One of our group had been here before and recommended it. I was initially confused as we'd seen a large 'aircraft boneyard' / parking lot en route into Tucson from Phoenix. However, that it not associated with this place. This is a large museum located a few miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. They have 5 hangars with displayed aircraft plus a large collection of planed parked outdoors in several long rows. They do NOT allow backpacks or have storage for them. Leave these in your car (concealed) or you'll have to go back to do so. Not a complaint, just a fact. Some / most of their parking lot has awnings, which is nice for keeping your car somewhat cooler in the Arizona sun. In addition to the general admission, they have other options including a narrated tram tour of the outdoor aircraft. We added this on, but there may also be other side-tours. We added this to our itinerary. You begin in the main hangar, which is the largest. Here they have a large array of planes on display (on the ground and suspended from the ceiling). Among the many displays were an SR-71, an A-10 Warthog, a couple of large flying boat military aircraft, multiple military helicopters, etc. We spent almost an hour here. The tram tour boards at a 2nd hangar, so we visited that before boarding. They had some spacecraft (Apollo capsule?) and a Blackhawk helicopter, plus other displays. The tram tour ran about 45 minutes and was interesting. It would be exhausting to do this on foot, given the area. Among the displays were a couple of planes that served as Air Force One, a B-52, an enormous amphibious transport plane, and some F-16s. There were MANY others. After the tram tour, we visited an additional hangar (operated separately from the museum) housing a B-17 with associated displays. This is staffed by enthusiastic volunteers. It was worthwhile and merited a separate donation. Before they started closing for the day we managed to visit 2 more hangars (we ran out of time for the final one). We got to see a B-29 (the type of craft that carried the atomic bombs to Japan), and more WWII-vintage planes. About the only thing they did NOT have which I'd like to have seen was a Spitfire. Maybe one was in the final building. If you have any interest in military history or aircraft, this is a highly worthwhile stop. read more

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Really big, fun museum. I have no special love of aircraft, but my son and husband do, so I tagged along. I still had a great time and enjoyed all the cool aircraft. Go early or in the winter because it gets hot and a lot of the exhibits are outside. If I had one complaint it would be that there weren't very many aircraft you could go inside. I'm sure this is a liability they have to weigh-- but I've lived other similar museums that had a lot more opportunities to go inside airplanes. Very nice gift shop. Cafe looked nice-- but didn't try it. I'm read more

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What a fantastic visit! We had the best time at the museum! From the moment we walked in, we were surrounded by so much rich history. The exhibits were incredibly well done--engaging, informative, and just the right mix of depth and fun. We could have stayed for hours and still not seen everything. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a great day out, this place delivers. Highly recommend bringing the whole family (or your crew) -- we left smiling and already talking about when we can go back. read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This is a great place to visit if you're any sort of airplane enthusiast! The grounds are huge and house many out of service planes and helicopters. There's a lot of great info on the planes, pilots, workers, etc. You can spend hours here! It was a really hot day when we were there so we only ended up staying for a couple hours. You can also buy a 2 day pass, a pass to the military vehicle museum on the same grounds, and take a tram tour around the planes. All in all a great visit. read more

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INCREDIBLE !!! Holy smokes! This place is one of a kind. Anyone who is a plane enthusiast or World War II history buff will be in heaven and could spend hours here. I felt like we really didn't do it justice with just 4 hours, including lunch and the trolley tour. This is not solely a military museum, but it makes up most of the exhibits within the hangers. The side exhibits, not just the the planes, caught my eye with the most interest. Stories about real aviators, their gear, real authentic bomber A-2 Jackets with the story of the pilot that wore them were tops for me. They also have a Triple 7 (Boeing 777), new by museum standards, the second one ever made, it's enormous. By the way, the cafeteria is fantastic, skip the McDonald's you will see on the way just off the I-10 exit, much better grub at the museum cafe, very clean too, great service, they bring your orders to your table with a smile. Had one of the best Chicago Dogs I've ever had, so much so I went back to order a second. My pal had the burger and said it was also very good, fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion. Looked amazing. By far, by a mile, the coolest exhibit was the 390th Memorial hanger, with a B-17 Flying Fortress fully restored. They have volunteers throughout the exhibit to explain all of the history of the 390th. That weekend they were going to have one of the last remaining members visit - wish I could have been there for that. Over 100 years old God bless him. I also enjoyed all the side exhibits explaining the history of these planes and the bombing raids they carried out in Europe. The number of planes and crew they lost was staggering. You will enjoy all of these displays, vehicles, exhibits, and artifacts that weave WWII into our history, specifically the 390th Bomb Group. read more

