There are TWO listings here on Yelp for this great place. Same place, different address. I write on this listing as it shares the same address as the official website. (Can someone please consolidate the two somehow?) Great historical living museum of aircraft that served in various conflicts and battles. Not huge so happily, it's packed with wonderful archives and exhibits but does not require hours and hours to soak in. Any aeronautical enthusiast (or history buff) will surely enjoy a visit here. In addition to planes and parts, there are authentic uniforms, photographs, and documents to help with a better understanding of the times. Lastly, be sure to check out the train room, which is a lot of fun, too. It's easy to get mesmerized by the train cars of another era -- with double tiered tracks to follow along. Though it may not be a place you would hear a lot about, Moffett Field Museum is a well-cared for and important museum with much to enjoy. Note: Be prepared with your I.D. and check it out! (There are a few food options nearby -- so before you leave, ask the volunteers for recommendations and/or check Yelp!) read more

See all

Very nice volunteer-led museum in the old Moffett Field. Amazing collection of model aircraft, many to scale, including blimps. Various military vehicles and mementos are more on-subject than the astonishing model train setup also found here. Moffett Field--with its huge dirigible hanger--was a primary location for aircraft patrolling the Pacific Ocean. Not many will recall the blimps, much less the original dirigible, but many can recall the daily turboprop, later jet powered, flights scouting out potential threats over or under the waves. read more

This is a fantastic museum with a great narrative of aviation and space flight history. One of the gals who works at the museum gave me a special tour of the tanks. Ask for Amelia if you want to she's very knowledgeable. The museum shows the evolution of the base in a very dramatic way. Artifacts, dioramas, and photographs weave you through the story of how it all started, wheres its been and how it wound up as it has. Like any travel through time I'm always amazed at how that generation did "it" compared to how we would do "it" today. Progress...on down to the museum and have a look for yourselves and take the kids so can learn how it was done too. Foodguy-martin read more

See all

Do you have a little who loves trains ? Then this is a super cute place to visit. It's a small place , with an amazing village of working model trains. They have steps tools for littles to help them view all these awesome things. Outside is also very nice, if you wait a few minutes you might see a real train in action. We will be back , my little guy loved it. read more

Moffett Field Museum - Amazing stuff inside and out - Museums Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

Nice little museum. It might be hard to enjoy this museum if you don't know what you are looking at. So if you are lucky enough to get here when there is a guilded tour you will learn a lot. I was lucky I got there when there was a school tour and the docent was very informative. I also got to make a couple personalities dog tags. You write down what you want it to say and the docent will use the 100 year old dog tag machine and make it for you right there. That's the coolest machine. My favorite part of the museum. read more

See all

Very interesting aviation museum...It had a check point infront of door (NASA) so dont forget to have your ID. They take all passengers ID! It's an aviation museum and there is a fee in the entrance so be ready to pay. Also, they were giving free aviation books out and we took some...It was great experience overall. It has a small gift shop inside. read more

Moffett Field Museum - Museums Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

We drove up from Monterey to see the museum and it was well worth the trip. If you like reading about military aviation history, then this is the place for you! There is even a small h.o. gage model train setup in the back that replicates local train stations. During our stay, there was an Iwo Jima exhibit to commemorate the GI experience. Take the time to talk with the docents, they are filled with knowledge and humorous stories! read more

