Today we had another great visit to NEAM for the second time. We took my mom for Mother's Day weekend they were having an event where you could go inside the B-29 which was really cool. (Pictured below) Another difference in this visit was Dr. Flush! A navy vet and engineer who was a pioneer in space toilet technology... he had great stories to tell! read more

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For a person who likes aviation, this place is one of a kind! There are 3 hangers and they have all kinds of aircraft for military to commercial to helicopters. My 11 year old grandson loved this. read more

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Excellent Museum! All sorts of airplanes & history. We spent a lot of time talking to our docent named Rock, who was great, very informative and let us sit in several of the airplanes. All the planes are magnificently restored and there are great displays with information on Tuskegee Airman, Women in Aviation and all sorts of history. read more

New England Air Museum - F4U - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

This is hands down one of the best Air Museums I've visited. Trust me, I have a thing for aircrafts and I have 2 in my backyard Air museums of the National kind. The availability to sit in actual fighter jets, put on a helmet and then explore the helicopters, see an awesome exhibit on women flyers and African American pioneer pilots was overwhelming. This brought out the inner child in me when I dreamed of flying, but made different life choices. Thank you for recapturing that childlike awe. read more

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I brought my dad here for Father's Day this past June. He worked for Pratt and Whitney for over 30 years and hadn't been to this museum in a long time. Some of the planes and helicopters had Pratt and Whitney engines. The museum is made up of three large sections, all filled with planes, helicopters, and memorabilia. For this visit, the second section was women in aviation, and there was a special exhibit on the Tuskegee airmen. I learned a lot here. There is also a gift shop when you walk in, and there was ample parking. It is a very nice way to spend an afternoon here in the state read more

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If you are in the area and you like planes then you have to stop and visit NEAM! They have a great set of birds that are wl laid out. They have a fighter jet cockpit that you can sit in, an old computer flight sim that you can fly for FREE and and a nice flight sim that you can pay to fly. They information signs Tue the planes to the local area whenever possible. The history of the space suits is a not-to-miss exhibit which also includes a toilet from the International Space Station. Plus don't forget to check out the Skylab (old space station) urine separator. Hamilton (now called Rockwell) is located just a couple miles away and make these for the space program! Be sure to talk with docents around the museum. They are mostly retirees that used to work with at least one of the birds in the museum. They haveots if interesting things to share and are eager to share. read more

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Pretty well maintained and good information of some of the history for aviation either for war or civil affairs! They also have a simulator that is FAA approved, they call it the redbird, a cessna plane. They also have a fighter jet simulator, which the kids loved. Parking space is ample. Gift shop and small cafeteria inside. You're entrance fee is pretty easy to enjoy it's worth. See photos and videos below for reference. read more

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If you're looking for a journey that will take you 30,000 feet in the air and beyond, make sure to check out the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks! It happened to rain on my day off and I was looking up some of the best museums in CT, when I found the website for NEAM. I'm not into planes or anything, but just figured it was something to do... As soon as I walked into the first hangar, I was so impressed by all of the planes and helicopters on display! The old military aircraft were super cool to look at, and I had no clue so many of them were built right here in CT! There are three hangars with over 80 aircraft, engines, artifacts, etc. total. There's also an outdoor area with several additional airplanes to look at. My favorite part was the NASA space suits they have on display. It was so awesome seeing these up close and learning about how they function. I especially liked space toilet! There are guides stationed around the building to answer questions, explain the history of the aircrafts, etc. Overall a really awesome experience that all ages will enjoy! read more

