Empire State Aerosciences Museum
Empire State Aerosciences Museum
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Empire State Aerosciences Museum is a one of a kind cultural resource located at the Schenectady County Airport in the Town of Glenville at the site of the former General Electric Flight Test Center. Dedicated to interpreting aviation, particularly as related to New York State, the museum offers visitors a variety of enjoyable and educational experiences including interpretive exhibits, a spectacular collection of restored aircraft, the State's largest aviation library, as well as phenomenal education programs.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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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.
4.0
30 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jack L
9 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
The third visit had two gallerys which First WW 1 aircraft, a 1930's a Amelia Earhand and the 1930's Lockheed replica. The WW 1 aircraft are a French Newport 17C, German 1918 Fokker D.Vll and a French " Flying Motorcycle" DePischoff.
Also in this gallery is a that contains a British Gnat/Ajet, a Rolls Royce Bryce British jet engine a British Hawker Harrier Jump Jet-1950s- a Bell UH Huey, a McDonnell-Douglas F4 Phantob, Hughes 1960 Light Observation Helicoptor, a 1939 Vultce Bt-13 WW 11 trainer, 1972 F-14 fighter Eagle, 1950's Northrop F-5E fighter, a Grumman F-14 1972 Tomcat fighter, a 1911 Coast to Coast in 30 Days-the Vin Fiz aircraft , a Curtiss P-40 , 1941 Warhawk being built, a P-40 engine and a photo of the P-40 being flown. The last aircraft flown are three gliders from the ceiling. The one problem in the hanger was the light in the ceiling's photography. In the gallery are a number of engines jet and gas.
The second gallery has a number of 1950's and later of space aircraft. There models from WW 11 D-Day, June 6, 1944, and German aircraft. Als are models of aircraft from the 1960's, 1970's, and up to the 2,000, all jets. There are WW 11 about bomber sites. The biggest model in this building from WW 11 which is a model is of the Japanese carrier Akage that took on the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
The third item is the Agets Park, which is 13 aircraft all outside, from the 1950's, 1960s, and 1970,s. There is also an M4 Duster, which is a army 1960-70's which is some type anticraft. The museum is located out in the country with a traffic light where a person can turn right or left. My visit was about three hours . I recommend an hour & half, plenty of parking.
Also in this gallery is a that contains a British Gnat/Ajet, a Rolls Royce Bryce British jet engine a British Hawker Harrier Jump Jet-1950s- a Bell UH Huey, a McDonnell-Douglas F4 Phantob, Hughes 1960 Light Observation Helicoptor, a 1939 Vultce Bt-13 WW 11 trainer, 1972 F-14 fighter Eagle, 1950's Northrop F-5E fighter, a Grumman F-14 1972 Tomcat fighter, a 1911 Coast to Coast in 30 Days-the Vin Fiz aircraft , a Curtiss P-40 , 1941 Warhawk being built, a P-40 engine and a photo of the P-40 being flown. The last aircraft flown are three gliders from the ceiling. The one problem in the hanger was the light in the ceiling's photography. In the gallery are a number of engines jet and gas.
The second gallery has a number of 1950's and later of space aircraft. There models from WW 11 D-Day, June 6, 1944, and German aircraft. Als are models of aircraft from the 1960's, 1970's, and up to the 2,000, all jets. There are WW 11 about bomber sites. The biggest model in this building from WW 11 which is a model is of the Japanese carrier Akage that took on the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
The third item is the Agets Park, which is 13 aircraft all outside, from the 1950's, 1960s, and 1970,s. There is also an M4 Duster, which is a army 1960-70's which is some type anticraft. The museum is located out in the country with a traffic light where a person can turn right or left. My visit was about three hours . I recommend an hour & half, plenty of parking.
Written September 29, 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.
cooms2014
Albany, NY118 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
We took our 4 small kids (ages 3,5,9,and 11) to see the airplanes because we had a pass we won in a fundraiser. I did not think we would be there long because the museum information looks older. However, my kids really loved the buttons, movable displays, and the big airplanes! The favorite was the little airplane that you could launch and land. I knew it was a little run down, but my kids didn't care. The staff was friendly and we enjoyed walking around. There is also a simulation ride you can pay for. My hubby and the three oldest rode it. They greatly enjoyed it. If we lived closer, we would definitely go again.
Disclaimer: my kids like museums.....this is not a children's museum with toys.
Disclaimer: my kids like museums.....this is not a children's museum with toys.
Written November 29, 2018
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.
Rogerl53
Guilderland, NY279 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
The Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville, NY is an excellent place to visit. If you have been to the "big guys", such as the Smithsonian and the Museum of Flight in Seattle, you might be expecting a lot. However, the ESAM is nothing to "sneeze at" and well worth a visit. It is located adjacent to the Schenectady County Airport, on the grounds, you might say, and occupies several buildings.