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We had such a blast here ! Really enjoyed this museum . It took us a few hours to get through everything on a self guided tour . Definitely a tourist must see stop. read more

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A wonderful museum in the Tucson area that is kid friendly and dog friendly. If you're into American history, war history or aviation this one's for you! The main museum is swamp cooled and not air conditioned so it does get a bit warm and muggy in the summer, however the smaller auxiliary museums and the food court/cafe are air conditioned. There are many great photo opportunities and interactive experiences for museum goers of all ages. Prices here are reasonable and they offer discounts if you're a resident of Pima County. Definitely worth checking out. read more

I was so happy to make it back here 10 years after my first visit. There are so many new exhibits, incredible volunteers and new things to learn. Unlike most museums, you really get to be up close and intimate with these planes and their history. If you are here in the summer, I strongly recommend an early start due to the heat. Wear comfy shoes and dont be afraid to take the tram tour, it's worth the extra $10. This museum is ideal for kids over 8 or 10, but even little ones will find things to do. Strongly recommend making time to see Pima Air & Space if you are in Tucson or even 2 hours away in Phoenix. read more

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Amazing Musuem with so many aircraft. My favorite was being able to walk under the 747! It was helpful taking the tram tour first to see everything and then walk back to anything you'd like to see up close. Glad we went before it got hot because most of the aircraft are outdoors. My only wish is that you could go inside more of the aircraft that are outside! read more

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I absolutely loved visiting the Pima Air and space Museum. I feel like you could spend days here learning about everything and there was so much to look at. It was absolutely amazing. The staff and volunteers were so friendly too. It is family friendly and dog friendly. read more

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Really cool museum! Was one of the spots we really wanted to take our son on our little Tuscon trip. This museum is massive with so many airplanes and so much stuff to look at and learn about. Ticket prices aren't too overly expensive and staff was really helpful. Love that there is a ton to see both indoors and outdoors. Would love to bring my son back when he is a little older too! read more

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Fantastic museum with so much to see I could spend a whole day there. I truly recommend the trolley tour - you learn so much about the planes and history! I was so excited to see the Philippine Mars display. The staff are excellent and the exhibits are phenomenal. So be aware much is outside so plan your attire well. read more

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The good it's dog friendly, and there is a fair bit inside for hotter days. We walked the outside yard as well. I liked that there were benches to sit on. I found the plaque really tiny, and hard to read. I think this is more geared towards a listening tour. my favorite part was seeing all the various photographs and uniforms. There's also a few photo op opportunities inside. Be prepared to read a lot if you don't so the listening tour. read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Zero filter or unreality!!! It's all facts and reality with up close evidence, view and reality. You can feel and touch the history. It's an educational experience for adults and future generation. If you are a history learner, curious and passionate about planes then go visit the museum. Lots to learn!! That's all I'll say...... Please support the museum by purchasing or donating. ( One of the staffs mentioned during my visit so conveying the message). Just doing my part. read more

