There are several public tours available at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Listed below are a variety of ways to tour the museum's facilities. Special arrangements can be made for school, Scouts and youth groups and military reunion groups. Click on the links below for more information.
10 a.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)
Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Early Years Gallery to experience the beginnings of flight with the Wright Brothers and the evolution of aircraft from ‘sticks and fabrics’ to a metal airplane and an enclosed cockpit. The docent will then guide you into our WWII Gallery which features the first bomber to take off from an aircraft carrier, the Memphis Belle, and the first jet fighter aircraft. Meet the docent at the entrance to Early Years Gallery.
11:30 a.m. - Building 2 (Korean and Southeast Asia War Galleries)
Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Korean War Gallery which features the first Jet-to-Jet Combat Fighter, and the Southeast Asia War Gallery which is home to the Stratofortress, the B-52 Bomber. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Korean War and Southeast Asia War Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in second building.
12 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)
Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of our newest building which features a full-size, walk-on Space Shuttle exhibit, the first airplane into Hanoi to liberate the POWs, the Fighter version of the SR-71, and the presidential aircraft which returned John F. Kennedy’s body from Dallas in 1963. Meet the docent at the information desk in fourth building.
1 p.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)
1:30 p.m. - Building 3 (Cold War and Missile Galleries)
Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Cold War Gallery which features the largest Bomber ever built and put into service by the U.S. Air Force, the SR-71, the B-2 Bomber and other stealth aircraft. In our Missile Gallery, you will missiles towering over one 100 feet. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Cold War and Missile Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in third building.
3 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)
Prohibited Items: - Firearms* - Knives with blade over 2 ½ inches in length - Box cutters - Food and drink - Bottled water (exceptions can be made for medical conditions) - Alcohol - Coolers - Backpacks * Firearms and other dangerous weapons are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c) Permitted Items: - Purses - Camera bags - Diaper bags - Strollers - Service animals Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
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.
Glimpse Behind the Scenes program
First and third Friday of each month from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4.
This program provides an opportunity to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals.
This program will take place every first and third Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. and is open to all visitors. Registration is not necessary. Interested visitors can stop by the demonstration tables located in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4 anytime between 1-3 p.m.
Note: This program replaces the previously existing Behind the Scenes Tour.
Why have the Behind the Scenes tours of the Restoration Hangar been discontinued?
In our continuance to seek new and alternative methods of enhancing the visitor experience, the Glimpse Behind the Scenes provides the opportunity to share with all visitors important aspects of the museum's operation while at the same time minimizing costs and eliminating constraints associated with taking public onto an active military base and an industrial shop environment.
The Glimpse Behind the Scenes program broadens the museum's ability to showcase the incredible work done by our restoration staff and volunteers, with no age restrictions or registration required. Visitors are able to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals.
We are excited about this new program, with high participation numbers demonstrating the public's interest in this new offering which takes place every first and third Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. in the STEM Learning Node in the Space Gallery.
The museum is laid out in chronological order, making it easy for visitors to self tour the facility. In addition, the museum offers free guided tours each day. Advance registration is not necessary. Due to the limited number of tour guides and the overwhelming number of requests, the museum is unable to provide private or customized tours. We recommend your group take advantage of the free guided tours or conduct a self tour.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at:
1100 Spaatz Street Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
(near Dayton, Ohio)