Palm Springs Air Museum

Decided to explore another part of this exciting city and found myself at the Palm Spring Air Museum in Hot Springs 😀. Since my dad was a Marine, I try to honor him by visiting places like this and learning more about our military heroes through their stories and history. Just a little tip, it’s a really dry heat out here, so stay hydrated! The aircraft are retired, but the lessons and history they hold are alive and inspiring for anyone who loves to learn. Call or visit website to confirm hours. Tell them Team Smiley sent you.

This was very interesting to see. Definitely better on a not so hot day and Saturdays you can sit in the cockpit, but many different planes to see. Even a Stealth F 117 Nighthawk. Many volunteers on hand to answer questions with first hand knowledge There were a few old timers around and could not tell if they were enjoying themselves or if the visit brought back memories they wish the didn’t have. In any case, with so many displays and so many aircraft, it was a well spent few hours

Well-kept museum with lovely staff! I was pleased to see the beautiful historical planes. Active Duty members get free admission, and so do military spouses (just show your ID). Still, it’s worth paying to help support this wonderful museum and keep the community alive. :)

This is such a great display of men, women, and machines. Everyone should visit and not just on Memorial Day. We enjoyed the fly overs as well as the volunteers who have interesting past lives. I purchased the family pass for this year and I am sure we will get a lot of use out of it. Maybe I’ll get lucky and win the raffle next October and ride in a Bi- plane. :)

Amazing air museum very close to town. Well worth the trip to see this collection. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Will visit again.

If you haven't been there you're missing out!! I thought it would take us about an hour to be there, as I wasn't expecting it to be so big and interesting (from previous experience I had in other museums). This museum is very well taking care of. The staff are committed and doing such a great job, most if not all are veterans which was very emotional for me. I have lots of gratitude and appreciation for their service. My boys (almost 13 and 9.5) had a blast! There is so much information and things to experience the time we've spent here wasn't enough (almost 3 hours) we will have to come back.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is absolutely worth visiting. I spent over two hours there and could have easily stayed longer. The collection of aircraft is impressive, and being able to get up close to so many historic planes was an incredible experience. Many of the aircraft are still in flying condition, which makes it even more unique compared to other museums. The staff and volunteers were one of the best parts of the visit. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share stories and information about the planes and their history. A lot of them are veterans or retired pilots, and hearing their firsthand experiences added so much depth to the visit. You can tell they love what they do, and it makes the experience even better. The museum is well-organized with different hangars dedicated to different time periods and types of aircraft. There are also a lot of great displays with memorabilia, uniforms, and historical artifacts that help put everything into perspective. There’s even a flight simulator and, for an extra cost, you can book a flight in some of the warbirds, which is something I’d love to try next time. I was really impressed by how much history was packed into this place. Whether you’re into military history, aviation, or just looking for something interesting to do in Palm Springs, I highly recommend it. I would definitely go back.

The Air Museum is an absolute treasure for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike! One of the standout experiences was seeing the **F-117 Nighthawk** up close—it’s a marvel of engineering and design. Being able to appreciate its stealth capabilities firsthand was truly unforgettable. Another must-do is the **B-17 tour**. The attention to detail was extraordinary, and stepping inside this iconic WWII aircraft felt like taking a journey back in time. The guides shared fascinating stories, making history come alive in a way that books simply can't. The museum itself is packed with an incredible array of planes and exhibits that span crucial moments in history, including **World War II, Korea, and Vietnam**. Every corner was brimming with information, creating an immersive and educational experience that left us with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and innovations of the past. If you're in the area, the Air Museum is not to be missed—it’s an inspiring and unforgettable visit. Be prepared to leave with a renewed sense of awe for aviation and history!

What an awesome museum. I had a couple hours to burn in Palm Springs, so I swung into the Air Museum. The volunteers were very friendly. The exhibits (inside and outdoors) were all very well done. They have nice displays explaining the collection, and volunteers are around if you have any extra questions. The F117 was the highlight of my visit, but there are a ton of other great aircraft and vehicles from a variety of eras. Definitely check it out if you are in town, it's worth the visit!

World class venue. Frank and his staff have created a wonderful experience for young and old alike. My father and Uncle were the first managers of the Palm Springs Airport after WWII. They would be so very proud...they ARE so very proud of the airport and museum. Congratulations. Well done.

