Southern Museum of Flight
Southern Museum of Flight
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
An aircraft hangar museum with exhibits of authentic old airplanes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
184 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
63
Average
19
Poor
0
Terrible
1
aberfitchgr534
Bolivar, OH1,966 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We stopped here on our way to Florida & my dad who was in the military wanted to check this place out. It is very small especially when you have been to the Dayton Air Museum (which is amazing). It was $10 a person or $5 for military. There are 2 main rooms of displays, none were overly impressive and it seemed alot was under construction. It took us about 45 minutes to go thru the whole museum, including the small outdoor area with a few aircrafts, there is also a lot about two blocks away with additional air craft but the gate was locked and we could not get in so its kinda of a drive by situation. I would not go out of my way to come here but if you are a big aircraft buff and want to kill an hour this might be the place.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madmanmike1980
Independence, LA39 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Albeit small, this museum packs in a lot! There are various aircraft (obviously, hence the name), but there are also exhibits featuring various artifacts, as well as dioramas on the Wright Bros., Amelia Earhart, and the Tuskegee Airmen. This museum is a must-see!
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamara B
Orlando, FL216 contributions
Jan 2023
I took my dad here. He is 80 years old and he really enjoyed the museum. We spent a couple of hours here. They have some interesting videos to watch as well as some cool planes. I was surprised that I found it interesting because I was just along for the ride. It is extremely inexpensive to come here and it was a great way to spend time with my dad!
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marge D
23 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Very nice surprise for a military aircraft museum. Nice displays and covers first in flight, Tuskegee Airman story, WW I, WW 2, Vietnam war, Korean War. Interesting stories of personal accounts. B-25 recovery in South Carolina is also highlighted.
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LCO1984
2 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Such a neat little museum we really enjoyed our visit! Can’t wait to return when they have the interactive simulator up and running. There’s a field 2 blocks away with several planes you can drive by on your way out..sad to see them sitting out in the elements with no protection. Overall, a cute little museum with lots of history!
Written September 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
car24jg
New Port Richey, FL151 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
The exhibits in the museum are very nice. There’s work going on with moving some of the pieces around, otherwise I would have given it a 5 star rating. Well worth the trip to see this place and for only $10 for adults a bargain for 2024.
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candyce C
Washington DC, DC12 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Not even that interesting of a place. But what really got me was how the people had a security guard follow us throughout the place. I would be stretching the definition to call it a museum. My students saw how obvious our treatment was compared to the other group that was present. Staff not friendly. I'll spend my money elsewhere.
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Citation501
Spring Hill, TN234 contributions
What a great hidden museum. Been flying over Birmingham for years but never knew of this place. As my dad and I flew back home from the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola we stopped at BHM. Atlantic East loaned us a car and the museum is only a couple blocks from them. It's in a shady looking area, but the museum itself is great. Would be good to take kids as well. Lots of experimental aircraft and some rare planes with lots of aviation artifacts and memorabilia. We are excited to make a planned trip back to spend more time there.
Written December 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck M
San Diego, CA211 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
I visited the Southern Museum of Flight upon the recommendation of a Police Officer at the Birmingham Airport! It was a very good "hot tip!" I was very impressed with this facility. The displays were very well done and the museum staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very professional.
Beyond the wonderful history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the work of NASA in Huntsville, I was unaware of the fact that there was so much more aviation history associated with Alabama. I was quite surprised!
The museum is very well laid out. One half is devoted to military aviation, while the other half is focused on general/commercial aviation and early flight. The aircraft displays, dioramas and audio/visual presentations are all very well done. There are also a number of interactive displays, films and flight simulators to entertain visitors of all ages. The museum also contains an archive and library for the aviation historian and student. I also understand that the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame is located here but I did not have a chance to visit it.
The only minor problem worth mentioning is that the museum is not that easy to find. Although located near the Birmingham International Airport, street directions to the museum are not all that clear in places. That said, if you are careful and watch for the signs closely, you should not have any trouble finding the place. (Its about 10-15 minutes from the airport terminal.)
