DFW is a fantastic playground for all things aviation, having museums, airport parks, airshows, and home to several major airports and aircraft manufacturers. If you love aviation and airplanes, this is a great place to live, and this month we are highlighting all the fun aviation-related things to see and do here in North Texas. We hope this motivates you to get out and take in some of the local aviation sights and sounds.

If your family is interested in aviation, here are all the great things North Texas has to offer…

C.R. Smith Museum 

This aviation museum, conveniently located in the mid-cities just south of DFW airport, highlights the rich history of American Airlines, the world's largest airline. The museum includes movies, a restored DC-3 airliner, interactive displays, and simulators, including a small evacuation slide. This "Best in DFW" award winner in 2021 & 2022 is open only on Fridays & Saturdays, with tickets ranging from $6-$12. 

Also located near DFW airport, on the NW part of the airport property, this free park resides close to the approach end of one of DFW's busiest runways and is one of the best plane-watching locations in North Texas. When aircraft land to the south, you can closely view airliners of every size landing. There are picnic tables, benches, and even free built-in binoculars (but bring your own for the best viewing). Founders Plaza is open every day from 7 AM - 7 PM.

Known for having the "Most Touchable Warbirds" in Texas, this excellent museum is located on the south side of Meecham Field and features over 30 vintage military aircraft. Most of the fantastic aircraft displays are outside, so plan a visit on a nice day. The museum is open Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, with tickets ranging from $5-$10.

This aviation museum has a diverse display that includes military and civilian aircraft, rockets, and spacecraft. This museum is located on the east side of Love Field, open every day (excluding major holidays), with tickets ranging from $9-$12.

This museum highlights older vintage military aircraft and has an impressive display of World War I & World War II aircraft; and is located at Addison Airport north of Dallas and is open on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, with tickets ranging from $6-$12.

This annual fall weekend airshow was renamed last year to the Alliance Texas Aviation Expo. This airshow occurs in mid-October and has a ramp full of active military and commercial aircraft static displays and two afternoons full of flying performers, usually including the Air Force Thunderbirds or the Navy Blue Angels. Historically admission is free, but parking is $20.