<strong>The world's best aviation museums:</strong> From Russia to Australia to Canada, these museums -- including the Museo del Aire in Madrid, pictured here -- will delight fans of flight. <br />
The world's best aviation museums: From Russia to Australia to Canada, these museums -- including the Museo del Aire in Madrid, pictured here -- will delight fans of flight.
Museo del Aire
<strong>EAA Museum, OshKosh, Wisconsin: </strong>The EAA Museum is around 200 aircraft and more than 20,000 aviation artifacts in a collection of hangars on the grounds of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and Wittman Regional Airport in central Wisconsin.
EAA Museum, OshKosh, Wisconsin: The EAA Museum is around 200 aircraft and more than 20,000 aviation artifacts in a collection of hangars on the grounds of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and Wittman Regional Airport in central Wisconsin.
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<strong>Aerospace Bristol, UK:</strong> Aerospace Bristol's collection includes more than 8,000 artifacts, but the most photographed is Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde to be built and the last to fly.
Aerospace Bristol, UK: Aerospace Bristol's collection includes more than 8,000 artifacts, but the most photographed is Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde to be built and the last to fly.
Ben Birchall/PA Images/Getty Images
<strong>Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, CO: </strong>Among exhibits that span the history of aviation in the U.S. is one automotive surprise: The museum houses the "Spirit of America -- Sonic Arrow," adventurer Steve Fossett's jet engine-powered car, which reached a speed of 675 mph in 1996.
Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, CO: Among exhibits that span the history of aviation in the U.S. is one automotive surprise: The museum houses the "Spirit of America -- Sonic Arrow," adventurer Steve Fossett's jet engine-powered car, which reached a speed of 675 mph in 1996.
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<strong>Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte, NC: </strong>Although the Carolinas Aviation Museum is relatively small compared to others in this list, its location on the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport makes it convenient for travelers on lengthy layovers.
Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte, NC: Although the Carolinas Aviation Museum is relatively small compared to others in this list, its location on the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport makes it convenient for travelers on lengthy layovers.
Carolinas Aviation Museum
<strong>Delta Flight Museum, Atlanta, GA:</strong> Reopening in 2014 after a $12 million renovation, the Delta Flight Museum is two World War II-era hangars chock full of exhibits on the airline's history as well as of those it's taken over through the years, including Pan Am, Continental and Northwest.
Delta Flight Museum, Atlanta, GA: Reopening in 2014 after a $12 million renovation, the Delta Flight Museum is two World War II-era hangars chock full of exhibits on the airline's history as well as of those it's taken over through the years, including Pan Am, Continental and Northwest.
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
<strong>The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA:</strong> A new pavilion opened in 2016, showcasing some of the first of Boeing's most successful commercial jet aircraft, as well as the first jet Air Force One, the only Concorde on the West Coast, a B-17F Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, the Cold War's B-47 Stratojet, and jet fighters spanning the wars from Korea to the Persian Gulf.
The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA: A new pavilion opened in 2016, showcasing some of the first of Boeing's most successful commercial jet aircraft, as well as the first jet Air Force One, the only Concorde on the West Coast, a B-17F Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, the Cold War's B-47 Stratojet, and jet fighters spanning the wars from Korea to the Persian Gulf.
George Rose/Getty Images
<strong>Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC:</strong> It's the sheer number of aircraft and artifacts that make this Washington, D.C., museum beloved by both the aviation-obsessed and the marginally curious.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC: It's the sheer number of aircraft and artifacts that make this Washington, D.C., museum beloved by both the aviation-obsessed and the marginally curious.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK: </strong>Duxford's aerodrome has played many roles. It was a site for training Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Later it became a base for squadron disbandment and then a fighter station in 1924.
Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK: Duxford's aerodrome has played many roles. It was a site for training Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Later it became a base for squadron disbandment and then a fighter station in 1924.
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<strong>National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, OH: </strong>In the World War II gallery, there's the B-17F "Memphis Belle," the first U.S. Army heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return stateside with its crew intact. It was the inspiration for the 1990 film of the same name.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, OH: In the World War II gallery, there's the B-17F "Memphis Belle," the first U.S. Army heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return stateside with its crew intact. It was the inspiration for the 1990 film of the same name.
John Minchillo/AP
<strong>French Air and Space Museum, Le Bourget, France:</strong> This museum is the only place in the world where you can see two Concordes side by side.
French Air and Space Museum, Le Bourget, France: This museum is the only place in the world where you can see two Concordes side by side.
ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>State Aviation Museum of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine:</strong> This museum, operated by Ukraine's National Aviation University, houses one of the world's biggest displays of aviation technology.
State Aviation Museum of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine: This museum, operated by Ukraine's National Aviation University, houses one of the world's biggest displays of aviation technology.
Sergei Chuzavkov/AP
<strong>Pima Air and Space Museum, Tuscon, AZ: </strong>One of the most popular attractions is the Boneyard, otherwise known as the place planes go to die.
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tuscon, AZ: One of the most popular attractions is the Boneyard, otherwise known as the place planes go to die.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow, Poland:</strong> The museum is located on Rakowice-Czyżny, one of the oldest military airfields in Europe; the airfield played a part in defending the Krakow Fortress during World War I.
The Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow, Poland: The museum is located on Rakowice-Czyżny, one of the oldest military airfields in Europe; the airfield played a part in defending the Krakow Fortress during World War I.
Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
<strong>Red Bull Hangar-7, Salzburg, Austria:</strong> Between the speed machines, visitors can spot some of the world's rarest greenery, including swamp date palms from Indochina, mulberry weeping figs and Japanese Kusamaki tree
Red Bull Hangar-7, Salzburg, Austria: Between the speed machines, visitors can spot some of the world's rarest greenery, including swamp date palms from Indochina, mulberry weeping figs and Japanese Kusamaki tree
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Central Air Force Museum, Monino, Russia:</strong> A shrine to Cold War aviation, this museum 24 miles outside of Moscow is considered Russia's best.
Central Air Force Museum, Monino, Russia: A shrine to Cold War aviation, this museum 24 miles outside of Moscow is considered Russia's best.
M. Blinov/Sputnik/AP
<strong>Palm Springs Air Museum, CA:</strong> Palm Springs Air Museum is small, but that's a good thing. It's one of the few where you can climb inside the exhibits, talk to a pilot or enjoy a biplane ride.
Palm Springs Air Museum, CA: Palm Springs Air Museum is small, but that's a good thing. It's one of the few where you can climb inside the exhibits, talk to a pilot or enjoy a biplane ride.
Palm Springs Air Museum
<strong>Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Canada:</strong> Highlights here include the nose section of an Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow (one of few remaining parts of the Canadian-built fighter jet) and a flight simulator.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Canada: Highlights here include the nose section of an Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow (one of few remaining parts of the Canadian-built fighter jet) and a flight simulator.
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<strong>Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, Alice Springs, Australia:</strong> In the museum's 70-seat theater, visitors hear amazing stories of survival from those who've been visited by the flying doctors.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, Alice Springs, Australia: In the museum's 70-seat theater, visitors hear amazing stories of survival from those who've been visited by the flying doctors.
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