Image of the Air Force wings with the museum name underneath

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week
FREE Admission & Parking

Friday, November 1, 2019, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The museum comes to life with a variety of free activities. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet military reenactors and Star Wars characters, see inside cockpits, zoo animals, kids activities, movies, simulators, and more.

Free Admission and Parking

Free Activities

Meet Living History Reenactors
throughout the galleries

 


Interact with fictional characters
throughout the galleries
 


Experience Virtual Reality

located in Building 4

 


See inside select aircraft
Building 2

C-7A - enter on ramp
 
Building 3
C-133A - enter flight deck
CV-22B - enter on ramp
F-104C - look in cockpit
SR-71 - look in cockpit
F-117 - look in cockpit

 
Building 4
Tacit Blue - look in cockpit


The Subject matter experts listed below
will be stationed at the aircraft to interact with visitors and answer questons.

C-7A - SMSgt (Ret) Gerard Mongelli, 
             former Structural Repairs Technician
C-133A - Lt Col (Ret) John Bowling, former Navigator
C-133A - MSgt (Ret) Dan Cuvier, former Crew Chief
C-133A - Bob Grimm, former Jet Engine Technician
CV-22B - Lt Col (Ret) Bob Recchiuti, former Avionics Engineer
CV-22B - Maj Joe Davis, current Director of Operations/Pilot
F-104C - Maj (Ret) Chuck Blessing, former Crew Chief
SR-71 - John Schell (former Capt), former Development Engineer
SR-71 - Don Gray (former A1C), 
               former Personal Equipment Specialist
F-117 - SMSgt (Ret) Joe Matis, former Crew Chief
Tacit Blue - Joe Ventolo, former Museum Curator

 



Sit-in Cockpits
Building 3

A-7D
F-4D
F-16
FB-111A
T-38

 


Zoo Animals
7 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Building 4
Program on the stage at 7 p.m.
View the animals up-close between 7:30 - 8 p.m.

Enjoy an up-close look at some of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's animal ambassadors!
(Cannot guarantee animal pictured will be in attendance on this day.)

 


Raptors
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in Building 4

Stop by RAPTOR Inc.'s table and meet some local birds of prey up close. Touch interesting biological artifacts, hear the sounds of their calls, and speak to the educators to learn why these birds are supreme hunters of the sky.
(Cannot guarantee animal pictured will be in attendance on this day.)

 


Band Performances
The Air Force Band of Flight's
Spirit of Freedom ensemble will provide a
"strolling" performance throughout the galleries.

 


Artifact Displays
located in Building 4

Rarely seen artifacts related to working animals
in the Air Force, from WWI through the space race and beyond! Plus, learn about Air Force mascots through the years!


(subject to change)

Download

Click here to download a building-by-building list of activities.
A handout will be provided at the door with additional information, as well as direction posters throughout the museum.

Dress-up in costume


Children and adults are welcome to come dressed as their favorite fictional or non-fictional aviator.

(Costumes must be family-friendly and should not include weapons.)

Kids activities


Free Kids Activities include:
Building 2
Airplane Tricycles
Bernoulli Ghost Hunt
Coloring station

Building 4
Balloon animals
Face painting

Gliders
Ghost Eggs
Jack-o-Lantern Cornhole
Space Trivia Game

Candy bags (while supplies last)

Other Activities

Other activities include:

STEM Demonstrations by:
Building 1

-  Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Building 3
-  Air Force Research Laboratory
-  Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
-  COSI
-  TARC Team

Paid Attractions


A different movie every 30 minutes
for the discounted rate of only $5 per ticket.


Movie schedule:

5:00 p.m.    Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag 3D
5:30 p.m.    RESCUE 3D
6:00 p.m.    Journey to Space 3D
6:30 p.m.    Aircraft Carrier 3D
7:00 p.m.    Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag 3D
7:30 p.m.    RESCUE 3D
8:00 p.m.    Journey to Space 3D
8:30 p.m.    Aircraft Carrier 3D
9:00 p.m.    Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag 3D



Simulators in Building 2 and Building 4
Click here for information and cost



D-Day: Freedom from Above
Augmented Reality Exhibit, $5 per tablet
Click here for more information

Gift Shop


Museum Store
Open 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
for visitors to make purchases

Souvenir Pictures

Green Screen Souvenir Pictures
Get your picture taken in the Gift Shop or Building 2
Digital and Print packages available for purchase

Food Options

Valkyrie Cafe
Open 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
(located on the second floor above the gift shop)
Specials:
Salisbury Steak Dinner $9.95
served with green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy and a dinner roll

Kid's Meal $9.95

chicken nuggets, french fries and applesauce
served in a keepsake WWII mess kit tray

Refueling Cafe
Open 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
(located on the second floor above the Cold War Gallery)

Participating Organizations

4 Paws for Ability
101st Airborne Living History Team
3/502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
501st Legion
Air Force Band of Flight
Air Force Recruiting
Air Force Research Laboratory
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Civil Air Patrol
Columbus Zoo
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park 
Jim Hammond

National Aviation Hall of Fame
Raptor Inc.

The American Roceketry Competition (TARC) team
The Fairborn Flying Aces

Some activities made possible through the generosity of the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc.

(Federal endorsement is not implied.)

Tips for a successful visit

You can arrive early:
The museum closes at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m. but you can arrive early and enjoy the Gift Shop, Café or a movie between 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.


 

Traffic and Parking:

  • Plan ahead for possible traffic around the museum.
  • Vehicle entry will be through main museum gate off of Springfield Pike and the gate by the Armory off of Harshman Rd (right turn only through Armory gate).
  • Depending on attendance, visitors may have to park on the grass. Golf carts will be available to transport individuals with mobility issues.

 

Entry and Security:

  • All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition, all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives. See the security notice below for a list of prohibited items.
  • A limited number of electric carts and wheelchairs are available; consider bringing your own if possible.
  • A limited number of strollers are available; consider bringing your own if possible.
  • Costumes must be family friendly and should not include weapons.
  • Maps will be distributed at the entrance for the visitors’ convenience.

 

Planning what to see and do:

  • Event merchandise sold out early last time, if you are interested in making a purchase plan ahead.
  • If you are interested in seeing inside any of the cockpits, we suggest you go there first.
  • Zoo animals will only be visible between 7-8 p.m. Raptors will only be visible between 6-9 p.m.  Both groups of animals will be in Building 4.
  • Click here to download a building-by-building list of activities.

Security Notice

All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition, all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives.
  • Visitor Photography Notice

    Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.  
    Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.

Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

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