Castle Air Museum — Attraction in Atwater

Great line up of aircraft. If I compare their collection to other aircraft museums in the country, they’d be on my top 5. However it’s a sad looking place, all their aircraft is outside and not inside hangars and buildings like Hill AFB museum, Air Force Museum in Ohio, Air Museum in Ashland Nebraska, Air Museum in Denver. Because of this, all aircraft have suffered from the weather and the elements and in serious need of repairs and new paint jobs. I understand the Big Boys like the B-52 and the B-36 are too big to be housed inside the existing hangars, but if they can place all the other aircraft like the legendary SR-71 and the newly acquired F-117 and the rest of the legacy fighters under their protection, I honestly believe that Castle Museum would be the 2nd best Air Museum in the country next to Dayton, Ohio. Just imagine all the Aircraft that the military are set to retire in the next decade, all the B-1s, maybe the U-2s and B-2s, if Castle had the proper setting, the Air Force might consider dispersing them there. You can call it AF Museum West. If you build it,...

Exactly what it says on the tin. There's a lot of (often huge) military aircraft and history here. There's even the shell for a nuclear bomb on display. Also, the B-52 stratofortress has to be seen to be believed. The grounds are much larger than I expected, so it took a long time to walk it all. Almost all of the museum is outdoors and not shaded, so plan accordingly.

My kids loved it until they got hot and sick of walking. I personally wish that there would've been a little more information for each aircraft on display, but that's not a huge problem if you've got a smartphone and some patience (they also have a virtual guide available if your QR scanner works). The ticket price seemed a little steep for what we were buying ($20 per adult, $10 per kid over six, free for kids under six), but it also seems like a pretty expensive place to keep running. The staff were friendly; the gift shop had a good variety of stuff, including drinks and trinkets for kids.

Definitely would recommend, planning on coming back once we're done with COVID and the closed indoor sections have...

A Must-Visit for History and Aviation Enthusiasts

If you're even remotely interested in aviation or military history, the Castle Air Museum is a place you simply can't miss. Located in Atwater, California, this museum offers an incredible collection of over 70 historic aircraft, spanning from World War II to the present day. Walking through the outdoor display area feels like stepping back in time, with legendary bombers, jets, and reconnaissance planes telling stories of innovation, bravery, and sacrifice.

Visiting an air museum like Castle not only gives you a closer look at iconic aircraft but also helps deepen your understanding of global history, especially how aviation shaped the outcomes of major conflicts. The restoration work and curation here are top-notch, and the passion of the volunteers and staff really shows.

Whether you're a history buff, an aircraft enthusiast, or just curious, Castle Air Museum is well worth your time. Highly recommended for families, students, veterans, or anyone wanting to connect with the past in a...