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So, you say that you're thinking about going to see the New England Air Museum. And you say that you are interested in getting up close and personal with these historical and modern marvels of engineering. Well, there is no better place to go then to the New England Air Museum. They have an in-depth look and a hands on experience awaiting for you. We spent hours browsing through three interior hangers full of multiple helicopters, planes, engines, and jets. You can climb into cockpit simulators and see what pilots actually experience behind their yokes. They have simulators where you can actually takeoff, fly and land. Or, if you are not careful, oops, crash. There are multiple exhibits and displays which are too numerous to mention here, but talk about a learning experience, they've got it on full display. And if you are so inclined, they have multiple airplanes outside on the property for you to peruse as well. What was similarly enjoyable and informative at the New England Air Museum was the staff. We were greeted by Rose, who gave us an overview of what we were about to experience and sent us on our way. Our happy banter with her on our way out completed our visit with a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts. I would also like to mention that we had an extraordinary experience with Rick, a knowledgeable staff member, who went out of his way to allow us to see an aircraft - that we had come to see - that had been rotated out of the exhibit space. It was an Aeronca Chief Model 50-C aircraft. My dad owned an Aeronca Chief as a young man, and I wanted my guests, who had come in from California, to see it. Well, Rick made that happen. Best experience ever. From my experience, five stars aren't enough. What are you waiting for? The sky is the limit. read more

Impressive collection of planes, helicopters, and engines! We spent at least 3 hours or more looking at everything in the collection. Docent Craig was a wonderful source of knowledge further enhancing our visit with stories and history of many of the planes on exhibit. Our sincere appreciation for his time and expertise. If you haven't been to this museum, I highly recommend it! read more

New England Air Museum - B29 Bomber - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

So great to be back in this museum. My dad took My brother and I when we were little. Now I went back with my dad and it was nice to refresh my memory a bit and appreciate what I had learned back then . This museum is huge. There are quite a few sections to this museum all in which are full Of history and were used during war. At the entrance, there is a cute gift shop with aviation books, toys, tees, cups.. you name it. They will give you a map at the counter when you check in. Also, on the yard outside they have more planes for you to go and see. There is always someone with a red shirt on the floor that can assist you with questions. Beautiful space. read more

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My brother is Air Force- this museum is right around the corner from his house and my nieces love the museum + my other half loves all things military and history. Combine all of that and we had our day plans for Sunday. John read every single word about everything and anything inside the museum. The girls did the scavenger hunt throughout the museum and played in the kid zone and we even tried balancing in the see-saw airplanes in the outdoor square. We accomplished balance for all of 8 seconds. Impressive for me. There were a bunch of planes on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola (Go NAVY)- which I have been to multiple times. I enjoyed the different exhibits throughout and memorials. They have military & commercial airplanes, exhibits about the innovation of aircrafts and more. B-29 Super Fortress was John's hot to trot reason for going and it was impressive. I have plenty of pictures to upload too! read more

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Visiting in 2021 with COVID protocols still in place, all visitors and staff are required to wear masks at all times while indoors. There are some interactive exhibits available (I flew a Microsoft Flight Simulator around Washington DC) and hand sanitizer stations all around. I've been to several aviation museums including the Strategic Air Command near Omaha https://www.yelp.com/biz/strategic-air-command-and-aerospace-museum-ashland?hrid=2iCnj7y-murKr2AeHKV1-g and the Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-museum-of-the-united-states-air-force-dayton-2?hrid=15j0yAW5vwCffw4jjHZXuw and the Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona https://www.yelp.com/biz/pima-air-and-space-museum-tucson?hrid=bcjMQyJuUp7jmhfsdtU3dw and this ranks right up there. My collection of Transportation museums is here: https://www.yelp.com/collection/0cY-NQxr4PY3Wntj3uA-xw. NEAM has plenty of space and lots of exhibits, some of which are open to be climbed in to and some of which are not. All are completely visible from all angles and it's an experience! Helicopters, fixed wing and more. Commercial transportation, military aircraft, dirigibles. I found the Sikorsky exhibit to be quite interesting as I've driven past the factory a few times and learned more about them. The naval aviation displays were excellent. And of course, the outdoor exhibits are very cool with some models and aircraft I've never seen before. I spent over three hours here and that was pretty quick. It would be easy to do much more than that assuming you can stand up for that long! Kids will love it. Adults will love it. This is a fun time! [Review 15193 overall, 695 of 2021, number 43 in Connecticut.] read more

