Pilots, aviation enthusiasts and aspiring aviators will want to beeline for an aviation museum. Dedicated to the art and science of flying, each facility is packed with aircraft and spacecraft. From the pioneers of flight to the last generation’s spycraft, to the vessels of space exploration, there is something for everyone. Here are the best aviation museums in the U.S.
12 Best Aviation Museums in the U.S.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Intrepid Museum in New York City
Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center in Washington
California Science Center in Los Angeles
American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum at DFW International Airport
Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field
Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
Steven Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport
Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona
Palm Springs Air Museum
EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh Wisconsin
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
As the official museum of the USAF, this site offers a comprehensive history of its aircraft. It is the world’s oldest aviation museum and showcases 360 aircraft and missiles, many of them rare and one-of-a-kind.
After visiting over a dozen aviation museums, this is one of the best. Plan on at least 4 hours, more if you are a former USAF or crew member. The National Museum of the USAF features an airpark along with a playground.
Located at 1100 Spaatz St. in Dayton, Ohio. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to enter, and parking is also free.
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Intrepid Museum in New York City
Looming on New York City’s Hudson River, the USS Intrepid offers a collection of military aircraft on its deck, along with the retired British Airways Concorde. The Intrepid Museum offers a destination for aviation fans and families alike, a few blocks from Central Park.
Then, hidden away in a pavilion, find the Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise. Since it lacked engines and a functional heat shield, it never flew in space. It was launched from a modified Boeing 747 for testing. The Intrepid Museum offers a 3D movie, flight simulators, and a Concorde experience (all require an additional fee).
Located at Pier 86 at W. 46th St. at 11th Avenue, it is open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 1 to September 30. Adult admission (13 to 64) is $38, kids 5 to 12 $28 and 4 and under free.
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Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center in Washington
A must for aviation enthusiasts, the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center is the home of the Boeing wide-body assembly area. This facility assembles the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner and is the largest building in the world by volume.
Visitors can walk through the aerospace gallery for exhibits on aviation. Then head to the outdoor observation gallery overlooking Paine Field. The interactive Boeing Backstage Pass is an additional ticket.
The 80-minute guided tour explains the assembly of the 777|777X. located below the viewing gallery. This is a unique experience for aviation fans. When I was in Seattle, we took this tour, and it was very interesting.
Located at 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, Washington, the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center is 25 miles north of Seattle. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Adult admission (16 to 64) is $14 and youth tickets (6 to 15) are $7. The Boeing Factory Tour is $46 for adults and $32 for kids and includes general admission.
California Science Center in Los Angeles
As one of the locations to see a retired Space Shuttle, this is a must for adventurers. With half of the facility dedicated to space exploration and aircraft, the California Science Center offers lots to see in and around the facility.
See the Endeavor, a retired Orbiter from the U.S. Space Shuttle program. Since the Space Shuttle orbiters were built in California, this exhibit focuses on the parts and people integral to the program.
In the main building, find the Apollo-Soyuz command module. It docked with the Russian Soyuz aircraft in 1975. Then, you can see the Gemini 11 capsule from 1966. The Gemini mission bridged the gap from the Mercury missions to the Moon-bound Apollo missions.
Along with spacecraft, see the A-12 Blackbird, a spy craft from the Vietnam era.
Located at 700 Exposition Park Dr. inLos Angeles. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free, except for special exhibits. Since this is a free museum, it’s a favorite with school groups. Buy tickets for special exhibits in advance.
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American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum at DFW
Tour the American Airlines Museum to learn about the airline’s history. Walk through a 1940 Douglas DC-3, the first airliner American Airlines used for passenger travel.
See all the flight attendant uniforms from the beginning. The working cockpit simulator that you can climb into is another must.
Located at 4601 Texas Highway 360. Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $12 and kids 2 to 17 are $6.
Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field
The Southwest 737 sticking out of the building will grab the kids’ attention. This museum boasts aircraft hanging from the rafters and parked outside.
As a bonus, you head around back to see the Southwest jets take off and land at Love Field, one of its hubs. I also recommend the Southwest jet kids can walk through.
Located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue, at the Dallas Love Field Airport. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $20 and kids 3 to 17 $12.
