Posted On : 6/26/2007 by Chris Zook
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
Hours: Daily 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (until 5:30 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Admission: adults $12, seniors and students $10, youth (6–17) $6, active military and children 5 and under free
Info: 619 234-8291, www.aerospacemuseum.org
Like the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes, the San Diego Air and Space Museum (formerly Aerospace Museum) overcame an arson fire that destroyed its entire collection in 1978. Now it populates the spacious Ford Building in Balboa Park with more than 70 replicas, restorations, and models of original aircraft.
Tracing the history of flight from the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to current ventures into outer space, the museum presents the world’s only International Aerospace Hall of Fame, which honors the accomplishments of Lindbergh, Earhart, and Armstrong, among others. Visitors can also fly an F-22 Raptor in the museum’s flight-simulator ride.