Washington, DC Museums Slowly Re-Opening

The National Gallery of Art is currently the only museum open on the National Mall, though limited to the West Building Galleries.


The National Zoo (DC) and Air & Space Udvar-Hazy Center (VA) are scheduled to re-open to the public beginning this Friday, July 24. All three museums are free admission to the public though now require timed entrance tickets available on their websites. In particular, the National Zoo and Udvar-Hazy were the first selected to open due to exhibits being either primarily outdoors, or in large indoor spaces.

National Air&Space Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport, Chantilly, VA

There is a reduced $10. charge for car parking at Udvar-Hazy, which now uses a typical airport type system of paying for parking at a kiosk upon leaving the museum. Check in advance if RV parking is available at this time? Though normally there is ample bus parking? The National Zoo also charges for parking, though there is Metro Red-Line subway access nearby.

A shrink-wrapped SR-71 Blackbird? Not really?

Some aircraft may still be covered, which appears the result of roofing work during the extended shutdown, as there are also a few covered walkways? Though may be uncovered by the time of public re-opening?

Discovery looking particularly lonely with no visitors in months?

You can get so close up to some exhibits that you could almost touch it? But, please don't.

Exhibit area which includes Air France Concorde and Boeing B-29 Superfortress 'Enola Gay'

Air&Space Udvar-Hazy Center remains one of my favorite museum destinations in the DC area. I was here on opening day, though regret not visiting more often? The fact that it has direct run-way access to Dulles Airport, allows for visiting aircraft exhibits from the flight line area. A plus for any museum?

Other museums on the National Mall may begin re-opening during the last week in August 2020.