Flying has become such an integral part of modern transport, that sometimes, we forget to pause and think about the sheer marvel of it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have plenty of questions for aerospace engineers about what keeps these giant tubes airborne.
That’s where aviation museums come in. They’re a place where history buffs, engineering minds, and travel dreamers come together to explore the story of flight. Aviation museums house everything from the earliest planes to supersonic jets, war drones, and even spaceships that have ventured far into the solar system.
Aviation museums aren’t just about looking at planes. Some have hands-on exhibitions, IMAX theaters, and even flight simulators. Ready for takeoff? Here are the best aviation museums in the U.S.:
12. Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino, California)
Located just an hour’s drive from Los Angeles in Chino, California, the Planes of Fame Air Museum is a haven for aviation fans. The museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 160 planes and aircraft, 35 of which are still in good flying condition.
The curators focused on showing the entire story of aviation, from the earliest flying machines to the most high-tech modern jets we see today. There is also a big emphasis on fighter jets used in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The most famous being the North American P-51 Mustang – a legend among fighter planes.
11. Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Somewhere between Chicago and Detroit in Michigan’s Kalamazoo, the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum combines aviation history with an amusement park. It’s a multi-sensory atmosphere that puts you right at the forefront of aviation history. And it has just as much to offer kids as it does adults.
Its main focus is on the evolution of flight, from biplanes to space travel and everything in between.
Home to over 100 rare and historic planes and space artifacts, this museum puts a fun twist on things with amusement park-style rides and flight simulator experiences. They also offer some incredible educational programs for school-aged children and networking adults.
10. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly, Virginia)
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is an extended part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. It’s located at Washington Dulles International Airport, making it an easy visit for tourists in the D.C. area.
In this museum, you’ll find thousands of artifacts from the space and aviation industry. Take the Space Shuttle Discovery, Enola Gay, and the main prototype of the Boeing 707 airliner, for example. Some of the museum’s largest aircraft are stored here because they were too big to fit in the main museum on the National Mall.
The museum’s layout is stretched across two massive open hangars, displaying some incredible planes suspended in mid-air.
9. San Diego Air & Space Museum (San Diego, California)
San Diego Air & Space Museum will take you on a journey through the history of flight. It’s all about the incredible growth of the industry, starting with a Montgolfier Brother’s hot air balloon from 1783 and ending with the most modern jets in the skies today.
Between the two, you’ll learn about air combat during the World Wars and how the Golden Age of Flight blossomed in the 1920s.
It’s located in Balboa Park, making it easy to visit as part of the city’s main cultural hub. You could spend one to three hours strolling the museum. But give yourself more time if you want to visit the MaxFlight Simulators, the Kids Aviation Action Hangar, or watch a 4D movie!
8. EAA Aviation Museum (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
In the quiet town of Oshkosh in Wisconsin, the EAA Aviation Museum is known for hosting the largest air show in the world. Once a year, during the annual EAA AirVenture event, 500 thousand people flock to Oshkosh to celebrate the past, present, and future of aviation. It’s a testament to the spirit of flying and basically a right of passage for aviation enthusiasts.
The permanent museum welcomes visitors year-round. Housing more than 200 historic aircraft, the museum has huge hangars storing some incredible pieces of aviation history. A highlight is a replica of the Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer, among a group of other experimental and homebuilt planes from throughout history.
7. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (New York, New York)
Anchored to Manhatten on the Hudson River of New York, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum might be one of the more unique on this list. The museum is set on a legendary aircraft carrier called USS Intrepid and is home to an incredible collection of aircraft and exhibits.
The museum’s main focus is on the American military and maritime history. However, it also houses the Space Shuttle Enterprise, a Concorde, and a submarine called the USS Growler. Don’t miss the aircraft’s carrier deck, which gives visitors a good idea of what working on one of these massive ships is like.
6. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (McMinnville, Oregon)
If you’re a fan of planes, you’ve probably heard of the ‘Spruce Goose.’ Well, this massive aircraft-cross-boat, officially known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules, is living out its days at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in Oregon. Visitors can step back in time and enter the flight deck of the cargo seaplane, which was built towards the end of WWII.
But it’s not all about the Spruce Goose. The museum is made up of two massive hangars, each featuring an impressive lineup of historic and modern aircraft and spacecraft. Some highlights include WWII planes and Apollo mission artifacts.
5. National Naval Aviation Museum (Pensacola, Florida)
If you’re into naval history and wartime aviation, do yourself a favor and stop by Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum. This massive museum, located at the Naval Air Station, is free to visit and overflowing with exhibits that celebrate the US Navy’s role in aviation history.
There are over 150 aircraft on display, from early seaplanes to supersonic jets. The main exhibit includes a Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawk and an SBD-2 Dauntless dive bomber from the Battle of Midway. If you time your visit right, you could even catch the Blue Angels practicing their synchronized flying technique in action.
4. Pima Air & Space Museum (Tucson, Arizona)
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of America’s largest non-government-funded aviation museums. Against a desert backdrop in Tucson, Arizona, it’s also one of the largest aviation museums in the world.
The priceless planes sit in an outdoor yard that feels a bit like a graveyard of aviation legends. With nearly 400 aircraft, it’s got everything from military jets to airliners to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Spread across such a massive space; it’s a big lifesaver to have a tram tour to take you from one part of the desert to the next.
3. Museum of Flight (Seattle, Washington)
Seattle might be famous for its coffee, but the city is also home to one of the most impressive aviation museums on the planet. The Museum of Flight is dedicated to sharing the story of flight from the very beginning to the distant future.
Within its incredible exhibits, it houses over 175 aircraft, spanning everything from a Concorde to a Space Shuttle Trainer to the first-ever Boeing 747. The exhibits on WWI and WWII, including a huge collection of historical photos and immersive displays, are curated to bring the incredible history of wartime aviation to life.
2. National Museum of the United States Air Force (Dayton, Ohio)
If you’re feeling patriotic, head to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. This place is massive, with over 350 unique wartime aircraft, missiles, and aerospace vehicles spread over 20 indoor acres.
Among the aircraft is a collection of out-of-commission Air Force One Planes used by past U.S. presidents. You’ll also find galleries dedicated to every era of American military aviation.
And while the content might be serious, interactive exhibits and flight simulators make it a family-friendly museum.
1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)
No surprises here – Washington D.C’s Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum takes the top spot for having the world’s most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts. Along with its second location in Chantilly, the museum covers just about everything related to aviation and space history.
It’s located along the National Mall, home to flying icons like the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis (famous for the first solo flight across the Atlantic), and the Apollo 11 Command Module. Throw in incredible IMAX theaters, interactive exhibits, and free entry, and it’s no wonder this museum is one of the most famous in the world.
Leave a Reply