I was visiting family in the Tucson area as I do every year. While my parents moved to Tucson in 2005 and live within a few miles of the museum, I had never been there and always wanted to stop by. It was definitely worth it and made me wish I had done it sooner. It wasn't very busy and there was plenty of onsite parking. The discount structure is that Pima county residents get special pricing as well as veterans followed by senior citizens. The cost isn't very high, but they do offer 2 day packages as well as tram guided tours and self guided tours. My wife and I took to this playground of retired flying machines on foot. There's also a private hangar with WWII planes and memorabilia from a specific flying battalion. They look for private donations which we also contributed to. The volunteers are very helpful. There are so many different type of aircraft from Blackhawks, to Moby Dick planes as well as Air Force 1 and 2. You can't board any of the planes other than those specifically designated to view. All aircraft outside has signs explaining the details of their time during service. We did the tour in a couple of hours, but could have stayed much longer. If you're visiting for vacation or an air/space geek, go for the 2 day pass. read more

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My pals and I were looking for a fun day trip to take from Phoenix, and we decided on Tucson. I've always wanted to visit the airplane graveyard (which seems to have stopped doing tours), so we opted for the Pima Air & Space Museum instead. Don't be fooled- it's not just an indoor museum. While the establishment does have multiple hangars acting as "museums" filled with planes and mementos, the field of outdoor planes is really the highlight. For $22.50 per adult, you can walk around the vast property and enjoy viewing all different aircraft. We even saw aircraft used by NASA and the old planes used by US presidents. So neat! Best of all, my friend has 2 dogs that he hates leaving at home, and this was a pet friendly spot. We kept his pups on leash and explored the property with them without any issues. Truly a great day learning and exploring planes and history. Definitely bring water, as you'll get thirsty walking around the premises! read more

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(5/5) If you're even slightly interested in aviation, history, engineering, or big "how on earth did they build that?" energy -- the Pima Air & Space Museum is an absolute must. We went the day after Christmas, and honestly, it ended up being the most healing kind of "trip therapy." My husband surprised me with it at the perfect time, because I've had this lingering ache over missing a once-in-a-lifetime moment back in Oregon. I didn't make it to the coast to photograph the Philippine Mars flying past Haystack Rock (because work), and I still kick myself for it. So getting to stand in the same space as her -- in person, finally -- felt like closing a loop I didn't realize I'd been holding open. First off: for under $30, the value is unreal. This museum is massive -- not just big, but the kind of big where you keep thinking you've seen it all... and then you turn a corner and there's another hangar, another lineup, another plane that makes you stop mid-sentence. It's acres of aircraft, with 4-5 different hangars packed with exhibits, plus an outdoor collection filled with some of the largest aircraft I've ever seen displayed in one place. I loved seeing aircraft tied to so many worlds -- NASA, Boeing, the U.S. Air Force, and the Navy -- and every section felt like stepping into another chapter of flight history. The museum does an amazing job of making it all feel both educational and personal... like you're not just looking at machines, you're standing beside stories. And then there's the reason my heart was in my throat: the Philippine Mars. Seeing her there was genuinely emotional. This isn't just an airplane -- she's a legend. The scale alone is breathtaking, but it's what she represents that hits you: thousands and thousands of gallons of water, dropped in an instant, fighting fires in terrain so extreme that ground crews couldn't safely reach it. It's hard to describe what it feels like to stand under something that powerful and realize how many lives and landscapes it's protected. I also appreciated the context -- that while some people were understandably upset about her leaving Canada, there's a reality to preservation. The desert climate is a gift for aircraft conservation, and it's comforting to know she'll be protected and maintained in a place built for it. One of the biggest standouts for me was how well cared for everything is. You can tell this museum is run by people who genuinely respect the aircraft and the responsibility of preserving them. The staff and volunteers are brilliant -- not just knowledgeable, but passionate in a way that makes you want to ask questions and stay longer. The logistics behind bringing in and housing aircraft this massive must be mind-bending, and you can feel the professionalism and safety-first mindset in how everything is organized and presented. I truly adore this museum. It's a 100 out of 10 experience -- the kind of place that leaves you inspired, humbled, and grateful that someone is keeping these pieces of history alive. Tips: Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and give yourself way more time than you think you'll need -- because you'll want to slow down, read everything, and just take it all in. We'll absolutely be back. read more

