Children's Museums
Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum
📍 2017 N Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum
Combat aircraft exhibits & plane rides. This venue with displays & rides in historic warplanes features a 1944 B-17G bomber & an F4 Phantom. The museum houses a 1944 B-17G bomber named 'Sentimental Journey' and a B-25J Mitchell named 'Made in the Shade' that are actively flown and available for paid aerial experiences. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,152 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Air Force Museum
- Hours
- Wednesdays - Saturdays, 10AM - 4PM
- Highlights
- Open Cockpit Tours in fighter aircraft, torpedo bombers, and helicopters
- Best For
- All ages
- Special Feature
- Virtual tour available online
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum houses a 1944 B-17G bomber named 'Sentimental Journey' and a B-25J Mitchell named 'Made in the Shade' that are actively flown and available for paid aerial experiences
- The museum features a bulkhead from the USS Arizona and honors 23 RAF cadets who died during World War II training at Falcon Fields and are buried in Mesa Cemetery
- The collection includes rare aircraft such as a Fokker DR1 (German WWI fighter), Nieuport 15 (French WWI fighter), MiG-15, MiG-21, and multiple F-16s spanning aviation history from World War I through modern era
- The museum operates an active restoration and maintenance facility where warbirds are kept in flying condition, with volunteers and staff who are certified restoration and flight masters
- The venue maintains a 4.8 rating from 1,152 reviews and features behind-the-scenes open cockpit tours allowing hands-on access inside fighter aircraft and helicopters with specialized personal tours
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan for extended visit time - reviewers consistently mention not having enough time to see everything in one day. The museum spans multiple hangars with WWI through modern aircraft, maintenance areas, and a WW2 briefing room theater, so budget at least 3-4 hours minimum.
- Book warbird flights in advance if interested - the B-17 'Sentimental Journey', B-25 'Made in the Shade', and SNJ T-6 Texan flights are highly popular experiences. Multiple reviewers highlighted these as life-changing but require separate booking beyond general admission.
- Visit during cooler months - reviewers noted the hangars can become uncomfortably hot in summer when AC is insufficient, with only fans for relief. Spring and fall visits will provide better comfort for exploring the exhibits.
- Take the Open Cockpit Tours for hands-on access - reviewers highly valued being able to go inside the aircraft like the B-17 and C-47. These tours (small additional fee) transform the experience from viewing to interactive learning and are worth the investment.
- Bring children of all ages - the museum is family-friendly with airplane bikes to ride and volunteer docents who excel at engaging visitors. Even infants enjoyed the experience according to reviews, making it suitable for the entire family.
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