National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Overview
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. The Museum uses both chronological and subjective layouts to tell the exciting story of aviation development from the days of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk to the Space Age. Exhibits include over 200 aircraft and missiles, plus family oriented and historically interesting aeronautical displays. Over one and a half million visitors from around the world come to Ohio each year to tour this unique free attraction.
What You'll See
Among the many items on display is Bocks Car, the B-29 the dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, as well as the Jupiter, Titan, and Minuteman nuclear missiles.
All exhibits and displays are well identified to permit touring without guides. Photography is encouraged, although flash equipment will be required for most interior pictures. Documentary films are shown free in Carney Auditorium on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. A gift shop, bookstore, model shop and poster shop, operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation, sell aviation-oriented items with profits used to assist the Air Force Museum. A cafe is available for refreshments. Picnic tables are available during the summer months. Sack lunches cannot be accommodated in the Museum building. Handicapped facilities include special parking, an elevator to the second floor, restroom facilities, lowered water fountains and a volume-controlled telephone. Baby strollers and wheelchairs are available on a limited basis for use inside the Museum building. A visitor's center, operated by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is available on the grounds to assist travelers with requests for lodging, local restaurants and other attractions in the area.
Public Tours Dates and Times
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day only. Admission to the museum is free.
How to Get There
The entrance to the Museum is on Springfield Pike at historic Wright Field (Gate 28-B), Wright-Patterson Air Force base, six miles northeast of Dayton. I-70 travelers should exit at Ohio Route 4 south towards Dayton 8 miles to the Harshman Road exit. Those on I-75 should exit at Needmore Road, east six miles. Route 4 drivers exit at Harshman Road and follow signs to Springfield Pike. (Alternate access from I-70 via Exit 44/I-675.)