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What an amazing experience in Tucson. Lady Matilda used to be Mother Hen to a squadron of Phantoms during her time in the Air Force. This museum sits at the edge of the legendary "boneyard" where hundreds of American war planes rest in pieces behind a fence. The museum is made up of a cluster of hangers around an open field of exhibits, all flying machines from the past century of flight and including some exotic, historic planes. The museum is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, many of whom flew or maintained the planes they show off to visitors. They love to talk about their experiences and their birds, especially with children who come to see the big birds hanging from the rafters. Two of Matilda's Phantoms were on display which made her heart sing. We also visited the B-17 hanger in the 390th memorial museum inside PASM and listened to a fascinating talk by museum volunteer and decorated pilot Colonel Richard Bushong. Bushong, now 102 years old, works every Thursday and talks to visitors about his time as a WW2 bomber pilot in Europe and his experience with the B-17 in particular. He also covers his post-war career that took him all the way to Vietnam as an F-4 Phantom pilot. Sharp and witty, the Colonel's talk was a highlight of our trip. Definitely worth the money. Even in November, it's hot. The sun is out and the tarmac holds in the heat. It's also dry, so hydrate. Bring a closed bottle of ice water; fill that Stanley cup for the day. You can book a tram tour of the outdoor exhibit for extra money. It is pricey, but if you want to see it all and don't have the shoes to make the march, it may be worth it to see all the birds they have...and they have MANY. Each has a story and it is best viewed with someone who knows those stories. Otherwise, it can seem like a walk among the steel carcasses of aviation's past. The cafeteria/cantina is a mix of basic grill fare and ice cold beverages. It isn't cheap, but not ridiculously overpriced for the quality, either. The gift shop has some interesting options beyond the usual keychains and t-shirts, so save some cash for the end of the visit to help support to the museum with cool swag. read more

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We love the Pima Air and Space museum! The staff is super friendly and there's so many cool planes in their collection. We really enjoy taking the family. read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This is one of the top air museums in the world. It has a huge collection and keeps expanding. I travel to Tucson every couple years just to see what is new. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. read more

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We went on a super hot day which wasn't smart. The hangers aren't air conditioned even though they do have fans going for some air circulation. We thought there would be a tram to get us around outside but because of the heat they weren't running and it was really too hot to walk around outside too much, so we didn't get to see everything outside. We really did enjoy what we were able to see and would love to go back! read more

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We came to Tucson to hike and drove by the Pima Air & Space Museum. The hubs was telling me about visiting the museum when he was 12 with his dad and talked about some of the exhibits as we hiked in Saguaro National Park. Since it was still going to be open for a couple more hours after our hike, we decided to go through the musuem. For starters, this museum is HUGE and 2 hours is not even close to being enough time to properly see all the exhibits. We walked around all the planes outside and had to decide which other exhibits we could peruse before the museum closed. If you like aviation, you definitely need to visit this place! read more

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I have been to Tucson numerous times over the last 18 years but I had never made it to PASM. I am glad that I finally checked it out The place is huge with over 80 acres of planes and memorabilia. Admission fee is $22.50 for an adult under 65, non military. Admission Fee Includes The Main Hangar (3 hangars combined into 1: Hangar 1, Spirit of Freedom, & Flight Central) 3 World War II Hangars (Hangars 3, 4 & 5) The Dorothy Finley Aerospace Gallery The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame 80-acre outdoor display grounds Collection of 400+ aircraft and 125,000+ artifacts Access to eat at the Flight Grill There is also the 390th Memorial Museum (a separate museum on the grounds). There is not really a fee to get into that but they do ask you to give a donation or buy items there since they rely on the donations and sale of souvenirs, etc. That was definitely a favorite and highlight for me. They have a full size B-17 plane in there, along with tons of information, pictures, memorabilia, etc. They have some amazing docents, who really want to talk and tell you the stories. They have no problem approaching you and trying to talk to you. I enjoyed watching some of the movies, newsreel footage, and looking at all the pictures. I am watching Master of the Air on Apple TV which is all about B17 bombers and their crews and it totally correlates with this museum. This place is massive, and we were there for 3 hours, moving at a fast pace, and did not see everything. So definitely plan your visit accordingly. There is a tram if you can't walk the grounds, or need to move faster. There is an extra fee for the tram. read more

