Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum Reviews

It's not a big museum so you won't spend more than 90 minutes here but the kids will love the fact they can climb into many of the planes, jeeps and helicopters. Could add a bit more history to the exhibits but all in all we enjoyed it.

Neat small museum with about 20 planes or so. The history is rich with the dive bomber training that took place during wwii. Kids enjoyed the info as well.

We went to a festival and it was a really fun and interesting experience! All the planes and the information in the hangar is very interesting. My 5 year old grandson loved it. Outside there was a band, food trucks and a car show. We had a great day and it’s a wonderful historic site and I became a member.

Great visit!
Enjoyed everything - planes, helicopters, 1940's period memorabilia and the fascinating history which I knew nothing about.
Definitely recommend

So glad we followed the signs! Great museum with knowledgeable volunteers. It was cold that day in the hanger so the woman that greeted us said it was a no charge day - donations only. By the end of the visit we put the admission cost in the container. Plenty of planes to see and all branches of the military were represented. Highly recommended visit.

This museum is on the grounds of a small airport just minutes from Cape May. If you’re an aviation buff you can enjoy a fun hour or so touring the many vintage ‘birds of war’

Well worth the trip! Next to Cape May Brewery. Lots of hidden gems within this hidden gem! An example Link's first flight simulator.

This show held at the museum was very interesting and informative. My husband and I spent approximately 2-3 hours touring the museum and being thrilled by climbing into the bombers on display. My husband was not disappointed as he was able to hear the engines on a B-24 and watching it take off and land. It also gave us an appreciation as to what our military has done for our country.

This was my families favorite stop! Educational and interactive. They loved climbing in the aircraft’s and vehicles. We had so much fun

I was pleasantly surprised with how much history was on display at this museum. There were lists of not only famous planes, but local hero's that served in Congress as well as local daughters of the area that volunteered in the 40's to act as lookouts in the event of air attack. The local history is something that you won't find in the history books. This museum also contains a great amount of planes, from a MIG-17 to a F-14 Tomcat to the UH-1 Huey from the Vietnam era.

Tremendous understanding exhibits and aircraft and great historic efforts throughout the hanger and grounds. In We were a family of three generations and all found the entire experience thoroughly enjoyable and we learned a lot. Kudos to the lady in the store who was a great help. Will be sending a CD of our photos.

information

Very friendly staff, lots of different aircrafts, and very informative. Brought back some memories when I worked on the flight line in the navy

Every year we make sure to visit the Aviation Museum because we always have such a great experience. The old planes and war vehicles are so cool to look at and I always learn something new when I go. Both my boys, 17 and 2, also love going. The staff is so friendly and informative and we even had the privilege of meeting of the founder of the museum on our last visit. He spent time talking to us and giving us so much information. He’s an amazing man! We already can’t wait to visit again!! PS the gift shop is great! Nice shirts and jackets and other things!

What a great aviation museum! We have lost places like this, but this one was saved by dr. Joseph Salvatore. We had the pleasure of meeting him and hearing his stories about the collection. Airplanes, helicopters, boats, cars and everyday items from 1940’s life, thoughtfully restored. We will be back.

The exhibits were much more than we expected. We thought we would only be there an hour and actually spent 3 hours looking at the exhibits and reading all the information. This was so much better than I had anticipated and would go back again.
We met the founder Joe Salvatore (a retired MD from NYC and northern NJ). His passion and knowledge were so refreshing and informative. The exhibits range from early aviation to the modern day.
There is something for everyone here and you can actually climb into some of the cockpits to get a feel of what it was like, making the experience even better.
The only note I have is that if you go off season bring something a bit warm as there is no heat in the building.
A true piece of history about the naval station in Wildwood during WWII and military aviation in general.
Don't miss the opportunity to go if you have the chance

Nice museum. Very educational. Videos are very informative. I like that you could enter some of the plans etc.

Great for a rainy day visit or just to switch things up a bit! The museum had lots of interesting planes and helicopters on display and many had great picture ops. A must visit for any WWII historian and Aviation fan.

Superb trip to the Aviation Museum.
A huge space in a beautiful 1940s wooden hangar.
So many planes to view and steps to ascend to climb into cockpits - great for kids.

Lots of WW2 history of the base, and lots of Vietnam era equipment too.

At the time we went there was a special exhibit of a knitted version of WW2 by The Longest Yarn. Impressive but they should have called it Wooled War 2.

So much information and things to see here. Learn about little-known history of the area during WWII and about one of only six training areas for combat airfare. Several of the planes can be accessed from steps for better view/even get in. The dedication of the founders saved history for us to learn more about.

This museum is a former airplane hangar full of old military planes and helicopters as well as a number of other interesting old military vehicles, such as a humvee! Many of the planes and other vehicles are open and visitors are free to climb aboard and sit in the cockpit or drivers seat. There is also a small replica of an air control tower that you can climb up. In addition to the planes and vehicles there are numerous exhibits with interesting historical facts and an introductory film about the air station and its importance during World War II. I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed this museum as did my husband and teenage sons! If you want a break from the beach or are looking for a rainy day activity this is a great option!