The main building is loaded with displays, both technical and historical, and you can learn all sorts of things about the history of flight and how airplanes work. However, what is really super-cool are the static displays where you can get up close and personal, so to speak, with the aircraft. In fact, many of them you can actually touch.
This is a fine museum to anybody interested in airplane and flight, but it is probably most interesting to kids. Personally, I've been to a lot of aircraft museums, and this visit was still great fun and enjoyable.
The main building is loaded with displays, both technical and historical, and you can learn all sorts of things about the history of flight and how airplanes work. However, what is really super-cool are the static displays where you can get up close and personal, so to speak, with the aircraft. In fact, many of them you can actually touch.
This is a fine museum to anybody interested in airplane and flight, but it is probably most interesting to kids. Personally, I've been to a lot of aircraft museums, and this visit was still great fun and enjoyable.
Written November 13, 2018
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 so glad you enjoyed yourself! thank you for the wonderful review! You will have to come back when we have our 1/2 scale replica of a Concorde in front of the Museum and are finished repairing the YMC -130H which we just received in July of this year. This is the only one of 3 aircraft left which was modified in 1980 to attempt a second rescue mission of the American hostages at the Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Operation Credible Sport was cancelled before the test program was completed after the hostages were released following successful negotiations during the Carter and Reagan administrations. Stay tuned!
Written November 14, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wandering boom
Louisiana1,273 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
First off I visited on Wednesday and checked the opening time online the week and day prior. When I arrive @ 1030, 3 other car full of people were gathered around the main entrance staring at a yellow sign that started CLOSED. I called museum number and was told they were closed all week and would be swapping winter hours next week. When I informed them about the fact that this closure wasn't listed online I was told "I'm changing that right now". I was in town from Denver, please be considerate enough to post the correct info online. As for the museum, good selection of interesting aircraft in various states of disrepair. Worth a visit to see the rare birds displayed outside before they deteriorate much further. Check times and call before making cross country travel plans.
Written September 5, 2018
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.
NurseJoan
26 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
My almost 2 year old son has been obsessed with airplanes so we took him here today. He seem to have a lot of fun and most likely, we would be back here! Admission fee is cheap,this place has plenty of parking, nice lil gift shop,restrooms and lots of aircraft from different eras and aerospace stuff on display. The building is an old GE testing site and a bit run down. Nevertheless, it is more than i expected! We are pretty satisfied with our visit. This place would be good to for adults/older people too..
Written August 20, 2017
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.
Jack L
East Syracuse, NY788 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
The E.S.a.M. is composed of two gallies. Gallery one greets a visiter with a lobby/gift shop. From here the tour starts with William Golub Center For Aviation Sciences Center. A/c present here are early 1900's, preWW 1, WW 1 , into the mid-30's.
Some of the a/c include:
A replica of a Lockheed Electra, with a Mannequinn of Amelia Earhart.
7/8 scale of a Nieuport 14.
1/2 scale JN-4 Jenny.
Replica of a 1922 French 'Flying Motorcycle'.
This gallery has several glass cases of model a/c of the above listed aircraft. Moving on is a large exhibit of ice coring in AntiAcrtica.
Gallery 11 is part WW11, up to the space race. One glass case is full of navigation instruments & a case of a WW11 Norton bomb sight. Moving on is the Battaglia Space Hall. Here are space suits & a glass case of the moon landings sites. THe WW11 era is about the attack on Pearl Harbor & one case about Japanese aviation. NO WW11 aircraft. The biggest exhibit is large model of the Japanese a/c carrier Akagi, which was used in the 1970 movie 'Tora, Tora Tora'.
Outside Gallery 11 are 19 a/c from the 50's into the 80's. A partial listing are:
Grummam A-6 Intruder.
Two MIG-17s.
Reppublic F-84 Thunderstreak.
McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom.
Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt 11-Warthog.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
North American Viglante.
1960's Royal Navy Supermarine Scimite fighterr.
Vought A-7 Corsair.
If a visiter wants to photograph the outside a/c, arrive on a sunny day. This was my second visit. First trip was sunny, shooting 35 MM, photos great. Second visit was cloudy, photos not so great.
In Gallery 1 some areas are blocked off for painting. I would say there are at least three staff/volunteers for a tour & answer questions. Possibly an hour is necessary to see both galleriers, long if photographing.
The museum's entrance is at a four way traffic light. If coming from the west/south, Rudy Chase Drive will be on the right. The museum's sign is not large, a visiter has to look for it. A visiter will not encounter large crowds. THe museum's over all size maybe small, but thing contain & history.
Non-summer hours,:
Firday- Saturday. 10:00-4:00.
Sunday-12:00-4:00.
Summer Hours, June 18-September 1,2013.
Tuesday 12:00-4:00.
Wednesday-Saturday 10:00-4:00.
Sunday 12:00-4:00.