My partner and I visited the museum for about 2 hours on Monday. Great museum, very crowded with airplanes on the WW2 side of the hangar, more spaced out on the Korea/Vietnam side. We were lucky the volunteers were giving tours inside the B17 so we made a little donation to climb inside. The other highlight was seeing the F117. Lots of volunteers around the facility ready and able to answer any questions. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was the lack of mention of women's contributions to any conflict. Sure, there was your standard Rosie the Riveter mention. But there's so much to talk about (and available space in the Korea/Vietnam hangar) that I would encourage the museum to consider adding women's contributions to the exhibits to really set the museum apart from the rest.

My sons has a great time here. It was well worth the money and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Really cool air museum.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is a great visit if you're a military history buff or just enjoy seeing all manners of aircraft from WWI all the way to the Iraq war. Its similar to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, except that there is more focus on the aircraft and you get to see some really impressive planes up close. Our favorites: * B17 Bomber - The Flying Fortress - absolutely huge and capable of dropping a bunch of 1000-lb bombs! * F117 Nighthawk - A Stealth Fighter that is now obsolete at a whopping price-tag of $42MM in the 80's?! * The Predator Drone was cool and intimidating - guess that's the wave of the future. Go small and hit them when they least expect it. * Inspiring stories of bravery such as the Tuskegee Airmen along with Rosie the Riveter. Also makes me proud to be an American as learning about the end of WW2 when the USA and allies helped rebuild Japan and Germany and later on forged strong friendships to this day. The veterans and volunteers are also great and passionate about telling stories and answering questions. Definitely a must-see place in Palm Springs.

This AMAZING museum is one of the best I have ever seen. Anyone that has a Love of Military History and an Appreciation of our Veterans, would Love this place. Reasonably priced, its is one of the best attractions in California! The wonderful thing about this EDUCATIONAL experience are not only are there a wide variety of planes, but artifacts, exhibits, and films. In addition, a Fantastic group of folks volunteer in each hanger to answer questions. I would rate this place higher then 5 Stars as it would be well deserved. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Historical, large, open air, large displays, friendly staff and on-site airplanes. Wow! What a great spot to reconnect back into history and see a wide variety of displays with something for everyone. Whether you are seeking to trace back to WWII, Pearl Harbor, Women in Aviation or Walt Disney - you can find it all. ADA accessible, folks young and old will find easy navigation through all displays both inside and out. Note: there was an abundant supply of bathrooms in every corner. The value is reasonably priced and there are opportunities across all displays to donate more which go directly back into the funding of the museum. There is also a gift shop to purchase items such as magnets, shirts, pins, patches, baby items all aviation themed of course. Lastly, there is a small cafe halfway through the displays serving sandwiches, sodas, slushies, chips, etc. Come fly, explore and learn!

We really enjoyed the museum and all the aircraft both in and outside. We also saw some take flight.

On the site Palm Springs Air Museum I look at events they put on. Usually they are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I saw this new event that had speakers and thought it would be interesting. We learned from the speakers this aircraft was built to look like the stealth aircraft in Top Gun in 2022. Lockheed Martins Skunk Works did an amazing job making a replica for the movie. They had interesting displays also in the hanger. The cost was $60 per person which I thought was reasonable. They also served fruit and cheese when we first arrived.

Great little museum filled with rich history here in Palm Springs. Very interesting, not crowded but a bit one the warmer side (not much AC), so I recommend going during the winter months.

An amazing museum where history comes to live ( era plane flying). The staff and its acquisition is priceless worth every minute to drive to palm springs and visit this amazing museum full of history and planes!

I la la love this place! We came on a day where they had a Tuskegee Airman presentation. Here's what I loved: all of the employees were polite I got a sticker lol My littles got a sticker with wings They have a library upstairs where you can play an airplane simulation and shoot the bad guys. You can see planes being tested and the take off and landing You can purchase a ride in said airplanes You can sit in airplanes and take pictures They have a cafe, a girls gotta eat ;) This is a touch everything museum The gift store The parking lot with ample parking Did I mention the employees are sweet as pie? They're open every day. Here's what I didn't love about this place: Nada . 10/10

We took our students to the Palm Springs Air Museum today, and the volunteers and tour guides were so amazing. They were patient and engaging with the students. This was a day we will always remember. Thank you, Manny, Tony, and Tom for going above and beyond to make this an epic experience.

What a great place to relax, pass some time and see some history. I honestly wasn't expecting to see such a large amount of aircraft and historical pieces. So many knowledgeable and helpful people working. If you have a couple hours to burn I suggest stopping.