What a great find! The museum is set up in such a way that you can see everything at your own pace. The exhibits are amazing. I learned so much. It didn’t hurt that the cape May winery is close by! Highly recommend!!

What a great museum full of so much aviation history. My favorite exhibit was the radio and photography exhibit. The airplanes are in very good condition. You can get inside a lot of them. The staff is very friendly and they have a nice gift shop. Best of all I was able to take in my little dog Oliver inside. 🛩✈️

Much bigger than I thought it would be. So many interesting facts to read about. Cannot wait to bring my grandchildren.

As we walked through the museum I was reminded at each turn my own families legacy of Military Service. My brothers multiple tours of Nam in the 60's the last two as a medavac pilot and yes there were Hueys from that era. My Mom's first husband who was KIA ( RCAF ) in a training mission over England 1943 - the father of my brother who served as an aviator in Viet Nam. His son also a ARMY chopper pilot later.
My own father a Marine pilot.

And touring the Museum they paid homage to those young men who lost their lives during training flights. Including the women who served as well - who were not recognized as they should have been after the war. Wonderful exhibitions throughout.
Hands on and the school children visiting were loving it lol.

The "Thread through History" honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day was touching to experiance. And really I am not a big Gift Shoppe kinda person but kudos well done.
The young woman at the service counter, Bethany was so kind.

Thank You Dr. Salvatore and Mrs Salvatore for saving Hangar #1.
What a wonderful Legacy.

First time visiting. Have visited the Air & Space Museum in Northern Virginia numerous times. The great thing about NASW is being able to get up close to all the artifacts in the museum. You can actually touch, climb in or on, and even sit in many of the artifacts. Thank you to Bethany and Eric for their hospitality during our visit.

Must see if you’re in Cape May County. There are so many wonderful exhibits in the museum. If you can find Jim Pennington. He’s a volunteer with a TON of amazing info and stories. Your visit will be soo much better with Jim showing you around. My favorites were the attack planes; Harrier, F-14 & F-16, but the old jets and Coast Guard stuff were cool as well. Great place for kids as there’s a ton of hands on things. You can get in some of the planes. Don’t miss the exhibits on the people lost during training. A nice part is you can spend 30min or 3 hrs depending on time available.
But seriously, if you want to know more cool facts FIND JIM!!!!

Excellent history of Cape May's contribution to WWII effort, and especially Naval Aviation.
Many exciting hands-on, sitting in aircraft exhibits.

If you want to see Tomcat in details, I recomend this place. Much much better than USS Intrepid, you can look into every hole :)

I am not much of a museum guy but this one was worth the trip. Allow two hours to be wowed by all the flying machines and WW II history.

I have been to Wildwood/Cape May area many times but this was our first time to the naval air station. All windows were open and an entire wall so fine for social distancing (masks required). Great nostalgia from WW2, Vietnam etc and an array of militaryairplanes, fighter jets, helicopters and boats. You can climb aboard and sit in many of them. Additionally, great photos and letters from days gone by. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON WEBSITE. GPS WILL GET YOU LOST! (we tried).

I have always wanted to visit the Wildwood Aviation so my wife and I final did and it was OUTSTANDING experience. Bethany (an Employee at the museum), welcomed us and provided guidance on the best way to experience the museum. We watch videos, read the stories and stood right next to some of the coolest aviation equipment. There were F14 & F16 Jets that were amazing to stand right next to. We were touch by the stories, the sacrifices the men and woman of the New Jersey area made during the war. It was heartfelt to know the people during that time that lost their lives, but will always be remembered for their dedication and commitment to helping protect this great country. I learned that a man, Joseph E. Salvatore, who purchase the hanger/land for $1 from the county to preserve this as a historical landmark museum, so future Americas can always remember our country's history. I want to say Thank You to you Joseph E. Salvatore as this is a great way to always remember the brave men & woman who served to protect this great country. Last, we were also fortune to see "The Longest Yarn exhibit" which is here until Sept which illustrates events during WWII that were made of yarn, "Yes Yarn". This exhibit has been traveling throughout the world and we were bless to have seen it at the Wildwood Aviation and I will be forever grateful to have viewed it before it is permanent retired and sent back to the UK. Thank you Wildwood Aviation Museum for the wonderful experience my wife and I had visiting your facility. Thank you Charlie & Laura

Have been here many times before with my 5 year old grandson, but attended the Airfest yesterday for first time. Recommend for everyone. Lots to do and explore, or if you just want to sit in shade and chill and watch the planes take off. They had a large tent with chairs and an awesome band playing. They had food trucks and I think even beer is available.
The main attraction are the planes. Inside the hanger, there are many many helicopters and planes that you can go in and sit in the pilot seats. My grandson loves that, as did all the other children. They had planes on the tarmac just there for the Airfest that you could also climb through. Some one who significant disabilities would have difficulty with that part. There is many other things to explore besides the planes, a coast guard exhibit, interactive displays and more.
If you become a member the Airfest is free, otherwise adults $16 and kids $12.
Go and enjoy!