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Excellent customer service, great displays and flight simulators were a lot of fun. Would definitely recommend this museum

This is one of those places where you get lost in history. I was with my 7 year old and my wife and I think I was more excited than both of them. Three hangers: one for military aircraft, one for civilian aircraft and one for the monster B-29 Super Fortress. Many exhibits where you can learn about New England Women in Aviation, Sikorsky helicopters, Kaman helicopters, and many, many more exhibits teaching you the history of aviation in the various wars. Exciting and interactive. I love the fact that we can get inside some of the cockpits and aircraft. A really cool exhibit and something I have never seen in my life was the Goodyear ZNPK-28 Control car (think blimp) read more

It was the most magical and memorable experience. We had the pleasure of hosting our wedding here on 10/1/2022 for 220 of our closest family and friends. Everyone is still raving about how beautiful the wedding was how unique the venue was and how memorable the experience was. Michelle and the rest of the staff at the museum truly outdid themselves!!! She was so patient with us and was so accommodating and professional. She was so resourceful and amazing with coordinating everything with all our vendors. Her expertise and many years of experience were truly immeasurable. I don't even know what I would've done without her. I feel so blessed that she was there to help make our wedding. Truly amazing. I cannot think her enough for giving me the wedding of our dreams!!! Candia and Travon Nickson read more

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Fantastic museum. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Great with kids. 100% will return to visit again. read more

It's a little pricey for the size of the museum in my opinion but that's the only reason I am not giving them 5 stars. Their collection of aircraft is incredible and includes both civilian and military, and a large racing collection from the "golden age" of aviation races. Staff was knowledgeable and there was plenty of parking. Gift shop was nice with some unique trinkets. Bring your own food, there's only vending on site and not many nearby restaurants. They do have an indoor seating area to eat though, so that's nice! read more

What a great little museum! They have some great displays and many informative people. The displays change so go often. There have a few open cockpits where you can sin in the pilots seat. Great for all ages. read more

We visited on Christmas Eve and because the museum was essentially deserted, we had the luxury of a personal tour guide for our stay. With Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Igor Sikorsky, and Charles Kaman all having Connecticut ties, the history of American aerospace most certainly runs through our state. If your heart beats a little faster when you're around planes or helicopters, this museum will really make your day. If you're a student of military history- the names of these air creatures will resonate with you- from the WW I bi-planes to the immense B-29 of WW II to the Huey choppers of the Vietnam War. The museum houses an embarrassment of riches. It has over 70 aircraft spread over three huge buildings. It has dozens of displays on engines and weapons. It has flight simulators, it has hundreds of display cases and exhibits on the history of flight, many on it's military aspects. One of the displays centers on Igor Sikorsky who settled in Connecticut after he left Russia and is known today as the "Father of the Helicopter". If you have a student aged child, here is his or her next report!! I loved seeing the gigantic B-29 after I read about it in Laura Hillenbrand's great book "Unbroken". By the way, if you haven't read that yet, leave this review right now and go buy it on Amazon. I'll refund your money if you don't like it. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft of World War II. Rightfully named the "Flying Superfortress", it was 99 feet long, had a tip-to-tip wing span of 141 feet, and stood nearly 28 feet tall ! It 's engines were designed by Pratt and Whitney and the plane was very advanced, with a pressurized cabin (so it could fly very high and minimize the likelihood of being shot down) and computer operated remote-controlled machine guns. Our tour guide was a Vietnam era veteran who worked on the Huey choppers. I could see the pride in his eyes when he spoke about that. Please, go see this treasure of a museum. read more

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Took our 2.5 year old son here and had a blast. A lot of open space for him to run around and explore

