Information
Landmark: Tulsa Air and Space MuseumCity: Tulsa
Country: USA Oklahoma
Continent: North America
Tulsa Air and Space Museum, Tulsa, USA Oklahoma, North America
Overview
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium stands out as a top destination for learning and discovery, bringing aviation history to life, opening windows to the wonders of space, and sparking curiosity in STEM-from the rumble of vintage aircraft engines to the shimmer of distant galaxies.Founded in 1998, the museum sits just minutes from Tulsa International Airport, drawing aviation buffs, families, and curious students alike to its hangar filled with gleaming aircraft.The museum blends indoor and outdoor displays with hands-on learning areas, from airy hangars lined with vintage propellers to exhibit halls showcasing both permanent and rotating collections on early aviation, commercial flight, military aircraft, and space exploration.You’ll find historic aircraft, gleaming engines, weathered flight instruments, and even a few pieces of astronaut memorabilia.You’ll find several full-size planes on display inside and out, from vintage military fighters with worn paint to gleaming commercial jets and rare experimental models you can stand right beside.Planetarium: Step inside a cutting-edge digital dome where stars swirl overhead, and you can lose yourself in vivid shows about astronomy, daring space missions, and the mysteries of the cosmos-an experience that feels like sitting in a darkened theater built for the universe.STEM Learning Labs: lively spaces where kids and teens tinker with model planes, program small robots, and uncover the science of flight, aerodynamics, and space through hands-on experiments and interactive displays.Flight simulators put visitors inside a lifelike cockpit, letting them take the controls and feel the hum of the engines while learning how planes work and find their way.The Historic Aircraft Collection features World War II planes, sleek fighter jets, and graceful old biplanes, tracing aviation’s story from the first sputtering engines to cutting-edge technology.Space Exploration Exhibits feature artifacts and vivid displays from NASA missions, glinting satellite models, and stories of human spaceflight, all highlighting the daring spirit of innovation and discovery.Outdoor Air Park: Stroll past towering retired aircraft gleaming under the sun, perfect for snapping photos or studying every rivet up close.Interactive STEM exhibits spark curiosity and teach kids about careers in aviation, engineering, and science-imagine building a small model plane and watching it glide across the room.Every day, the planetarium lights up with constellations, swirling planetary systems, and stories that pull you right into the heart of space exploration.The museum inspires curiosity and learning for visitors of all ages, sparking interest in aerospace, engineering, and science-like the thrill of watching a rocket launch into the sky.It helps fund school field trips, youth camps, and hands-on programs that follow state and national STEM guidelines-like building model rockets in a summer workshop.Offers community outreach and builds partnerships with aviation and space groups, from hosting local airfield tours to working with space research teams.Gift Shop: Browse aviation-themed gifts-model planes, flight history books, hands-on science kits, and keepsakes to take home.Café and picnic spots let you grab a quick bite or linger over coffee while resting in the shade.The museum’s easy to get around in a wheelchair, with smooth ramps, quiet elevators, and restrooms designed for accessibility.Events and Programs: We host hands-on workshops, lively aviation camps, guest lectures, and festive gatherings like Aviation Day or the star-filled Space Week.Plan to spend about two to three hours exploring, and leave extra time if you want to catch the planetarium show or try hands-on experiments in the interactive lab.Perfect for kids and teens, with hands-on exhibits and flight simulators that make you feel the rumble of takeoff.You’re welcome to take photos in most areas, but a few indoor exhibits-like the dimly lit butterfly room-don’t allow flash.Seasonal events pop up all year-check the calendar for an airshow’s roar, a night of stargazing, or hands‑on STEM camps.At the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, you can trace aviation’s history, dive into science, and tinker with hands-on exhibits-making it one of Tulsa’s go-to spots for sparking curiosity and wonder.Historic aircraft gleam under soft hangar lights, while the planetarium pulls you into swirling galaxies and hands-on STEM exhibits invite curious minds to tinker, together shaping a lively learning space for visitors of every age.
