National Air Force Museum of Canada — Attraction in Quinte West

We stopped in Sunday at 4pm on a whim while driving by but they closed at 5. We spent most of our time outside and next time we will plan a longer visit to read more of the stories. The hour was still worth it...

There is a lot of history to take in here and it I think it helps give the kids a better appreciation for a few things. First, it's a great platform to talk about how their great grandfathers protected our country, and how lucky they both were to have survived battle. We got to see the type of plane my grandpa would have fought in as a gunner, got to see just how big planes and rescue choppers usuually are, and how small some of them can be, all the little pieces that go together to make these man-made birds fly, and how equipment evolves over time to suit different purposes.

It's also interesting to view a plane from above, and to see the attire worn by male and female soldiers wore back then. The short time there prompted a lot of questions and I hope a taste for more learning.

As many parents will appreciate, the pre-recorded voice that announces the 15-minute warning and closure time is so clear and authoritative, there is no bellyaching at time of departure. At least there wasn't for us...

We said "I guess just have to come back another time", and that was that! LOL! And we do plan...

Visited this Air Force museum on the weekend and it was an experience! First off, a retired Canadian Air Force officer, Mr Campbell, who was volunteering the day we came offered us an orientation to the museum. This intro to the museum was my favourite part of the entire experience.

We learned so much from Mr Campbell, and he's flown abroad during his service and been in charges of at least one air force base (possibly more). He gave some of his personal experiences and knowledge and I felt very privileged to have been offered and given this orientation. My hat is of to him for serving and now sharing his wisdom at the National Air Force Museum.

If you go, be sure to look out for and ask for Mr Campbell as he just humbly told us all about different types of airplanes and their uses in service. He knows them in great detail.

The overall museum was great and we got to see some of the history of our air force as well as Germany and Britain. I thought it was a friendly touch that there were panels about some good people in Germany who were also professionals in the field of aviation, no matter the circumstances.

There was even a model of the first plane in Canada that was made (not necessarily the original, I don't know).

I recommend checking...

First of all, I don't really appreciate feeling like we get treated like child. With no coffee authorized inside. Being told we are allowed to bring it out and personnel keep telling you on your way out not allowed coffee inside etc, had to leave my friend who travel hours to come here by himself because I had my coffee waiting by the door to go out to see the plane . Another guy 2 min later hey not allowed coffee here. Pretty disrespectful, go have fun inside the cockpit with friend and his son another guy had to come bother us to see if everything was ok. I feel like there are too many workers there who don't know what to do so, they bother the few people who goes to visits. I did not really appreciate the service and atmosphere. I am a military member who has served for over 12 years and I just don't think it was up to the standard of receiving a military members and his family. Not forgetting how the customer service people looked at us with an angry face on our way out. A museum is a family activity and they should be able to provide a good service considering the small museum. Also I believe they should add some doors close to their big stairs very dangerous...