National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The Free National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum and a Must-See in Dayton, with nearly 1 million annual visitors. Be amazed as you explore 19 acres of indoor exhibits featuring over 360 aerospace vehicles! Don't miss the co-located National Aviation Hall of Fame honoring aviation and aerospace pioneers.

During 2023 & 2024, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force celebrates its centennial with many special events and programs! You can read more about the museum's history and centennial events in this Discover Dayton Blog post.

In addition, the museum will serve as a primary viewing location for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024!
Current and upcoming events include an ongoing Centennial Exhibit, Fitness Under the Wings, Ohio Plein Air Society Paint-In, Micro Drone Races, and much more! You can learn more on the events page at the museum's website.
 

 

Tour 9 Presidential Aircrafts!

The William E. Boeing Presidential Gallery gives visitors the opportunity to view a historic collection of presidential aircraft, and actually do a walk-through tour of four of them, including the Boeing VC-137C also known as SAM (Special Air Mission) 26000 that flew J.F.K's body back from Dallas and on which Eisenhower was sworn in as President. Experience history first-hand by stepping onto aircraft used by Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton.

 

Memphis Belle Video

Stand next to the famous Memphis Belle at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force! Click on the picture to see the Boeing B-17F Memphis Belle footage after the exterior restoration in 2018 and footage of the aircraft and crew from WWII. 

 

 

 

NASA Space Shuttle Exhibit

Don't miss the Space Shuttle Exhibit featuring NASA's first Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT) in the Space Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.  Board and tour the CCT! 

Explore Aviation's Past, Present, and Future

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Explore the numerous galleries: Early Years; WWII; Korean War; SEA War; Cold War, Missile; R and D; Global Reach, Space; and Presidential Galleries. Experience the Air Park and Memorial Park. There is SO MUCH to see!
Exhibits are arranged chronologically so it’s easy to visit the areas that interest you most. 
  • Examine a Wright Brothers plane 
  • Sit in a jet cockpit 
  • Walk through a NASA shuttle crew compartment trainer 
  • Board and tour four of nine Presidential airplanes including the plane that flew Kennedy's body back from Dallas and upon which Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as President.  
  • Stand in awe of the iconic Memphis Belle or the world’s only permanent public display of a B-2 stealth bomber.
Or, take in one of the multiple daily movies at the Air Force Museum Theatre’s new state-of-the-art D3D Cinema showing a wide range of films on a massive 80-foot by 60-foot screen.
Satisfy your hunger at the Museum’s cafeteria (where you can even try out freeze-dried ‘astronaut ice cream!’), or shop for one-of-a-kind aviation gifts in the Museum’s impressive gift shop.
The newer (opened in 2016) fourth hangar, a 224,000 square foot, climate-controlled building is a dedicated gallery space presenting the Air Force's past, present and future in space and consolidates the presidential and research and development aircraft.  The fourth hangar also houses aircraft such as the C-141C Hanoi Taxi and the C-130E.
1100 Spaatz Street
Gate 28B, enter on Springfield St.
Wright-Patterson AFB
Dayton, Ohio 45433
937-255-3286 Ext. 331
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
 (937) 255-3286
 

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Take a Daycation for More Family Fun

After exploring the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, you'll be ready for some more aviation fun, and Dayton does not disappoint!  We've put together multiple "Daycation" ideas for you and your family and friends!