Museum of Flying

Museum of Flying is at 3100 Airport Ave. A Douglas DC-3 airplane—nicknamed the “Spirit of Santa Monica”—greets guests on the front lawn of the 22,000-square-foot facility. The aircraft and exhibits focus on southern California's contributions to aviation, including the Santa Monica's Douglas Aircraft Company. Highlights include a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk jet, used by the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels; a BD-5J Microjet from “Octopussy,” the 13th James Bond film; a replica of the Wright Flyer, the first successful aircraft built by the Wright brothers; and a replica Lockheed Vega, similar to one Amelia Earhart would have flown on her trans-Atlantic flight.

Two cockpits are visitable. Climb in a 1940s Convair CV-240 "Convairliner," an American Airlines passenger jet; or a Boeing 727, which provides glimpses of the street and Santa Monica Airport. There are also historic photos, aircraft art and memorabilia from famous aviators alongside the nearly two dozen aircraft.

Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.