Denver and its surrounding cities and towns have a rich aviation heritage, from some of the earliest experiments in flight to manned space travel. Whether you simply want to learn more about Colorado’s aerospace history or take to the skies yourself, this aviation tour has something for every aficionado.

 

Aviation History Museums Around Denver

Here are some great museums with exceptionally rare aircraft and artifacts that tell the story of Colorado aviation.  

 

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Denver’s Lowry neighborhood was home to Lowry Air Force Base from the late 1930s to 1994. Now, that former base is home to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, which gives visitors a chance to explore Colorado’s aviation history. The museum features more than 50 aircraft: WWI fighter planes, WWII bombers and even a replica of the "Star Wars" X-Wing Starfighter (complete with working R2D2). Explore exhibits on the Colorado Air National Guard and Colorado’s many astronauts or try your hand at flying in one of the interactive flight simulators. The museum is also careful to weave in the story of Colorado aviation, such as the twin-engine (push-pull configuration) Adam A500, which was designed by famed engineer Burt Rutan. 

 

Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight

While the Air & Space Museum focuses on aviation’s past, the recently opened Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight in Englewood is all about the latest aerospace innovations. Located at Centennial Airport — one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports — Exploration of Flight’s Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery is an interactive aviation center with two levels. The first floor has a tumbling gyro chair, wind tunnel, virtual reality experiences and a pilot-quality flight simulator, while the second floor offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at a working airport. You can even listen in on air traffic chatter from Centennial Tower!

 

Forney Museum of Transportation 

While the Forney Museum of Transportation displays pretty much every type of vehicle, there are some artifacts for aviation aficionados, such as Amelia Earhart's 1923 Kissel Speedster convertible car and a Quicksilver MX motorized hang glider. 

 

Vintage Aero Flying Museum

Head northeast to the Vintage Aero Flying Museum in Fort Lupton, where you’ll find vintage biplanes from the early 1900s, including a brightly painted 1918 Fokker DVII. (It's only open on certain days. Call 303-668-8044 to make an appointment.)

 

National Museum of World War II Aviation

What's truly unique about this museum in Colorado Springs is that the aircraft are still flying. And it's no easy task to keep more than 20 of them in the air. You'll get to see the restoration facility as well as thousands of artifacts and a handful of ground-based vehicles. One of the truly rare aircraft is the Grumman F7F Tigercat and its otherworldly sound. The museum actually has two of those! If you're lucky, you might see a visiting warbird.

 

Go Flying for Real Above Denver

Of course, nothing can take the place of actually taking flight. Luckily, the Denver area offers locals and visitors plenty of opportunities to fly!

 

Indoor Skydiving

Always wanted to try skydiving but not quite ready to jump out of a plane? Visit iFLY Denver in Lone Tree and ride the wind in an indoor skydiving tunnel.

 

Glider Rides 

Soar over the iconic Flatirons with a view of the University of Colorado in a sailplane with Mile High Gliding in Boulder. It's one of the best soaring sites in the world with thermal, ridge and mountain wave conditions. Who needs an engine?

 

Helicopter Tours

See Denver's biggest attractions from the seat of a helicopter with Mile High Rotors or Front Range Heli. Get an aerial view of the foothills, downtown buildings, Empower Field at Mile High, Coors Field, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and more.

 

Hot-Air Balloon Rides

Channel your inner Wizard of Oz as you float above the Front Range in a hot-air balloon piloted by Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights & Rides in Lafayette.

 

Have a Bite (or a Drink) at a Historical Aviation Spot

Celebrate your day at these places, which not only offer delicious dining options but also have important ties to history.

 

FlyteCo Tower

A trio of aviation aficionados turned an old air traffic control tower on what used to be Stapleton International Airport (now a neighborhood called Central Park) into an aviation-themed brewpub. FlyteCo Tower also has six bowling lanes, 18 holes of mini golf, a full arcade, and family-friendly lawn games. Any serious aviation nut will want to take a tower tour to learn about the history of the old airport and the tower itself. 

 

Stanley Marketplace

Stanley Marketplace in Aurora occupies the former Stanley Aviation Corp. The factory, which was founded by American test pilot and aeronautical engineer Robert M. Stanley, manufactured airplane ejection seats and was the largest employer in Aurora at one time. Now, the 140,000-square-foot community market houses more than 50 local businesses, including restaurants, bars, retail shops, fitness studios, salons, co-working space, a beer hall and an events space aptly named The Hangar. The Aurora History Museum has an exhibit dedicated to Robert Stanley.

 

Hangar 2

Nearby, Hangar 2 in Lowry is a collection of locally owned restaurants and shops situated in and around a historic Air Force hangar. In keeping with the aviation theme, Officers Club — an homage to the history of Lowry Air Force Base modeled after a mid-century officers' club — serves up classic American fare and not one but ten different versions of the Old Fashioned cocktail.