Alaska Aviation Museum
About This Museum
Tucked away on the shore of Lake Hood, the Alaska Aviation Museum isn't just a building full of old planes—it's a living, breathing tribute to the pilots who stitched this vast state together. You can almost hear the ghosts of bush pilots in the hangar, especially when the scent of welding and engine oil means a vintage aircraft is being brought back to life right before your eyes. It’s a place where history isn't just preserved; it's actively restored. This is where Alaska's rugged spirit truly takes flight.
Collection Highlights
You'll find legendary birds here, like the rare Douglas DC-2 and the hulking PBY-5A Catalina flying boat that once patrolled these coasts. Don't miss the 'Miracle on the Mudflat' exhibit, which tells the incredible story of a Wien Airlines crash where everyone survived. And for a real thrill, you can climb into the cockpit of a simulator and feel what it's like to navigate through an Alaskan mountain pass.
Visitor Information
Come with your ears open—the sound of restorations in progress is part of the charm. Chat with the volunteers; many are retired pilots with stories that'll make your hair stand on end. It's easy to spend a whole afternoon here, lost in the tales of these magnificent machines.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a classic, no-nonsense Alaskan hangar, it feels more like stepping into a working airfield than a formal museum, with massive bay doors that open right onto the floatplane traffic of Lake Hood.
Contact & Location
Address: Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721, Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, 99502, United States
Phone: +1 907-248-5325
Website: Visit Website