I brought my 2 year old son to the NE Air Museum for open cockpit day. We had been to the Air Museum before, but admittedly only to go to the gift shop--toy airplanes are hard to find in stores and they are very reasonably priced at the gift shop. I have always been hesitant to pay to go in to the actual museum as I didn't think there would be much for a toddler. Open cockpit day was great! If you have a younger airplane enthusiast, this would be the day to go. In the main hanger they had at least 5 aircraft or cockpits to sit in. Each open aircraft was manned by a helpful, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic volunteer. My son thoroughly enjoyed pretending to fly the airplanes, touching buttons, levers, and whatever else he could get his hands on. The second hanger had fewer aircraft open. It was more look, less touch. Not as fun for a toddler. There was a kid's room with some activities and dress up clothes. It was more of a hallway than a room. And again, not really great for kids under elementary school age. Overall open cockpit day was pretty fun. We spent about an hour or so at the museum. I don't know if it was worth the $30 we paid for my husband and myself to get in (3 & under is free). We pay less to get into air shows that are much more fun. It most certainly would not have been worth the price if it was a regular day. They did not offer enough things to keep younger kids engaged. We will go back for the gift shop, but probably won't pay for the museum again for a while. read more

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What a great experience visiting the museum with my children. Having grown up in the area, I forgot much of the involvement CT had/has in the armed forces and the several companies connected. We arrived right when it opened and was greeted by a very kind cashier. Upon entering the first of three hangars, we were greeted by very knowledgeable and kind workers allowing for our children to hop in the cockpits and hear a little bit about the aircraft. You can spend several hours there. There is a lot of reading and information in the three hangars, however with our 6 and 8 year olds it was just enough to walk through, look and jump in some of them. I definitely recommend to anyone looking to do something with their children of any age - especially when it's cold out! read more

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So I finally made it to the NE Air Museum again after talking about going for at least two years. The last time I went I was probably a third of my current age, so I couldn't really remember what to expect, but I get a pretty steep discount through a corporate sponsorship, so we figured why not? Venue - When we first walked in, I was a bit skeptical and admittedly disappointed. (Only because my assumption was wrong and soon to be happily disproven). We walked into the glass doors into a hanger, and it seemed smaller than I remembered or anticipated. After some meandering, a nice older gentleman approached us and we talked a bit. One key moment was when he asked how long we had for our visit. After telling him only another 90 minutes or so, he pointes out we should go to the back hangar and work our way forward. Wait...back hangar? Yup, I thought it was only one, but there are three connected hangars to visit. The last one doesn't have as many different aircraft in it, but thats because on of them is a massive and shiny B-29! Beside that, there's a bunch of planes of various types, eras and utility. Even a blimp! (Minus the massive balloon-like part of course, which makes it interestingly almost unrecognizable). What You Won't See: One thing to keep in mind, this is a museum, so you aren't going to see new age fighters like F16's, F22s or F35s, which are insanely expensive, still in use, and obviously aren't going to sit unused at some small New England museum!). You also won't see the common crowd favorite SR71, also not surprising. No A10s either, unfortunately, which is probably the only plane on my list of favorites that I thought we might see. Ages: Museum-enjoying adults will find it entertaining (I did). That being said, I'm not saying you should take a long out of state road trip with it as the planned highlight. Plane-loving kids will enjoy it, but it's probably best for those 7 years and up, as the number of child activities isn't particularly high. Pricing and Time - At $15 per adult, the regular entrance fee seems pretty reasonable to me for what you get. Plan on about three hours if you want to take time to read some of the stuff. We had a two hour cap going in, and it was a little rushed even without any kids in tow. Lots of history, much of local origin. Check it out! Parking - there is a ton and it's well maintained, so if your car is low, or you get a cold sweat like I do when parking is crowded, don't fret. It'll be fine... read more