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A great museum! Even on hot days! There is so much to see and do! Great for families. My 3 kids loved it! I Would definitely come again! read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Hubby originally wanted to check out the famous Boneyard (AMARG), a large, open-air parking garage that stores retired aircraft in dry climates to prevent corrosion. In a search for other interesting military-related museums, we came across the Pima Air & Space Museum. It is one of the world's largest aerospace museums, offering an awe-inspiring journey through aviation history. Hubby is a 20 year active duty United States Army veteran retired & he loved it! Pima's collection is diverse, ranging from the Wright Flyer replica & vintage biplanes to Cold War-era jets & modern military aircraft. Highlights include the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, a sleek reconnaissance jet capable of flying faster than a bullet & the massive B-52 Stratofortress, which dominates the outdoor displays. It also houses rare gems like the Convair B-36 "Peacemaker", one of the largest piston-engine bombers ever built. The Museum is home to the 390th Memorial Museum, a sobering tribute to the men & women who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces' 390th Bombardment Group during WWII. A special shoutout to the docents! Hubby spent time with several discussing the B-17 Flying Fortress, military history & their service to our country. Wear comfortable shoes & bring a water bottle! Pima is spread across 80 acres & features over 400 aircraft & spacecraft from every era of flight. We spent a solid four hours & could have spent more time walking around & taking in the history. read more

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This place is huge! They have planes and helicopters from various eras and countries. Definitely do the tour. It gives you a good overview of all the aircraft on site. It's a lot of walking if you don't. The inside displays are also amazing. So much history. Definitely recommend. read more

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We had an amazing time here. Just mesmerized by all the aircraft on display and the history of each one. This is a good place to visit with family. They are also pet-friendly, as long as your dog is on a leash. They also have a restaurant, a play area for kids, and a souvenir shop. They also offer a guided tram tour, which goes out every hour and lasts 45 minutes. This is a good place to be amazed! read more

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Awesome museum....a must for aviation buffs and military fans alike. I cannot wait to see more planes. read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This place is really cool, we went for a day trip my husband and I. I honestly went in thinking I was gonna be bored, boy was I wrong. The artifacts they have on display are amazing. We took the tram tour and the tour guide was absolutely phenomenal. I was in awe by all the planes I saw, and quite surprised by the size of some of them. If you haven't had a chance as an Arizona local to go here, do yourself a favor check it out and see this piece of history read more

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We were melting in the 111 degree AZ heat and were desperate to hang out in a place with AC. We thought Pima Air and Space Museum would be great to just do that and check out the museum too. LOL...only AFTER we purchased our tickets did the young lady inform us that there is no AC in the hangars! We felt a little duped...could that have been mentioned beforehand? I strategically sheltered under the huge fans in every hangar while the fiancé explored. He seemed to have a grand ol' time. There is quite an impressive display of planes, missiles, etc. We were bummed there was no access to the bone yard. FYI: The only AC is in the food court and gift shop. 19.50 per adult read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The planes were fun you could even go in the planes highly recommend. They had so many planes for many different times in the history of America read more

We spent the better part of the day in this museum, it's a great place to reflect. I've been here before, maybe 10 years ago and they have greatly improved this museum! We also took the tram ride and I'd recommend doing that. Especially on a hot Tucson day. You ride around with a tour guide that gives talks on selected aircraft and/or models. There are a number of restored planes to look at inside and a ton of planes outside to walk around. And from all branches of the service and some from private industry. It's an excellent aircraft museum. I'd recommend it! read more

