Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum lands right next to the airport, marked by a cluster of hangars set back from Gene Autry Trail. The entryway drops you straight into four distinct hangars – two dedicated to World War II, one focused on Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War, and a newer space built around stealth. Most regulars head for the F-117 Nighthawk first, though it’s hard to miss the lineup of aircraft stretching across the tarmac outside. On clear days, people drift between the hangars and the open-air displays, with wide walkways linking everything together. The setup is refreshingly hands-on – planes aren’t roped off, so you can walk right up for a closer look, and a few, like the B-17 bomber, are open for full tours inside. The collection covers a lot of ground – over 70 planes in total, from WWII bombers to jets that still take to the air for shows. The F-117 stealth fighter draws steady attention, but the B-17s get plenty of interest too, especially since one is airworthy and the other is open for guided walk-throughs. Along the walls and tucked between the aircraft, cases of uniforms, old flight gear, and artifacts from each era fill out the space. There’s a flight simulator set up in one of the hangars, and for those after something bigger, it’s possible to book a ride in one of the warbirds – those flights come with an extra fee. The kids’ area sits off to the side, stocked with hands-on activities and room to move around. The gift shop and cafeteria both sit near the main entrance. Most days, volunteers are stationed throughout the hangars – many are veterans or retired pilots who know the stories behind the planes and share details if you ask. The setup is straightforward: plenty of signage, lots of room to wander, and a steady flow between indoor and outdoor sections. The museum is dog-friendly, and families pass through with strollers or wheelchairs without much trouble. Parking is free and right out front, so getting in and out is easy. The museum stays open year-round, though some of the outdoor planes heat up in the summer. Special events pop up now and then – flyovers, raffles for biplane rides, that sort of thing. Many of the aircraft are kept in flying condition, so it’s not unusual to catch a plane taking off or taxiing on the runway behind the hangars. The whole place runs on a mix of history and hands-on access – no velvet ropes, just open space and a lot of metal.