Situated at Boeing Field just north of Sea-Tac International Airport, the colossal Museum of Flight is one of the greatest aviation attractions in the United States and is popular with visitors from around the world. Its extensive collection charts the history of flight from the Wright brothers to today’s advances in space exploration.
With six levels containing more than 30 vintage planes along with 120 more aircraft and spacecraft, as well as a hangar bursting with amazing artefacts, the museum offers hours of fun for the whole family. Guided tours are available if you want to learn more about the exhibits. Head along after 5 pm on the first Thursday of the month and you can enter for free and have a taster of what’s on show.
When you visit, you can ride a flight simulator, sit in the cockpit of a decommissioned fighter and try out a prototype car-plane that was designed to switch between a car and mini aircraft. You can even take a biplane ride in a restored aircraft – they are happy to supply warm clothing for the trip.
Among the other highlights are a retired Concorde jet, the first presidential Air Force One as well as the secret recon aircraft from the 1960s – the SR-71 Blackbird – that could reach speeds of 3,530 kilometres per hour. Elsewhere, you can take time to appreciate the Personal Courage exhibit, honouring pilots and aircraft from the two World Wars.
If all of this exploring around the museum takes it out of you, finish your visit at the Wings Café, where you can enjoy great views across Boeing Field. For more aviation fun, take the Boeing Factory Tour in Everett, 48 kilometres north of Seattle.
Located just over 10 kilometres south of downtown Seattle, the Museum of Flight is easy to reach by bus, with a stop just outside. Free parking on site is also available for drivers.