Wow! The Palm Springs Air Museum really surprised me. There's so much to see and do. I spent an hour watching meticulously refurbished war planes take off and land. It's incredible to experience so much history in one place.

Awesome spot! Great for kids, maybe not toddlers, at least mine was over it after 30 minutes. A lot to see, great educational stuff! Awesome stuff to see. Definitely would love to return.

I feel the need, the need for speed! PSAM is a huge air museum and their mission is to exhibit, educate and eternalize the role of the World War II combat aircraft and the role the pilots and American citizens had in winning the war. I was very impressed with their collection of old fighter jets including a stealth fighter. Staff were polite and professional. Admission price was fair. PSAM is located on the north-east side of the Palm Springs International Airport, the Air Museum is housed in a new structure that includes three main display hangars, theater, gift shop, ramp and airport access for flight demonstrations and visiting planes, research library, simulator and education center. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and experience. I recommend this air museum.

I am a geek and I LOVE history!! If you head over to Palm Springs you've got to head over to check out the Air museum! I went through WW1 and WW11 along with other combat we've been through as a country and learned so much about the different war planes and technology being used and I have so much respect for those who fought for us in this country. Tributes to women and the first African American pilots that served this country. Bob Hope tribute for all of his entertainment overseas to keep the soldiers spirit up. We must never forget history so it doesn't repeat itself! I had a great day of knowledge and awe about what our veterans have gone through and what a powerful country we live in!

A fantastic air museum. They had an open B-17 flying fortress that I actually got to go through.

*******. Bicycle Friendly !! ******* Hadn't really given Memorial Day much thought.. until I attended the Memorial Day Ceremony today at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Been here before for other events, unrelated to the military. Gave this museum a cursory glance as I do not have family in the military nor do I understand these planes and what our military has accomplished with these planes. After today however, I will be approaching Memorial Day with a completely different attitude and with much more understanding .. albeit I am still a neophyte After the magnificent, somber, speech today by a very accomplished well decorated military official ( wish I could remember his name ) ... where he pointed out how we as Americans sit on the sidelines comfortably enjoying safety & freedom everyday and how our sense of entitlement compels us to make comments about things that we know nothing about .... I couldn't help but ... shed a tear because we as a whole are able to sit idle and watch as other countries are torn apart from the inside out. Never have I ever felt as grateful as I feel today for the safety we all feel and the freedoms we enjoy thanks to the dedicated, hard working, intelligent men, women & children who believe in the United States of America and have lost their lives to protect ALL of us.

We spent an afternoon at the Palm Springs Air Museum (PASM) with friends when we visited Palm Springs together. His father was an Air Force pilot in WWII and Korea, and PASM has one of the world's largest collections of flyable aircraft from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The collection is impressive; the explanatory signage and exhibits are very good; the docents are knowledgeable and eager to share their experiences. One highlight for me was getting to crawl around in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress and experience the tight quarters -- I never realized how small these bombers were!

Is a great thing to do in Palm Springs, and is worth driving for long distance to go to this museum. It is unbelievable, all of the different aircraft and knowledge you can learn from this place. Also, the staff are amazing, including actual members of the services that will help explain in detail the different items to see. There are fighter jets and even advanced stealth airplanes, as well as World War I and World War II items. Highly recommended.

The setup that the air museum has is one of the best I've seen. So many aircraft and friendly staff who love to share stories. I encourage all to visit when in the area

Great museum with so much to see. The staff were all eager to help and explain everything. So much thought and planning has gone into this museum, you could spend the whole day here just reading everything on display.

This is an amazing museum with a lot of historical artifacts . It takes you on a journey through WWll , the Vietnam War , the war in Baghdad etc., through multiple hangers . Very touching and emotional experience and makes you appreciate the dedication and sacrifice our armed servicemen have and had contributed to this great nation for the freedoms for which we have today . The wall for the missing servicemen got us very emotional. It was beautifully constructed in memory of all those who were missing and never returned home . There was a lot of activity for the kids and they were able to crawl into some old war airplanes and experience a piece of history. There was also a simulation ride on the second floor of the museum which was super fun for the kids. I would highly recommend visiting the museum when in Palm Springs .

