Museum of Flight - Seattle, Washington - An Interactive Air and Space Experience



The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle, Washington. The facility is south of downtown Seattle, at the south end of Boeing Field and the King County Airport. Easy access to the museum off of Interstate 5 is provided at Exit 158.

The museum's main campus is the most interactive air and space experience people will find while visiting Seattle. In business since 1968, the flight museum was originally set in the Seattle Center World's Fair building but moved to its current location in 1983.

At the museum, visitors have the opportunity to get involved and eliminate being a passive observer. The X-Pilot simulator puts you in the pilot seat of a virtual F-18 Hornet or P-51 Mustang. These simulators are full-motion, allowing for unlimited loops, rolls, and other aerobatic gyrations. The 4D-X simulator seats 13 passengers, taking them on an exciting WWII scouting mission with special environmental effects. The Aviation Learning Center allows school groups or corporate team building events to learn the science of aviation and even create a flight plan and pilot simulated aircraft. For the truly adventurous, visitors can board a real vintage bi-plane operated by Olde Thyme Aviation and see Seattle from the air.

The museum recently added a memorial pedestrian bridge that connects the main museum with one of its most popular features - tours of the first Air Force One and the only Concorde on the West Coast.

In addition to permanent attractions, the museum hosts a slew of rotating exhibits, and is currently featuring Harmony of the Universe - The Art of Toshiro Sawanuki; a thirty-piece collection of Sawanuki's rendering of brightly colored cosmic landscapes.

The volunteer staff of docents runs all tours, many of which are former pilots, mechanics, or aviation engineers. The museum provides little else in the way of guidance and is truly set up for visitors to simply meander around and take in whatever they see fit.

While visiting the museum, guests can take a break from the galleries and watch the air show in Boeing Field while taking in the great fare at Wings Caf,. The caf, offers snacks, hot entrees, and high-quality fast food. Weather permitting, visitors can sit out on the deck and take in the scenery. The caf, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and does not require admission.

On the flight campus visitors will find The Museum of Flight Store, which features a great selection of aviation treasures. The store offers prints, collectible models, a wide collection of books, and much more. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On campus, the William M. Allen Theater offers free movies everyday. The theater is a 268-seat auditorium featuring facilities for 16, 35 and 70 mm film, video and data projection. The space is perfect for a large audio-visual presentation. Equipped with Dolby sound capabilities, video or data projection, and 16, 35, and 70mm projection, the Technical Services staff makes every presentation memorable.

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