If you’re someone who’s fascinated by all things aviation—commercial planes, space travel, aerodynamics—there are more than a handful of places you can go to learn more in person. “Aviation Museums preserve the stories and innovations that shaped flight.” Matteo Atti chief marketing director at VistaA private aviation group tells Travel + Leisure. And you can find some of the finest aviation museums right here in America.
Together with Atti Erickson and Abigail Torres, the President and CEO Frontiers of Flight MuseumThe Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C., and the Space Center Houston are among the most popular museums.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: Honolulu, Hawaii
bennymarty/Adobe Stock
Visit the for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. Pearl Harbor Aviation MuseumFord Island is an active military base on Oahu (visitors can be shuttled there from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center). The aviation museum, along with the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and Battleship Missouri Memorial tells the story of Dec. 7, 1941 and pays tribute to those who fought during World War II. The museum is spread over two WWII-era buildings, containing exhibits, artifacts and more than fifty aircraft. Erickson Torres said, “Their exhibits, planes, and stories are all so beautiful and unique in the USA. They do it so well.”
The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington
The Museum of Flight
You’ll need to carve out plenty of time—at least three hours—to properly explore Seattle’s Museum of Flight. It’s worth seeing all the highlights. There are more than 175 aircraft—ranging from the 1929 Aeronca C-2 and the 1963 Boeing 727 to the SAM 970, which served as Air Force One and carried Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, and Johnson—along with thousands of artifacts and photographs. The museum will open a new exhibit in June 2025.The MiG-21 Project,” created by South African Ralph Ziman showcases a MiG-21 fighter aircraft from the Cold War era, which is now an artwork covered with millions of colorful beads.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
Victoria Chamberlain/Travel + Leisure
Erickson Torres and Atti both love the Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumAtti praised the museum’s “incredible artifacts”, while the latter lauded its “fantastic” educational programs. Atti recommends that you check out the “”The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s remarkable collection of historic aircraft””.Nation of Speed” exhibit. The Sharp DR 90 Nemesis air racing champion is included in the exhibit, which is intended to illustrate the country’s desire to “become the fastest anywhere on earth, including land, sea and air.” “This unique link underscores the enduring impact of aviation beyond the cockpit,” says Mr. He.
Intrepid Museum: New York, New York
Intrepid Museum
Pier 86, located in New York City Right along the Hudson River is the Intrepid Museum It is the perfect addition for any Manhattan itinerary. Its collection is impressive—you can see the supersonic British Airways Concorde Alpha Delta G-BOAD up close—and a series of rotating exhibits keeps it fresh and exciting. The museum is currently hosting an exhibit The remains of a F4U-1D Corsair, which was shot down in 1945 near the island of Kyushu off Japan. No matter what time you come, you can see a fully-restored World War II FG-1D corsair fighter and Enterprise, NASA’s prototype orbiter.
Space Center Houston: Houston (Texas)
Robyn Correll/Travel + Leisure
Space travel is not just limited to commercial and private aircraft. If you are interested in space travel, then there is only one place for you to visit: the Space Center HoustonIt is also the visitor center for NASA Johnson Space Center. Erickson Torres said, “It was a completely unique experience. They are on the leading edge of museum designs and visitor attractions.” There are over 400 space artifacts—don’t miss the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket or the Apollo 13 Lithium Hydroxide Canister Prototype—as well as engaging exhibits and experiences. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of astronaut suits and apparel, including Pete Conrad’s spacesuit that he wore to the moon on Apollo 12.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio
National Museum of the United States Air Force
The nearby area is a good place to locate Vista America, given that it’s based in Columbus, Ohio. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force In Dayton, we are reminded of the power of teamwork,” says Atti. Visitors can enjoy the free admission to the museum, which houses more than 350 missiles and vehicles as well as thousands of other artifacts. In 1923 the museum was established and just celebrated its 100th anniversary. It’s often called the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. The museum is a journey through aviation’s history. It begins in the Early Years Gallery with the Wright Brothers exhibit and continues to the Space Gallery where the Apollo 15 command modules are located.
San Diego Air & Space Museum: San Diego, California
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego, a city that has dozens upon dozens museums, is no surprise to have one dedicated to Aviation. It’s not just any old aviation museum. The San Diego Air & Space Museum thoroughly covers the history of aviation—starting with a model of the Montgolfier brothers’ 1783 hot air balloon (the first record of a manned vehicle bringing humans above Earth) and running through the military aircraft used in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and into Space Age technology. There are also several simulators There are also 3D/4D movies, including “Legend of Apollo,” “Delta Zero,” and more.
Frontiers of flight Museum: Dallas
jmbrasseur/Getty Images
You will find all the information you need. Frontiers of Flight Museum In a 100,000 square-foot complex just northwest of Dallas, at Dallas Love Field. Visitors can see over 35,000 artifacts, including 40 space and air vehicles. You can see the first U.S.-issued private pilot’s certificate in “Dreamers and Early Flyers” and the artifacts that came from the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum: McMinnville, Oregon
Mint Images/Getty Images
You should always visit the McMinnville Oregon Museum, which is located in McMinnville Oregon, southwest Portland. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. It is known for its Spruce Goose, the world’s largest wooden airplane—an aircraft that, manned by Howard Hughes in 1947, flew once, for just 30 seconds. The museum also has the Titan II SLV, the main vehicle of NASA’s Gemini Program, and the SR-71 Blackbird which flew three times faster than sound or just under 2,000 miles an hour.
Pima Air & Space Museum: Tucson, Arizona
Pima Air & Space Museum
It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. Pima Air & Space Museum has been around for nearly five decades—it first opened in 1976—and it continues to draw in visitors who are curious about all things aviation. The museum covers 80 acres, both indoors and outdoors. It has 6 indoor hangars with 425 aircraft. One of the aircraft on display is the Bede BD-5The world’s small jet aircraft, developed in 1970s. The aerospace gallery is a place where visitors can find out more about the Space Race, and see a collection unmanned aerial vehicles. General Atomics MQ-1B Predator You can also read about the Radioplane OQ-3).
