United States
North Carolina (NC)
Fayetteville
Things to Do in Fayetteville
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
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Airborne and Special Operations Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
5
1,092 reviews
#1 of 53 things to do in Fayetteville
Speciality Museums
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12:00 PM - 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
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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About
The doors opened on 16 August 2000, the 60th anniversary of the original Test Platoon’s first parachute jump. The museum offers free admission, a main exhibit gallery, temporary gallery, four-story tall theater, a gift shop, and a motion simulator ride that features two experiences. Admission is free, and we do accept donations in the gift shop and in donation boxes in the lobby. The main gallery is designed as a self-guided tour, in chronological order, through the history of airborne and special operations soldiers from 1940 to the present. The temporary gallery changes periodically and displays a myriad of exhibits pertaining to the United States Army airborne and special operations units through their history and conflicts from World War II to the present.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Stephanie S
    Fayetteville, North Carolina116 contributions
    Nicely done donation-based museum
    Stopped by with the kids and a friend for a couple of hours of activity. The museum is free and donation-based. Exhibits are well done and maintained. There are a few statues outside to view as well and is walking distance from the "North Carolina Veterans memorial" which is not open Sunday or Monday but also has nice monuments. Recommend visiting with older kids, not much for the younger ones who get restless
    Visited July 2021
    Written July 23, 2021
  • R. Traveler
    Oak Ridge, North Carolina1,073 contributions
    Great Free Museum (Donations recommended )
    I’d heard this was a great museum - and I was in Fayetteville so I took my 3 young children to check it out. The oldest is 9 and it wasn’t quite fun for them but the place was great for young teens and up. Great exhibits that go through the history of the airborne units and special forces. Staff was very friendly and the facility was clean and well laid out. If you’re in Fayetteville - highly recommend this great collection of history as part of your trip
    Abbie C
    Thank you- we are happy you enjoyed your visit!
    Written May 16, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written May 14, 2022
  • angecan12
    Excelsior Springs, Missouri15 contributions
    Wonderful Place
    We really enjoyed our visit to this museum. I loved the outside and knew the inside would be great too. Iron Mike is definitely not something that will be forgotten. We had four children, 13 and under. They enjoyed it too. I could have spent several hours inside the exhibit reading everything, but that will need to be another visit. We also took the kids on the simulation ride which they really enjoyed. It was shorter and a little less intense than I expected, but worth the money since the exhibit is donation only.
    Visited November 2020
    Written November 7, 2020
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.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,092 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
135
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Nick C
2 contributions
VERY well done museum
Aug 2021 • Family
Lots of stuff to see, well organized and thoroughly researched. Our family of 5 was easily able to spend 4-5 hours here. The fact that it's free is even more surprising. The museum itself is laid out so depending on your level of interest you can either get a general overview of each section by reading all of the captioned displays or if you feel like reading, can go deeper on each section. The full scale displays were also cool to see and walk through. The people running the museum were welcoming and also knowledgeable. (They also CRANK the air conditioning so it's a perfect summer spot)
Written August 12, 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.
Will W
Roanoke, VA50 contributions
WOW - great military museum you must visit
Jan 2023
WOW, what a fantastic place! I spent 3 hours in the museum. Great displays to honor the Airborne & Special Ops. This is the way a military museum should look! Like the layout and the ability to skip around if you want to avoid other groups without feeling crowded. Awesome detail regarding the different campaigns and operations, especially of WWII. Gift shop was good, Entire place was spotless and looked new. Staff was friendly and helpful. Great greeting as you arrive inside the building. Lots of parking right beside the museum. Would have liked to seen an area that allowed you to purchase water/soda and snacks for those who planned a multiple hour visit. I understand and agree with the reason for not allowing any food/drink inside the display area of the museum. Maybe establish a room farthest from the display area where food/drink can be purchased and only consumed in the same room. One of my favorite museums I have visited. Will return with friends!
Written January 14, 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.
Abbie C
We are happy you enjoyed your visit!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
waldentenn
