The National Museum of the United States Air Force is one mammoth museum in Dayton, Ohio. It is one of the most-visited places in the State by tourists and locals. I have already visited the museum twice and might visit it again to see the outside display.

If you visit the museum in the afternoon, expect to park the farthest. Although there are plenty of spaces for parking, the wider lots are located about a football-field away. Those near the museum get filled quickly.

This is a free-entry museum and that alone is very inviting. But the attraction of the museum is its massive collection of civilian and military aircraft. Spacecraft, drones, rockets, plane replicas and decommissioned pieces — you name it, the museum has it! I have been to so many air and space museums around the U.S., and this aerospace museum beats them all.

The museum is divided into different sections. With the addition of a new building, there are now 7 sections — Early Years, Korean War, Cold War, Missile and Space, Southeast Asia War, World War II, and the newest Research and Development Gallery/Presidential Gallery/Space Gallery! So as not to miss important displays, I would suggest that when you enter the museum start with those sections on your right. On your way back, see all the remaining sections you missed on the opposite side.

This museum needs 3 to 4 hours to cover all sections. And maybe even more if you are fond of reading details of planes. Even if you are not an airplane enthusiast, I assure you that you would still enjoy this special museum.

There are more photos in this gallery (it may take few seconds for the gallery to load):
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Address.

Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio 45431
Google Map Link

Hours.

Open everyday from 9AM to 5PM.

Important notes.

– There are two cafe areas inside the museum. The one that is on the second floor near the entrance is quite big and could get busy at times. The second one near the other end of the museum, also on the second floor, is small and does not have many food choices.

– Kids would enjoy the MAX 3D theater and the flight simulators.

Other Attractions Nearby.

Wright Brothers Memorial (just 5-minute drive)

Huffman Prairie Flying Field (about 12-minute drive)

Where to stay in Dayton, Ohio

Search for a hotel below.
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See also: My other travel adventures in the USA.

See also: List of National Parks.

See more travel search tags: Ohio Travel, Ohio, Western Ohio, Travel Western Ohio, Nature Preserve, Wright Brothers, Ohio Attractions, Things to See in Ohio, Unique Things To See in Ohio, Places to See in Ohio, Parks in Ohio