The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will offer free parking and other discounts at its Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, to veterans and active-duty military personnel in honor of Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. A valid military ID is required to receive the special discounts, which include:
- Free Parking. Veterans and active military will receive complimentary parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center. The regular parking fee is $15. Free parking is made possible by the support of Leidos.
- Airbus IMAX Theater Discount. Veterans and active-duty military will receive $2 off each ticket to a daytime IMAX film. The theater will also offer screenings of The Blue Angels, D-Day and Aircraft Carrier. The theater’s full schedule is available online.
- Shake Shack Discount. The museum’s Shake Shack will offer a 20% discount on shakes for current and former military.
- Author Appearance. Aviation enthusiasts can speak with author Col. Wolfgang Samuel (USAF-Ret.) who has written several books on World War II and Cold War topics. He will sign books from noon to 4 p.m. Books will be available for purchase at the signing table and in the museum’s store.
- Free guided tours. Experienced docents, many of whom have firsthand experience as pilots and engineers, will share the stories behind the museum’s collection. Tours begin at the rear of the SR-71 Blackbird and last approximately 90 minutes. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to see the museum’s newest acquisition, an F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft. This is the world’s first true operational stealth combat aircraft and is now on view in the Modern Military section of the center. The F-117A that joined the museum’s collection is known as “The Overachiever” and was the only F-117 flown in all four major conflicts in which Nighthawks flew combat operations.
The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 parking fee for vehicles entering before 4 p.m..
The museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at 650 Jefferson Dr. S.W. and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required.