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Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta
At Delta Airlines’ hub, visitors can learn more about the major U.S. airline from its early days to the future of flight. Inside, guests will find a full-service flight simulator, a restored 1940 Douglas DC-3 and a Waco 125 biplane.
Another favorite is the 747 Pavilion, where visitors can walk through the Jumbo Jet of the 1960s and beyond. There are several tours offered during the week, like the DC-3 tour. Also you can walk the 45-minute film in the theater.
Located at 1060 Delta Blvd. Building B. Open Thursday to Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed Wednesday). Adult admission is $20, $22 on weekends and school holidays, and kids (5 to 17) are $15, $17 on weekends and school holidays.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
With two campuses in the area, the Smithsonian features an extensive collection of aircraft. Start with the location of Washington, D.C.’s National Mall first. Then head to its annex at Washington Dulles.
With 22 galleries, walk through the history of aviation and spaceflight. See the 1903 Wright Flyer, which started U.S. aviation, and then see the Spirit of St. Louis.
Learn about the origins of spaceflight and see the North American X-15, a joint U.S. Air Force and NASA aircraft that flew at the edge of the atmosphere—50 miles from the Earth’s surface at 264,000 feet. Visitors can also see the Mercury Friendship 7 Capsule.
Located at Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. Admission is free, and timed entry reservations are required.
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Steven Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport
Since the main National Air and Space Museum is filled to the rafters, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Annex was built to house the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery. It is one of the Best Aviation Museums in the U.S. I’ve stopped and toured this facility several times.
You can find two hangars, featuring the Boeing B-29 Enola Gay from WWII. Then, you can find an Air France Concorde. Another highlight is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a long-range Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft.
In a separate hangar, see the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery. With 39 launches and landings, it has spent the most time in space. It delivered the Hubbell Telescope to orbit, and Astronaut John Glenn, 77, was the oldest human in space aboard the Discovery.
After touring the spacecraft and the aircraft, visitors should head to the tower. With a live feed the Air Traffic Control, we saw both of the IAD runways. It’s an exciting place to see landing and departing flights.
Located at 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway in Chantilly, Virginia. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. Admission is free and tickets aren’t required for this museum. Parking is extra.
Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona
As the largest air and space museum without U.S. government funding, it offers 80 acres with more than 350 historic aircraft. There are also 150 aircraft housed in hangars, and the remainder are outside.
Collection highlights include the SR-71 Blackbird, the U.S. spycraft. Also, find a Wright flyer from the Wright Brothers. The Air Force One that Lyndon B. Johnson used in the 1950s and 60s is also located at Pima.
The Pima Air and Space Museum offers a boneyard motor coach tour with over 4,000 aircraft at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base. The tour is open to all with proper ID, and reservations must be made 16 days in advance.
Located at 6000 E. Valencia Rd. in Tucson, Arizona. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the winter. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Adult admission is $22.50 (2-day ticket is $29), kids (5 to 12) $18.50 (2-day ticket is $15.50) with kids 4 and younger entering for free.
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Palm Springs Air Museum
Explore four air-conditioned hangars with 59 wartime aircraft, including the largest collection of flyable WWII planes. This museum is staffed by veteran aviators.
Make it an experience of a lifetime and book a flight on a vintage warplane, starting at $195 per flight.
Located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission (18+) is $24, kids (13 to 17) and seniors are $23 and kids 12 and under are free.
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EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh Wisconsin
If you are a pilot or an aviation enthusiast, then chances are you have heard about the Oshkosh Air Show, which is actually the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The annual multi-day airshow is based out of Wittman Regional Airport and features military aircraft, commercial, experimental and more.
On its property, visitors will find the EAA Aviation Museum, a collection of historic and experimental aircraft, including war birds, antiques and classics. In total, it offers about 200 aircraft.
Located at 3000 Poberezny Rd, Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission (19+) is $15 and youth (6 to 18) are $12.
2 Comments
We live near Dayton, OH and love spending a day out at the Air Force Museum. It’s a great family day! We would love to check out the rest on your list. Thanks, Kara. http://www.thememoriestravel.com
Thanks for checking out my article. The Air Force Museum is on my to do list for sure! And I will definitely add it once I visit. It’s always a favorite.