National Museum of World War II Aviation

1770 Reviews

The Museum's new 40,000 sq ft hangar is now open at 775 Aviation Way, 5 Days a week (Tue-Sun) from 10 AM to 5 PM. Visitors can walk around the museum on their own and hosts are available to answer questions. Two hour docent led tours are offered at 10:30 AM , 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, and include a visit to WestPac, a private WWII aircraft restoration company.

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Location
775 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80916-2740
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piratesr1
Aug 22nd, 2021

What an amazing experience! I highly recommend the docent-led guided tours. They cost only $5.00 more than the self-guided tour but worth many times that amount. I believe they have three a day: 10:30, 11:30 and 1:30. There are multiple hangars of beautifully restored aircraft all of which are in perfect flying condition. You also get to see planes that are in the process of being restored. They have two planes that were buried in the ground in New Guinea. One has been fully restored flying condition, the other is in the condition it was found. But it’s all the human stories, that go along with the aircraft, that make this place so special. Our docent, Johnny, is a retired military pilot. What amazing stories he told! After hearing him talk about restoring dug up planes to full flying condition in a year or two, I asked him how big the staff is at the adjoining facility that does the restorations. He stunned me by saying the paid staff is eight people including owner, clerical, etc. Most of the work is done by volunteers! I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.

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kylerin
Feb 18th, 2020

We were grateful to have been able to catch up to a tour that Les had already begun. He was very friendly and shared brief bits on a variety of planes and exhibits within the museum. He did a nice job asking for questions and answering those questions. I think the value of our time at the museum was greatly enhanced by participating in the guided tour. There is so much to view and read, so it is nice to have someone share the highlights and provide “behind-the-scenes” type stories.

Our boys also enjoyed the simulator. Mr. Johnny was such an encourager as he guided our boys through the simulation. Our younger child is very reserved, but Mr. Johnny’s pleasant personality really helped our child feel comfortable.

Our family found this to be very enjoyable!

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Lorna M
Aug 14th, 2021

My husband, being a former naval aviator and history buff, wanted to go to this museum as we passed through Colorado Springs. We paid an extra $5 for the tour (not just entry to the museum) and I am so glad we did! The 2-hour tour was incredible! Our guide (Don Johnson) was very successful in his mission to walk us through the history of WWII and the impact that aviation had on its outcome. He was informative, interesting, and thought-provoking. We cannot recommend this place enough for an in-depth reminder of the bravery and grit of our WWII heroes!

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Sugarhill416
Jan 12th, 2020

While in Colorado Springs for a conference and vacation, I found the National Museum of World War II Aviation. My wife and I joined a family of four for a docent tour of the new large building (hanger) housing this museum. The displays were not yet all complete in October 2019 but the docent did a great job of first giving us background on the world history during WW II. He then gave us a tour of the aircraft displayed along with the photos and descriptions of aircraft. I think we were there nearly three hours and could have stayed longer. The time flew and we were surprised how long we toured.

Other personnel there offered information and the use of simulators. I would like to go back to visit and would encourage others to take advantage of this major museum opportunity. Open several days a week with an entrance fee. It is located near the Colorado Springs Airport.

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chris s
Jan 24th, 2020

My husband and I visited the museum and signed up for the 12pm docent tour. It was a great experience and our guide, Joe was very educated, fun, and easy to listen to. The history and the stories of the pilots who flew these planes was very detailed and really captured the group. You really get a unique look at the planes and the stories behind them at this museum, it is one of a kind! Again, Joe was really great, and I highly recommend this museum!

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Stephanie S
Jan 4th, 2020

We visited the museum for the first time today and it was very enjoyable. It was a perfect mix of a tour with our knowledgeable guide Matt and getting to look around on our own. This satisfied the adult craving for knowledge as well as the kids’ craving to go around looking at cool airplanes. We joined the tour after it started and Matt took the time after the tour was over to catch us up on what we missed at the beginning. I was so impressed by the volunteers throughout the building who offered their varying knowledge, guidance, and stories to visitors who would take the time to slow down and chat with them. Ed took my fidgety 9 year old son under his wing and showed him some vehicles up close on a one-on-one level which absolutely made our trip go from good to excellent.

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Joe G
Jul 13th, 2022

Our docent was Arnie and he was wonderful! He was quite knowledgeable and patient yet kept us going at a good pace. It was fascinating to hear the histories of these planes and how they were used during the war. He also covered the pre-war period and how our country stepped up to the challenge of adapting industry to the war effort. The $5 docent tour also included a look behind the scenes at the extensive restoration of planes.
Although there were plenty of placards to read on a self guided tour, I’d strongly recommend splurging on the docent-led tour. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get Arnie-a retired Marine helicopter pilot and retired airline pilot.
We’ve been to lots of aviation museums and this one had so much info we had never heard before.

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Mere
Jul 3rd, 2022

Ray, our tour docent, used very effective interpersonal style and communication skill to guide both young and older adults through the historical presentation and authentic exhibition of WWII Aviation. The quality and quantity of restored planes on display, all of which are fully operational, is no less than spectacular. The skill and expertise of the restoration crew, which work behind the scenes, is impressive and inspirational. The instructor-led hands-on flight simulation at conclusion of tour is fascinating and exciting for all ages and worth the extra time and miniscule cost. We will be repeat visitors of the museum and scheduled live events!

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Jon Hilbert
Aug 25th, 2021

I've been to other museums with more aircraft, but none where the aircraft were so beautifully restored and displayed. The guided tour was DEFINITELY worth the extra $5 - our tour guide was very well informed and interesting to hear. It was also fun to get to see behind the scenes at some of the restoration work and facilities.

As a kid I built models of all of the aircraft we saw at the museum, but I had no idea how BIG some of the planes are. The fact that most (maybe all) of the planes on display are airworthy is incredible, since all of these planes are around 80 years old. Hope I'm still airworthy at that age!

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edwardjc2018
May 27th, 2022

If you're taking the time to go out of your way to visit this museum, please pay for a tour. I'm a HUGE airplane nerd who's poured over tons of books and anytime I go on one of these tours I still learn a bunch of stuff I never knew. Joe the Cobra Pilot was one of the best aviation museum guides I've had the pleasure of seeing.

If you see Joe, ask him about the time he sat next to a WW1 aviator on a plane and let him tell you the story.

The planes and exhibits are incredible and well worth the trip by themselves, but you are doing yourself a disservice by not visiting here and listening to these amazing stories about amazing people and an incredible time.

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National Museum of World War II Aviation is open:

  • Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Hotels near National Museum of World War II Aviation:

  • (1.03 mi) Radisson Hotel Colorado Springs Airport
  • (0.43 mi) Select Suites Colorado Springs - Airport
  • (1.54 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs Airport
  • (1.04 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs South
  • (5.65 mi) The St. Mary’s Inn Bed & Breakfast
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Restaurants near National Museum of World War II Aviation:

  • (0.44 mi) McDonald's
  • (5.67 mi) The Melting Pot
  • (1.08 mi) The Airplane Restaurant
  • (1.73 mi) Sandy's Restaurant
  • (3.34 mi) Amy's Donuts
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