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I have been wanting to check this museum out for years and I finally got the chance. This is an absolutely monstrous museum that could easily take an entire day, or two, to take it all in. About half of it is outdoors so bring a hat and sunscreen. It closes at 3pm because it's simply too hot to be outside. They have planes from SR71 Blackbirds, Tomcats, Vikings and everything in between. They even had an Intruder, my very favorite plane to look at. They have a really cool old Soviet Hind D helicopter that is absolutely huge as far as helicopters go. The buildings are well laid out and the informational placards are details and very descriptive. They even have a great little snack shop. Stock up on water, that dessert heat sneaks up on you fast. The cost was about 25 dollars per adult and it was worth every cent. If you are an air and space history nut, like I am, this place is an absolute must see. You may self guide your own tour or join a guided tour. Don't forget to check out the gift shop, it's really quite good. read more

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If you have any interest at all in aviation or aviation history, then you absolutely must visit Pima Air & Space Museum. I came here alone and easily spent 4 hours wandering around and checking out each and every aircraft on display. This was a fascinating experience and I was wowed with every turn. I decided not to do the tram ride because I didn't want to "rush" through seeing the aircrafts on display outside and rather spend my time looking at them more closely. If you have mobility issues or simply don't want to walk around the vast space, the tram would be a great option and I'm sure they share a lot of information you wouldn't learn otherwise. I would consider it next time. read more

Great day at the Pima Air & Space Museum with the Grandsons! Even our dog had a fun time. Beautifully put together and well organized. Just enough information about every item on display to keep you informed. I thought I knew a lot about past and present aircraft but I was quickly educated! So much to see inside and outside. You could spend all day there and miss something. The beautifully restored aircraft and the unrestored aircraft outside really showed you how much work went into getting these aircraft in "like new" shape. A lot of history told in these displays and make you appreciate our Armed Forces. The B-17 exhibit was amazing and the dedication from all the volunteers giving you inside information about every aspect of the infamous B-17 story! Best history lesson ever! Wonderful day spent with the Family! We will be back to see everything we missed. read more

A very nice collection of WW2, Vietnam, and Cold War aircraft. However much of the collection is outside and the Arizona sun has not been kind to those airplanes. Although, everything indoors is well maintained, albeit, very dust covered. I need to talk about the tram tour outside around the outdoor collection. It has the potential to be very interesting and enjoyable. However, our tram driver / tour guide was about 19 years old and didn't know what he was talking about. I suspect he was new and just learning, but if that's the case, he needs an experienced co-instructor to ride along and be his assistant and coach. Tram driver/tour guide would be a great job for some of our retired veterans in the Tucson area. They might even volunteer and do it for free. I would. One huge disappointment is that they closed the Boneyard to tours. Forever. If you plan to visit, bring a hat, sunglasses and refillable water bottle and wear long sleeves. I do recommend read more

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Incredible! Such an incredible and vast display of all kinds of aircraft's! It was fascinating. Highly recommend the TRAM TOUR because the tour guide explains a lot of the planes out on the tarmac (they don't have much information next to them otherwise). read more

If you are in to planes and history you will not be disappointed. Pima has been on my list of places to visit for more than a decade and I finally got a chance to visit thanks to my Dear Friends who made it happen. The hangers are wonderful. I love seeing my favorites. F14, F4, F15, F104, Super Guppy oh man the list goes on. Hydrate you are in the desert, shade your eyes and make sure you have enough battery life for pictures. read more

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This place is such a cool Tucson gem. I've never seen so many historical planes before in one place. I love that they had people ready to provide information on the planes and the history as you walked through it. There are multiple indoor areas and a large outdoor area all filled with aircraft. We had such a great time reading about the different aircraft and seeing them in all their glory up close. Definitely recommend! read more

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This is a must see if you're visiting Tucson. As a local, I've been several times. There's a small playground for the young kids if they need a bit of stimulation. There's a food court, as well. Lots to do. If you're interested in history, you could take the whole day. The hangers can be very warm in the summer months, so bring lots of water. Enjoy it! read more

Pima Air & Space Museum - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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