Cradle of Aviation Museum

The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York preserves Long Island’s aviation and aerospace history in more than 150,000 square feet, with 75 air and spacecraft across eight galleries, including an Apollo Lunar Module, historic aircraft and a Pan Am Boeing 314 exhibit. The museum also offers the Catholic Health Sky Theater Planetarium, more than 30 hands-on exhibits, cockpit experiences, simulators and STEM programs. The museum originally opened in unrestored hangars in 1980 and reopened in a state-of-the-art facility in 2002 after a late-1990s renovation and expansion. Current visitor hours are Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00; Monday and special-event, maintenance or weather closures can vary, so confirm the operator’s calendar. Museum admission is $18 for adults and $16 for children ages 2–12 and seniors 62+; a museum-and-planetarium combo is $25 for adults and $23 for children ages 2–12 and seniors 62+, while a planetarium-only ticket is $12 for adults and $11 for children ages 2–12 and seniors 62+. Visitor address: Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City, New York 11530, United States. The operator lists free parking and publishes general and reservations numbers (516-572-4111 / 516-572-4066); reservations may be needed for education programs and special events. Confirm hours, exhibit availability, tickets and closures before travel.