Absolutely incredible museum. The collection is well-curated and the displays are exceptionally well-maintained. The research and quality of the displays is up there with the National Air and Space Museum. Even the gift shop is well done. This museum is excellent for one of any size, not just a small museum. There's a focus on aircraft that were designed, built, or operated in the CT area, so there are a lot of Sikorsky seaplanes and helicopters, as well as several different types of fighters flown by the CT national guard over the years, but there's also a gorgeous B-29 display. We loved the fact that many of the planes have cockpit access if there's a docent available. The prices are typical for a museum of this size and quality. read more

I wanted to rate this three stars. $16 per person, seems a bit steep. But, that's comparing it to Air Museum in DC and Air Force Museum in Ohio, which, while extensively bigger and spectacular, enjoy national budgeting and high visitor volume. NEAM, is quite good for a private effort. The hangars are comfortable, the displays are well done, some stuff is quite accessible and even hands-on, and it is well organized and presented. One hangar for military, one hangar for civil and air racing, and a third hangar with a B-29 and a bit more military. A few static displays are outside, likely awaiting refurbishment and perhaps hangar expansion. Tiny "Space" exhibits add a little more flavor to the mix, as well as an exhibit about the devastating tornado back in the 70's that nearly destroyed the entire museum, and their long painstaking rebuild efforts to restore their past glory and grow further. It's not cheap, but there is value, and it deserves our patronage and appreciation. A two hour visit will be enlightening and entertaining for all, but you could easily spend four hours or more, if you really like to soak in all the details and info the presented. On site parking is easy, staff is friendly, and signs in the neighborhood and on the highway, make it easy to locate. Enjoy. read more

Being an avid aviation enthusiast I made the (pilgrimage) long drive to the New England Air Museum outside of Hartford in Windsor Locks Connecticut. It is located on the Perimeter Road at the Bradley International Airport on the north side of the airfield by the approach end of Runway 15 and across from Embraer Executive Jets. The Museum is comprised of three very large interconnected buildings crammed full of aircraft and displays. They do offer an AAA discount for admission and they stamp your hand so you can come and go as you please. They have a nice bright facility with very clean bathrooms at the entrance. Fortunately for me the Sunday I arrived was an open cockpit day! So as a result I got the unusual opportunity to sit in the pilots seat and get a better understanding what it would be like to fly some of my favorite historic aircraft! The down side was I had to wait in long lines as many families with young children were there so it was quite the wait to sit in the cockpit. The more interesting aircraft I got to sit in the cockpit that day was the Republic P-47D 'Thunderbolt,' an F-100A 'Supersabre,' and XF4U-4 'Corsair.' I also had fun at the controls of a clipped winged Ercoupe ('Urp cup') Flight simulator where you can get the sensation of controlling a small aircraft. I found fascinating was the huge 57th Fighter Group display which served early in WWII in North Africa flying P-40's and P-47's on the island of Corsica. Also was the huge hanger dedicated in the memory of those who served in the 58th Bomb Group with a real B-29 lovingly restored as 'Jacks Hack.' The outlying buildings where the restoration work is done were closed that day. There are outdoor aircraft displays that looked like they had weathered the New England summers and winters with a lot of wear and tear. The F-4D appeared to have been a Mig killer. There are a total of 80 aircraft on display and I would allow for at least six hours to tour all three buildings and outside displays. I had to add another 2 hours waiting in lines to sit in the open cockpits. The staff was helpful and impressed with both my aeronautical and aviation history knowledge. There is no food service so you have to drive back out the Perimeter Road to the south side of the airport to find fast food restaurants. I found the signs to the museum not the easiest to follow and you have to be patient as it is a long drive around to the airport to get to the museum. Obey the posted speed limits and the road is patrolled. I had a very nice time here and the open cockpit day was a welcome addition for a long drive to and from the museum. read more

