United States California 15 Best Air and Space Museums and Attractions in LA By Kayte Deioma Kayte Deioma Kayte Deioma is an internationally published travel writer and photographer based in the Los Angeles area. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/28/19 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Christian Hundley / TripSavvy Los Angeles has a rich history in aviation and aerospace and Southern California companies play important roles in the development of air and space flight. So it's not surprising that the area is rich with air and space museums and attractions. Here are the best places to see historic and famous airplanes, helicopters, and spacecraft as well as places you can fly planes, helicopters, fighter jets, or simulators. If you love other kinds of transportation as well, we also have museum ships, train museums, and auto museums and attractions. 01 of 15 California Science Center - Air and Space Gallery Christian Hundley / TripSavvy View Map Address 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA Get directions Phone +1 323-724-3623 Web Visit website The air and space exhibits at the California Science Center range from the early history of flight with a 1902 Wright Brothers' Glider to the exploration of space and the planets. A highlight is the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour. 02 of 15 Museum of Flying TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6140, USA Get directions Phone +1 310-398-2500 Web Visit website The Museum of Flying at the Santa Monica Airport has nearly two dozen aircraft on display. There are also interpretive exhibits on the history of flight as well as the role of Southern California companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. 03 of 15 Western Museum of Flight Moto "Club4AG" Miwa/Flickr View Map Address 3315 Airport Dr, Torrance, CA 90505-6152, USA Get directions Phone +1 310-326-9544 Web Visit website The Western Museum of Flight at Zamperini Field in Torrance has a collection of predominantly military aircraft including restored planes, replicas, prototypes, and models. They host various aviation-related lectures and events throughout the year. 04 of 15 Flight Path Learning Center and Museum Kayte Deioma View Map Address 6661 Imperial Hwy., Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA Get directions Phone +1 424-646-7284 Web Visit website Flight Path Learning Center and Museum in the LAX Imperial Terminal on the south side of LAX houses exhibits of airline memorabilia from uniforms to historic ads and promotional items including now-defunct airlines, a massive collection of model planes, and a fully restored luxury DC-3 that you can board. The museum and parking are free. Continue to 5 of 15 below. 05 of 15 Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum U.S. National Archives and Records Administration View Map Address 961 W Alondra Blvd, Compton, CA 90220-3528, USA Get directions Phone +1 877-999-2099 Web Visit website Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) is a museum in Compton with historic exhibits on the Tuskegee Airmen (the first all-African-American fighter squadron), historic planes, helicopters, and simulators. The public museum is part of a larger aviation program for inner-city youth. 06 of 15 WWII Aviation Museum at Camarillo Airport wanderingnome/Flickr The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is an all-volunteer non-profit that focuses on preserving historic combat aircraft from all branches of the U.S. military. They operate the WWII Aviation Museum at Camarillo Airport north of Los Angeles. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you can also watch volunteers working on the planes at the hangars. 07 of 15 Jet Propulsion Laboratories Kayte Deioma View Map Address 4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109-8001, USA Get directions Phone +1 818-354-4321 Web Visit website Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) in Pasadena has been at the forefront of space exploration technology from rocket development to the Mars Rover program. JPL offers free tours for the general public once a week on alternating Mondays and Wednesdays with at least three-week advance reservation. 08 of 15 Columbia Memorial Space Center Columbia Memorial Space Center View Map Address 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242-2790, USA Get directions Phone +1 562-231-1200 Web Visit website The Columbia Memorial Space Center is a hands-on learning center in Downey, south of Downtown LA, where Rockwell and then Boeing built NASA Orbiters. The Space Center is a tribute to the crew who died in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. It is dedicated to bringing the wonder and excitement of science and innovation to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Exhibits include the Challenger Center Experience with a space simulator, the Apollo Boiler Plate 12, and the Robotics Lab. Continue to 9 of 15 below. 09 of 15 Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Library Bob Riha, Jr. WireImage/Getty Images View Map Address 40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA Get directions Phone +1 805-522-2977 Web Visit website Visitors to the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum in Simi Valley, north of Los Angeles, can go aboard the actual Air Force One plane that transported U.S. presidents from 1973 to 2001. In the Air Force One Pavilion, you can also see the Marine One helicopter that flew President Johnson, and a selection of presidential limousines and motorcade vehicles. 10 of 15 Army One Helicopter at the Nixon Library David McNew/Getty Images View Map Address 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886, USA Get directions Phone +1 714-993-5075 Web Visit website Army One at the Nixon Library was the helicopter used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. Visitors can climb aboard to see what it was like for the presidents to work out of this flying Oval Office. 11 of 15 Air Tours of Los Angeles Shabdro Photo/Getty Images In addition to looking at lots of planes and helicopters at museums and attractions, you can take a helicopter or small plane tour of Los Angeles. Imagine seeing the City of Angels by sunset—it's a perfect anniversary date or gift for aviation enthusiasts. 12 of 15 Proud Bird Restaurant & Museum Kayte Deioma View Map Address 11022 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA Get directions Phone +1 310-670-3093 Web Visit website Proud Bird Restaurant & Museum is located next to one of the runways at LAX and has a collection of historic planes as lawn decorations. You can watch planes flying in and out of LAX from the patio or dining room. The historic restaurant underwent a complete overhaul in 2017 and reopened as a modern upscale, down-home food court and lounge serving BBQ, soul food, fried chicken, gourmet pizza, and a variety of salads. There's a plane suspended from the rafters, an interactive museum pod in the middle, and a more themed exhibit of photos throughout the dining and special event areas. The patio has cozy fire pits, but bring your earplugs; inside has good soundproofing, but the runway action outside is loud! Continue to 13 of 15 below. 13 of 15 Flight Deck Air Combat Center Flight Deck Air Combat Center View Map Address 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA Get directions Phone +1 714-937-1511 Web Visit website At Flight Deck Air Combat Center you can test your skills on the same equipment that fighter pilots use to train in an authentic military flight simulation center. It is open to the public, with a minimum age of 11 and a minimum height of 41" tall. The center is also available for group events. 14 of 15 Los Angeles County Air Show Kayte Deioma View Map The Los Angeles County Air Show happens every March in Lancaster, CA in north Los Angeles County. It includes jet demonstrations, vintage aircraft, aerobatic stunts, warbirds, and land-based interactive exhibits. 15 of 15 Burbank Aviation Museum Wikimedia Commons/ CC0 1.0 View Map Address 3898 Valhalla Dr, Burbank, CA 91505, USA Get directions Phone +1 818-768-7881 Web Visit website The Burbank Aviation Museum is home to a collection of artifacts on the history of aviation. They have an exhibit open Sundays from noon till 3 p.m. at The Portal of the Folded Wings, a shrine to aviation at the Valhalla Memorial Park just south of Bob Hope Burbank Airport. Twenty-four aviation pioneers are buried at the site. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email