10 Must-Visit Aviation Museums in the US for Enthusiasts
The US has a long and distinguished history when it comes to aviation and space travel. For this reason, it makes sense that our country has a good number of museums dedicated to the history and science of flight.
That said, if you’re the type who is fascinated and amazed by the history behind the planes, pilot uniforms, and other aircraft-related memorabilia on display, then you might want to visit some of the best aviation museums the United States has to offer.
Here are our choice recommendations for the top aircraft museums in the country.
1. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)
The National Air and Space Museum has hundreds of objects on display, including the Hubble Space Telescope, a piece of the moon, and more.
The Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
You can see the 1903 Flyer Wright, which started US aviation, and then take a look at the Spirit of St. Louis, the custom-built, single-engine monoplane that Charles Lindbergh famously flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.
The Smithsonian has two locations, both of which have an extensive collection of aircraft. Head over to the National Mall located in Washington, D.C. It’s America’s most visited national park, where the past, present, and future converge.
Then, visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near the Washington Dulles International Airport, which is a companion facility to the museum. This center has on display hundreds of historically significant air- and spacecraft, along with thousands of small artifacts, in an open, hangar-like setting. Enjoy the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, the Airbus IMAX Theater, and the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, where museum specialists restore artifacts and visitors can observe the process.
Discover the origins of space flight and see the North American X-15, a US Air Force and NASA aircraft that flew over the edge of the atmosphere—that’s 50 miles from the Earth’s surface at 264,000 feet!
Admission is free for both locations; however, visitors to the Washington, DC, museum must have free timed-entry passes.
National Air and Space Museum
6th Street and Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560
View Map
202-633-2214
Open daily except Christmas from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
View Map
703-572-4118
Open daily except Christmas from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
2. Palm Springs Air Museum (Palm Springs, CA)
Founded in 1996, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a living history museum that aims to educate the public about the role of airpower in preserving American liberty and way of life.
A P-51D Mustang from the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The Palm Springs Air Museum is a highly recommended destination, ranked #3 out of 127 things to do in Palm Springs, according to TripAdvisor. This museum is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and flying aircraft from World War Two, Korea, and the Vietnam Wars. Most of the aircraft in this museum, including a T-28 Trojan, a PT-17 Stearman, a C-47 Skytrain, and a P-51D Mustang, among others, are in flyable condition.
It’s definitely a must-visit spot for aviation enthusiasts and anyone interested in history!
Palm Springs Air Museum
745 North Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, California 92262
View map
760-778-6262
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/
3. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Denver, CO)
The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum has been named one of the best aviation museums around the world by CNN and USA Today. The museum is located in Hangar #1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base in eastern Denver, Colorado.
A B-52 in front of the Wings Over the Rockies main building in Denver, CO.
The museum was transferred from the United States Air Force to a group of volunteers in 1994 and houses more than 100,000 square feet of hangar space filled with iconic aircraft, space vehicles, artifacts, military uniforms, and much more.
Come and explore the fascinating world of aviation! Exploration of Flight is a 15-acre campus located on one of the busiest general aviation airports in the nation. With aviation-centric events, programming, and exhibits, Exploration of Flight offers an immersive and educational experience for individuals who are intrigued by flight, as well as those already in the industry.
It’s an exciting adventure you don’t want to miss!
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
7711 East Academy Boulevard
Denver, CO 80230-6929
View map
303-360-5360
Open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm
Exploration of Flight
13005 Wings Way
Englewood, CO 80112
303-360-5360 ext160
Open Friday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm, and Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm
4. National Museum of the United States Air Force (Riverside, Ohio)
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is responsible for collecting, researching, conserving, interpreting and presenting the history, heritage, and traditions of the Air Force. It also showcases the Air Force’s mission of flying, fighting and winning airpower anytime, anywhere to a global audience through various exhibitions, educational outreach, special programs, and stewardship of the national historic collection.
Since 1923, the museum has grown from a small engineering study collection to the world’s largest military aviation museum, recognized as a center for air and space power technology and culture preservation. In 2023, the museum celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of preserving and showcasing the history of the Air Force to the public.
The famous Boeing B-17F Memphis Belle is on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
The museum is home to countless one-of-a-kind objects, including more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles, thousands of artifacts, and spans over 20 indoor acres with additional outdoor Air and Memorial Parks that continue to grow every year.
The National Museum of the USAF
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio 45433
(near Dayton)
View map
(937) 255-3286
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
5. Intrepid Museum (NYC, New York)
The Intrepid Museum is a private non-profit that holds a special place in New York City’s cultural landscape. It was founded in 1982 when they acquired the historic WWII aircraft carrier Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark and the centerpiece of their collection.
The Intrepid Museum is dedicated to the exhibition and interpretation of history, science, and service aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid.
The museum showcases the intersection of history and innovation through its dynamic exhibitions. It offers an immersive experience that combines fun with STEM and history.
A destination for both aviation fanatics and families, the USS Intrepid places a collection of military aircraft on deck, including the Avenger torpedo bomber, the A-12 Lockheed spy plane, a Bell 7 helicopter, the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and Grumman A-6 Intruder (both stalwarts of the Vietnam War).
Visitors can also get an up-close look at a retired British Airways Concorde, as well as the space shuttle Enterprise (which has no working engines or heat shields, so it never flew into space). You can also enter the Growler, a once top-secret nuclear missile submarine and the only guided missile submarine open to the public.