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Great museum. The display signs are particularly helpful. While I was there, there were just too many school kids there (weekday), that really didn't care to be there- other than being away from the classroom. I wish a guided tour was offered when I was buying my ticket. They have two or three signature planes. While lining up for a photo, I noticed that one of these was really dusty. (The polished planes are in excellent shape, though). I was pleasantly suprised at the quantity and quality displayed. I was dissappointed at how tightly packed the planes were, making photography difficult sometimes. I also had something I wanted to donate to the museum. The curator was in the back, on lunch break, and couldn't put down his or her sandwich long enough to talk to me in the hour that I was there. The curator didn't even come out when a lady collapsed, and the front desk staff called 911, resulting in two fire trucks, an ambulance, and three police cars. Now, its not fair to draw conculusions, but it's also hard not to, you know? Nonetheless, my experience shouldn't affect yours too much. read more

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Not a huge museum but full of history. We spent a good 2-3 hours walking around and checking out the exhibits. It wasn't super crowded and there were some hands on activities for the kids. I'm by not means a history buff but I learned a few new things. There is a gift shop of course and a small area with vending machines and tables if you need a snack. Perfect place to spend an afternoon with the kids. read more

New England Air Museum - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Totally awesome air museum. Went here with my boyfriend to a motorcycle club event and got to tour the museum as well. There's a B-29 bomber, and all sorts of really cool historic planes. You can definitely lose yourself here for a few hours. You can even see some of the planes they're restoring as well. Very family friendly, can't wait to go back and visit again. read more

New England Air Museum - Such a cool entrance. - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Really cool collection of planes with top notch volunteer docents. Had an amazing visit!

I came here with my husband his Boy Scout troop and my daughter. We got one of the guides, which was extremely helpful. He was very patient with the kids and extremely knowledgeable on all of the planes and the time frame in which the planes flew. There are also educational videos that kids can view by simply pressing a button. There is a small stage where the hold presentations. The kids were able to go into real planes and operate some of the controls which they loved. The museum is filled with many displays chock full of facts in planes, some of the infamous battles that our country fought in over the years. There was also a simulator, but that was not part of the tour, but did afterwards. My son and husband had a ball using it! There are tons of planes and other vessels crammed into the hangars, each one has a story. There are also planes outside for the kids to explore. There is a whole space for kids filled with interactive games and structures for them to crawl around on and explore. We spent hours here and didn't get to everything. The prices are reasonable and they offer AAA discounts. They also have a small gift shop. I would recommend this museum for any school or scout group and plane enthusiasts. read more

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I'm a history buff, so this place is a no-brainer for me. I've been here several times over the years. Its also a wonderful place to take the family. We are always looking for places to go that are indoors and low risk covid during the winter months. Plenty of room , not packed in with anyone else and its a nice time. The planes and helicopters displayed are amazing. Great gift shop and great people working there. read more

The New England Air Museum is a small but fun and educational place to kill time. As an aviation enthusiast, this museum is worth the $12.00 adult admission fee. There is lots to see and learn if time is permitted. Some of the exhibits are under restoration but most are organized and well preserved. The B-29 was my favorite display. In this hanger there is lots to see and learn. The Flight Sim Spot was fun and inexpensive. A great way to mess around with the flight simulators. For the kids they have the KidsPort where they can interact and learn the basics. This was a fun experience and I hope to see more in the future. read more

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Our company hosted our annual birthday party here this year, and we had a wonderful time. The venue was spacious and the staff was delightful. Erin did an amazing job working with us to set up and break down the event, and kept us on track all night! The staff at the museum were very knowledgeable, and helped us climb inside the planes. Overall it was a great experience, and we definitely recommend the New England Air Museum! read more

New England Air Museum - Our tables set up in the military hangar - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