Closed Monday.
Admission :
Adults $8.00.
Seniors/Military $6.00.
Children 6-16. $5.00.
Under 6 Free.
I recommend a visit.
Jack. L>, Syracue, New York.
Some of the a/c include:
A replica of a Lockheed Electra, with a Mannequinn of Amelia Earhart.
7/8 scale of a Nieuport 14.
1/2 scale JN-4 Jenny.
Replica of a 1922 French 'Flying Motorcycle'.
This gallery has several glass cases of model a/c of the above listed aircraft. Moving on is a large exhibit of ice coring in AntiAcrtica.
Gallery 11 is part WW11, up to the space race. One glass case is full of navigation instruments & a case of a WW11 Norton bomb sight. Moving on is the Battaglia Space Hall. Here are space suits & a glass case of the moon landings sites. THe WW11 era is about the attack on Pearl Harbor & one case about Japanese aviation. NO WW11 aircraft. The biggest exhibit is large model of the Japanese a/c carrier Akagi, which was used in the 1970 movie 'Tora, Tora Tora'.
Outside Gallery 11 are 19 a/c from the 50's into the 80's. A partial listing are:
Grummam A-6 Intruder.
Two MIG-17s.
Reppublic F-84 Thunderstreak.
McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom.
Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt 11-Warthog.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
North American Viglante.
1960's Royal Navy Supermarine Scimite fighterr.
Vought A-7 Corsair.
If a visiter wants to photograph the outside a/c, arrive on a sunny day. This was my second visit. First trip was sunny, shooting 35 MM, photos great. Second visit was cloudy, photos not so great.
In Gallery 1 some areas are blocked off for painting. I would say there are at least three staff/volunteers for a tour & answer questions. Possibly an hour is necessary to see both galleriers, long if photographing.
The museum's entrance is at a four way traffic light. If coming from the west/south, Rudy Chase Drive will be on the right. The museum's sign is not large, a visiter has to look for it. A visiter will not encounter large crowds. THe museum's over all size maybe small, but thing contain & history.
Non-summer hours,:
Firday- Saturday. 10:00-4:00.
Sunday-12:00-4:00.
Summer Hours, June 18-September 1,2013.
Tuesday 12:00-4:00.
Wednesday-Saturday 10:00-4:00.
Sunday 12:00-4:00.
Closed Monday.
Admission :
Adults $8.00.
Seniors/Military $6.00.
Children 6-16. $5.00.
Under 6 Free.
I recommend a visit.
Jack. L>, Syracue, New York.
Written May 5, 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.
David C
Schenectady, NY21 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I was surprised by how large the collection of military aircraft was, Lots of nice exhibits. My friend and I (who are history buffs) spent about 90 minutes looking around and taking pictures.
Written October 15, 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.
Exnortherner
Dobbs Ferry, NY1,006 contributions
Nov 2019
While visiting Schenectady, we toured the Empire State Aerosciences Museum. There were two buildings filled with airplane and flight history, from balloon flight to space flight. In addition, there is an outdoor exhibit of old planes from WWII, Korean War and Vietnam eras. Some even allowed visitors to sit in cockpit. Being a Navy veteran of the Vietnam era, I really loved sitting in the cockpit of an F4 Phantom. Brought back lots of memories. I can certainly recommend a visit for anyone with an interest in aviation.
Written November 3, 2019
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.
zxc12
New York48 contributions
Aug 2019
Yes, it kept those grandkids, ages 5 & 8, occupied for 2 hours. They enjoyed the buttons that would make planes go, and land a model plane. They were able to sit in an actual helicopter and various planes. There is so much information for both children and adults to see and read. The staff was wonderful with answering questions and explaining different items. I thought the admission fee was worth every penny---to watch the kids' enjoyment, to learn for myself, and to help keep the museum open.
Written October 2, 2019
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.
Franman100
Melbourne, FL29 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Very interesting had two retired airmen showed us around I don't know if they are full time guides. I do know they have a lot of volunteers. These two men were very interesting.
One of those planes that they are restoring is a one of a kind it was a highly modified C130.
There were several jets that you could actually sit in. Very cool for kids.
Yes the hanger does need some TLC this is a nonprofit group and it looks like there focuses is on the planes and that is not a cheap task.
We were interested enough to stay 2-1/2 hrs.
There are military, senior and children discounted ticket. The most expensive ticked was $8 you can't go to the movies for that price.
One of those planes that they are restoring is a one of a kind it was a highly modified C130.
There were several jets that you could actually sit in. Very cool for kids.
Yes the hanger does need some TLC this is a nonprofit group and it looks like there focuses is on the planes and that is not a cheap task.
We were interested enough to stay 2-1/2 hrs.
There are military, senior and children discounted ticket. The most expensive ticked was $8 you can't go to the movies for that price.
Written August 27, 2019
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.
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