My husband and I went here while visiting Wildwood off-season. It is not a very big museum, but they do have some very interesting aircraft and other wartime vehicles to enjoy. They also have a small gift shop with some fun items for both adults and children. You can also watch small aircraft take off from the airfield next to the museum hangar. Had a time couple of hours.

Wildwood was a place where WW2 pilots were trained. You start out with an informational film, and then go through the airport hangar which is filled with planes, drones, vehicles, displays with artifacts, uniforms, and all sorts of informational history and military displays. You can go inside the cockpit of a couple planes. It was all very good and makes you appreciate our military.

This is such an incredible attraction in Cape May Mr Pennington took us around and explained the many nuances about the Navy Air Men /Women and the role of the air crafts.
Got chills seeing the planes and copters...grateful to all those who serve now and all those who served before....the work of the volunteers is amazing...to keep the authentic hanger in good condition and keep the lives of those we lost alive Thank you...with a grateful heart

Very well-done museum, especially for those interested in World War I and II. It was a very respectable tribute to American history and to the many national efforts that took place locally in the area. Interesting facts, things you didn’t know, planes and boats to see. There were no guided tours, which would have been nice. Self guided, lots of reading. The building was quite hot, and tough to wear the mask, but the area was totally covered and sheltered from the rain. A fair assessment of time would be 1 1/2 to 2 hours to spend there, of course you could spend a lot longer if you chose.

This is a wonderful museum for aviation and/or WWII enthusiasts. Self guided so you can take as much time as you like. Very informative. Spouse helped develop some of the radars for some of the aircraft on display so there was a personal interest. But I found the museum very interesting too. So many different modes of information from photos to videos to planes & vehicles on display as well as a whole room of 1940's items from a typical home. The 9-11 exhibit was very moving & I had not known about that aspect of the rescue effort from lower Manhattan. Even the information about the restoration of the hangar was interesting. Kids can learn a lot about our aviation & WWII history here. I learned some new things! Don't miss the (small) exhibit about the role of women during WWII. Expected to be here maybe 1 hour but were here for 1.5 hours total. Definitely a great rainy day activity.

We visited in a rainy day with four teens. The museum is educational and interactive. The kids enjoyed it. Staff was helpful and proud of their space. My only note is that it didn’t take as much time as we had hoped to fill. Kids were done in about 1.5 hours and the last half hour was in the gift shop.

It was an unexpected surprise to find out about the museum during one of our getaways to Cape May.
My SO, a Vietnam veteran,and I enjoyed the visit. Jim Pennington, a volunteer veteran at the museum, glady spent some time sharing his knowledge and love for the museum and its contents.
There are many aircrafts and visitors are allowed to climb up and sit inside some of them. That was amazing!
We definitely recommend visiting the place!

Decent museum in a restored old hanger, good for maybe 1 1/2 hours. The hanger is large, the ceiling is very high, and they leave the hanger doors partially open, so distancing is feasible. They have a range of planes from old biplanes to an F-14 and F-16. You can sit in the cockpit an old T-33 jet trainer. Some interesting historical material, too. The adjoining airport was built to train WW-II naval dive bombers, and they had a lot of crashes. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have any of the dive bombers that used to train there, although they do have torpedo bomber from the same era. There's also a coast guard exhibit with some interesting 9/11 material.

As my husband and son are into airplanes, and their history, we visited this museum. It is definitely worth a visit. It is set up in a large hanger. There are a number of planes to see. You can also climb up to a faux control tower, and there is a war plane in which you can sit in the pilot's seat. We were also fortunate enough that the day we visited, there was a WWII air show as well, along with craft vendors scattered throughout the hangar. It was truly an enjoyable morning.

Amazing place and lots of amazing history. Our boys loved seeing all of the planes, choppers, boats, etc., up close. Great historical photos. Friendly staff. A must see!

Small but impressive aviation museum. Allow 1 hour minimum; 1.25 to 1.5 hours is good for regular folks; 2 hours for enthusiasts. There isn't a lot of guidance: catch the moving intro movie and the small exhibition spaces (there was one exhibition on 1940s furniture and one on 1940s culture) all near the entrance. Lots for kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy.

This was an amazing museum for a weekend in Cape May… Beautiful examples of military aircraft and Coast Guard equipment!
Thank you for the experience I was pleasantly surprised!

A wonderful day. See WW 11 planes, Vietnam helicopters, and a lot more displays and history. Review their web site for specifics. Happy travels!

We went specifically to see the traveling show - The Longest Yarn, because we heard it is so amazing. It is! And we were also so impressed with everything in the museum:
all of the military displays and their signage (well-done)
the hangar itself and the bathrooms (clean and well-organized)
the staff ( gift shop and on the floor as well)
Such a worthwhile and enjoyable experience!

My husband loves Aviation museums, especially WWII. This was only 1 hanger of planes, not a lot, but some good old planes from WWII. Price was average to get in comparative to other Aviation Museums we have been too. I would rather recommend Wilmington DE Aviation Museum much bigger, and especially Virginia Beach Aviation Museum. It is huge. Several hangers and each double floors from Vietnam, Korea, WWI, and WWII. It is still an active airbase. Every 20 min or so you will feel the ground rumble and it sounds like an earthquake as they do their training maneuvers two to four planes at a time. They are so fast these jets that you can not catch them on your camera.

