The Smithsonian National Air and Space Annex, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, was very very cool. Located just next to Dulles Airport, it was a fair distance to get to (about 90mins by public transport) is definitely worth the visit, and for a nut like myself, a full day is needed.
This is where the Smithsonian has been hiding all their cool stuff. Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery, the Concorde, and the SR-71 were notable highlights. I had to keep reminding myself that these aren't just mockups, or hollow shells. Some of these aircraft took their final flight into Dulles and were then rolled almost as is into the museum (they removed all the various liquids, fuel, oil, etc).
The Orbiter did have its engines missing as NASA wanted to keep those for another mission. NASA were also kind enough to remove the various toxic materials from the Orbiter. They did offer to clean Discovery up, replace the tiles etc, but thank goodness the museum said No Way. There she is, almost exactly as she was when she last touched down from orbit.
I couldn't help but snap a lot of photos of the Orbiter. But I didn't leave the other vessels out...
Yes, it's actually that Enola Gay, the original, real one.
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