Such a cool place for kids and adults! Our family visited Palm Springs for Memorial Day weekend and were looking for something fun to do with our time that would appeal to everyone in our group. So glad we decided to go here. There is so much to look at, read, watch and some hands on learning for the kids. We had three young kids (5 yr olds) in our group that kept pointing at all the airplanes and memorabilia. The kids loved to go inside the airplanes and take pics in the pilot seats. Our group spent about 2 hours here in total but if we didn't have the kids we easily could have stayed for over 4 hours! There is so much to read and interesting history, videos in front of some of the planes to see what they were used for. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting the area. Kids are free. Adults are $22 and seniors $20.

The staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed our visit, great place to take the family.

While vacationing in the area, we decided to stop by. Overall a positive experience. Plan to stay an hour or so. The museum showcases many historic planes with exhibits throughout the museum. They have short videos about some of the planes. They have simulators to try upstairs (computer simulators for children and an actual video game type simulator for adults). They have a small children section where they can get into an old school fire truck, helicopter, and plane and pretend to ride them. Outdoors they have even more planes to check out. The museum is right next to the Palm Spring airport so you can also watch planes and helicopters take off and land. The tickets are on the pricier side for $22 per adult and $20 for seniors, teenagers, and retired military. Children 12 and under are free, which makes it's more reasonable to go if you're a family. They have a small food court area selling casual food and drinks but it's not always open so plan to bring snacks and drinks if you have children. Worth a stop if you're really into history or planes.

Exceptional museum experience! Wide-ranging depth of information about WW11 especially along with amazing number of air craft.

Great place for history buffs. Make sure u see Regina at the F117 hanger. Full of info. We spent 3 hrs with her. Very knowledgeable.

The hubby wanted to check this museum out! He thought it was one of the coolest things ever! Quite a collection of WWII planes! So much to look at! There is even a library that you can check out movies and books. There are flight simulators you can play with in the library, too. If you're in the area, you have to visit! The staff are friendly and ready to answer any of your questions. Oh, and if you get hungry, they do have a cafe so that you can grab something to eat.

This museum looks so small from the outside but it is actually big with so much to offer and such a big aircraft collection. They have four main sections and a small part of more airplanes and helicopters displayed outside. They have different stimulators to try out for an extra small fee and even have two aircraft's in which you can walk inside and take a look yourself which was one of my favorite parts. They have different videos showing actual war footage and videos demonstrating on how some of the aircraft's function as well as in action. It is very informative with many artifacts displayed. They also have a small cafe to grab a quick bite inside and even have actual plane rides at different pricing which is also neat to watch if you don't book a flight since it is in the Palm Springs airport and you get to see actual planes take flight. It is truly an experience really enjoyed this museum more than I believed I would. Definitely recommend to check out if you are in the area!

Incredible museum full of high quality displays of gorgeous and well maintained aircraft. Remember to bring a bit of cash (20 bucks per person) for certain extra activities (such as walking around inside a real B-17 bomber)! Staff are knowledgeable and familiar with every plane to a great extent. There is also a plane ride service, and though I did not get a chance to try it, it looked enjoyable, although very expensive. Overall an excellent, and very reasonably priced outing

What a cool museum. The history this place has is amazing and lots of interactions with inside planes and visuals. Gift shop is cool too so many fun things.

Great air museum. If you're in the area, you must go! The volunteers are great. All of the exhibits are wonderful.

This gem of a museum sits on the side of Palms Springs Airport. It has several hangers and an outdoor display yard for vintage aircraft and fighter jets. We loved their different hangers of the European theaters and Pacific theater. This museum has one of the best restored B-17G and Mustang P-51Ds I have ever seen. You can walk up to the plane and go under the bomb bay. Wow! Also the Wildcat, Hellcat and Bearcat were magnificiant. We loved their vintage jets that are rare to find in good shape like the Migs, F-86, F-100, F-106, and much more. The volunteer staff here was very knowledgeable about the aircraft adn were very friendly. We appreciated interacting with them. This museum is only a few minutes out of town but it is worth it. Come down and see this great aviation museum.

Absolutely fantastic museum!!! If you're a military aviation fan then just go. The planes (and cars and lots of other things) are really well maintained. Many of them are flyable. And some you can get flights in. The docents are fantastic. I asked a few questions here and there. But then I went aboard the B17. 15 minute personal tour!! It was amazing. We came here a few years ago and they've expanded. And it looks like they're doing even more. Drop a few bucks in their donation boxes and buy a shirt or two to help their cause. You won't be disappointed!!!

This museum is certainly worth multiple visits. Admission price was $37 this time, it has increased. But the displays and aircraft inventory have been increased, as well. One notable aircraft addition was a beautifully restored F-106B (2-seater) built by Convair in San Diego. This is an incredible museum, in the top 15 of those in the USA.

