https://pixabay.com/photos/jumbo-jet-boeing-747-lufthansa-1322747/
The United States boasts a rich and illustrious aviation legacy, from the invention of the first airplane to modern stealth fighter jets, so it's only natural that the nation is home to many museums that honor the history of flight. If you have any interest in aviation, it's definitely worth your while to visit some of the nation's top aviation museums, where you'll find exhibits containing famous planes and historical artifacts that tell the story of the pilots who flew them.
Museum of Aviation
Ranked as the second-largest museum operated by the United States Air Force and the fourth most popular museum run under the auspices of the Department of Defense, the Museum of Aviation is located at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
Pima Air & Space Museum
The Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona is the largest aviation museum in the United States that the government does not fund. Their collection has around 400 historic planes, including a Wright Flyer.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Established in 2003, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was formed as a partner to the National Air and Space Museum. You'll find a Concorde, the world's most famous supersonic commercial jet, among the exhibits at this Virginia museum.
Estrella Warbirds Museum
This California museum is committed to the restoration and safeguarding of military aircraft, military vehicles, and memorabilia that commemorate the individuals who piloted them.
Military Aviation Museum
Situated in Virginia Beach, VA, the Military Aviation Museum proudly houses one of the most extensive collections of operational vintage military aircraft in the world.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum's Hangar 37
Situated within a genuine hangar from the World War II era, Hangar 37 at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts telling the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
March Field Air Museum
Situated near March Joint Air Reserve Base in California, you'll find the March Field Air Museum, which has an impressive collection of more than 70 aircrafts, including classics like the SR-71, B-17, and B-52.
George H.W. Bush Aviation Gallery at the National World War II Museum
The George H.W. Bush Aviation Gallery at this New Orleans museum has six fully restored planes from World War II on display, including one like those that the former president flew when he served in the Navy.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Take an up-close look at planes from the past 100 years at this dynamic museum in California.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, situated within Hangar 1 of what used to be Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, has a wide variety of aircraft on display, including the first helicopter ambulance and a Bell UH-1 Huey from the Vietnam War.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
Located near Dayton, Ohio, the National Museum of the United States Air Force stands as the largest Air Force museum in the United States.
Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum
The USS Intrepid, a former aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 1943 and actively participated in World War II. Today, it sits in New York City, and you can come aboard to explore exhibits including the Growler, a guided missile submarine, and the space shuttle Enterprise.
The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight in Seattle is the world's largest independent aviation museum, housing a massive collection that presents a visual history of flight.
EAA Aviation Museum
Wisconsin's EAA Aviation Museum is committed to safeguarding and exhibiting a wide range of aircraft with historical and experimental significance.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Nebraska focuses on showcasing the technology used by the Air Force during the Cold War, including a B-17G Flying Fortress and a collection of missiles and rockets.
Santa Monica Museum of Flying
This California museum opened in 1979 and was founded using artifacts collected by the founder of the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Champaign Aviation Museum
Established in 2005, this museum was founded with a focus on restoring historic aircraft but has evolved into an Ohio display space that's home to a variety of vintage planes.
Air Mobility Command Museum
Next time you're in Dover, visit the Air Mobility Command Museum, the only museum focused specifically on the history of airlifts and air refueling. Their collection includes a VC-9C that served as Air Force Two for many years and was sometimes called upon to transport presidents as Air Force One.
Texas Air Museum
For more than two decades, the Texas Air Museum has been committed to highlighting the role that Texas has played in the history of military aviation.
National Museum of World War II Aviation
The National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado chronicles the pivotal role of military aviation in winning the war and establishing America as a global power .
Pearson Air Museum
Pearson Air Museum, located within the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Washington, recounts the history of Pearson Field, which is one of the longest-running airfields in the United States.
Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum has inspired and educated visitors worldwide since its establishment in 1976.
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in California was built around the history of Air Force Plant 42, which has produced aircraft including the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude surveillance craft.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Georgia's National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force tells the story of the Eighth Air Force's heroic contributions during World War II.
