Air Mobility Command Museum
A free hangar full of giant military planes — and you can climb aboard several of them — just outside Dover.
1301 Heritage Rd, Dover, DE 19902 · About 1 hour 15 minutes
Hours
9 AM – 4 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Sat | 9 AM – 4 PM |
|---|---|
| Sun | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Thu | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Fri | 9 AM – 4 PM |
Last checked 2026-09-14
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- All ages
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor & outdoor
- Typical visit
- 2–3 hours
Free air museum by Dover AFB: a display hangar, a walk-in C-141B with a wheelchair ramp, and flight simulators for ages 10 and up.
The Quick Version
- • A free aviation museum at the edge of Dover Air Force Base with dozens of military aircraft — cargo and transport giants like the C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter, plus a WWII B-17.
- • The kid magic: you can step inside several of the planes, and there's a flight simulator and the restored control tower.
- • Free admission (donations welcome) and free parking; open Wed–Sun 9 AM–4 PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays — confirm current hours on amcmuseum.org.
- • About 1.25 hours from Wilmington; a high-wow half-day, especially for plane-loving kids.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
2–3 hours
Adults
Free (donations welcome)
Kids
Free
What to Expect
The Air Mobility Command Museum sits at the edge of Dover Air Force Base and tells the story of military airlift and air refueling — and for kids, it's mostly about standing under, and climbing into, enormous airplanes. Inside Hangar 1301 and out on the airpark you'll find dozens of aircraft, including transport giants like the C-5 Galaxy and the C-141 Starlifter, a Douglas C-47, and a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress.
The best part: on select aircraft you can step inside to see the cockpit and cargo hold. There's also a flight simulator and the museum's restored control tower cab. And it's free — admission and parking both — with donations welcome.
Set expectations: it's a big indoor hangar plus an outdoor airpark, so there's real walking, and the outdoor planes are exposed (hot in summer). Which aircraft are open to board varies by the day and the volunteers, so ask at the desk when you arrive. It's closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so confirm current hours before you go.
Who It's Best For
Plane-obsessed toddlers and preschoolers love the sheer size and climbing aboard. Older kids get the cockpits, the history, and the flight simulator. It's an indoor hangar plus an outdoor airpark, so there's real walking.
Highlights
Climbing aboard the planes
All agesOn select aircraft you can step inside to see cockpits and cargo holds — the moment most kids remember.
The C-5 Galaxy & transport giants
All agesStanding under aircraft this enormous is the whole experience — the airlift planes that flew out of Dover.
The flight simulator
Ages 5+Take a turn at the controls — a hands-on hit with older kids.
The restored control tower
Ages 6+The cab that ran Dover's flight line for decades, preserved as part of the museum.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Assuming every plane is open to board — it varies by day; ask at the desk.
- • The outdoor airpark midday in summer — it's exposed; bring water and hats.
- • Climbing into aircraft with a stroller — the interiors mean stairs.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Free (donations welcome)
Kids
Free
Under
Free
Admission and parking are free; donations support the museum. It sits on Dover Air Force Base property but has its own public entrance — you don't clear the base gate to visit. Confirm current hours and any access notes on amcmuseum.org.
Getting There
Parking
Free on-site parking lot.
Ample free parking, and no base gate to clear for the museum itself.
Entrance
Enter at the museum on Heritage Road; admission is free.
Parent Logistics
The hangar floor and airpark paths are stroller-friendly. Boarding the aircraft means stairs, so the plane interiors aren't stroller-accessible.
Restrooms in the museum.
Not confirmed — plan ahead.
The hangar is indoors and climate-controlled; the outdoor airpark is exposed, so bring water and sun cover in summer.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No full cafe. Bring water for the outdoor airpark; Dover has plenty of food a few minutes away.
Snack strategy: Grab a meal in Dover before or after; pack water for the outdoor planes.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Ask at the front desk which aircraft are open to board that day — it changes.
- ✓ It's free, and you don't have to clear the base gate — the museum has its own entrance.
- ✓ The hangar makes it a great rainy-day pick; only the outdoor airpark needs good weather.
- ✓ Closed Mondays and Tuesdays — check amcmuseum.org for current hours before driving down.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Any open day; weekdays are quietest. Which aircraft are open to board varies by the day and the volunteers on hand, so ask at the desk. The outdoor airpark is best in nice weather.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, Wednesday–Sunday 9 AM–4 PM; closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and all federal holidays except Veterans Day — confirm current hours on amcmuseum.org. The selection of aircraft you can board changes day to day.
Rainy Day?
A great rainy-day option — the indoor hangar aircraft and the flight simulator are all under cover; only the outdoor airpark needs decent weather.
While You're in the Area
It's the anchor of a Dover day; Killens Pond State Park is a short drive south.
Upcoming Events
Featured in these guides
Know when something good is on near Air Mobility Command Museum
Free, one email a week — the weekend's best picks for New Castle County families, tailored to your kids' ages.