This is a terrific stop for anyone interested in aircraft regardless of your specific knowledge or concern about New England. It's a series of exhibits, mostly indoors, that includes a few craft from WWI and before to post-WWII, though the centerpiece seems to be WWII era planes. That's just fine. They've got some good examples attractively displayed and thoroughly explained. The main plane is a B-29 Superfortress shown in its own hangar. It's a beauty; it was, however, off the assembly line in 1945 too late to be part of WWII combat. There are WWII fighters and some jets -- the hangar devoted to military craft seems more interesting than the one given over to civilian planes -- and other transportation vehicles shown (balloons, blimps, cars, motorcycles), but it's mostly about aircraft. Ax it should be. Lots of interactive exhibits for the kids to enjoy (adults too) and a flight simulator that almost guarantees you'll crash in Boston. It's an easy stroll in about 90 minutes, but you can take much longer to savor everything. We'd suggest the latter. Admission is $10 for adults, a bit less for seniors and kiddies. read more

Awesome place The actual physical simulator ( not the video game one ) was a great addition to the tour. This place reaks of awesomeness read more

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The air museum is the perfect rainy Saturday opportunity to take your kids and learn more about flight. Here's a helpful hint, reach out to your local library. It's likely that they have an online pass that you can download that will give you a discount to this museum. Otherwise the fee to get in is very reasonable. It appears to be staffed by volunteers in many of the gentlemen and ladies who helped with the aircraft our veterans and have firsthand knowledge. There is an outdoor section of planes that are not going to be restored. I didn't care for this part because it just felt depressing. The staff let my kids sit in some of the cockpits and they had a blast. I'll be back to this museum again my kids always enjoy it and we learn a little bit more about Connecticut's history with flights. read more

New England Air Museum - Museums Near Me - Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Take your kids or just go yourself. Great way to revisit the past in aviation learn what our service members flew to ensure our freedoms.

Our family visited the New England Air Museum the week before Labor Day, 2018. I Googled every which way to find a discount for our visit, but didn't turn up any discounts, not even AAA. There are Senior and Military discounts. Entry for two adults and 2 kids cost $50, which seems like a lot, but the kids would have burned through that at Chuck E. Cheese in way less time than we spent at the museum. At least here they are learning about the nation's history. At the same time I can see how $50 entry for a family of four can be a barrier to entry. The benefit to us, though, as a family with an ASD son, is that we had mostly free reign of the entire complex and the kids were able to do whatever activity they wanted to do without waiting. The tradeoff to exclusivity is cost. There are three spacious hangars and one outdoor area with an amazing amount of airplanes, helicopters, even the base of a blimp (which I had never seen before). The kids were able to sit in cockpits of a handful of the planes. You could tell at some point more cockpits were accessible (to sit in), because access stairs were still leading to them, but roped off. I thought my son would not understand, but after the first one was explained as off limits to him, he did not try to go past a rope again. All of us really enjoyed playing with the flight simulators, which were simply a row of computers against a wall of the main hangar. Heathrow, Washington, Boston, and LaGuardia airspace simulators were on tap. My daughter flew into the Statue of Liberty and managed to leave the plane stuck on the Statue, which she found hilarious. I could not take off from Logan without my son assisting me. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the kids were able to go into a small airplane and use the flight simulator in it, which actually moved the plane. They loved it. It would seem that a few years ago a sizable investment was made in building out a childrens' area, but most of it was out of order or broken. The kids tried one display, which didn't work; they decided to check out the outside exhibits instead. The grass was past my ankles, which surprised me. I would think the grounds would be better maintained, especially with ticks being such a danger. The kids were able to actually touch some of the airplanes. They really got a kick out of that. They even looked under a wing. Have you ever done that? I noticed two airplane-shaped seesaws. They were unique in that 4 or 5 kids could play on it at the same time. Don't forget to go up to the mezzanine area overlooking one of the hangars. The view is spectacular! There is a souvenir store on the way out. It sells the expected military and kids' souvenirs. I was surprised the kids didn't want anything (after two hours plus, the kids were hungry for lunch). Now that I know the kids will tolerate this type of attraction, I will seek to include similar ones in future travel adventures! read more