Fantastic Museum with a great display of different aircraft interwoven with the story of this Naval Air Station & the stories about this area in WW2...Great Coast Guard exhibit also...A Must See! Rain or Shine...

Have gone to the museum several times and have never been disappointed. There is so much to see and learn. We took our sons there when they were little and they still talk about it. They have several aircraft on display, some of which you can actually go in. There are also interactive stations to help keep the kids entertained. The museum also tells the story of when the hanger was used for naval training and has lots of memorabilia from the past. The staff is welcoming and very knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend a visit to the museum.

When in Southern NJ a trip to the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum might be a great way to spend a few hours. My wife and I did this recently and enjoyed seeing the vast array of naval aircraft. There is an entrance fee is about $18.00 per adult admission, a bit pricy i think but the fees go towards the reconditioning and maintenance of the displays. There to many displays to name, so some phots will give some idea as to the aircraft on display. In addition there are interactive displays the allow you to fly a plane. A number of aircraft are set up so that visitors can sit in the pilots cockpit. There is a room that contains WWII era antiques. There is a souvenir shop and a snack bar located on the premises.

Went specifically to see the Longest Yarn exhibition. That was even more wonderful than I expected. As for the museum, it looks wonderful. I ran out of steam but plan to return in the winter and enjoy a closer look at all the exhibits. Staff was super friendly. Especially Bethany in the gift shop.

So much to see and read here. Lots of really cool pictures and exhibits. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy this.

We were having a really good time at the museum.We happened to bump into a great guy (Jim) who volunteers at the museum and he shared his extensive knowledge of the planes and history on them. He made our experience even greater and would recommend to everyone if you are looking for a great experience to go and visit the aviation museum.

This was such a great place. Been going to the shores of New Jersey my whole life and never knew this existed. We went to Cold Springs and they had a discounted dual ticket so we bought it. Doesn't need to be used the same day. Definitely worth going to and will return with our grandchildren-- they would love going into the vehicles.

Excellent day trip, very educational and well done. Learned something new about NJ WW2 history. We can’t wait to bring the rest of the family!

NAS Wildwood was a revelation; I never knew it existed and I was fascinated by their history i.e., teaching pilots to be diver bombers in WWII. Their collection of military equipment was impressive and the video I saw enlightened me as to life on the base. Very impressive. A must for plane lovers or WWII buffs.

Enjoyed learning about the history of this naval air station and exhibits were informative; spouse especially enjoyed the plane exhibits and more technical aspects of some exhibits

Love the history of this place...Nice collection of Aircraft’s and the history of many of the planes

Fun to learn the history made right here in SNJ. Many interesting exhibits on this fields part in WWII and surprising number of planes to see. Highly recommend this before adjourning to the brewery across the road.

My family are long time NASW museum members and have visited many times over the years. The museum continues to develop. Happy to say that this year's Airfest over Labor Day weekend was the best yet. Outstanding aircraft from Collings Foundation..six this year...almost all offering tours and rides. My brother and I went up in the B-25 and had a great experience, and we have flown in warbirds before. Weather was perfect as well. Thank you Dr. Salvatore and the staff for your dedication!

The vintage hangar, alone, is worth a visit. An incredible display of World War ll naval history is on display . Also has neat little gift store

Hidden treasure!! If you love aviation, I highly recommend this site. Great display!! Flight deck diner is walking distance and so is the Cape May brewery. Lovely way to spend the afternoon.

I visited the Museum with some first time visitors and we were all so impressed with the exhibits and the respect for their history. A special thanks to Joanie at the Gift Shop / Ticket sales. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made us feel welcome. Some young boys from the nearby neighborhood wanted to enter and I offered to buy their tickets but Joanie wouldn't take money but let them in instead with a scavenger hunt history questionnaire to be completed, great idea, thanks Joanie.
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We had wonderful time at the Museum. Kids absolutely loved it! Great collection of vintage aircraft and very friendly and knowledgeable staff made it a memorable trip.

For $25 it was so worth it. It can definitely get crowded and since it's an old hanger, it gets hot! But there are planes you can actually sit in and so many others to see that you don't even care about the people or heat!

The NAS Wildwood center in Cape May is a hidden gem filled with the history of both aviation and military preparation that took place in Cape May over the course of many years. It has authentic planes and helicopters that were used in both world wars, and in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. There are amazing exhibits, including stories of baseball major league players, who played there, information about the Nazi submarine that was captured there, the training of pilots in preparation for D-Day, the Tuskegee airman, and other little known facts, such as German POW’s that were held there and worked to clear trenches for mosquito control and assisted in harvesting of crops.

We went because we had heard of a wonderful exhibit that was created in Europe. It tells the story of D-Day through its planning to the liberation of France and Paris. This is done through a series of dioramas that are created out of yarn. This exhibit is called the Longest Yarn based on the movie, The Longest Day . It runs through September 25. This is a perfect exhibit to visit during memorial day weekend.

