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National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, OH

Photo: Ken LaRock (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force photographer), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

1100 Spaatz St, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base · Dayton, OH

Why you should go…

This is the official museum of the United States Air Force, set on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base about six miles northeast of Dayton. More than 360 aircraft and missiles fill four connected buildings, including the B-17F Memphis Belle, the B-29 Bockscar, the XB-70 Valkyrie and the Apollo 15 command module. You can also see SAM 26000, the Air Force One that served Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

  • #aviation museum
  • #military history
  • #aircraft
  • #air force one
  • #free museum

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

    Free

    National park sites across Dayton tracing the Wright brothers' work, starting at their bicycle shop neighborhood.

    5.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Carillon Historical Park

    Under $25

    A 65-acre open-air history museum with the 1905 Wright Flyer III, historic buildings and a 151-foot carillon.

    5.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Miami County, OH

    Free

    A western Ohio county along the Great Miami River, anchored by Troy's historic square and Piqua's canal history.

    19 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Ohio Caverns

    Under $25

    Ohio's largest and most colorful cave system, with guided walking tours near West Liberty.

    38 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Armstrong Air & Space Museum

    Under $25

    See Neil Armstrong's Gemini VIII spacecraft, spacesuits and an Apollo 11 moon rock in his Ohio hometown.

    54 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    COSI

    $25–$50

    Hands-on science museum on the Scioto riverfront with a planetarium, a dinosaur gallery and themed exhibit halls.

    60 mi awayMore like this