An Under the Radar Michigan Gem: Michigan Flight Museum
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If you love under-the-radar historical museums in Michigan, you need to check out the Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures (fka Yankee Air Museum). This little day trip with lunch will give you a nice little punch of adventure.
Whether you are looking to enhance or begin your understanding of aviation, WWII, or both, this day trip is a perfect way for anyone to walk away informed and inspired. By way of artifacts, guides, photos, simulators, videos, music, and more, it will be a day well worth your time.
In the little town of Belleville less than an hour outside of Detroit you will find the Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures.
The History of Willow Run
The Michigan Flight Museum was built on the grounds of the Willow Run Airport in 1981. You can read more about Willow Run Airport’s history concerning WWII.
I have enjoyed this museum many times whether it be alone, with other adults, or with my grandchildren. Each time I learn something new.
What Can I Expect at Michigan Flight Museum?
Michigan Flight Museum has a gifted way of reaching each of its attendees’ interests and learning capabilities. Every attendee/group is greeted personally by one of the museum’s many volunteers.
You can walk through the museum on your own, or personally be led by their experts. I have done both and prefer a personal tour.
Each guide has his/her own unique tidbits of information and stories about the items on display. They are refreshingly flexible to gear your tour to your group’s interest level and attention span.
The charm of the Michigan Flight Museum is its focus on local people and events. You will find many personal stories, including my very own, and artifacts at the museum, especially from our own community.
A Real Community Connection at Michigan Flight Museum
YAMMichigan Flight Museumdoes a fabulous job recognizing so many different local community heroes. It’s so refreshing to be in a place where locals are honored.
My own personal connection to the Michigan Flight Museum is through my father who was a B-24 navigator/bombardier in WWII. That means during WWII, my father dropped the bombs and navigated the B-24 bomber airplane, the same plane built at Willow Run during the war.
After searching for many months for a bomb my father signed years ago at an unknown airshow, I was thrilled to find it in my own backyard at the Michigan Flight Museum! He had attended one of their annual Thunder Over Michigan airshows and signed a display bomb used on the B-24 plane. Mine is only one of many examples of personal displays honoring our local heroes.
There’s more to Michigan Flight Museum than WWII. The museum continues to add new exhibits and tours to its facility. Currently, you can find the following, just to name a few:
- Willow Run/Rosie the Riveter
- Vietnam War
- WWI
- WWII
- Tuskegee
- A hometown hero’s Thunderbird Story
Michigan Flight Museum’s Interactive Displays
One of our favorite parts of the museum was its many simulators and interactive displays. Both adults and kids found them to give a great insider’s perspective and depth to what it would be like to fly or train as an aviator.
A variety of static aircraft both inside and outside of the museum is sprinkled with many interesting displays. Michigan Flight Museum really packs a punch for a smaller facility. It’s quite impressive.
You will find an A-4 Skyhawk, the Bell AH-1J SeaCobra helicopter, a B-52D, fighter aircraft, fighter-bombers, F-100C Super Sabre, PS-2 Glider, and more!
The display cases include aviation equipment, artillery, uniforms, and personal use items put together so well and labeled clearly. Our guides were fantastic at engaging the kids and asking them questions about what they were seeing.
What Else is Available at the Michigan Flight Museum?
- You can book an Air Adventure flight on one of five of historic planes
- The museum offers many events throughout the year including Air Shows, extended tours, fundraising dinners and experiences
- Volunteer opportunities for many different skill sets
- Educational opportunities for young and old with camps, speaking engagements, tours and field trips
How Much Is Admission to the Michigan Flight Museum?
For regular admission, memberships, and other discounts, check the museum website.
But………….
You are able to get into the Michigan Flight Museum for FREE using the Michigan Activity Pass.
Parking is free.
I found our experience at the Michigan Flight Museum to be a win for all of us. It feels much less intimidating than the larger museums and everyone leaves with a deeper, more personal understanding of aviation, our state’s role in WWII, and history.
Now for Lunch!
The next stop to this day’s adventure is only a 12-minute drive from the museum, the cozy Bomber Restaurant located at 306 E. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI.
The Bomber Restaurant is a WWll memorabilia-themed diner, serving some of the best breakfast & lunch in the townhome to ‘Rosie the Riveter.’
With their restaurant’s theme tied to the B-24 bomber plane made at Willow Run, it makes perfect sense to end your afternoon with a wonderful lunch or their famous “Bomber Breakfast.”
The Bombers Restaurant ceilings and walls are packed with displays from local veterans. Model planes of all types from WWII hang throughout. You will see photos, articles, uniforms, medals, and more. Don’t be shy to get up and look around, it’s to be expected.
Be sure to plan your itinerary around their hours of operation. They are open Wed-Sun 8 AM-1:45 PM serving breakfast and lunch. Trust me, you will not be disappointed or hungry after your visit!
Enjoy Your Michigan Flight Museum & Bomber Restaurant Day Trip
You will always find something different and exciting at the Michigan Flight Museum and the Bomber Restaurant. The Bomber Restaurant continually adds to its military displays and offers new specials.
With Michigan Flight Museum’s ongoing expansions, hands-on learning and interactive displays, rotation of artifacts, a team of personal tour guides, and special events it is surely the perfect “go-to” location to revisit again and again.