Even if you can’t visit this coming weekend, I would suggest making this a stop if you happen to be in any of the coastal beach towns from Atlantic City to Cape May. It is well worth your time.

We were very pleased to have found out about this museum, which is located adjacent to Cape May Airport. There are several airplanes from all different eras on display as well as other types of vehicles, like jeeps and helicopters. The nice thing about this museum, is that you can get real close, even enter some of the aircraft and vehicles. There are also several displays. We spent about 2 hours there.

Looking for something informative to do while visiting the Cape May area. Then try this facility. What a surprise inside. Small but enjoyable. Great staff. Try it out.

I took my class of second graders (as well as many parent chaperones) and we all had an amazing time. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have. The kids had a great time exploring the “hands-on” displays and LOVED being able to actually get into the different planes and jets. I would definitely recommend visiting the Aviation Museum, to have some fun and to learn a lot!

The Naval Air Station museum was such a find. It is an actual hanger used during WWII, beautifully curated to give you that feeling of the wartime '40s. It also tells a story of dozens of naval aviators who heroically trained...and died...off the coast of NJ during the war. Great exhibits that even my youngest could climb into and pretend he was a fighter pilot. The museum also has "the Mig" from the movie "Top Gun." There is also a great area dedicated to the Coast Guard. Great way to spend a rainy day.

Went to Air Fest, and joined with a membership. We will definitely be back. Great volunteers are knowledgable. Super cool planes. My husband is a gear head and loved all the techie stuff.

Truly great aviation museum. We enjoyed all,the artifacts,history,planes and getting to opportunity to sit in a few planes as well. Truly educational and a must see! I highly recommend this great place. I am so happy I made stories and posts on my instagram profile
@_gigi_carlucci_

My family have never enjoyed a rainy day at the shore like this one. The WWII era hangar was filled with information and displays about its role during the war, memorabilia from the time period, and many restored planes, engines, military vehicles, and even boats from different times of military history. We could actually get into many of the planes and vehicles, along with heading up to a control tower. Outside the hangar, more planes and helicopters were on display, again with some that we could actually sit in.
The day we visited, there was a band playing 1940's music which added to the experience. Another special of the weekend was seeing several restored planes flying in from a nearby airport, landing, and parking right next to where we stood.
My family loved our visit. From children to adults, both boys and girls, we highly recommend spending a couple of hours at the Aviation Museum.

I am a fan of old aircraft and history. This place tells a story. It has a variety of aircraft that you can get up and close to. Some you can even get inside.

The story is the building and the history that occurred here in WWII. Staff Is very nice and accommodating. It’s not fancy. And that’s ok by me. My 10 year old had a great time checking out all the planes. We spent about 2 hours there

This is a wonderful, small museum of Naval aviation from WWII area. The hangar is the last standing wooden hangar of its kind. It houses various planes similar to those used to teach divebombing which helped win the battle of Midway and the war in the Pacific and end the war. 42 Naval aviators were killed in training. It is a gem. Thankful for the folks who have preserved this history and sacrifice of our military.

Went on a whim on a rainy beach day. Jim made this the highlight of our yearly beach trip. So much history and fun. Will definitely be returning w my grandson, even if not a rainy beach day. Recommend for adults and kids!

Housed in a hanger at a working airport, the NAS Wildwood museum is a great family outing for anyone interested in the history of our armed forces aviation, or just our nation's history. And those who may think they won't be interested, will surely get caught up in the many displays with Newspaper headline pages from 80 years ago and other memorabilia from the Tuskeegee Airmen to 9/11 responders, sprinkled throughout the hanger. Friendly helpful staff,especially Andrew, and a nice souvenir shop. If it's not a beach day in greater Cape May, or even if it is, you owe it to yourself to take a break and visit this nearby treat that will help you pass the time, while learning about the awesomeness of this great nation. Inspiring!

I was very pleased with the experience.
My family and I were looking for a place to visit since it was our first time staying at cape May , NJ
We did a quick look around and found this wonderful and very creative aviation museum with a lot of fun stuff for the hold
Family.
I will definitely recommend this place to anyone !
The staff is very friendly and helpful thank you for making our day so special.

Visited the museum with my family and was so impressed with it. There were so many different types of planes and great information on each one. You can get up and close to the planes and there's even ladders on some so you can see the cockpits.

I cannot believe after so many trips to Cape May This is the first time we came here. I was a little worried the kids wouldn’t be as interested because it was a “museum”, but everyone loved it! And be sure to talk to the workers there present throughout the museum, who are retired, servicemen and women. They have amazing insights and stories that pertain to a lot of the individual aircraft. Andrew in the gift shop was really helpful too. You can tell all the employees love being there.

Went with a 5 year old and 10 year old they both loved it as much as we did. Really cool and authentic. Not too commercialized and they allow you to do things you could never do like sit in the cockpit of fighter planes and helicopters. We got some amazing pics and the kids learned a lot too. Highly recommend for all ages.

