05/05/08

only if you really like planes and/or you have small kids who love planes

by berg9201

I don't think this museum is very everyone. It's pretty small. The main room has many planes on the floor and hanging from the ceiling. Supposedly they have planes outside that you can visit. There's also another room filled with history of flight. However, I personally don't care much about aviation so I found it a bit boring.

• Pros: have special exhibitions, good for rainy days
• Cons: boring unless you love airplanes

11/21/06

It's a good museum

by kee22

The Museum of Flight is a good museum..but, it's kind of small. The exibits are pretty interesting. I especially liked seeing the old Air Force One. Overall, it is a good cultural experience.

• Pros: Interesting, can see an Air Force One
• Cons: small museum

07/08/06

Best Flight Museum Anywhere---HEY! Best Museum, period!

by kato_hawaii

All flight museums have airplanes of course. The Seattle Museum of Flight also has loads of artifacts from space: Moon rock, lunar landers, and soon they'll be getting a Space Shuttle.

The Great Gallery contains a history of aviation: from gliders to the Wright Brothers' first airplane to The Blackbird to the Dark Star and Aerosonde. Be sure to take a tour with a docent. Their docents are always interesting and sometimes hilarious. And every time I take a tour there, I learn more about history and aviation.

Across the street, they have the original Air Force One Jet (check out the "cutting edge" 1960's on-board computer!) and the 747 prototype, along with The Concorde. Guests can tour Air Force One and Concorde.

My favorite place at the Museum is the Personal Courage Wing. It's set up so you can give yourself a tour; although, if you can persuade a docent to take you there, all the better. WWI is upstairs, and they have the first (and only) purpose-built fighter plane. It's nearly 100 years old. They have a Sopwith Camel, along with other Sopwith planes, and a number of French and German airplanes from that era. Even a replica of the Red Baron's Drei-decker and Albatross.

The WWII area is on the main floor. P-38, P-40, Spitfire, Corsair, Nakajima, and a Russian YAK are just the beginning.

Don't miss this when you are in the Pacific North West! An unforgettable experience! You'll be back!

• Pros: The docents are the best!
• Cons: Crowded on holidays

05/09/06

If you visit Seattle, you can't miss this!

by dndesign

I have visited the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. and, while that museum is much bigger, I think The Museum of Flight is a better experience.

The Great Gallery has something like 30 airplanes (from the Wright Flyer to Blackbird Spyplane) all hung and flying in formation in a beautiful glass and steel building.

The Personal Courage Wing pays tribute to the men AND WOMEN who flew in WWI and WWII and the aircraft that supported them. Amazing displays and interactive features.

The outdoor airpark has the original Air Force One and a real supersonic Concorde as well. So great.

There are also many flight simulators to try, and movies to watch.

If you go to Seattle, don't miss The Museum of Flight!

• Pros: Free parking, exhibits, docents
• Cons: Not downtown

From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff, get a flying fix here.

by Contributor

The Scene
It all began in 1968, when the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation placed its first exhibits at the Seattle Center. In 1983, the exhibits made their debut in the restored Red Barn before making the Great Gallery their home in '87. This cavernous space offers visitors the opportunity to experience the aviation industry firsthand.

The Collection
Become a fighter pilot for a moment when you jump into the cockpit of an F/A-18, or pay your respects to space exploration at the Apollo exhibit and Rendezvous In Space. Visit Boeing's original plane, the B&W, in the awe-inspiring six-story steel and glass Great Gallery. Then, wrap up your tour with a lesson on the early days of aviation in the Red Barn, Boeing's original plant, and a walk through presidential history aboard the first Air Force One.