By Angela Brown
Northwest US Travel Expert, about.com
Although Seattle is no longer a one-company town, the aerospace industry continues to have a large influence on the region. Visitors can learn about the accomplishments of this industry at the Museum of Flight. The museum's exhibits cover commercial, military, and civilian aviation. Guests can see a large number of historic air vehicles, including the first Air Force One, a Concorde, an M-21 Blackbird spy plane, a reconstruction of the Wright glider, and a Boeing WB-47E Stratojet. Over the years a number of artifacts and exhibits related to space exploration and the Space Program have become part of the permanent collection, with more being added all the time.
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Note: Please do not confuse the Museum of Flight with the Future of Flight & Boeing Factory Tour.
If you are interested in that tour, it is located in Everett,
approximately 30 miles north of Seattle. The Museum of Flight is in the
other direction, south of downtown Seattle at Boeing Field.
Cool Exhibits at the Museum of Flight
Filled with artifacts, models, and interesting interpretive information, the exhibits at the Museum of Flight cover the full range of the history of human flight. Here are some highlights:
Filled with artifacts, models, and interesting interpretive information, the exhibits at the Museum of Flight cover the full range of the history of human flight. Here are some highlights:
- The Birth of Aviation - the story of the people who played important roles in developing air and space travel
- Via Air Mail: America Takes Flight - fast mail delivery was the "killer app" for airplane production, leading to air passenger service
- The Boeing Story: 1916-1958 - photographs, documents, and artifacts illuminate Boeing's early decades
- World War II Fighters - the ten fighter aircraft representing World War II's major combatants
- 737 Airliner Theater - sit in a real Boeing 737 airplane to view a film on this history of flight
- Space: Exploring the New Frontier - a look at the history of space exploration
Aircraft You Can See at the Museum of Flight
During your visit you'll see dozens of air vehicles that have played a significant part of aviation history. The jets, planes, and other crafts are located both indoors and outdoors. Some of them are reproductions, but many are the real thing. Here is a small sample of all that you will see during a visit.
During your visit you'll see dozens of air vehicles that have played a significant part of aviation history. The jets, planes, and other crafts are located both indoors and outdoors. Some of them are reproductions, but many are the real thing. Here is a small sample of all that you will see during a visit.
- Grumman F-14A Tomcat
- Wright Flyer Reproductions
- Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II
- Concorde
- Lockheed Model 10-E Electra
- North American P-51D Mustang
- former Air Force One jet
Space Program Artifacts You Can See at the Museum of Flight
- Mockup of International Space Station Laboratory Module
- Sputnik 1 Duplicate
- NASA Space Shuttle Full Fuselage Trainer
- Lunar Roving Vehicle Engineering Mock-up
Other Fun Things to Do at the Museum of Flight
- sit in the cockpit of a an SR-71 Blackbird or an F/A-18 Hornet
- learn about what it takes to explore the solar system at the Spaceflight Acadamy
- wander around the outdoor Airpark
- climb into an air traffic control tower
- learn and experience aviation at the Kid's Flight Zone
- see a 3D movie
- shop in the Museum of Flight store
- relax and recharge with a snack, beverage, or meal at the Wings Cafe
Museum of Flight
9404 East Marginal Way S.
Seattle, WA
98108
Open daily 10 am to 5 pm (and from 5 pm to 9 pm on the first Thursday of each month, when admission is free)
phone number: 206-764-5700
9404 East Marginal Way S.
Seattle, WA
98108
Open daily 10 am to 5 pm (and from 5 pm to 9 pm on the first Thursday of each month, when admission is free)
phone number: 206-764-5700
