Do you have aviation fanatics in your family? We have a perfect place for you to visit! The Lone Star Flight Museum is located in Houston. (They used to be located at the Scholes Airport in Galveston, but have now moved to Ellington Airport).

The new facility has over 130,000 square feet of fun waiting for you! When you walk in the door, you are greeted by the information desk/ticket booth. Once you enter the museum, you walk by their Aviation Learning Center. This area provides an interactive learning environment for students in grades 5 – 12. The Aviation Learning Center focuses on aircraft identification, aerodynamics, traffic control, and more. The Center is up to Texas academic standards in order to assist educators with their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) project-based curriculum. Opposite the Learning Center is a room dedicated to the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots,) which provides information about the history of the group. There is a lot of history regarding this organization, even though it was only active a little over a year. The theater even has videos of interviews with some former WASPs, and they talk about their experiences.

Once you finish the entry, you have the option of going to either hangar. (YES, THERE ARE TWO!!!) Each hangar has a plethora of planes on display. The hangar on the left of the museum has several military style aircraft, including their B-25J Mitchell Medium Bomber. The museum’s bomber remained in the states during World War II and was used as a training plane. After the war, it was reportedly acquired by the CIA and used in covert operations, including several missions during the Bay of Pigs. The B-25J Mitchell was repainted in 2007 as homage to the B-25s that participated in the Doolittle Raiders and is now known as “the official B-25 of the Doolittle Raider Association.” Several of the planes in the museum are able to be taken out on a “Flight Experience,” including the B-25J. For this experience, you are required to book in advance, and prices on the different types of planes vary.

The hangar on the opposite side of the building houses very interesting aircraft. Some of the aircraft include LockheedT-33A Shooting Star, a Douglas SBD Dauntless Attack Bomber (one of only a handful that still run today), and several others that I won’t spoil for you! This hangar does include a section dedicated to helicopters and their history as well. Once you’ve taken a look at all the aircraft, you’ll probably notice a blue set of stairs with black and yellow taped edges up to a cockpit that has the NASA logo. Upon approaching, you will have the opportunity to go into a replica of a space shuttle. Let me tell you, there are a LOT more dials and switches than I expected.

Once finished in the hangars, you might think you would be done, but there is still quite a bit of museum left! There is a large history section in the museum, with pictures and significant events throughout aviation history. From first flight, first military flight, first flight over Texas, first helicopter, and so on. There is plenty to learn from this area. Housed here is a map that shows military airfields in Texas during World War II (65 Army Airfields, and 9 Navy Air Stations). Some of the most important airfields in the country during World War II were located in Texas because of their flight training facilities. In fact, one of those airfields was Ellington Army Airfield, where the Lone Star Flight Museum is housed today. Further in the history section, you will come across the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. This section covers Trail Blazers & Explorers, Wartime Aviators, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs and Innovators. All the men and women in this section have made a special impact on the world of aviation.

Once you’ve finished the history section, you have one spot remaining to visit–The Flight Academy. This entire area is devoted to teaching kids (or adults who like to have fun) about flight. The displays seem so simple, but once you start reading, you realize they are teaching you about different types of airfoils, propellers, aerodynamics, airflow, turbulence, drag, thrust, lift and velocity, physics, and more. This section also has several different prop planes that you are welcome to take photos in. This area was a lot to take in (and honestly, where we spent most of our time). There is even a hang glider game, where you sit on a mock hang glider and try to land in the middle of a bullseye.

As you move from section to section, you’ll notice beautiful art hanging on the walls. This museum is so well put together and literally has something for everyone. It is a great place to go to to learn, have fun, and see some amazing planes. Please remember that Lone Star Flight Museum is a museum. They have planes on loan, and their current viewing selection is subject to change. So, if you wait a bit between your visits, you are likely to see something new each time.

Lone Star Flight Museum is located at 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, TX 77034. Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays. You can view prices, purchase tickets or memberships, check the museum’s event schedule, sign up as a volunteer, and learn more about the museum at lonestarflight.org–or give them a call at (346) 708-2517.