Trip ideas while visiting Oshkosh in Wisconsin
The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh stands as one of the premier aviation museums in the world, drawing visitors from across the globe to its five climate-controlled hangars housing more than 200 historic aircraft. Operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association, the museum traces the complete story of human flight from the Wright brothers’ earliest experiments through the Space Age and into the modern era of homebuilt and experimental aircraft. The museum serves as the year-round companion to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest fly-in convention on Earth that transforms Wittman Regional Airport into the busiest airport in the world for one week each July.
The museum traces its origins to the founding of the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1953 by Paul Poberezny, a Wisconsin aviation enthusiast who gathered fellow homebuilders in the basement of his Milwaukee home. The organization relocated to Oshkosh in 1983 and the museum opened its doors to the public shortly thereafter. What began as a modest collection of homebuilt aircraft and memorabilia has grown into a world-class institution that now welcomes over 250,000 visitors annually. The museum continues to expand its exhibits and educational programming under the EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation through sharing the spirit of flight.
The museum’s collection spans the entire history of aviation, from fragile early replicas to powerful warbirds and sleek modern designs. Among the highlights is a faithful reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer, the aircraft that launched the age of powered flight on the sands of Kitty Hawk. Visitors can also examine a replica of Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the single-engine Ryan monoplane that made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in May of 1927. The Eagle Hangar, dedicated to World War II aviation, features authentic fighters and bombers including the P-51 Mustang, B-25 Mitchell, and the legendary P-38 Lightning, with many aircraft maintained in flying condition and flown during AirVenture.
One of the museum’s most remarkable exhibits is the KidVenture Gallery, an interactive space designed specifically for young visitors where children can sit in real aircraft cockpits, operate flight simulators, and participate in hands-on building activities. The gallery introduces the basics of aerodynamics, navigation, and aircraft construction through engaging, age-appropriate displays that have inspired countless future pilots and engineers. Adjacent to the main museum is Pioneer Airport, an operational grass airstrip where visitors can take rides in vintage aircraft including a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor and a 1941 Waco biplane, experiencing aviation as it felt during the golden age of flight.
The museum’s exhibits on homebuilt aircraft and experimental aviation form the heart of the EAA’s educational mission, showcasing dozens of unique, one-of-a-kind aircraft designed and constructed by individual builders. The Innovations Gallery highlights groundbreaking designs and technological advances in general aviation, including the first Van’s RV series aircraft that revolutionized the kitplane industry. Visitors can explore a collection of racing planes, aerobatic aircraft, and record-setting designs that demonstrate the boundless creativity of the amateur aircraft building community that the EAA has championed for more than seven decades.
The museum offers guided tours led by knowledgeable volunteer docents, many of whom are current or former pilots with firsthand aviation experience. Tours can be customized to focus on specific areas of interest including World War II aviation, homebuilding techniques, or the history of commercial flight. The on-site EAA Aviation Museum Store stocks an extensive selection of aviation books, model kits, apparel, and pilot supplies that appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Special events throughout the year include lecture series, film screenings, and hands-on workshops covering topics from basic aircraft maintenance to advanced building techniques.
The museum occupies a prime location adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport, making it easy to observe aircraft taking off and landing throughout the day. Outdoor exhibits include static displays of larger aircraft too substantial for indoor presentation, as well as memorials honoring aviators who have contributed to the EAA and the broader aviation community. A viewing platform provides excellent sightlines of airport operations and the Pioneer Airport grass strip where vintage aircraft demonstrations occur during the summer flying season.
The best times to visit the museum are during weekday mornings, when the galleries are least crowded and visitors can explore at a leisurely pace. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free for EAA members and children under five, while discounts are available for seniors, students, and active military personnel. The last full week of July brings AirVenture, when the entire city of Oshkosh transforms into the center of the aviation universe and the museum becomes the epicenter of an event that typically draws more than 600,000 attendees from over 80 countries.
Summer visitors can enjoy the full operation of Pioneer Airport with vintage aircraft rides operating daily, weather permitting. The October through April months offer a quieter experience with more opportunities for one-on-one interaction with docents and staff. Spring brings the return of flying weather and the museum’s outdoor programming, while fall offers comfortable temperatures for exploring both the indoor galleries and the outdoor aircraft displays against a backdrop of Wisconsin’s autumn colors.