Destination guide for Colorado’s Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.
The Wings Over the Rockies (WOTR) Air and Space Museum is a fascinating museum situated in Hangar 1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base. The museum was established in 1994, and 3 years later, the Colorado State Legislature passed a bill that made it the state’s official air and space museum. WOTR has a second location, Exploration of Flight, which is about 19 miles south of the museum.
Visiting the Air and Space Museum
I admit I am not all that interested in aviation, so what led me to this museum was a special exhibit featuring Snoopy and his Red Baron persona. I am a major fan of all things Snoopy, so this site quickly became a must-see when planning my trip to Denver! In the end, I’m glad my Snoopy obsession led me here because it was a cool experience seeing the military aircraft up close, and the exhibits were fascinating.
The Air and Space Museum offers a mix of permanent and special exhibits that capture the imagination of both children and the young at heart. While many of us have only seen military aircraft in books and in documentaries, nothing compares to standing next to those massive planes! For those looking to channel their inner Top Gun pilot, the museum also features a set of MaxFlight Simulators. These simulators are an additional fee, but those riding them were all smiles.
The Air and Space Museum is located on the eastern side of Denver and is easily accessed by driving, public transportation, or ride-share. Drivers will find ample parking available to the south and east of the building. For guests relying on ride-sharing services, for reference, my trip from downtown Denver took 20 minutes, but the ride back was almost 40 minutes, due to Friday’s rush-hour traffic. I visited the Air and Space Museum on a Friday afternoon, so there weren’t many people, but I imagine it is a popular site on weekends, especially for families. I spent an hour at the museum; however, those who have a passion for aviation and history can easily spend a few hours checking out all the aircraft and exhibits. Overall, I was impressed by the Air and Space Museum and consider this a site worth visiting while in Denver.
The space section of the museum was my favorite, as I love anything related to space travel. Here, guests will discover captivating displays, immersive interactive exhibits, and interesting artifacts from NASA and former astronauts. I enjoyed learning more about Jack Swigert, one of the astronauts on board the ill-fated Apollo 13.
Special Exhibit at the Air and Space Museum
Snoopy as the Red Baron was an exhibit that featured panels sharing the history of the Red Baron, comic panels, a few memorabilia items, and a photo station where guests could dress up as the character. Although small, the exhibit was enjoyable, as I always get a good laugh from Snoopy and his antics!
If you plan to visit other museums in Denver, I highly recommend purchasing the Denver CityPASS to save money. My post about this pass provides more information and shows its value.
The Air and Space Museum is fully accessible, and guests can request a wheelchair at no additional cost. The museum also provides sensory bags, which include items such as earmuffs and fidgets, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Resources
For additional information on tours and accessibility, visit the Wings Over the Rockies website.
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