Naval Aviation transcends both time and space, from wood and fabric biplanes, to the frontiers of outerspace. The Museum captures Naval Aviation's heritage and brings its story of challenge, ingenuity, and courage to you.
The National Naval Aviation Museum is the largest Naval Aviation museum in the world and is the most visited museum in the state of Florida. Share in the excitement of Naval Aviation's rich history and see more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum's nearly 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds.
Soar with the Blue Angels in the dazzling seven-story glass and steel atrium that showcases four A-4 Skyhawks in a diving diamond formation and view them at eye-level from the Second Deck. Enjoy free guided tours and retrace the NC-4's first flight across the Atlantic. Fly an F/A-18 mission in Desert Storm through our 15-passenger Motion-Based Flight Simulator or see The Magic of Flight, our own IMAX® film projected on a seven-story high screen and feel like you've had a bona fide ride with the Blue Angels. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the authentic Cubi Bar Café, decorated with over 1,000 squadron and unit plaques reassembled from the historic Officers' Club at Cubi Point in the Philippines. Take the Flight Line Bus Tour on a free, 20-minute tour of the approximately 40 aircraft displayed on the flight line behind our Restoration hangar.
The West Wing is devoted almost exclusively to World War II carrier aviation and showcases a full-size replica of USS Cabot's aircraft carrier island and flight deck. Famous World War II aircraft such as the Corsair, Dauntless and Hellcat stand nearby ready for take-off, while other magnificent birds like the Wildcat, Avenger and Kingfisher fly overhead. Strap into one of the many cockpit trainers on the Second Deck for pretend test flights or try your hand at defending a ship from Cabot's anti-aircraft gun battery on the Main Deck. The Museum also tells the human side of Naval Aviation and features memorabilia from each era of fighting, including personal mementos from historic battles, flight logs, vintage equipment and flight clothing.
There's so much to see and do, you'll want to stay all day! Admission is free! Hours of operation are 9:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week, 362 days each year, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.