hangar-flight-museum

We Had “First-Class” Fun at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary

I’m not good with kids. I mean, I don’t hate them, but I don’t know how to deal with them. Yet once, my sister asked me to look after my nephews while she was out. I tried to say no, but I was the only one in the family with free time so I ended up caving in.

The thing is, my nephews couldn’t stop asking about airplanes! Apparently, they go through different obsessions now and then. And that time, it was all about pilots and aircraft. But while I also find these things really cool, I don’t know much about them.

So to satisfy their endless curiosity, I brought them to the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. And I admit, it was a blast! I felt like a kid on cloud 9. If you’re planning to visit the aviation museum with your crew, check out this handy guide from our trip.

What is The Hangar Flight Museum known for?

The Hangar Flight Museum, formerly the Aero Space Museum of Calgary, is known for its massive collection of vintage aircraft, aviation history exhibits, restored planes, and more. 

Best Time to Go

The best time to go to the aerospace museum is when it’s warmer, usually from late spring to early fall. For us, this can make your drive or commute, as well as explorations more pleasant. 

Visiting on weekdays is also better if you want to deal with fewer crowds. On the other hand, going on weekends often has the perk of special events or guided tours.

Things to Know

History: The Aero Space Museum of Calgary was founded in 1975 by aviation enthusiasts and former World War 2 pilots to share the aircraft’s history and its impact on the community.

Entry Fees: Admission rates start at CAD 8 for kids, CAD 15 for adults, and CAD 40 for families.

Operating Hours: The aviation museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, and is closed on Mondays.

Parking: There are available free parking slots on-site.

Washroom: Restrooms are accessible here for your convenience.

Amenities: Strollers and wheelchairs can be rented to accommodate more visitors.

Dogs: Pets aren’t allowed in The Hangar Flight Museum to keep it clean and safe. However, exceptions can be made for registered service dogs.

How to Get Around 

Trains: You can access trains via the nearby McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station.

Buses: Bus #57 stops outside of the museum’s parking lot. An accessible spot to catch this bus is from the Whitehorn Train Station.

Taxis: As the most convenient option, taxis are readily available around the city for direct drop-offs. You may also use an app for efficiency.

Car: If you’re driving, note that the museum is located near the intersection of McKnight Boulevard and McCall Way, south of Calgary International Airport.

What to Do in The Hangar Flight Museum

Join a Guided Tour

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Contact Details: [email protected] 

While you can always explore the museum alone or with your own group, joining a guided tour can give you more in-depth stories and unfamiliar trivias about the aircraft.

More specifically, the tour will lead you through the history of the museum’s hangar and the military, commercial, and civilian planes within it. The duration is up to 120 minutes based on the group’s interests.

We recommend booking in advance, with a minimum of a 2-week notice, to ensure the staff can accommodate you. Also, we find it handy that the museum offers discounts for groups of 15 and more!

Discover Historic Aircraft

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Ever thought about being a pilot at some point? At the museum, we reckon you might be inspired (even for a moment) as you get up close and personal with the vintage airplanes and helicopters!

With its extensive aircraft collection from different points in time, you can check out the earliest aviation models and the coolest military planes. In our opinion, visual and hands-on learners would be in their element around here.

And how much do you know about World War 2? Here, you’ll hear many stories of Canadian aviation pioneers, pilots, and tech innovations. This museum’s storytellers seem more than happy to share their knowledge, so we say ask away!

Interact with the Exhibits

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Of course, there’s more to just gawking at the aircraft at the museum. We believe the most exciting part of the exploration is the interactive exhibits. You can engage with the hands-on displays, whether you’re a curious kid or a nostalgic adult.

Why not test your piloting skills with the flight simulator? If you have friends with a fear of flying, we reckon this fun interaction can ease them into it. 

Plus, we feel this experience can make you appreciate real-life pilots more—especially their hard work and dedication when you see the challenges they regularly face.

Consider its Educational Programs

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The Aero Space Museum of Calgary offers many educational programs for schools and families. If your kid hasn’t been on a field trip here, you can still let them join the youth programs! 

We like that there are many choices, including customizable activities, testing different flying devices, launching paper airplanes, building flinging rockets, and so on.

But what we’re most interested in is the museum sleepovers! Kids would learn basic aviation history, watch a movie, and sleep among the planes—with parental supervision, of course.

Where to Eat around The Hangar Flight Museum

Chop Steakhouse & Bar

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Website: https://chop.ca/locations/calgary-barlow 

Address: 33 Hopewell Way NE

Contact Details: +1 403 736 3333, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$$

Need a protein-rich dish after a day of exploring the Aero Space Museum of Calgary? Just less than 2 kilometres away is Chop Steakhouse & Bar, offering premium steak sourced from Canadian ranchers, aged 35 days or more.

