The Bald Traveler Review:
The Texas Air and Space Museum is a small aviation museum located on the grounds of the Amarillo Airport. Having worked in the past on contracts for the FAA whenever I see an aviation museum I have to go. Do not get confused this is not a Smithsonian level museum or even like the intrepid museum. It is a small local museum staffed by volunteers. It takes up less then half a hanger with most aircraft actually outside.
The Museum is open most days and is staffed by volunteers. It has two signature pieces, a DC-3 which was the last DC-3 used by the FAA to validate landing procedures at airports, and a NASA shuttle simulator used by the pilot of the Columbia shuttle tragedy, who was an Amarillo native.
There is a large model room and exhibit area that was a nice surprise for me based on the size of the museum. For a free museum this is a nice one and well worth a stop if you are in Amarillo with some time to spare.
When to go
The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10am to 4pm. There may be a bit of a wait to see the outside exhibits if a volunteer is not available.
What is nearby?
Amarillo has a lot to offer in attractions for the traveler.
- Big Texan RV Ranch
- Cadillac Ranch
- Big Texan Steakhouse
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum
- Amarillo Museum of Art
- Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
- Amarillo Zoo
- Amarillo Botanical Gardens
- Wonderland Amusement Park
How to get there
Hours of operation
10:00AM to 4:00PM Monday – Saturday
Cost
Free but they do accept donations to maintain the aircraft and for their new building. I recommend between $5 and $10.
Website
http://www.texasairandspacemuseum.org/