for an enjoyable tour at the museum.

2) The early closing dates in the summer of 2011 are updated as information becomes available. The dates and times may vary. To get accurate operation hours of each site, you can visit their official website. Or you can contact National Mall Building at 202-633-2214 to check hours info. For the most current operation hours for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazt Center, please call 703-572-4118.

Early Closures in Summer 2011

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/hours_summer.cfm

Free docent-led tours are offered at the National Air and Space Museum. The daily docent tours are conducted at 10:30 am and 1 pm. The tours offer unique opportunities for guests to appreciate the museum's collection and trace the history of aviation and space travel. Daily tours are open to the public at both museum sites. Tourists depart from the Welcome Center for National Building tours. Tours at the Steven F. Udar-Hazy Center start from the Docent Tours Desk in the Boeing Aviation Hangar.

Tours and Groups at NASM

http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/tours

The Smithsons National Air and space Museum houses a huge assortment of aircrafts and adventurous spacecraft that has made history. This special museum is a great place to visit to and is located in the capital city, Washington D.C.

This museum is also used as a significant centre for research for understanding the historic past and scientific knowledge of aviation and space planes. Researches based geology as well as geophysics is conducted here.

You can get to see he invention of the famous Wright brothers, which is also one of the museum's best attraction. The original space suits including that of renowned Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong's suit was exhibited together with the space crafts used for the significant space shuttles.

There are lots of exhibits to be seen and so you need to have plenty of time in hand.

Wiki information on the museum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Air_and_Space_Museum

Most of the displayed inventions are either the original or the backing models of the original aircrafts. There is no restriction to bringing your beloved cameras and you can take snaps of any item on display.

It is sure going to be a paradise for all the space lovers.

Museum highlights

http://www.nasm.si.edu/

You can also relax watching movies at the spacious IMAX theatre located within the historic museum. You will never leave without praising the planetarium. You can get to witness yourself more on the history of the pilots behind the early missions along with the awesome collection mechanized crafts.

History of the exhibits

http://www.aviewoncities.com/washington/nationalairandspacemuseum.htm

Your kids are going to enjoy along with you as the educational exhibits at the museum are going to impart the information on aerodynamics as well as space technology.

More information

http://www.igougo.com/attractions-reviews-b86312-Washington_D.C.-Smithsonian_National_Air_and_Space_Museum.html