Airborne and Special Operations Museum

Airborne and Special Operations Museum is at 100 Bragg Blvd. It features life-size dioramas, rare aircraft, artifacts and interactive displays that celebrate this special sector of the armed forces.

Five main exhibits allow visitors to “jump” from Aug. 16, 1940—the date of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon's first leap—to the World War II, Cold War, Vietnam and post-Vietnam eras. Included among the impressive aircraft collection are a C-47 plane, Waco CG-4A glider and UH-1 helicopter.

A 24-seat motion simulator places visitors in the midst of parachute jumps, helicopter gunship attacks and daring missions. A reproduction of a war-stricken French village offers a glimpse into the aftermath of the 1944 Normandy Invasion. Other highlights include a 235-seat large-screen movie theater, a 50-seat video theater and an area devoted to changing exhibits.

Time: Allow 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.