5 Cool Things At The Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Ohio -

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Explore artifacts that are indeed out of this world with a visit to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Discover Ohio’s contributions to aviation and space exploration that took humans to new heights.

The museum not only focuses on Ohio’s aeronautical history but serves as a tribute to Ohioan Neil Armstrong. While many know Neil Armstrong as the first man on the moon, they don’t realize he was a Wapakoneta native.

Stargazers of all ages will find the Armstrong Air and Space Museum full of fascinating facts as the museum tells the history of space flight, lunar landings, and the life story of astronaut Neil Armstrong.

How To Get to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum is at 500 Apollo Drive, Wapakoneta, OH 45895, just west off of I-75.

Drive Time:

Dayon ~ 60 miles ~ 55 minutes

Toledo ~90 miles ~ 1 hour 22 minutes

Columbus ~ 87 miles~ 1 hour 29 minutes

Cincinnati ~111.5 miles ~1 hour 45 minutes

Planning A Visit To Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum

The museum is open Wednesday- Sundays from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Hours can change, so check their website for any updates.

Spacesuits on display at the Armstrong Museum

The 2023 cost of admission to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum is $12.00 for adults, $11.00 for seniors 60+, $7.50 for children 6-12, and free for those five years old or younger. AAA, veteran, and active duty military discounts are available as well.

Budget Tip: Ohio History Connection Members get in FREE!

Other Useful Tips:

Parking is free, with availability for RVs, campers, and buses.
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
The museum has wheelchairs available to use at the front desk. A picnic pavilion is available on-site, with picnic tables available throughout the museum grounds.
I suggest 60-90 minutes to see the museum depending on whether you watch the film in the Astro Theater.

Replica of Neil Armstrong's Space Suit — Replica of Neil Armstrong’s Space Suit

5 Cool Things To See At The Armstrong Air and Space Museum

Architects designed the museum to resemble a futuristic moon base, sparking the interest of all who pass by. However, the museum comes to life once inside with the sights and sounds space.

Gemini viii

The museum’s crown jewel is the original Gemini viii spacecraft flown in space by pilot David Scott and command pilot Neil Armstrong. The mission conducted the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit but also suffered the first critical in-space system failure of a U.S. spacecraft that threatened the astronauts’ lives and required an immediate abort of the mission. The crew returned to Earth safely.

Guests to the museum can now view the spacecraft and see how the two astronauts lived in the small Gemini capsule.

Actual Moon Rock

The Apollo Missions to get a man to the moon resulted in Neil Armstrong becoming the first person to step foot on the lunar surface. On the mission, they brought back various lunar samples, with one on display at the museum. His famous quote, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” can be seen and heard throughout the museum.

According to my daughter, it looks like an ordinary rock, but when I told her it came from the moon, she claimed it had a certain sparkle.

Infinity Room

One of the neatest spots in the museum is the infinity room. It feels like you can touch the stars as you walk through the twinkling passageway.

Watch A Film At The Museum’s Astro-Theater

The 56-foot dome in the center of the museum houses the Astro Theater, a unique venue that allows guests to enjoy the 25-minute documentary about Apollo 11’s lunar landing. Guests are easily able to by-pass the film if they wish. The film is fascinating, and I highly recommend it if you have the time.

Tip: There is no additional charge for the film or the simulators found throughout the museum.

The Gift Shop

The gift shop has a unique collection of space merchandise. There are space plushies, astronaut suits, toys, ships, shirts, pens, and everything under the sun! If you have a big space fan in your family, you should buy a few birthday and holiday gifts while you are here.

We only started covering all the unique artifacts inside the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Don’t miss viewing the original planes flown by Neil Armstrong that are outside greeting visitors as they arrive or the actual wheel of a space shuttle. You will be over the moon that you stopped by this remarkable Ohio roadside attraction.