National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

I feel like a kid in a candy store. That's what one young visitor said as he walked into the Boeing Aviation Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. No matter which location you're visiting, it's hard not to be amazed.

Located in Chantilly, Virginia, the Center's vast exhibition space displays the iconic giants of aviation and space exploration, including Space Shuttle Discovery, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, an Air France Concorde, and the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and spans from 18th Century early ballooning to the record-setting high-altitude free-fall jumps of recent years.

The Museum is also a working restoration and conservation center and visitors can see the projects underway in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.

The Center's Airbus IMAX Theater has the largest screen in northern Virginia. It shows short films that are connected to the Museum's connection during public hours and often has Hollywood features on screen in the evenings. Open Wednesday - Sunday. Showtimes, tickets, and details at si.edu/theaters.

The museum is open daily from 10;00 am - 5:30 pm. Admission is free, parking is $15/car (free for vehicles entering after 4:00 pm). Public transportation is available via Fairfax Connector at the Wiehle/Reston East Metro station and Dulles Airport.