See F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter at Palm Springs Air Museum

Nestled below the Santa Rosa Mountains, east of the Palm Springs International Airport, is the Palm Springs Air Museum. From kids to grandparents, this family attraction has something that everyone in the family will enjoy.

The nonprofit Palm Springs Air Museum is an American history aviation museum. Since it opened in 1996, the museum has hosted a Memorial Day Flower Drop Ceremony every year. Three thousand red and white flowers are dropped from vintage aircraft after four warbirds make the Missing Man Flying Formation. Visitors to the museum are encouraged to take home a flower as a memento. The Memorial Day Flower Drop Ceremony is one of many signature events that Palm Springs Air Museum puts on.

Among the 75 vintage aircraft located on the property, is one of the world’s largest collections of vintage World War II aircraft, maintained in flying condition. Visitors to the Museum can take a vintage warbird ride onsite.  The newest exhibit is the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter housed in the Houston Pavilion which features information on stealth technology, inventors and pilots.

Kids ages 12 and under get into the museum for free with at least one paid adult admission. Admission prices are $20 for children ages 13 to 17 and seniors 65 and older. Admission is $22 for adults ages 18 to 64. Family packages are also available. Active military and their immediate family members receive free admission with military ID. Friendly dogs on a leash are welcome! Parking is free.

At the Giftshop counter, visitors walk down an aisle with flooring and walls that replicate an aircraft carrier. Volunteer docents give visitors a map outlining the location of most of the aircraft in the hangars. Volunteer docents are located throughout each hangar to answer questions and explain the aircraft and displays. Check out upcoming programs online and unique items in the online webstore.

The climate-controlled hangars are organized by theme. The Army/European Hangar contains the “Road to War in Europe” display, which traces the events of over 200 years that led to World War II. The P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, P-40 Warhawk, P-63 Kingcobra and other aircraft used in Europe are showcased. There are no ropes holding visitors back. Visitors can even see the mechanics doing maintenance on the planes that fly. The Tuskegee Airmen Mural graces one wall, over a display dedicated to The Tuskegee Airmen. Visitors to this hanger can also see the “Norman Sirota Landing on D-Day Glider” display and the “Women Pilots” display.

The Army Hangar connects to the B-17 Hangar, which has the interactive Berger Foundation Youth Area, the airplane engine displays, the Café, and the B-17 Flying Fortress, named Miss Angela which is open for interior tours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Inside the Berger Foundation Youth Area can be found a replica of the X-Wing Fighter from the Star Wars films.

The Navy/Pacific Hangar contains aircraft used in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. It also has the Bob Hope Stage and the “Walt Disney Archives” display of artifacts from Walt’s personal Grumman Gulfstream 1. A documentary on the Grumman Gulfstream 1 plays daily in the Ron Auen Theatre at 11:30 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. Aircraft usually on display include the Tigercat, Bearcat, Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair, Invader and SBD Dauntless. Large model ships are displayed on the back wall alongside the weapons cabinet and uniforms. The Pearl Harbor diorama showing the attack on Pearl Harbor is near the entrance of the hangar. The “Surrender on the Missouri” display are near the exit facing the Gen. Miles Korea-Vietnam Hangar.

Visitors must exit the Pacific Hangar to reach the Korea-Vietnam Hangar. The hanger contains the F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, Bell helicopters, and the “POW/Missing in Action Bracelet” display. The Presidential Experience includes artifacts from George W. Bush’s service and a recap of the military service of all U.S. presidents. The “Clay Lacy Lear” display showcases the non-military side of aviation.

Other aircraft are on the tarmac behind the hangars and in the front yard near.

Upstairs is the Education Center with 12,500 volume library and computer simulators, where visitors can experience taking off and landing designated aircraft. The museum has an extensive catalog of educational videos on history and on the aircraft.

The Museum has flight exhibitions on most weekends and on early mornings during the hot summer months. Group tours can be arranged with at least two weeks’ notice. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and February 10, 2024 for the annual fundraising gala.

Visit Palm Springs Air Museum at palmspringsairmuseum.org or call 760-778-6262. Check out the museum’s YouTube channel for featured aircrafts and interviews.