See all

The Moffett Field Museum is one of the best kept secrets in the entire Bay Area! It's an amazing museum located just off Moffett Field inside of NASA Ames Research Center. As a former NASA intern (at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia), I really love visiting NASA facilities and field centers. This museum allows you to enter the NASA Ames Research Center and drive to a museum that has exhibits both inside and outside of its building. The interior of the museum is amazing! It includes quite a few historical pieces that cover the history of Moffett Field (it was a base prior to primarily shifting as a part of NASA). This museum covers the history of the military presence at Moffett Field as well as its vital mission over the last century. You'll find exhibits that cover everything from history to air to ground to even clothing and furniture used at Moffett Field. There are even references to air pioneer Amelia Earhart found here (she landed at Moffett Field during the 1930s). There is also an absolutely amazing (and very large) train room! It features a wonderful working train system that encompasses the entirety of the room. This alone is worth the price of admission! Outside, you'll find some very unique aircraft. This includes fighters and even a U2 spy plane! This is amazing as it is located in the shadow of Hanger 1 -- the massive aircraft hanger that is currently being restored and renovated just a few yards from the museum. I suppose that my only caveat is the lack of bicycle parking. We have biked over from our home into NASA Ames Research Center and then to the museum. Unfortunately, we had to lock our bikes up to a nearby pipe. It worked...but I was afraid that I might have been doing something wrong. Overall, this is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you're young or old, you'll very much enjoy this museum! The cost of admission is surprisingly low and it will totally exceed your expectations! *It is imperative that you BRING A DRIVER'S LICENSE or PHOTO ID when entering NASA Ames Research Center. You might need one for each adult passenger too. If you're biking into the base, you'll need a state or federal license or identification too. read more

This was a interesting museum to visit with all sorts of memorabilia from Moffett Field's history. It was great to be able to drive up to the big airship hangars which I've seen for years from the 101. read more

See all

What a gem! Packed with aviation history and so informative. The docents are so knowledgeable and friendly.

So much to look at. So much history with very knowledgeable guides. Went there with my 8 year old daughter and 1 year old son. They were super patient and helpful. I would love to go back again when the kids are older to really take in all the history. read more

Visit date: 9/2/2021 This place is a must-see for someone who has a penchant for military history. The hangar area was closed (presumably for COVID?), so only the indoors section of the museum was available -- despite not being very large -- there is a lot of cool photographs and artifacts on display. Besides the main museum area, there is: 1. A train room - modelled after the San Jose railroad area 2. A small library room - featuring books about Navy/aviation history 3. A gift shop - fairly small selection depending on when you go, but still some cool memorabilia. (Wouldn't recommend buying the DVDs though, they're on YouTube) The employees (I only met Lori and Al) were very helpful and eager to answer questions, and the place felt very welcoming. Not the kind of museum you'd expect to get shushed at. The tickets are only $8 for adults which means visiting the place is absolutely a no-brainer, though if you're not in a rush, I recommend waiting until the hangar area is open to visit. read more

See all

Small museum with lots of artifacts and information on Moffett Field and naval aviation history. The people that work here are wonderful- so knowledgeable and will make sure you get the most out of your visit! read more

This is quite the hidden gem. Located right next to the now stripped Hanger One (Get in gear Google and cover that sucker) it not going to be the biggest aviation museum in the world but it does have alot going for it. People tend to associate SoCal for all things aviation but many forget that the Bay Area has a rich heritage for aviation as well. First off there is a small static display outside. The last time I was there it was undergoing construction and off limits. It has a short winged U-2 in NASA livery as well as an F-104 Starfighter. But hopefully it should be open soon. Inside, it has alot of historical presentations. If you like airships, this may the place for you. Also there are tons of small scale models of various craft (both old and new) that were no doubt used in wind tunnel experiments etc. What can make or break the any museum is the staff and in the case here they are fantastic. Many were stationed here at Moffett during various times in its history as a Naval Air Station and can give quite an insight into the base and the military in general. Spend some time just talking to them! Hours can be limited so check the website and call ahead to be sure. For any aviation nerd its a must see. read more

See all

Fantastic exhibit! The volunteers were awesome and so knowledgeable! A MUST visit for any P3 fanatic. Had a great visit!

Loved it. Highly recommend to anyone that loves airplanes and WWII memorabilia. Took my kids (8, 5, and 3) and they all loved it and enjoyed the free tour. It was informational and there were a lot the little kid-friendly activites they can enjoy. Our docent, Jimmy, was a sweet youngin' but knows his stuff! read more

The museum is packed with history from Moffet Field, NASA, military and then some. My kids and I loved the full sized airplanes, jets and rocketry on display outdoors. Also, there are tons of plane models, gear, and photos inside the museum. An awesome hidden area is left of the restrooms where you'll find a room filled to the brim with a working model train city. The museum is located inside Moffet Field, and to get in, you'll need to pass through the Moffet Field Security gates. Have your ID's ready for the adults (no worries for the kids). Look for the huge water tower, and ample parking will be next to it. read more