We had a great time here. Very interesting exhibits and really cool planes and helicopters on display. Looking forward to returning soon.

I highly recommend this museum. Especially on a rainy day. It's a great education place for kids and adults alike. Many planes you can even get inside of. When you are done go to the brewery!

This is a great way to spend an hour or two while down at the shore, or looking for a day trip. Besides having a nice collection of WW2 and Cold War era planes, it has a lot of WW2 memorabilia. The thing that makes it unique is how it tells the story of how Helldiver pilots were trained right here in South Jersey. All located in a WW2 hangar - which really adds to the nostalgic feel. The staff is very nice, a mix of enthusiastic youngsters, and knowledgeable graybeards. I love going here.

This a great place for families,friends, or solo. This large hanger holds a lot of aviation history. You will learn a lot from this place.
It’s a great museum.

Excellent display with lots of exhibits and loads of interesting information. We had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Salvatore, he has a wealth of knowledge and great stories about all the items and displays. We really enjoyed ourselves.

No idea this was here. The planes on display were awesome and you can go inside some. Learned some much and history right here!

Best place for aviation lovers! Took a bunch of kids they had the best time! So many planes to climb in and see ! Great value!

This museum is great! We learned so much about New Jersey aviation history. The picture displays, planes, helicopters, uniforms and more really brought history to life! This museum is a gem and a great place to visit! Thank you so much for all of the work in renovating the hanger and bringing history to life! They are NOT FORGOTTEN!

Great museum! Lots of planes on display inside and outside. Many of them you can sit /go inside, makes it great for kids. A must-see in Cape May/ WW!

When visiting Cape May, we happened upon the museum via a "tourist map", an accidental thing. This museum was the highlight of our trip. It is remarkable in so many ways. We particularly enjoyed the Enigma Machine, the Coast guard section (especially the film about 911 and the boat lift off of lower Manhattan), the descriptions of particular fighter jets, the role of women in aviation, and the Tuskegee airmen. There is something for everyone at this museum. Children are welcome and so many experiences open to them. I'd recommend this remarkable museum to everyone. We plan to return and take our grandsons.

This is one of the coolest places we have visited! We had heard about the museum, but had no idea just how awesome it really is! You walk into this giant hangar, and it is just filled with real planes, helicopters, boats, engines that you can right up close to, and even get inside- a dream come true for our aviation-loving son! We spent 2 1/2 hours there, could have stayed longer, and already want to come back. Great for kids, with lots of hands-on things to do, and the gift shop exceeded expectations! And Bethany in the gift shop was incredibly friendly welcoming and shared some fantastic stories with us. This is truly a gem that we recommend to everyone!

Was able to climb in a cockpit of a fighter jet and a Red Cross helicopter from WWII. The experts on hand answered all my questions! What a wonderful piece of history.

This is a great museum on the base of a working airport where it displays not only navy planes but all military planes for marines, army, and coast guard in addition to that there is some info about NASA. They let you sit in some of the planes and walk aboard a boat. Theres also old radios and photography there. Don't miss the rooms in the back that have staged and have real artifacts. THE PLANES ARE INCREDIBLE TO SEE UP CLOSE, TOUCH, AND SIT IN

This museum is laid out very well and there are many interactive pieces to bring you back in history. Very informative and fun for the whole family. The staff are pleasant and a pleasure to talk to and learn from. So happy we included this unique museum into our visit to Wildwood.

Had the most wonderful time exploring the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum! Our guide, Jim Pennington, was engaging, informative, and shared his love of this space with respect for its history and an enthusiasm that was contagious. It wouldn't have been as enjoyable an experience without him. Loved learning about the importance of all that the museum holds and the service men and women who flew and cared for the aircraft. The ladies in the gift shop were great too! I highly recommend visiting this museum and giving the Wildwood Aviation Station some of your time while visiting Cape May. Ask for Jim!

We danced and received lessons from expert instructor Tom Cupp and all for a very good cause. A 17 piece big band orchestra kept the pace “swingin”!

Excellent museum with many exhibits for the kids. Fun to walk around and get up close to jets and helicopters. Even a Coast Guard rescue boat and helicopter. Nice little gift shop.

Bit of a hidden jewel. Great collection, especially well maintained. If you are in the area, pay a visit and make a donation. They deserve it, especially when they have such a good collection! 👍👌😄

I love bringing my out of town family here. I was not aware of "Wildwood's" history in relation to WWII. For me, this museum is a great education for anyone. My senior in-laws enjoyed their visit too, especially the WWII history buff that even learned a few things. It is so fun to climb in and look at all the various air, land, and sea vehicles they have. My son (4 first visit and 6 second visit) loved every minute of our visit climbing in all the vehicles and controlling them and being imaginative. My daughter (10) was NOT interested in visiting, but LOVED it. She was very impressed with all the vehicles and thought checking out the inside of all the war planes was cool. On my last visit, Dr. Salvatore showed my family all the STEM exhibits they have in the works and that is going to make this place even more educational.

