Information
Landmark: MAPS Air MuseumCity: Canton
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
MAPS Air Museum, Canton, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
Just outside the Akron-Canton Airport in North Canton, Ohio, the MAPS Air Museum-short for Military Aviation Preservation Society-has earned a strong reputation for showcasing aviation and military history, from gleaming fighter jets to weathered bomber cockpits.It’s a lively hub for learning, where the roar of old engines still echoes as it preserves and shares the history of military aviation, the men and women who built and flew the planes, and the stories of those who served.🛩️ Aircraft Collection MAPS Air Museum features over 50 aircraft , ranging from pioneering early flight designs to powerful Cold War-era and modern military planes.🛩️ At MAPS Air Museum, you can wander among more than 50 aircraft-from fragile wood-and-fabric pioneers of early flight to roaring Cold War jets and sleek modern military planes.You’ll find aircraft both inside the hangar and out on the tarmac, many kept gleaming by volunteers-among them veterans and seasoned aviation experts.One standout aircraft is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a nimble multi‑role jet fighter that’s flown countless missions for the U. S. Air Force, its engine roaring like a sudden clap of thunder.The C-130 Hercules is a rugged, four-engine transport plane the military relies on for everything from hauling supplies to landing on dusty, makeshift runways.The B-26 Marauder was a twin‑engine bomber from World War II, its engines roaring like distant thunder.The F-105 Thunderchief was a supersonic fighter-bomber that roared over Vietnam, built to strike fast and hard.The AH-1 Cobra is a Vietnam-era attack helicopter, its narrow frame built for speed and striking hard.The F-86 Sabre, a sleek Korean War jet, earned its fame in fierce dogfights with the MiG-15, often streaking past with a sharp roar.The MiG-17 Fresco was a Soviet fighter jet that saw action in wars like Vietnam, its sharp nose and swept wings cutting through humid air over dense jungles.The Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, a World War II fighter, rolled off assembly lines in Akron, Ohio, its dark blue wings built for speed and power.The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, known as the “Huey,” became an icon of the Vietnam War, ferrying soldiers into the jungle and whisking the wounded out under the thump of its rotors.🏛️ Exhibits & Displays The museum features over 130 educational displays spread across several galleries and exhibit areas.During special events or guided tours, certain aircraft let visitors step into the cockpit and peek at the rows of gauges inside a military plane.🏛️ Exhibits & Displays You’ll find more than 130 engaging displays scattered through bright galleries, from quiet corners lined with maps to wide halls filled with towering models.They showcase aviation breakthroughs, moments from military history, and the personal stories of service members-like the hum of a jet engine before takeoff.Among the highlights is the Gallery of Heroes, where worn uniforms, faded letters, and veterans’ own stories carry you from World War I to today’s battles.The Medal of Honor Exhibit celebrates Ohio’s recipients through vivid photos, personal stories, and the gleam of their hard-earned medals.The Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit celebrates the trailblazing African American pilots of WWII, men who flew through flak and cloud to change history.The Pearl Harbor display features relics from the USS Arizona and brings December 7, 1941, to life with the scent of aged metal and the weight of history.Women in Service Exhibit - explore the legacy of “Rosie the Riveter” and hear vivid accounts of women who served and labored on factory floors during wartime.🎓 Education & Community Engagement MAPS is deeply committed to education and offers numerous programs: Veterans Oral History Project : Captures first-person accounts of military service to preserve personal stories.The Super Sabre Memorial Exhibit highlights the F-100 and the pilots who flew it, from roaring takeoffs to sun-baked runways.Fallen Feathers Memorial honors Ohioans who’ve died in the War on Terror since 9/11, each name etched into cool, gray stone.🎓 Education & Community Engagement
MAPS is passionate about learning and community, offering programs like the Veterans Oral History Project, which records vivid, first-hand stories of military life-voices recalling the clang of boots on a barracks floor-to keep those memories alive.Youth programs offer hands-on STEM activities, guided tours for school groups, and interactive displays you can touch and explore.📍 Facility and Visitor Information Location: 2260 International Parkway, North Canton, OH 44720 Located near the Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) Hours of Operation: Tuesday–Saturday : 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday : 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM Closed Mondays and major holidays Admission Prices: Adults: $15 Seniors (60+): $14 Children (6–12): $8 Children under 6: Free Veterans: $2 off WWII and Korean War veterans: Free admission Parking : On-site parking is free Buses and RVs are accommodated with advance notice Accessibility : The building is wheelchair accessible, though climbing into aircraft is limited to able-bodied visitors Staff and volunteers are available to assist 🛍️ Amenities Gift Shop : Offers aviation-themed items such as apparel, books, scale models, patches, and unique memorabilia.MAPS Air Academy is a summer program where students dive into aviation history, science, and technology through hands-on projects-like studying the roar of a jet engine up close.Scouting Programs give Scouts and youth groups hands-on help earning merit badges, along with aviation lessons that might include the hum of an engine or the feel of a cockpit’s controls.🎉 Events MAPS Air Museum hosts annual and seasonal events , including: Military Vehicle Show Vintage Car Show Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day ceremonies Special educational weekends with guest speakers, reenactments, or cockpit tours These events often include activities for families, food vendors, and expanded access to exhibits.🛠️ Restoration Projects MAPS has a full Restoration and Maintenance Hangar , where volunteers restore aircraft to historical accuracy.All year long, the museum joins in Wreaths Across America, honors veterans at ceremonies, and takes part in remembrance events, sometimes placing fresh pine wreaths under fluttering flags.You’ll find the facility at 2260 International Parkway in North Canton, Ohio, just a short drive from the Akron–Canton Regional Airport.It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays.Admission runs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors 60+, $8 for kids 6–12, free for children under six, with $2 off for veterans and no charge for WWII or Korean War veterans.Parking’s free on-site, and buses or RVs are welcome if arranged ahead.The building is wheelchair accessible, though climbing into aircraft is limited to able-bodied visitors, and staff or volunteers are ready to help.Before you leave, browse the gift shop for aviation gear-soft cotton T‑shirts, scale models, books, patches, and one‑of‑a‑kind memorabilia.✈️ Summary MAPS Air Museum is much more than a display of old planes.You’ll find restrooms and seating areas scattered all over the museum-one’s tucked right beside the café.We offer meeting spaces and event rentals for groups, veterans’ reunions, and private gatherings, whether it’s a boardroom discussion or a celebration with coffee and cake.
