Donald D. Engen Tower

The Donald D. Engen Tower at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an observation tower providing a 360 degree bird's eye view of Washington Dulles International Airport and the surrounding area. Visitors can watch planes land and take off from the nearby airport. The tower is named in honor of the former Director of the National Air and Space Museum, Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen.

Exhibits on two levels of the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower explain how the U.S. air traffic control system works. On the lower level is an air traffic control workstation, equipment, and artifacts. The exhibit on the observation level explains the basic features of an airport.

The tower is accessible by elevator. The elevator transports 15 people approximately every 5 minutes to and from the two levels of the tower. The elevator is accessed from the ground (lower) floor adjacent to the Airbus Imax Theater entrance. Strollers are not permitted on the elevator and a stroller parking area has been designated outside the elevator on the ground floor for visitor use.

Lines for the Engen Tower elevator can be long, and the tower closes before the rest of the building. Ask at the Welcome Center to find out that day's closing time so you don't miss this outstanding attraction.