air and space museum at dulles/ Mt. vernon
Mar 16th, 2005, 12:03 PM
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The new Air-Space near Dulles is a wonderful exhibit for aviation buffs. Many large planes are there including a Concorde, the Enola Gay from WWII, other military planes, the SR-71 Blackbird, and space vehicles as well. Parking is $12, but admission free. Plan on 2-3 hours at minimum. Mt. Vernon can be very crowded at Cherry Blossom time and other touristy times...but it is a lovely site and well-maintained house.
Mar 16th, 2005, 01:17 PM
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The museum is approximately 5 miles from the airport. There are no sidewalks or safe shoulders for walking on Rte. 28 - the route from the airport to the museum.
A taxi is really the only way to get there.
A taxi is really the only way to get there.
Mar 16th, 2005, 01:20 PM
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I think a 13 y/o interest in Mt. Vernon will depend on his level of interest in history.
I remember having to wait in a very, very long line to see the inside of the house. Then, once in, it was only for a brief look.
I remember having to wait in a very, very long line to see the inside of the house. Then, once in, it was only for a brief look.
Mar 16th, 2005, 02:03 PM
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Both Air and Space museums are worthwhile. The old one on Independence Ave is much smaller, more crowded, but contains many interesting exhibits. It also has an IMAX theater...and I think the one at Dulles has one too.
Mar 16th, 2005, 02:43 PM
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Unless you are renting a car at Dulles and have time for the Air and Space annex just after picking it up or before turning it in, probably the best and cheapest way to go to the annex is via the shuttle that is run there from the main Air and Space Museum in DC. I think I have heard that the fare is $7 per person round trip, but I am not certain of this. Check with either museum (or the general Smithsonian info number)for the fares and schedule.
Travel Fan has given you correct information about travel between the Dulles terminal and the annex, which is not at the airport in the sense of being next to any airport buildings--it is at the edge of the airport grounds, which are huge. Unless you are driving your own car, the only practical way between the terminals and the annex is by taxi, which will probably cost you more than parking or the shuttle from the DC museum.
Yes, it's worth visiting both the DC museum and the annex. While there is some overlap, they have different emphases. DC, while it certainly has a number of famous aircraft and spacecraft, is more of a science museum, while the annex is more of a straight exhibit of craft--including many which are too big to exhibit in DC. For this reason, the annex will be particularly thrilling to 13-year old boys.
I'm not sure that they will be as excited about Mt. Vernon, but it turns out to have unexected delights for many adults beyond the fact that it was the actual place the great man lived and died. Unlike many historic homes in cities, it still has its extensive grounds, kitchens, outbuildings, slave quarters etc. intact so you really get a feel for what an operation running such a large plantation, and a manor house at which there was constant entertaining, was. You also get a thought-provoking and instructive view of slave life at the plantation as well as Washington's own conflicted attitudes toward his own slaves and slavery in general.
If you visit both Mount Vernon and Monticello (which I strongly recommend), have good guides and take the additional walks and tours of the slave living and working areas that are available both places, and are used to thinking of Jefferson as being the more enlightened, progressive and humane of the two on that sad subject, you may find a reassessment to be in order. I know I was surprised.
It's also unexpectedly beautiful and moving to take the walk some distance from the house to George and Martha's tomb, near the river.
For me--and I've heard a number of others say the same thing--the most remarkable thing is how well the whole far-reaching view from the house of the area on the opposite bank of the Potomac, in Maryland, has been kept free of any visible sign of the last two hundred years, even though you are still in the DC metro area. So you can sit in one of these magnificent chairs they have on the back porch, facing the broad lawn going down to the river, and except for the occasional modern boat coming by, you can really feel like you're Washington himself back in the 1700's surveying your plantation and your section of the river. It's a great experience.
Travel Fan has given you correct information about travel between the Dulles terminal and the annex, which is not at the airport in the sense of being next to any airport buildings--it is at the edge of the airport grounds, which are huge. Unless you are driving your own car, the only practical way between the terminals and the annex is by taxi, which will probably cost you more than parking or the shuttle from the DC museum.
Yes, it's worth visiting both the DC museum and the annex. While there is some overlap, they have different emphases. DC, while it certainly has a number of famous aircraft and spacecraft, is more of a science museum, while the annex is more of a straight exhibit of craft--including many which are too big to exhibit in DC. For this reason, the annex will be particularly thrilling to 13-year old boys.
I'm not sure that they will be as excited about Mt. Vernon, but it turns out to have unexected delights for many adults beyond the fact that it was the actual place the great man lived and died. Unlike many historic homes in cities, it still has its extensive grounds, kitchens, outbuildings, slave quarters etc. intact so you really get a feel for what an operation running such a large plantation, and a manor house at which there was constant entertaining, was. You also get a thought-provoking and instructive view of slave life at the plantation as well as Washington's own conflicted attitudes toward his own slaves and slavery in general.
If you visit both Mount Vernon and Monticello (which I strongly recommend), have good guides and take the additional walks and tours of the slave living and working areas that are available both places, and are used to thinking of Jefferson as being the more enlightened, progressive and humane of the two on that sad subject, you may find a reassessment to be in order. I know I was surprised.
It's also unexpectedly beautiful and moving to take the walk some distance from the house to George and Martha's tomb, near the river.
For me--and I've heard a number of others say the same thing--the most remarkable thing is how well the whole far-reaching view from the house of the area on the opposite bank of the Potomac, in Maryland, has been kept free of any visible sign of the last two hundred years, even though you are still in the DC metro area. So you can sit in one of these magnificent chairs they have on the back porch, facing the broad lawn going down to the river, and except for the occasional modern boat coming by, you can really feel like you're Washington himself back in the 1700's surveying your plantation and your section of the river. It's a great experience.
Mar 29th, 2005, 05:44 PM
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I agree that both Mt. Vernon www.mountvernon.org/ and the Udvar Hazy Air Museum http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/ are both excellent choices for a 13 year old - almost the yin and yang of American history! Mt. Vernon is surprisingly interesting - get there early before bus tours arrive and hitting the air museum on your way from/to Dulles is a great idea.
Mar 30th, 2005, 06:36 AM
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Great post, jbc411 !
Have visited 2x, both in March. I know I'd like it more a little in the year. Keep in mind that Washington was firstmost, even in his own mind, a farmer who looked for more efficient growing & production methods, and what new crops could be grown in the "new world". There's really quite a bit OUTSIDE the mansion to appreciate as well.
Have driven and taken the bus from Huntington Station. The bus drops you off right at the entrance -- see the official MtV website for directions.
Have visited 2x, both in March. I know I'd like it more a little in the year. Keep in mind that Washington was firstmost, even in his own mind, a farmer who looked for more efficient growing & production methods, and what new crops could be grown in the "new world". There's really quite a bit OUTSIDE the mansion to appreciate as well.
Have driven and taken the bus from Huntington Station. The bus drops you off right at the entrance -- see the official MtV website for directions.
Apr 18th, 2005, 06:27 PM
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Just went to the new Dulles museum on Sunday afternoon. Not crowded. $12 parking - take Dulles local toll road and follow signs (easy) less than 10 minutes from airport so easy to or from airport. Need min. 2 hours to see, plus more if you want to see IMAX movie (check on arrival). Old and young will enjoy - WWII planes, space shuttle, concorde, spy plane, etc. Only a temp. Subway for food, however.
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