We stumbled into this hidden gem last summer an hour before closing time after seeing a 1/8 picture advertisement in the middle of a summer events booklet and knew immediately this was not going to be enough time spent to see and appreciate everything. Lucky for us we have a large family and buying a family membership was cheaper than single tickets to cover all of us. Our one hour dilemma solved with the humble bonus of helping support a wonderful establishment.

Immediately walking in you are met with more than expected. A rush of excitement all around. Every employee and volunteer that i have encountered is comparable to the vibe of a Chick-fil-A employee. It must be a mastermind war tactic that entrance/exit is a boobytrap through the gift shop. Quite impossible to leave without something.

I read another review that said “they have paid way more for tickets other places that have less to offer.” Let that echo! I have 6 kids from 19 to 2 and I have been many places over the years. Cape May Aviation Museum is a cut above the rest. Truly a needle in the haystack hidden gem. Filled with history, excitement, and fun for kids old and young. I am always looking forward to our next visit.

To use other peoples review titles, What a hidden gem we have just outside of Cape May, at the Cape May Airport. Who knew what a intrical part Wildwood Naval Air Station played in the war effort. Not only is the museum full of history and interesting exhibits, there are plenty of them and well done. The range of artifacts are amazing, from WWII items to Bi-planes to modern day. They even have a 747 engine to check out. So not only is there plenty to look at on the ground, but the hanger everything is in is a piece of art in itself. Since they needed the steel for the war effort when building the hanger, this huge building is all made of wood. The building itself is amazing. Don't hesitate to bring the whole family when you're looking for something fun to do other than the boardwalk. There is plenty to see and do for all ages. Combine this with a visit to the Flight Deck Diner for a great breakfast or lunch which is right next door, and around the corner from the Cape May Brewery. Do I need to say more. Have a fun time.

This is really interesting, patriotic and fun for everyone even if you typically like airplanes. The stories are really illuminated and the docent was excellent. There is a sense of history here from the standpoint of world history, national history and especially local history.

This is a great place for kids of all ages. It's easy to use the safe wooden stairs to look inside. There are lots of videos to illuminate topics and many original artifacts.

This is a great place for "not a beach day" and would also be a good time filler coming/going to the shore where you can get up and walk around. The little diner next door is a local favorite and has breakfast and lunch, The flight deck."

We spent about an hour and a half walking around on the self-guided tour. Learned quite a bit about what was done there during WWII. Great exhibits and lots of history. Thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Definitely worth a look.

My husband and I came with our 3 year old son and we had a wonderful experience. Our adventure to the NASW Aviation Museum fullfilled my families expectations! We loved coming and talking to the volunteers and seeing and touring pieces of true history. Being able to go inside and view history from another viewpoint was spectacular, especially for my husband and son. Ending our tour with some ice-cream and visiting the giftshop was the cherry on top of the experience. It made our hearts happy to be here today. Thank you very much Dr. Salvatore for founding and preserving a vital part of Military history here on the coast of Capemay and a very Happy Birthday, 95 how wonderful!

Interesting stop of 1 hour or less but not worth the $14 for ages 12+ and $10 for children. The history buff in our family enjoyed it. It is one warehouse with a short movie and a wide display of "birds of war". It is well kept and informative but we found it expensive and will not be going back.

Very nice visit. Lots of planes, helicopters and other antiques. Well equipped, you can board several aircraft. Free parking on site. Not very busy at the end of August!

I have never been much on Aviation Museums with their big spaces and loaded with old planes but this museum was different. The museum showcased Cape May's part in WWII and the history around the area. I had not realized what a big roll it played in both the Navy and the Marines in the area and how the locals helped the war effort.

There were all sorts of planes and displays that you could climb into, many local members who made their careers in the service and how they participated in the war and an outdoor area to admire bigger planes.

Each of the smaller kiosks gave a smaller interpretation of the war effort including people socializing at the local VFW and on the Boardwalks of Wildwood and Cape May. They even had a 9/11 display with the movie "Boatlift" on the largest Marine evacuation of people off lower Manhattan on 9/11. That was fascinating.

It is really worth the trip out to the airport to see this important part of local history.

We really enjoyed seeing and interacting with the aircrafts on site. Very affordable for a family too. Fun to touch/interact and learn about armed services history. Very respectful and really makes you appreciate all the technology we have now.

My daughter and sister in law accompanied me for this visit to NASW.....we had never been to it before.What a treasure we have so close to home! This mostly WWII Museum(although it has artifacts from Vietnam and Korea) was spectacular! All of the displays were presented in very professional fashion.
I would highly recommend to all to take some time if you're in the Cape May area to go see this wonderful place! Plan on spending about an hour to an hour and a half to see everything.......this was the first attraction I have ever been to where you start off in the gift shop! Admission was $14.00 per adult, and worth more!

This is a fantastic museum, many real life displays, fascinating real life stories, well preserved naval planes, helicopters and other military genra specific every day items. We had no idea there was such a terrific, well cared for display of American hero’s.

Museum is very educational and filled with so much history. Enjoyed our visit and learned so much about our military history as you travel back in time looking at the exhibits and reading about them. A must see.