Signal Mountain, TN817 contributions
Top notch military museum
Mar 2023 • Couples
This museum in downtown Fayetteville is free and chronicles the 20th-century history of the Airborne and Special Operations branches of the US Army. It is a must-see for military history students and buffs. The exhibits are varied and excellent. You are greeted by a volunteer retired army veteran at the door.
Written April 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.
Abbie C
Thank you so much!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gwkelley
Raleigh, NC660 contributions
Must See!
Sep 2022 • Couples
If you are in the area, this is a great place to visit. The displays include life size characters with the displays made to look like geography of area the wars were in. Little children may not understand, but may be entertained by images while the adults read. There are videos and other attractions within this museum.
Written September 24, 2022
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.
Abbie C
Thank you!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffrey W
5 contributions
Dropped by to pass the time. Pleasant surprise
Jun 2021
Was in Fayetteville to go zip lining and had some time to kill. Literally, saw the museum while at the stop light. Noticed the traveling Korean War exhibit and decided to stop. Glad we did. I am a History teacher and was fascinated with the entire museum. Always enjoy reading about the experiences the great men and women of the armed forces go through during war. It gives me more appreciation and gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Enjoyed reading about history of the Airborne units and field of engagement. I could have done without the simulator.
Written June 27, 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.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,692 contributions
Well Done!
May 2023
If you appreciate Military history, come here. It's a comprehensive overview of Airborne and Special Operations from WW II to recent operations. Easy to reach information overload. We will return in the future to walk through the second half more thoroughly. Children would enjoy seeing the life size military equipment. Welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Admission free. Closed on Mondays. Ample parking with room for a bus or RV.
Written May 21, 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.
Ron M
Hope Mills, NC10 contributions
OUTSTANDING!!!
Jun 2023
I was assigned to Fort Bragg when they were building this place. When they finished it I was on my last tour of Iraq and retired as soon as I got back. Sadly, I never took the time to visit. Now that I am home, i made the time to visit and I have to admit, this place is OUTSTANDING!
Written July 30, 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.
Trish W
Goldsboro, NC38 contributions
Really amazing
Jan 2020
So glad we had the chance to visit this museum. So much history and so beautifully done! Give yourself a few hours. It does require a lot of reading if you really want to be educated but there’s plenty of visual history too.
Written January 10, 2020
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.
Lin_Dan_2223
Fayetteville, AR1,439 contributions
Great place to learn about US Army history.
May 2021 • Friends
Great presentation with lots of information about Airborne Paratroopers within the US Army from WWII to present. They have exhibits from numerous operations, including Grenada & Operation Desert Storm. Excellent place to go for historical accounts of the US Army paratroopers.
Written May 6, 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.
Doctor Bob
Fayetteville, NC37 contributions
Don't miss this opportunity!! One of the Top Military Heritage Museums Anywhere!!!
Jun 2012 • Family
Whether or not you have served with the military's Airborne or Special Operations Community is irrelevant! If you have the occasion to visit Fayetteville / Fort Bragg / Pope AAF and do NOT take the time to visit this extraordinary historical archive, it is your great, great loss. I would liken it to visiting NYC and not visiting the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.

Paul Galloway, Museum Executive Director, and crew have done an incredible job of archiving historical events, equipment, and personalities that epitomize and celebrate the best of the Airborne and Special Operations Community. You do not have to have served in the military to be amazed the by C-47 Dakota aircraft, and the AH--6 "Little Bird" suspended from the ceiling of this incredible facility. Allow at least two hours to tour this museum.

This is museum is not a testament to bravado. It is a testament to men and women who put others and their nation before themselves. If you weren't proud, honored, and humbled to call yourself an American before you enter the building, I guarantee that your heart and soul will swell with pride before you depart the area.

The museum displays are updated frequently. Plan to visit whenever you are in town.
Written June 11, 2012
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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Airborne and Special Operations Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Airborne and Special Operations Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Airborne and Special Operations Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Airborne and Special Operations Museum tours on Tripadvisor

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