Located about twenty minutes west of Omaha Nebraska on Interstate 80 lies the Strategic Air and Space Museum. Although not nearly as well known or popular as the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C., the Strategic Air Command (SAC) museum is nonetheless one of the largest and most complete military aircraft museums in the midwest part of the United States. Does the museum offer enough interest to pull a road weary traveler off the highway for a few hours? The answer largely depends on the visitors age and area of interest.
One of the first things a visitor sees when they enter the Strategic Air and Space Museum is the majestic form of an SR-71 Blackbird towering in front of them in the middle of a large glass atrium. Truly a site to behold if the guest has never been near one before, but sadly that awe is offset by the large kids play area just on the other side of the admissions desk. Why the play area? Well, that part of the story comes a bit later in this review. For now we will stick to the more important aspects of the museum.
SAC Museum Exhibits
The SAC Museum is divided into three hangars. Two hold fully restored planes from all branches of the military ranging from the smallest experimental aircraft to the largest in the collection, the gigantic B-52B Stratofortress. Other notable planes such as the B-1A Lancer and B-17 Flying Fortress are also on display. A third hangar holds several aircraft that are in the process of being restored but are viewable through giant floor to ceiling windows in the visitors center. Also in the visitors center is a gift shop, snack bar, some travelling exhibit space, and a medium sized theater for group instruction and education events.
Each of the major aircraft exhibits has a display of information regarding the plane and other aspects of its use during the wars in which it flew. Several benches are scattered about near the planes and be sure to look out for veterans of the wars sitting around.
Value and Age Appeal Of The Strategic Air and Space Museum
At the time of the writing of this article admission fees to the SAC museum were $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-10. Given the large amount of aircraft and exhibits to be seen at the museum this is not a bad deal, but those with younger children (age 8 and under) be warned, unless they are totally into airplanes they will be sadly disappointed and bored as under normal circumstances none of the planes are open for guests to climb into and look around.
The only real hands on activity for young kids to do is to climb inside a full size cockpit and move a few levers and dials. Otherwise, the museum is almost entirely a look up and stare activity for young kids. Bringing young children to the museum is also probably not a good idea since they can easily run under and around the planes much easier than most parents can.
The museum does provide two play areas, one being a large indoor play structure and the second being a creativity area where kids can build with over-sized soft foam blocks. There is also a moving flight simulator and multi-axis trainer ride that costs $5-$7 per ride.
Conclusions On Taking A Trip To The SAC Museum
In summary, the Strategic Air and Space Museum, while a very cool and interesting visit is better suited to older children and adults who have some degree of background knowledge and interest in the topic of aviation. Perhaps of better value for some visitors is to get information on the many overnight lock-in camps and class field trips that the facility provides to youth groups and classes. These events provide much more access to the interior of the planes as well as lots of fun activities.
Booking.com
The museum Stategic Air and Space Museum is also conveniently located next to several state parks and recreation areas for those that wish to make their visit to the museum a more extensive event.
Author Paul Linus
One of the first things a visitor sees when they enter the Strategic Air and Space Museum is the majestic form of an SR-71 Blackbird towering in front of them in the middle of a large glass atrium. Truly a site to behold if the guest has never been near one before, but sadly that awe is offset by the large kids play area just on the other side of the admissions desk. Why the play area? Well, that part of the story comes a bit later in this review. For now we will stick to the more important aspects of the museum.
SAC Museum Exhibits
The SAC Museum is divided into three hangars. Two hold fully restored planes from all branches of the military ranging from the smallest experimental aircraft to the largest in the collection, the gigantic B-52B Stratofortress. Other notable planes such as the B-1A Lancer and B-17 Flying Fortress are also on display. A third hangar holds several aircraft that are in the process of being restored but are viewable through giant floor to ceiling windows in the visitors center. Also in the visitors center is a gift shop, snack bar, some travelling exhibit space, and a medium sized theater for group instruction and education events.
Each of the major aircraft exhibits has a display of information regarding the plane and other aspects of its use during the wars in which it flew. Several benches are scattered about near the planes and be sure to look out for veterans of the wars sitting around.
Value and Age Appeal Of The Strategic Air and Space Museum
At the time of the writing of this article admission fees to the SAC museum were $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-10. Given the large amount of aircraft and exhibits to be seen at the museum this is not a bad deal, but those with younger children (age 8 and under) be warned, unless they are totally into airplanes they will be sadly disappointed and bored as under normal circumstances none of the planes are open for guests to climb into and look around.
The only real hands on activity for young kids to do is to climb inside a full size cockpit and move a few levers and dials. Otherwise, the museum is almost entirely a look up and stare activity for young kids. Bringing young children to the museum is also probably not a good idea since they can easily run under and around the planes much easier than most parents can.
The museum does provide two play areas, one being a large indoor play structure and the second being a creativity area where kids can build with over-sized soft foam blocks. There is also a moving flight simulator and multi-axis trainer ride that costs $5-$7 per ride.
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Conclusions On Taking A Trip To The SAC Museum
In summary, the Strategic Air and Space Museum, while a very cool and interesting visit is better suited to older children and adults who have some degree of background knowledge and interest in the topic of aviation. Perhaps of better value for some visitors is to get information on the many overnight lock-in camps and class field trips that the facility provides to youth groups and classes. These events provide much more access to the interior of the planes as well as lots of fun activities.
Booking.com
The museum Stategic Air and Space Museum is also conveniently located next to several state parks and recreation areas for those that wish to make their visit to the museum a more extensive event.
Author Paul Linus
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