Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is an aviation lover's dream where kids can get up close with over 50 historic aircraft and actually climb into real fighter jet cockpits. Housed in a historic Air Force hangar, this hands-on museum lets children explore everything from vintage warplanes to space artifacts, making it perfect for active learners who need to touch and explore rather than just look.

• ✓Climbing into authentic fighter jet cockpits including an F-16 and B-1B Bomber
• ✓Walking underneath the massive B-52 Stratofortress bomber
• ✓Exploring presidential aircraft and vintage warbirds from WWII
• ✓Space exploration exhibits featuring moon rocks and satellites
• ✓Interactive flight simulators (additional fee)

1. 1.Arrive right at opening (10 AM weekdays, noon Sundays) to have the cockpits mostly to yourselves before school groups arrive mid-morning
2. 2.Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be walking on concrete floors throughout the massive 180,000 square foot hangar
3. 3.Don't miss the Star Wars exhibit area and the B-52 bomber - kids can walk underneath it to appreciate its enormous size
4. 4.Pack hand sanitizer as kids will be touching lots of surfaces in the interactive cockpits
5. 5.Check their website for special flight simulator events and guest pilot presentations that happen on select weekends

Visit on weekday afternoons (2-4 PM) to avoid large school field trip groups that typically come in the mornings. Saturdays are busiest, so Sunday afternoons offer a nice balance of being open with smaller crowds.

Admission runs about $13 for adults and $8 for kids ages 4-12 (ages 3 and under free). Free parking is available on-site. There's no café, so plan to eat before or after your visit, though snacks and drinks are available in a small gift shop.

The museum is indoor and climate-controlled, making it perfect year-round, especially on hot summer days or cold winter days. Special events include Aviation Day in the summer and Wings & Wheels car show in September. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Chick-fil-A and Chipotle are located about 5 minutes away in the nearby shopping center on Havana Street. For a sit-down option, try Bonefish Grill (10 minutes away) which has a good kids' menu and family-friendly atmosphere.