The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an awe-inspiring experience for all ages.

Consistent with all museums in the Smithsonian family, admission is free to this extension to the Air and Space Museum in DC. Parking, however, is $15 before 4 pm but with all this location has to offer, that is truly a bargain. The museum is open every day except for Christmas. 

There are two massive hangars with representatives of every imaginable aircraft throughout history from a reproduction of the Wright Brothers 1900 Glider, with memorabilia and photographs of their actual flight logs, to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which was the world's fastest jet-propelled aircraft during the Cold War. There are impressive, historical planes and helicopters from every era, and every branch of the military. By many accounts, the most awe-inspiring is the actual Space Shuttle Discovery, which went on 39 missions and spent 365 days in space before retirement.

There is also the Airbus IMAX Theater which features films that range in prices from $6.50-$15, a hangar named for Mary Baker Engen where visitors can view active aircraft restoration, and the impressive Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, where your family can watch planes taking off and landing at the adjacent Dulles International Airport. There are even simulated rides for different age levels.

Family days are scheduled throughout the year, and check the website for more information about regular storytimes hosted by museum staff and volunteers which have gone virtual and are followed by a craft project. The storytimes can also be accessed on-demand by visiting the website of the Air and Space Museum.  

There are also virtual tours available courtesy of the Covid Era.