Museum Guide

USS Midway Museum: An American Treasure in San Diego, CA Get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure on America’s Living Symbol of Freedom. The USS Midway Museum on San Diego Bay, is the world’s most popular and visited naval ship museum. Dedicated to providing engaging and educational experiences, a visit to Midway not only lets guests enjoy more than 80 years of naval aviation history, but discover what it’s like to be a pilot. Together, families will experience firsthand the legacy of this amazing aircraft carrier museum through Midway’s extensive collection of restored military aircraft. The museum’s flight simulators and virtual reality experience put visitors in the pilot seat, while guests will be captivated by the ship’s award-winning audio tour. Midway’s world-famous volunteers will bring the flight deck to life with gripping stories of launching and landing naval aircraft, as well as tales of high-seas adventure. The Battle of Midway Theater will transport guests back to 1942 through the eyes and voices of American heroes to relive how the Navy turned the tide to victory in the Pacific during World War II. Kids can also earn their Junior Pilot Wings and become naval aviators through fun onboard activities. The museum is rich with artifacts that tell the story of the U.S. Navy, and naval aviation in particular. Displays and exhibits have been developed with these artifacts to provide guests with a better understanding of the role Midway played during its 47-year career in not only protecting American democracy and freedom around the world, but also how the ship supported important humanitarian operations overseas. Midway is a treasured San Diego icon, and visitors to the museum will experience the significant contributions made to the nation by America’s naval service. Midway is a family-fun adventure. We looking forward to welcoming you! For more informtion:  https://www.midway.org/    

Here in Lubbock, we have two amazing museums that showcase aspects of the City’s unique history: the Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum. The Buddy Holly Center preserves and promotes the legacy of Buddy Holly and the music of West Texas, as well as provides exhibitions on contemporary visual arts and music for the purpose of educating and entertaining the public. Exhibitions, tours, concerts, classes and gallery talks are designed to cultivate an atmosphere where art and music are celebrated. The Buddy Holly Gallery features a permanent exhibit on the life and music of the Lubbock native and West Texas icon. Artifacts include Buddy’s Fender Stratocaster guitar and his famed horn-rimmed glasses, along with items from his youth and career. The Silent Wings Museum is located six miles north of the Buddy Holly Center and is adjacent to the Preston Smith International Airport. It is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving the history of the WWII military glider program. The museum is home to one of the few accurately and completely restored CG-4A gliders left in the world. The exhibits focus on the airborne operations in which gliders were used, the training of the glider pilots and the technical history of the gliders themselves. The Buddy Holly Center and the Silent Wings Museum are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors are welcome to check out our websites for the most up-to-date information on admission prices, special events and holiday hours. https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/buddy-holly-center 806-775-3560  https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/departments/silent-wings-museum 806-775-3049

The Tillamook Air Museum: History Housing History  Hangar B, the Tillamook Air Museum’s home, was built as part of an ambitious plan to protect the West Coast during WWII. Naval Air Station Tillamook constructed two massive wooden hangars, each using enough lumber to build 279 three-bedroom homes! Construction of Hangar B began in November 1942 and was completed in just nine months.  In 1989, Hangar B was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, securing its legacy as a national treasure. Five years later, it became home to the Tillamook Air Museum, dedicated to preserving aviation and wartime history.  Our collection features legendary aircraft with remarkable service records. The F-14 Tomcat, famously featured in Top Gun, represents the cutting edge of naval aviation. Our F-4 Phantom cockpit, used in the film Sully, offers a glimpse into Cold War airpower. The battle-proven A-7 Corsair II flew 39 missions in the Gulf War, while our B-52 cockpit took part in 14 Gulf War missions and countless operations during Vietnam. And there’s more to discover!  Beyond the aircraft, our Exhibit Hall showcases rare wartime and aviation artifacts, including pieces from Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, relics dating back to WWI, and items from the September 11th attacks, an important chapter in modern history.  This museum offers a truly unique experience that’s both educational and entertaining for all ages. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or looking for a fun family outing, the Tillamook Air Museum brings history to life in a way that’s both exciting and entertaining. Perfect for kids, parents, and history buffs alike, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss! https://www.tillamookair.com/ Unfortunately, presently we are closed due to exstensive storm damage. We hope to be re-open again sometime in late 2027! We'll see you then!