Just about an hour from Manhattan, Long Island’s American Airpower Museum is a hidden gem for airplane enthusiasts.
The museum was established in the late 90s with the intention of preserving historical aircraft. This mostly lends itself towards having an extensive collection of WWII memorabilia.
One of the things that I really liked about this museum was how interactive it is! For one, the majority of the collection is housed within an old airplane hanger, settled right next to the still-active Republic Airport. It couldn’t get more on-brand!
The museum hosts about two-dozen aircraft, several of which allow visitors to climb into and explore! I know that I always love a museum where I get to touch things, and it’s a definite boon when visiting with children.
There usually seems to be a plane or two being worked on, and that’s fun to watch- if a bit loud.
For an even more interactive experience, the museum also offers scenic flights in a few of their classic planes, and even an immersive experience where visitors recreate a D-Day flight.
While the main focus of the museum is obviously on its aircraft, the walls are lined with dioramas and exhibits focusing on American military history.
This museum seems to be mostly run by volunteers and they were always very enthusiastic when I asked them any questions.
If you’re into planes or just looking for a nice day out, I definitely recommend taking a trip over!
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