If you’ve ever wondered about the history of aviation, take an afternoon to explore the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The museum is located inside the original Charlotte Douglas Airport hangar from 1936. The Carolinas Aviation Museum is one of the most interesting museums in North Carolina because of the many informational exhibits and the educational library on-site. Read on to find out much more about what to do and see on your next visit to the Carolinas Aviation Museum.
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Their weekend hours are Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. General admission to the museum is $12.00. Kids ages 5 and under are admitted free and there are discounts for seniors and students. The museum is located on First Flight Drive in Charlotte. Be sure to dress appropriately before your visit as there is no air-conditioning in the museum.
Just a few of the exhibits to explore at the museum include Commercial Aviation, Civil Aircraft, Military Aviation, and Helicopters. A favorite and must-see when visiting is the Miracle on the Hudson exhibit. This aircraft, which was bound for Charlotte in January of 2009, hit a flock of geese shortly after take-off. Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles were able to successfully land the plane in the Hudson River in New York. The museum has the actual plane on display. This July, Dan Vinton, a passenger on flight 1549 will visit the Carolinas Aviation Museum. He will be speaking to visitors about his story and experiences on the Hudson that day.
Be sure to check out the Dolph Overton Aviation Library when visiting the museum. The library is named for an American ace pilot who donated many items to the facility. The library collects photos, uniforms, magazines, books, and flight manuals for viewing. The hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm or by appointment.
Kids have the opportunity to get involved at the Carolinas Aviation Museum too. Kids can learn How Things Fly and learn all about the science of flight and the parts of the plane. Self-guided tours are also available. The museum will also offer summer camps this year. The 2-week long, half-day camps will be about ACE Future Flyers and Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos. Rising 4th, 5th, and 6th graders can enjoy Summer Science Sessions on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. These sessions are $25.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members.
Stop by the museum store before you leave. The store has many aviation themed items including toys and pilot dress-up costumes. Proceeds from purchases go right back into supporting the mission of the museum.
If you need a place to stay while you’re in the area, look no further than our beautiful Davidson Village Inn. We are located in the Lake Norman community of Davidson, North Carolina. The downtown Davidson area is a great place to walk, shop and eat. If you are new to Davidson, check out our free Davidson, NC Vacation Guide. This guide has recommendations on our favorite activities, delicious restaurants to try, and local shopping. We would love to host you on your next getaway. Give us a call at 704-892-8044 for more information on our current specials and room availability.
