Palm Springs Air Museum Day Trip

The Palm Springs Air Museum allows visitors to experience firsthand the sacrifice our flyers made in preserving the freedom we take for granted. It’s a worthwhile stop on your next getaway and the perfect opportunity to pay homage to those heroes.

The museum is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of World War II flying aircraft displayed in modern, climate-controlled hangars.

Over 30 fighters and bombers are in the collection, including a P-51 Mustang, a Lockheed Shooting Star, a Spitfire, and even the famous F-14 Tomcat, many of which are available for special events where visitors can take a seat in the cockpit for a once in a lifetime experience.

If you’re a fixed rotor enthusiast, helicopter rides are another option available through the Dedicated Helicopter Company. The onsite flight simulator may be the ticket for those who want the thrill of flying without the heights.

The experience allows you to sit in the cockpit of a P-51 on a mission over war-torn France or a dogfight with the German Luftwaffe. Call ahead for details so you can strap on your flight cap and be aboard the next task.

As you wander through the museum, visitors will find themselves surrounded by thousands of artifacts, memorabilia, and various uniforms from World War as well as a vast collection of sporadic and original combat photography, artworks, and murals.

Many veterans volunteer here their time to lead group tours, and while the guide adds a few dollars to the cost of admission, the knowledge gained is priceless.

Where else can you get firsthand accounts of what happened through the eyes of real-life war heroes? Be sure not to miss the Buddy Rodgers Theater, which shows daily military documentaries, or the extensive library that houses over 8,000 volumes primarily related to aviation and military history.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is a great place to bring the kids, and they are encouraged to explore and participate in the various programs geared toward the little ones. For a unique experience, the hangar is available for birthday parties. The aviation theme would be a fantastic experience, and the guest of honor is free.

The museum gift shop offers an opportunity to bring a unique souvenir home. Many rare and unusual items related to World War II are for sale, including navigation charts, airplane accessories, and pilot merchandise.

Even some unique wall clocks feature nose art from WWII fighter planes. The museum is open seven days a week, except for major holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Set aside two solid hours for touring the museum, as there is much to take in. Check with the museum, as many promotions are offered to support our men in uniform where admission is free.

Palm Springs Air Museum can be rented for private parties and special events. They offer kids’ birthday parties with a guided tour and hands-on computer flight simulators.

 

Palm Springs is a popular tourist destination, making the museum a stop on your next trip. If you decide to stay overnight to explore some of the area’s other unique experiences, plenty of accommodations are available to suit every budget in nearby Palm Springs.

Prearranged group and school tours are offered any day of the week between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Palm Springs Air Museum 745 North Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs, California 92262 760-778-6262. Website.

Fun Things to do in Palm Springs

Planes of Fame Air Museum

March Field Air Museum