The Southern Museum of Flight is well worth a couple hours to visit! Have fun!
Beyond the wonderful history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the work of NASA in Huntsville, I was unaware of the fact that there was so much more aviation history associated with Alabama. I was quite surprised!
The museum is very well laid out. One half is devoted to military aviation, while the other half is focused on general/commercial aviation and early flight. The aircraft displays, dioramas and audio/visual presentations are all very well done. There are also a number of interactive displays, films and flight simulators to entertain visitors of all ages. The museum also contains an archive and library for the aviation historian and student. I also understand that the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame is located here but I did not have a chance to visit it.
The only minor problem worth mentioning is that the museum is not that easy to find. Although located near the Birmingham International Airport, street directions to the museum are not all that clear in places. That said, if you are careful and watch for the signs closely, you should not have any trouble finding the place. (Its about 10-15 minutes from the airport terminal.)
The Southern Museum of Flight is well worth a couple hours to visit! Have fun!
Written June 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raj0302
Swansboro, NC977 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
The exhibits are very well done; I applaud the efforts of the staff and those individuals who have restored the aircraft and built/maintained the exhibits but I would rate this museum as average since I am a little jaded after touring the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum and the New Orleans WW II Museum. To address a previous reviewer's comments - yes the museum is off the beaten path and is in a relatively low-rent neighborhood but I would not say that it is in a bad neighborhood. There is no fee for parking and the admission fee for adults is $7.00 (check the museum's website for current prices). It took me 2 1/2 -3 hours to make my way through the museum (reading approximately 50-75 % of the information placards). There were four military aircraft outside and multiple very well-restored aircraft inside: early development of aviation (four); WW II trainers (three); Korean War (2); Vietnam War (2); Soviet Mi-24 Hind-D helicopter (circa early 1990s Soviet-Afghanistan war); small civilian aircraft (approximately 20); and approximately 18 aircraft engines. There are also several scale models of WW II naval vessels and dioramas of aircraft/support activities. The day I visited, there was a tour group of local school children that was conducted by an Air Force Officer (I think this was a regular occurrence). There is also a hall dedicated to artwork depicting the CIAs role in aviation throughout the years. Finally, there is a small gift shop located at the entrance to the museum.
Written December 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are thinking of getting the annual membership which includes other museums. Can anyone tell me where to locate the list of all the participating museums?
Written December 12, 2018
Give the museum a call at 205-833-8226. Ask for Daphne and ask her if she has the current list of participating museums if you buy the membership. Jim
Written December 12, 2018
Does the museum accept cedit cards or cash only?
Written August 19, 2018
It may be a bit late, but yes they do accept CC.
Written August 20, 2018
What is the cost and do you offer discounts for teachers?
Written August 3, 2017
Check BirminghamGroupon. We had a party of 8 and was able to get 8 tickets @ $28.00. It averaged out to $3.50 a ticket. Groupon offered a discount on top of that. So for 8 admission around $25.00 which was a good deal.
Written August 7, 2017
Hi Matt
You can walk the museum in about one hour but it depends on how a fan you are and if you are taking children
My husband loves aviation so we spent more than two hours inside.
Written August 31, 2016
I visited there last week. Saw the one exhibit about a North Vietnam soldier who was captured and gave his plane in exchange for his freedom. Can't remember their names and have no way to return to read it myself. Could someone share detail on this for me TIA
Written December 23, 2015
That exhibit is the Korean War Jets exhibit. The defecting pilot was Lt. No Kum Sok, know as Ken Rowe when he became an American citizen. Ken is 85 years old now. I talk with him several times a year.
Written December 28, 2015
It's very easy. We have wheel chairs, free, for your use in the museum. I'm sure that he will enjoy the museum.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
Jim
Written July 20, 2015
I have a 73 year old handicap father that I would be interested in taking to visit the Southern Museum. How easy would it be for me to take him for a tour of this place? Do they have wheel chairs to rent or should I bring one? thank you.
Written July 16, 2015
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