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.
These free guided tours of the museum are offered daily and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Advance registration is not necessary.
10 a.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries) (meet at entrance to Early Years Gallery)
11:30 a.m. - Building 2 (Korea and Southeast Asia War Galleries) (meet at information desk in second building)
Noon - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries) (meet at information desk in fourth building)
1 p.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries) (meet at entrance to Early Years Gallery)
1:30 p.m. - Building 3 (Cold War Gallery) (meet at entrance in third building)
3 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries) (meet at information desk in fourth building)
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.