Visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum

A few weeks ago we met some friends at the Air and Space Museum.  The kids had a great time running around looking at all the aircraft.  We got to see the Enterprise shuttle one last time before it moves to New York.

This museum will be the lucky recipient of Discovery, arriving on April 17, 2012.  The plan is to fly it in to Dulles that morning.  I would love to see it being flown in, what a site that would be!  They haven't, and probably will not, announced the time it will be arriving.  According to some sources Discovery will be flown around the city before it lands but that has not been confirmed, nor would they confirm a route.  My guess is that anywhere near Dulles airport or the museum would offer up a view of the plane with the shuttle.  I am not sure if we are up to camping out with two little ones in order to catch a glimpse, we will have to make that decision later on.

On April 19, 2012 the festivities start for welcoming Discovery to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.  The parking lot and building will open two hours early that day and visitors are encouraged to arrive early in order to park.  The schedule of events is as follows:

11:00 am Discovery arrives
       They will have the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps and Discovery crew members
       Nose-to-nose meeting of Discovery and Enterprise

11:30 am  Ceremony starts
     
From noon till 4:00 pm people will be able to view both Discovery and Enterprise and take photographs.
At 4:00 pm the shuttles will be moved. Enterprise will be moved out of the Space Hanger and Discovery will be moved into the hanger for permanent display. 


The website for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has more information about welcoming Discovery.

I am hoping we can attend some of the events but I haven't yet figured out how to spend all day at a museum with a 2 and 3 year old.  Here are a few of our photos from our recent visit. 

My son was "impressed" with the airplanes and helicopters. 

It would seem we are raising very studious children, they were very interested to "read"  the details about each exhibit.  

My son was excited to see the space shuttle.  They were actually working on Enterprise that day in preparation of the move. Enterprise has been here on display since 2003 but will be arriving  in New York on April 23, 2012. 

Wythe and his buddy

My kids checking out the Enola Gay.  They liked this plane because "it is shiny".  I really haven't taken the time to explain World War II history to my two-year-old and three-year-old yet, so they do not realize this is just a pretty killing machine.  I figured I should probably wait another year or two to explain that part of history.  

Saying goodbye to Enterprise. 

'til next time...