New England Air Museum — Attraction in East Granby

We were a little disappointed this visit to the New England Air Museum. We were hoping to attend using the CT Summer at the Museum discount. We have two toddlers, so we never know how museum trips will go, which is why we love the Summer at the Museum program so much—we don't usually have to spend a ton to have a good time as a family, and if the trip goes awry for any reason we don't feel like we have to make it worth the investment by staying longer than all of us can tolerate. Last year we were able to get adult admission free with child admission, which worked great for our family. However, this year the air museum changed its policy to only children being free. Our children would have been free anyway due to their ages, so we didn't actually get any discount today and had to pay a much higher admission than we were planning for only a short time there. The CT Summer at the Museum discount is typically free child admission with free CT resident adult admission at other museums, plus it was the air museum's policy last year, so I wish New England Air Museum had kept that up this year. We overheard other families at the ticket counter that were equally confused and disappointed. Since this policy is so different from the Summer at the Museum's usual offering as well as the air museum's offering last year, it would be helpful if the sign on the doors stood out a bit more rather than looking like all the other signs for CT Summer at the Museum.

Another frustrating thing is that we were only there for a couple of hours, and throughout the whole time they were setting up for a wedding. This made it a bit challenging to walk around tables and chairs to see certain exhibits, and it was distracting to all of us.

The final thing that I will say was disappointing was that so many of the exhibits were not open. Last year, a staff member helped us explored a helicopter that was closed today, and it just seemed a bit more interactive last summer. Today, we were able to sit in certain planes in the main room, and we spoke with some staff and volunteers (who are always great), but once out of that room everything else seemed roped off with signs saying that the exhibit was closed. I'm not sure whether other factors contributed to this, such as staffing or exhibit readiness or the wedding happening later, but it would have been nice to be able to explore a bit more, especially for the price.

It was an expensive learning experience, but next time we will definitely search the website before going to any of the CT Summer at the Museum participating venues. Now we know better that this is even a possibility, as it is the first time we came across the "children free with a paid adult" policy. We do love that the air museum is accessible to us in CT, and we do enjoy looking at the...

I have been visiting the New England Air Museum at least once a year since I was a child, even prior to the '79 tornado, back when it was The Bradley Air Museum.

The New England Air Museum has a large inventory of aircraft, from the very birth of powered flight to recently retired military aircraft that they rotate through their three large exhibit hangers, as well as outdoor displays. Every now and then, they'll open up one of the storage/restoration hangers and allow visitors to view some of the aircraft not currently on display or perhaps in the process of being restored. NEAM has a large talent pool of folks on their restoration team, many of whom spent their careers in the local Connecticut aviation industries and now lend their time and talent to restoring precious airframes for our viewing pleasure.

The New England Air Museum also puts together several special exhibits throughout the year, showcasing local New England pioneers with displays that include vintage aircraft, engines, photos/videos, memorabilia and written historical accounts of builders and pilots as well documentation of their path of achievements, which was often failures before their ultimate success. Two of my "must-see" current special exhibits are the "New England Women in Aviation" and "Through The Eyes of Igor Sikorsky" exhibits. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with Vickie, who was the volunteer historian at the "New England Women of Aviation" exhibit and gave us a deeper look past the photos and posted historic documentation. She cross-referenced many of the current events during various time periods as well other more well known aviators and aviatrixes. The second "must-see" special exhibit for me was the Igor Sikorsky exhibit, which NEAM has completely revamped as of two weeks ago to include a historical video narrated by Sergei Sikorsky, Igor's son, as well as beautifully arranged and lit displays of his aircraft (planes & helicopters) and additional historic photos.

If you love aircraft and the history of flight, figure to carve out 3-4 hours (I typically spend almost 5 hours!).

If you have children, fear not; they also provide family friendly guided tours at no additional charge that include exhibits for your children (perhaps the next generation of aircraft nerds and hobbyists!) that they will find engaging and enjoyable. They often provide special events for the younger folks (as well as events for us aircraft nerds) throughout the year, which you can find on their website (or on their...

Visiting the New England Air Museum is a fascinating experience for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, this museum houses an impressive collection of over 100 aircraft, ranging from vintage World War I biplanes to modern jets.

As you enter the museum, you're greeted by the sight of massive hangars filled with a variety of aircraft. The first hangar you step into might be the Military Hangar, showcasing iconic planes like the P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-100 Super Sabre. Walking around these aircraft, you can feel the weight of history; each plane has its own story of battle, innovation, or adventure. Interactive exhibits, such as flight simulators, allow you to get a sense of what it's like to pilot these extraordinary machines.

The Civilian Aviation Hangar offers a different perspective, focusing on the evolution of commercial and general aviation. Here, you might encounter planes like the vintage Boeing 247 or the sleek Lockheed Model 10 Electra. These aircraft highlight the transformation of air travel from an exclusive, pioneering endeavor to a routine part of modern life. Alongside the planes, artifacts like early airline uniforms, navigation instruments, and aviation memorabilia add depth to the experience.

One of the most engaging aspects of the museum is its commitment to education. Informative displays and knowledgeable docents provide visitors with in-depth information about the history, technology, and significance of the aircraft on display. In the Restoration Hangar, you can witness dedicated volunteers working on meticulously restoring historic aircraft, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the preservation process.

For families, the museum offers hands-on activities and kid-friendly exhibits, making it an educational and entertaining outing for all ages. Whether it's trying on pilot gear or exploring the interior of certain aircraft, there's a sense of discovery throughout the visit.

Overall, the New England Air Museum is a captivating journey through aviation history, blending awe-inspiring displays with interactive learning experiences that leave visitors with a greater appreciation for the...