The museum’s innovation extends beyond the mechanical marvels on display, making it a unique and valuable experience for all.
Intrepid Museum
Pier 86, W 46th St,
New York, NY 10036, United States
View map
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (October to March) and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends and holidays (April to September)
877-957-SHIP (7447) or 212-245-0072
https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/
6. Pima Air & Space Museum (Tucson, Arizona)
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight, the Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world.
A B-17 Flying Fortress on display at the 390th Memorial Museum of the Pima Air & Space Museum.
The Pima Air & Space Museum first welcomed visitors in May 1976. It is spread across an 80-acre property and comprises six indoor exhibit hangars, out of which three are specifically dedicated to World War II. The museum boasts a collection of around 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright 1903 Flyer to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E Valencia Rd,
Tucson, AZ 85756
View map
520-574-0462
Open daily from 10 9 am to 5 pm (October to May) and 9 am to 3 pm (June to September) except Thanksgiving and Christmas day
https://pimaair.org/
7. The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA)
The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world.
A German Messerschmitt at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA.
The Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation was founded in 1964 with the goal of preserving historical artifacts related to aviation development, and later, it quickly became evident that a location was needed to store and exhibit these artifacts. In 1965, the first official exhibits were displayed in a 10,000-square-foot space at the Seattle Center, which was also the site of the 1962 World’s Fair.
The idea for The Museum of Flight complex came into being in 1975 when the Port of Seattle granted a 99-year lease of the land where the Boeing Red Barn currently stands to the Museum. The Red Barn, which is the birthplace of The Boeing Company, was rescued from demolition and transported by river barge to its current location on the Duwamish River. The Red Barn was reconstructed in 1983 and became the first permanent location of The Museum of Flight.
Now, with a collection of more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences, and a world-class library, the museum offers a captivating glimpse into mankind’s remarkable history of flight.
The Museum of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way South,
Seattle, WA 98108-4097
View map
206-764-5700
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
http://www.museumofflight.org/
8. The EAA Aviation Museum (Oshkosh, WI)
The EAA Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying historic and experimental aircraft, including antiques, classics, and warbirds.
A 1945 Lockheed P-38L Lightning on display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, WI.
This museum is one of the world’s top aviation attractions that welcomes visitors throughout the year. It houses a collection of over 200 historic airplanes and boasts world-class galleries and displays. For instance, the Eagle Hangar honors the aviation heroes who served during World War II.
It’s a great destination for the whole family to enjoy. Children will enjoy the highly interactive 16 hands-on exhibits at KidVenture Gallery. Additionally, they can visit the scenic overlook from the Tower of Flight, which offers an observation deck for viewing aerial activities at Pioneer Airport. They can also climb into the cockpit of a half-scale model of an F-22.
EAA Aviation Museum
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Just south of Wis. 44 (South Park Ave.) and adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport
View map
920-426-4818
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm except New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum
9. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (Ashland, NE)
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, focuses on the aircraft and nuclear missiles of the United States Air Force during the Cold War.
An SR-71 on display at the Strategic Air and Space Museum, Ashland, NE.
However, it is not just a Cold War Museum but a place where visitors can learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) by exploring how SAC and later STRATCOM used deterrence to help win the Cold War. The museum is now focused on revitalization and aims to become the Midwest’s premier museum/science center destination. Soon, it will offer new exhibits, both temporary and permanent, and special events to provide unique experiences for members and visitors.
The museum building is a 300,000-square-foot structure that features a glass atrium (which houses the SR-71 “Blackbird”), two large aircraft display hangars, a traveling exhibit area, a children’s interactive gallery, a 200-seat theater, a museum store, an aircraft restoration gallery, and a snack bar.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
28210 West Park Highway,
Ashland, NE 68003
View map
402-944-3100
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and 9 am to 2 pm on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
10. Boeing Future of Flight (Everett, WA)
The Boeing Future of Flight is a popular aviation attraction in Seattle, offering the Boeing Everett Factory Tour that provides insights into aircraft manufacturing processes. Located 30 miles north of Seattle, the Future of Flight Aviation Center showcases Boeing’s commitment to sustainability. Visitors can explore Boeing’s innovative approaches to environmental responsibility.
You can discover exciting new products and services being explored by Boeing, including space and hypersonic travel, sustainable fuels, autonomous aerial systems, and much more at the Boeing Future of Flight.
The Boeing Everett Factory is an airplane assembly facility built by Boeing. The facility is located at the northeast corner of Paine Field and encompasses the largest building in the world by volume, covering 98.7 acres. The entire complex extends across both sides of State Route 526.
For a comprehensive experience, the Boeing Future of Flight is a must-visit destination for aviation enthusiasts, providing a closer look at the aviation giant’s operations and sustainability initiatives.
Boeing Future of Flight
8415 Paine Field Blvd.,
Mukilteo, WA 98275
View map
800-464-1476
Open Thursday to Monday from 8:30 am to 5 pm except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas, and New Year’s Day
https://www.boeingfutureofflight.com/
Wrapping up the Best Aviation Museums in the United States
Whether you’re a history buff or simply fascinated by flight and space, you should definitely plan a visit to these must-see aviation and aerospace museums in the country!
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