Moffett Field Museum - Hours of operation - Museums Near Me - Mountain View, California

EXCELLENT! Military history fans, military fans, don't miss this hidden gem. It's jam-packed with memorabilia, photos, documents, as well as equipment, cockpits, and actual military planes, which detail everything from the creation of Moffett Field to WWI, WWII, and modern history. Our tour guide was Matt, an Annapolis, graduate and a former aircraft carrier fighter pilot! Boy, was it interesting to ask him questions about that lifestyle. We also asked a ton of questions about Moffett and dirigibles. We got the answers from a former Navy pilot who is one of the best tour guides we've ever experienced. I've lived in the Bay Area, my entire life. For decades, I've driven by Moffett Field and those huge dirigible hangers. But I never knew there was anything particularly interesting, or that civilians would even be allowed onto this military base. (Be sure to bring photo ID for everyone.) For me, it gives me a deeper understanding of the profound and enduring commitment of military folks... not just the soldiers and pilots, but also the support folks on aircraft carriers, and the engineers who designed and built the military hardware. All of whom who protect our country in peace and in war. This museum was incredible. Highly recommended. Very entertaining. read more

This is a smaller museum that tries to cover more then a century of flight at what was once NAS Moffett (home of the patrol squadrons), and a crucial component of the coastal defense plan. The history of the place goes back a long way and at times was quite frankly bizarre. Parking is no issue as this building is surrounded by acres of a almost but not quite abandoned military base. You will of course need a valid picture id to show the gate guards when you come in as even though it's more or less abandoned NASA does operate a bit of it. This is a bonus for plane watchers as at any given point in time there will be a half dozen military/vip aircraft on the ramp along with the occasional Russian, European, Japanese or other NASA national partner aircraft. Great location to spot Il-76's or a AN-124. The museum is small. The non history obsessed can cover it in 30-45 minutes, slightly more if you take the free guided tour of the outside static displays. There are a couple of historically significant aircraft and related equipment awaiting or just coming out of restoration. Some real gems out there-a U-2r (the short wing version, not the TR-1), an F-104, one of the original YF-17 prototypes, the HIMAT (also known as the Rockwell RPRV-870) along with some other aircraft and airbase bits and pieces. Inside there is a massive, informative, and somewhat interactive display of the airship era. Think sky caption, but not necessarily the world of tomorrow. There is are also quite extensive sections detailing the complete history of the base, some random weapons (including a case of antitank rockets. Nice to see the super bazooka again), and an excellent uniform display. The volunteer docents are quite thorough which is both good and bad. Good in that they'll be there to help with any questions you may have, bad in that they are impossible to get away from. Kind of a drag if you want an unsupervised visit, but there is nothing wrong with their knowledge and they are very friendly. Also persistent. I let my spouse decoy mine away whilst I enjoyed the exhibits in peace, but others might enjoy/need the extra attention. So is this a must do? Not really, yet if you are interested in the rich aviation heritage of innovation of this nation and this area this is a richly detailed if compact spot to get your geek on. Not quite a free thing-there is a fee of something like eight bucks. Still more fun then a pint. Worth entirely every penny and the drive through a not really at all creepy half abandoned base. read more

Super cool place to visit! I took my 5 year old and we both loved it. They have veterans who teach you about history they lived through which was incredible to hear. We got a tour of the planes outside and learned about each of them. Iv'e passed by on 101 so many times but I'm glad I finally took some time to stop and learn all about this place. Everyone there was super friendly and eager to answer any questions. You get to see real life equipment and uniforms. Highly recommend if you have the time. read more

See all

Yesterday I took my grandson (age 4) to the Museum at Moffett Field and we had a great time. There is a lot to see and do. He was in a cockpit flipping switches, checking out the model jets (the F-14 Tomcat is his favorite), watching the piston engine run and, of course, seeing the aircraft on display up close. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and it was an experience we will always remember. read more