The tower is temporarily closed until further notice.

The Donald D. Engen Observation Tower provides a 360-degree bird's eye view of Washington Dulles International Airport and the surrounding area. From here, you can watch planes land and take off from the nearby airport. The tower is named in honor of late director of the National Air and Space Museum Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen.

 

Director Donald Engen
Former Director of the National Air and Space Museum Donald Engen poses in front of a model of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

The observation level of the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower has an exhibit explaining the basic features of an airport and how the U.S. air traffic control system works.

The tower is accessible by elevator. Strollers are not permitted on the elevator, but there is a stroller parking area on the ground floor.

Check at at the John L. Plueger Family Welcome Center for the hours of operation.