For your mains, we recommend the slow-roasted prime rib for a hearty meal. Seafood fans may also go for the chilli garlic shrimp or the miso-glazed salmon! We also appreciate the kids’ menu with burgers and chicken fingers.

For the sweet delight, we think you’ll love the unique pineapple upside-down cake! It’s basically a rum cake and comes with vanilla gelato. We like that the New York cheesecake comes in a regular or mini size as a lovely alternative too.

Amihan Grill + Bakeshop

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Website: http://amihan.ca/ 

Address: Interpacific Business Park, 3132 26 St NE Unit # 208

Contact Details: +1 403 455 6050, [email protected] 

Pricing: $$

Want to go the Southeast Asian route? Amihan Grill + Bakeshop is an authentic Filipino restaurant that celebrates nostalgic street food and grilled dishes.

Our top picks are the BBQ pork ribs with the tasty signature sauce, pork lumpia (spring rolls), and chicken inasal (lemongrass-marinated chicken) for some savoury goodness. If you can’t decide, we say go with the sampler platters first!

We also love that this dining spot bakes its own breads, cakes, and pastries! The sweetest highlights for us are the Spanish bread and egg pie. But if you want to go with the classic item, we think the pan de sal (bread roll) is a fantastic start.

Friend’s Pizza & Pasta

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Website: http://friendspizzapasta.com/ 

Address: 2066 18 Ave NE # 312

Contact Details: +1 403 374 3637, [email protected] 

Pricing: $

Friend’s Pizza & Pasta is the Italian place to crash if all you want after a museum trip is pizza, pizza, and more pizza!

We suggest getting your hands on the BBQ chicken and meat-lover pizza. We also find it incredible that there are many options for vegetarians, like the Greek veggie and cheese pizza. 

And while there aren’t many desserts here, we still feel that the tiramisu or “pick me up” in Italian is a wonderful treat to end with.

Where to Stay near The Hangar Flight Museum

Hilton Garden Inn

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Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yycahgi-hilton-garden-inn-calgary-airport/ 

Address: 2335 Pegasus Rd NE

Contact Details: +1 403 717 1999

Pricing: $$

Book Now

Hilton Garden Inn is a sleek 3-star hotel in a strategic location—it’s 15 kilometres from Calgary International Airport and 5 kilometres from Calgary Zoo. We think the latter is great if you have kids who might enjoy seeing airplanes and animals on the same day.

The calming rooms offer custom beds, along with flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, minifridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. If you need more space, we suggest going for a suite with separate living areas, as well as handy pull-out sofas and whirlpool tubs.

Besides the casual grill restaurant and bar, you can get snacks from the 24/7 convenience store to save some bucks. And if the airport doesn’t seem close enough, we bet you’ll love the complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle! 

Best Western Hotels & Resorts

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Website: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.61035.html 

Address: 1935 McKnight Blvd NE

Contact Details: +1 403 291 4600

Pricing: $$

Book Now

Best Western Hotels & Resorts is a 3-star hub only a 4-minute walk from the Aero Space Museum of Calgary! For us, walking here is like hitting two birds with one stone—squeezing in your morning walk and enjoying a visual treat afterward!

While the laid-back rooms have most of the basics, we’re intrigued by the suites adding whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. Upgrading to a suite also gives you a balcony, but note that only some offer magnificent mountain views.

When you get hungry, you can choose among the three: a chill dining spot, a sports bar, and a cafe. We bet the kids would also love the indoor pool with a water slide!

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

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Website: https://www.choicehotels.com/alberta/calgary/country-inn-suites-hotels/cnc13?mc=llgoxxpx 

Address: 2481 39 Ave NE

Contact Details: +1 403 250 1800

Pricing: $$

Book Now

Country Inn & Suites is a 3-star accommodation convenient for downtown Calgary dwellers since it’s 11 kilometres from the area. 

Its minimalist rooms come with the usual basic amenities. But should you want more privacy, we think you’ll like that the suites can add separate living rooms and sofabeds. When you upgrade yours, you can relax in a whirlpool tub too!

On top of that, we appreciate the freebies—hot breakfast, parking, and airport shuttle. And if you need it, there’s a handy business center for planned and emergency work meetings.

Tips When Visiting The Hangar Flight Museum

Now you know all about the museum, gear up with these nifty tricks to make your exploration more productive:

Pack light.
We recommend keeping your valuables to a minimum, as big bags may not be allowed inside.

Take your time.
It’s best to allot at least an hour or two to explore the museum. Others stay until half a day to make the most of the experience.

Don’t forget about the gift shop!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the artifacts, but we say don’t leave without picking up a souvenir (or two) for you and your loved ones!

Consider getting a membership.
You can save on multiple visits by being a member! This gives you free admission to the museum all year, save CAD 2 per extra friend, get 10% off at the gift shop, and more perks!
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