National Museum of the United States Air Force

We’ve featured several amusement parks and zoos and even fabulous resort destinations lately, but if you head up Ohio way the most popular attraction is nothing of the sort. In the Buckeye State, especially the Dayton area, it’s all about the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the nation’s first, largest and most celebrated aviation museum (and the most attended attraction in all of Ohio).

Housing nearly two-thirds of the United States Air Force Heritage Collection, the gallery of aircraft, ballistics and artifacts on display at this museum is northing short of staggering. The featured 400+ aerospace vehicles are just the highlight of a viewable collection that spans thousands of items, enough to see, in fact, that the USAF recommends a full day to really experience it. How many museums can truly say that?

For flight fans, history buffs, or anyone who can’t help but be impressed by the speedy march of technology, there’s a gallery (or several) just for you. Arranged chronologically, the five main craft galleries will take you from the earliest days of military aircraft to modern technological marvels and even into the future with an awe-inspiriting glimpse at where aviation may be headed next. It’s hard to pick favorites among such esteemed craft, but the 1909 Wright Military Flyer, the very first military aircraft, and the Northrop Black Widow II are must-sees in my book.

An awe-filled stroll through time might have you reeling, but don’t take all day because there’s more to see. One of the newer galleries, the Missile and Space Gallery offers a chance to see some of our military’s most impressive weapons, including Titan I and Titan II missiles, very popular in movies where men wearing uniforms furrow their brows and stare grimly at really old-fashioned telephones. An outdoor gallery of presidential aircraft features former Air Force Ones and other craft with distinguished histories of use by our presidents.

(The Research & Development and Presidential Aircraft galleries are hosted on adjacent Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and may be reached by free shuttle bus, first come, first serve. Due to the location of the galleries, visitors must present a valid U.S. Government-issued ID to visit. Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

There’s still so much more: engines, flight equipment, uniforms over the years, ground vehicles, antiaircraft guns, bombs and memorials. In other words, wear comfy shoes.

If you can make it to the National Museum of the United States Air Force about a month from now, you stand to have yourself an even better time. On June 26, 2009, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will host the fifth annual Freedom’s Call Military Tattoo, featuring fly-overs, an aerial presentation, a performance by the USAF Band of Flight and also an hour-long concert by country music star Aaron Tippin. Like everything at the NMUSAF, admission to Freedom’s Call is free.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. The museum is open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily and admission is always free. You’re welcome to take it at your own pace or take a guided tour. Learn more about this incredible museum here.

New town, new hotel! For Dayton, Ohio hotels, we like the Holiday Inn Dayton Hotel – North. The Holiday Inns are always good family hotels (and this is a good family attraction), and while it’s not the closest option to the base, this hotel is well-located to many other Dayton attractions like the Boonshoft Museum (but that’s another post).

Have fun!

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