Top notch museum. We spent hours there with our group and had lunch as well. All staff was super friendly and helpful. So many vintage planes and memorabilia perfect for great picture taking. They have aircraft from WWII through Korea and Vietnam We had a great guided tour by one of the pilots that actually flew some planes that were there. His enthusiasm and ability to name the names of planes and details was impressive. Being able to go into the B17 Bommer was a humbling experience and made me realize how brave these pilots were. You can book warbird rides , catered events and site rentals are available as well. Dont miss the simulation area in the library plus all the cool books and magazines from that time era.

If you are a history buff, aviation, military or just love seeing famous aircraft up close and in person, this place is a great way to spend 2-3 hours. The docents are former pilots or other support people and have a wealth of knowledge to share about the exhibits and stories to tell about their time in service to our country. They regularly have special events that we have attended and the lectures are interesting but might be a bit long for young children. There are some computers with a flight simulator program upstairs that are kid friendly and I enjoyed using them since I'm a big kid.

Truly amazing collection. Up close. The real stuff. Easy free Parking. Friendly staff.

An excellent air museum with a variety of military aircraft in large hanger areas with excellent descriptions and history of the individual airplanes. You get to touch them and look all around them. We came in mid July during a "heat dome" and inside the buildings it was not too hot and easy to get around. Beyond the aircraft, the excellent docents in each of the areas are very welcoming and have fascinating information. Even if you do not have a specific question about an aircraft they have a variety of personal experiences and real pride in what the museum has to offer. There is also a very informative YouTube presentation, "Warbird Wednesday" with professional presentations of worldwide aircraft, their development and use. On YT under Palm Springs Air Museum.

Awesome Air Museum. One of the best around. Tons of beautiful airplanes, memorabilia, and artwork. I specifically love the Bush exhibit and plane. So cool. I too loved the flag with the names of all those who died on 9/11. We were able to go inside the B-17. Awesome experience. Highly recommended. The dosen's were very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're in Palm Springs, stop in. A must see!

I've never actually been inside the Palm Springs Air Museum... but I want to! I drove right by it on the way to a Subaru press event, then I turned around and stopped to take photos in the parking lot real quick. So many cool retired warplanes outside. When I was a kid, I used to geek out on military airplanes ever since my mom bought me a book about them in 4th grade. In my high school drafting class, I won state awards for technical illustrations I did of an F4 Phantom and F14 Tomcat my Junior & Senior years of HS... so deep down, I still dig these planes! I hope to return someday when I have more time. Maybe do a quick YouTube vid??

It was our 2nd time out here... And both times were a pleasure... For the second time, it was to treat my wife to one of the warbird rides. It did not disappoint... So much so, I also gave a donation to the museum.

What an amazing place to visit when you are in Palm Springs! All the different exhibitions about different kinds of airplanes and aviation relicts! Really rare airplanes, very well maintained and in good condition! You can also book a flight with some of the old planes, like the C-47 used in the second World War. Overall a great place to experience, also family friendly!

This place is SO AWESOME! The Nighthawk was worth the visit in itself and the rest of the planes were awesome. The price was worth the value. The exhibits were interesting and you can even sit in some of the planes. You can even ride in some of the war birds for an additional fee. Well worth the visit.

Unbelievable, don't miss the opportunity. Very well organized and a lot of staff to answer Question's

I ADORE this museum! Have been to Palm Springs a handful of times in my life and never knew this was here (we didn't have the internet to search back in the mid-90s) lol. After parking in the large (and free) parking lot, we walked in and were greeted by 2 friendly employees. They helped us with our tickets and we were in! If you are a history lover, you'd love this place. The walls are decorated with maps, photos, artifacts, and anecdotes...the hangars are filled with vintage planes and interactive exhibits (closed due to covid though). In the B-17 hangar they have a small area where you can purchase snacks and sit. Outside there are a bunch of sweet planes and if you walk to the end, you'll come across an F-14 Tomcat! There is also a movie room but we didn't sit and watch what was playing...next time! The volunteers here are extremely friendly and knowledgeable and I really liked engaging with them and learning about the planes! Definitely coming back whenever I'm out in PS again!!

I love how they are constantly updating their displays and getting new, different aircraft. The stealth bomber is incredible and the docents are extremely knowledgeable. All together, it was an amazing afternoon.