The Pima Air & Space Museum is a private non-profit museum that originally opened in Tucson in 1976. It is not part of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and it does not receive operational funding from any governmental entity. The museum is funded by admission fees, tour fees, museum-store sales, and donations.
As one of the world’s largest aerospace museums, it is known for its significant collection of 300+ commercial, private, civil, and military aircraft.
Depending on the number in your group and the interest level of those visiting, you will probably want to allow between 2-4 hours for your visit.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Where is the Pima Air & Space Museum located?
The Pima Air & Space Museum is located just off I-10 at exit 267. The address is 6000 E. Valencia Road.
What are the hours?
The museum is open 7 days a week, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Last admission is at 4:00pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Why would I visit the Pima Air & Space Museum?
- To learn about aviation, military history, astronomy, and engineering.
- To participate in special programming for children.
- To attend a holiday or family event.
- To take a 1-hour tram tour (for an additional fee).
- To take the exclusive “Aircraft Boneyard”/AMARG tour (for an additional fee).
How much does it cost?
- Adults (ages 13+) $15.50
- Pima County Resident $12.25
- Seniors (ages 62+), Military: $12.75
- Juniors (ages 7-12): $9.00
- Children under 6: Free
Your admission fee covers the Main Hangar, two WWII Hangars, the Dorothy Finley Space Gallery, the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, the 390th Memorial Museum, and all 80 acres (which includes 150+ planes). Docent-guided walking tours (also included in your admission) are daily at 10:30am in the Main Hangar and 11:30am in Hangar 3. From November through May, additional walking tours are offered at 1:30pm in the Main Hangar and 2:30pm in Hangar 3.
NOTE – Children age 6 and under are given FREE admission to the Pima Air & Space Museum, but must still purchase a ticket to take either the Tram Tour or the “Boneyard”/AMARG Tour ($6 for the Tram Tour, $4 for the “Boneyard”/AMARG Tour). Babies (age 2 and under) who will remain on an adult’s lap (limit 1 lap child per paying adult) are free.
What is the parking situation?
Free parking is offered at the Pima Air & Space Museum. Parking is plentiful and RVs can also be accommodated.
What should I wear?
Only the Museum Store and the restaurant are climate controlled (air-conditioned or heated). The hangars are air-cooled during the warmer months (aka swamp cooled). Dress accordingly.
What should I bring with me?
A bottle of water, a camera, sunglasses, visors, and sunscreen! Pictures are allowed and water is the only food/drink allowed on the tour. Water fountains are located in all the hangars.
Are bathrooms available?
Yes. There are seven restroom locations across the property.
Which days of the week are the most and least crowded?
In general, the busiest days of the week are the weekend, with Fridays and Mondays close behind since the Boneyard/AMARG tours only operate on weekdays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are slower (however, one rarely sees a crowd since the museum is so large). The busiest day of the year is Black Friday. The busiest week is the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
DINING
Is outside food allowed? Are picnic tables available?
There are two picnic tables outside the museum (one in the RV parking lot under a tree, the other near the Administrative Hangar near Valencia Road). No outside food or beverages (besides water) are allowed in the museum.
Does the Pima Air & Space Museum have a restaurant?
Yes. Flight Grill, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Enjoy USDA Prime hand-pressed burgers, fresh salads, Sonoran cuisine, and seasonal specials. Expect to pay $6-$10 per entree. Kids meals are $5.25 and include a fruit roll-up and drink.
What restaurants are located NEAR the Pima Air & Space Museum?
Unfortunately, there aren’t very many restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the museum. Because the museum doesn’t allow outside food or beverages, plan ahead by visiting outside of regular meal times or dine at the on-property casual eatery – Flight Grill. These are other options in the area:
- Eegee’s (3.4 miles away at 3250 E. Valencia Rd) – sub sandwiches, ranch fries, slushy-style frozen drinks
- Marco’s Pizza (3.5 miles away at 6330 E. Golf Links Rd) – pizza, salad, subs
- Poco & Mom’s Restaurant (4.9 miles away at 1060 S. Kolb Rd) – red and green chile enchiladas, chile rellenos, green chile pork stew
- Mama’s Famous Pizza (4.7 miles away at 6996 E. 22nd St) – pizza, calzones, kid’s menu ($2.95 spaghetti)
- Sweet Tomatoes (5.6 miles away at 6202 E. Broadway) – all-you-can-eat salad bar – with soups, breads, and soft serve
BABIES & KIDS
What ages would be best suited for a visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum?
Older children (ages 8 and up) or those very interested in aviation will particularly enjoy this museum. That being said, younger children will be awed at the number of airplanes and will clamor at the chance to climb into the cockpit or manage the control tower. All children who enter the museum are given a Disney “Planes” Scavenger Hunt with a paper airplane pattern on the reverse side.
Before you visit, you may want to get your kids engaged with the virtual tours on the Pima Air & Space Museum website.
Here are some additional ideas to optimize your visit with your child: ages 1-4, ages 4-7, ages 8-11, and ages 12+.
Should I bring a stroller?
A stroller is a good idea for younger children. Six Little Tikes wagons are available on a first-come basis in the Main Hangar to pull around smaller children.
Is there a designated area for mothers to feed their babies?
There is not a designated area, but there are benches in (and right outside) the hangars.
Are changing tables available?
The 5 restrooms inside the exhibit hangars have changing stations in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. The 2 free-standing restrooms (between hangar 3 & 4, plus farther out on the grounds) do not.
What about my other “baby” (cat, dog, etc)?
The museum is a pet-friendly facility, but leashes are required.
EVENTS
Can I have my wedding, rehearsal dinner, baby shower, and/or birthday at the Pima Air & Space Museum?
Yes. The Pima Air & Space Museum has several venues for Special Events. Indoors, the museum can accommodate groups from 20 to 500. Outdoor capacity is unlimited.
MISCELLANY
Is the Pima Air & Space Museum active on social media?
Yes! The Pima Air & Space Museum is on Facebook and Pinterest.
What else do I need to know before I go to the Pima Air & Space Museum?
- All of the museum buildings are accessible. The floors are poured cement.
- Wheelchairs and walkers are available on a first-come basis as a convenience while visiting the museum.
- The Museum Store offers a wide variety of aircraft-themed apparel, gifts, collectables, books, memorabilia, and travel conveniences. As a not-for-profit, you do not pay sales tax.
