Want all the vibes of a big city museum without heading far? The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Wildwood is a fascinating peek into military aviation and transportation (think National Air and Space Museum in D.C. without the long car trip). It’s housed in an authentic World War II Hangar, and kids will have a ball exploring hands-on exhibits and climbing into real planes, copters, and jeeps. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to discover the exciting history of Cape May during WWII. It’s no wonder NAS Wildwood is listed among our favorite museums in NJ—read on for more details and how it can be an engaging, educational day for your kids (and you). (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
Stepping back in time
Before you start exploring, you are encouraged to sit in actual airplane seats and watch a short film about the museum, which reveals little-known facts, such as how the aircraft hangar was assembled from a kit delivered via railroad. Once built, it was commissioned as a training facility for dive bomber squadrons in Delaware Bay. Following World War II, United States Overseas Airlines operated out of Hangar #1. Recently, the Salvatore family restored the hangar and turned it into a museum for everyone to enjoy.
Exploring the collection
Hanger #1 houses the entire museum, where you can spend as much time looking at the exhibits as you like. Military buffs will be in awe of the vehicles, boats, and planes that have served the U.S. military at one time. What’s even more exciting is that kids can touch here and even get inside them, sparking imaginative play while discovering how they work through fun STEM interactive displays. Practice driving skills in the Jeep and pretend to be in the air on big and small fighter planes, including the prized TBM-3E Avenger Torpedo Bomber Warplane and an F6F-3 Hellcat. NAS Wildwood has a vast collection of helicopters on display, such as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (AKA “Huey”) and a retired HH-52A from the U.S. Coast Guard, most of which you can step inside the cockpit and walk around the perimeter to get a feel of these unique flyers.
See rare artifacts
Sneak in a bit of history in exhibits that show life in NJ during World War II, and view the Photography and Radio Exhibit. Kids will want to climb up to the top of the communication control tower, where they can survey the entire museum from above and make a radio call. Before you leave, don’t miss looking at the jet engines taken from planes, like the GE90 turbofan jet engine from a Boeing 777 (spoiler alert: it’s massive). The exhibits often rotate and receive new artifacts, so expect to find something different during each visit to the museum.
Sit in real airplanes and naval vehicles. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
FAQs About Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
When can I visit?
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM from March to December. In January and February, they open only during the week, Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Make sure to dress for the weather because Historic Hangar #1 does not have climate control.
What are the fees?
Museum tickets can be purchased at the gift shop. Admission is $16 for adults, $12 for ages 3-12, and members, active U.S. military members, and children under 3 are free. Parking is free, and the museum has self-guided tours.
Are there any special events?
The facility is pet-friendly (dogs must be on a leash), wheelchair-accessible, and can host weddings and private events for up to 300 people in the hangar. There is a gift shop with toys, novelties, souvenirs, and branded merchandise. Check their calendar for special events, including AirFest, a festival featuring food, meet-and-greets, music, and more.
To learn more about the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, visit their website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
500 Forrestal Road
Cape May, NJ 08204
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
