SquakyTravels to the Air & Space Museum, Washinton DC
By Squaky the Kingfisher (Official Travel Correspondent)
Hello everyone!
You all know how much I love soaring through the air, the wind beneath my… well, fluff. So, when I found a chance to see the legendary Space Shuttle Discovery, I flapped my tiny wings with excitement!
I’m excited to share a special trip to experience the amazing Discovery Space Shuttle in the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, USA! Read on for all the details.
My mission? Explore the incredible Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Udvar-Hazy Center is an annex of the National Air and Space Museum located near Washington Dulles International Airport.
Let me tell you, this place is HUGE! It’s like stepping into an airplane hangar the size of several football fields, filled with the most amazing flying machines you can imagine.
But let’s be honest, the real star of the show for a space-obsessed bird like me was Space Shuttle Discovery. Seeing it in person was absolutely breathtaking!
Space Shuttle Discovery
This incredible vehicle flew 39 missions into space, more than any other shuttle in the fleet! Can you believe it spent a total of 365 days in orbit? That’s almost a whole year floating among the stars! (I’m jealous of it being able to fly that high!)
My little beak dropped open as I gazed at its massive size. It’s longer than two blue whales lined up! I learned that Discovery deployed the Hubble Space Telescope, which has given us incredible views of the universe, and even helped build the International Space Station. Imagine the stories this shuttle could tell!
The heat-resistant tiles that protected it during re-entry looked so tough, and the vast cargo bay where satellites were launched was simply awe-inspiring. As I looked around I couldn’t believe in front of me was a shuttle which had been in space and it blew my feathered mind!
The Udvar-Hazy Center isn't just about Discovery
I also saw a Concorde supersonic jet – sleek and unbelievably fast! It made me dream of zipping through the sky at twice the speed of sound (though I do enjoy a leisurely glide over a nice river).
There was also the SR-71 Blackbird, a spy plane that could fly at incredible altitudes and speeds. Its stealthy design was fascinating. Honestly, every corner I turned revealed another marvel of aviation and space exploration. What a museum!
Fueling Up for Space Exploration (and a Special Treat!)
All that exploring worked up an appetite! Luckily, there’s a Shake Shack inside the museum – with a limited edition, space-themed milkshake! It was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to celebrate my space adventure. I couldn’t get enough of the sweet, milky way!
While the prices at Shake Shack are typical for their locations, expect to pay around $8-$12 for one of their special shakes.
The 2nd Best Part? It’s FREE!
Yes, you read that right! Entry to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is completely free! You only need to pay for parking if you drive, which is currently $15 per vehicle before 4 pm. This makes it an incredibly accessible and worthwhile experience for everyone.
Getting There is a Breeze (and Budget-Friendly!)
For anyone staying in downtown Washington D.C., getting to the Udvar-Hazy Center is surprisingly easy. You can hop on the Metrorail’s Silver Line towards Wiehle-Reston East. From there, you can catch the Dulles Airport (IAD) Metrorail Station to Dulles Airport Shuttle Bus (Route 983).
The bus drops you right at the museum! The estimated cost for a one-way Metro ride from the city center to Wiehle-Reston East is around $3 – $6, depending on the time of day. The shuttle bus is currently free! So, for a relatively small price, you can embark on this giant adventure.
My final thoughts?
My trip to see the Space Shuttle Discovery was an absolute dream come true. As a kingfisher who loves to fly, witnessing the pinnacle of human ingenuity in air and space travel was truly inspiring. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a treasure trove of history and innovation, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Washington D.C.
So, if you ever find yourself in the USA capital, make sure to take a trip out to see Discovery. You might even find yourself looking up at the sky with a newfound sense of wonder, just like me!
Until our next adventure, keep your eyes on the skies!
Squaky
Squaky Rating: 4.8 Squaks! (out of 5)
All scores given by Squaky are on the following scale:
1: It’s Okay , 2: Just Fine , 3: Decent , 4: Great , 5: Fabulous.
Learn more about the Udvar-Hazy Center here: https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center