Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum — Attraction in Goffs

Located just minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is a true gem for aviation enthusiasts and families seeking an educational and engaging outing. Operated by a dedicated team of volunteers, this museum offers an immersive experience that traces the rich and varied history of aviation in the Atlantic provinces, from Canada’s first powered flight in 1909 to modern jet aircraft of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. One of the most remarkable aspects of this museum is its admission model: entry is free, though visitors are encouraged to leave a donation (a suggested $8 to $10 per person is noted to support museum maintenance). This approach makes the experience accessible to all while allowing visitors to directly contribute to preserving this unique heritage. Donations are vital for keeping exhibits in excellent condition and funding ongoing restoration projects, reflecting the museum’s strong community commitment. The museum’s collection is impressive, featuring no fewer than 24 meticulously restored vintage aircraft, ranging from gliders and hot air balloons to military fighters and search-and-rescue planes. Highlights include a replica of the Silver Dart, the first aircraft to perform a powered flight in the British Empire, and a Boeing 737NG flight simulator, installed in July 2023, which delights visitors seeking an interactive experience. Guests can also explore the cockpits of certain aircraft, such as a long-range Argus, and discover engines, uniforms, medals, and other artifacts that tell the story of civilian and military aviation. The museum is impeccably organized, with two main buildings: one housing helicopters, a vintage fighter, and historical exhibits, and a large hangar displaying additional aircraft and engines. Exhibits are well-documented, with informative panels detailing significant events, such as Halifax’s role in the diverted flights of September 11, 2001. The volunteers, often aviation enthusiasts themselves, are welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to share their expertise, making the visit even more enriching. The museum also boasts a well-stocked gift shop, perfect for fans of aircraft models (over 4,000 in stock!), t-shirts, or other aviation-related items. For families, the experience is particularly well-suited, with interactive exhibits and activities that captivate children, such as the Billy Mink scavenger hunt, a playful mascot guiding young visitors through the museum. Nestled in a peaceful wooded setting in Enfield, the museum is easily accessible by car from downtown Halifax (about 30 minutes) and offers free parking. It is also wheelchair-accessible, making it an inclusive destination. While the museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, it’s advisable to check winter hours, as they may vary. In summary, the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in aviation history or looking for an educational and entertaining experience. The combination of a diverse collection, passionate staff, and donation-based entry makes it both accessible and invaluable. Whether you’re passing through Halifax or a local resident, a visit to this museum is sure to impress...

I came in with my friends to check out the museum, my friends have been here before but I had not been, we were greeted right away and had a good chat, with details about the museum layout, exhibits and the location of services in the building, and offered personalized information for the visit. The museum surprised me with just how many awesome displays they crammed into this space, I unfortunately neglected to take many photos, so you'll have to visit for yourself, it's worth it. Along with the cool historical displays, this museum is also home to a large hobby/model shop, something I never delved into growing up, but they had low prices so I had a nice talk with the gentleman running the model shop, and eventually was tempted to try it out and picked up some cool plane models to build, along with advice from the workers for assembly.

Great museum with very passionate and knowledgeable staff, and a cool hobby shop incorporated. I will be...

Very cool museum and collections of Canadian aviation artifacts covering a very wide range of aircraft over time and types. We were just passing through town having just arrived at YHZ and got a rental car and drove 3 minutes from the parking garage to the museum. Super convenient. If we had had more time, we could have enjoyed the displays and computer kiosks in greater detail. Since the museum is run by volunteers and survives on donations and sales from their store, most of the information displays haven’t been updated in years. Even so, the collections are very interesting. Some of my favourites were the Sabre, the CF-100, the CP-121, the Jetstar, and the Avenger. The PBY-5A seaplane will be really cool after they restore it further - though I think that’ll take awhile. It was fun to go through the store with hundreds (thousands?) of different models - I like to look for the lesser known military planes. Definitely recommend and I’d...