Excellent displays giving intricate information. Many of the aircraft on display could be entered and some you could sit in the pilot's seat! All five branches of the service are represented. Amazing to see how little space these pilots and copilots had in these aeronautical beasts. Fighter jets presented larger than I imagined.
An actual V-2 rocket from Nazi Germany gave me chills.
The best $14 I spent in Cape May!

Went with my family and had a wonderful time. It is one of the very few aviation museums that allows you to not only enter some of the aircraft but even the cockpit on a few of them. I have loved aviation all my life and this was the first museum where I was able to actually sit in a pilot's seat and touch the controls. Our young grandson who is a toddler loved to walk around and was truly impressed not only with the planes but grandpa's sense of delight. Highly recommended!!!

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum was an amazing place to gain knowledge of all the men and woman that gave us freedom in our country. Their courage was shown throughout the incredible displays, which was beautifully presented in the museum. Eric and especially Bethany at the information desk were so helpful with answering our questions. We want to THANK Dr. Salvatore for ALL his hard work with this wonderful musuem. It was a very special visit, since my Dad was in the Navy, WWII.

My husband and I spent an interesting couple of hours wandering around the museum. The exhibits have information posted to read. There is a small area for small children to interact. In addition to aircraft, there were cars, Coast Guard boat, 1940's furniture and other memorabilia. Definitely worth a visit!

My wife and I spent an after thoroughly enjoying the Naval Air Station. They have done a top-notch update of the old hangar. We enjoyed the variety of exhibits, aircraft, coast guard boats and period displays. Make sure you see the film on the training center. It gives an excellent description of the times.

I'm not a review writer, unless it's something exceptional. This place, and the staff, are beyond exceptional! Everyone was super nice and Jonie went above and beyond to give me one of the best experiences of my life and I will never forget that. I am an aviation fanatic.. this is probably the best aviation museum I've seen, with alot of displays (some you can even sit in the cockpit), alot of interesting information, a diner, gift shop and private airport where you can see aircraft landing and taking off. And apparently, they sometimes get surprise visitors....

Wonderful time at the museum! The aircrafts are incredible and my 2 year old had a blast sitting in the airplanes. We would have stayed longer if it had air conditioning but it was quite warm inside.

When we visited Cape May, we looked for interesting museums to visit and this one was on our list. What a great surprise! We spent hours exploring the exhibits, some of which offered the opportunity to climb inside the airplanes. The museum offers a lot of value for the admission fee. The visit turned out to be a highlight of our trip. We recommend it highly!

My husband and I just loved this museum! We sat in different types of planes, Jeep’s, and even a coast guard boat. One display shared the telegrams sent to inform a family that their son had been captured and also his journey back home. Clerks Bethany and Donna were so very friendly and knowledgeable. They told us how the museum was created as well as other little fascinating stories. So much great history in Cape May.

My family of 5 went on a Thursday and had our own personal tour guide named Bruce. Awesome guy! My 15 year old with Aspergers is obsessed with WWII and Bruce was very patient with him and did a fantastic job answering all his questions and listening to my son's ramblings. GREAT experience!

A nice diversion. I hear there are plane rides offered on some weekends which I may have to check out.

This was a great experience, and it was informative. I love museums and anything that has to do with history, so when my partner brought this up, I was immediately excited. The experience is self guided, but they have many videos that you can play that give you information about the jets, airplanes, or any other vehicles. There were many things you could get into, for example, a flight tower or fighter jets! I took many pictures but you should go experience it for yourself!

Only recommendation, I wish they had panflets to read or keep as we walked through the museum.

Rain or shine, it's a must visit for young and old alike. What Dr Salvatore , his staff, and a group ov volunteers has been able to establish here is truly remarkable. I know that the Cape May County Zoo has been touted as a must visit, but this museum should be on the same list

My grands loved to explore this museum and go on the many planes and other hands-on exhibits. This is a fun interesting aviation museum that takes us through history.

Cape May in WWII was an important training center for Navy dive bombers. This museum presents the rich history of that era.

Great static display of military aircraft. Interactive activities for the kids. Airfest on Labor Day weekend included outdoor static displays, military aircraft fly-ins, music and food. Lots of fun for all.

If you are looking for something unique to do with your family, especially on a non beach day. Lots of hands on displays that kids will love and learn about the history of this important WWII training center. Highly recommend.

Had a wonderful day at the NASW Museum in Cape May! Ralph Sevena was an excellent ambassador. Also the gift shop team was excellent too!

This is a must stop for us once every summer. There’s always new friends to introduce to the museum. We never tire of learning about WWII history. In particular, I’m amazed to see the F6F Hellcat fighter plane in excellent condition. This Grumman plane became the “Zero Killer,” taking out the formidable Japanese fighter at a 19:1 ratio. There’s also an Avenger bomber-torpedo plane like the one flown by George HW Bush in the Pacific during WWII, and a Russian MIG fighter. Plenty more too.

My husband and I came to Cape May and since Wildwood is close by we decided to visit this place. It was a rainy day so it was perfect. Even though it is small, there is a lot to learn in this place. Its perfect for kids to take pictures of too. There is a lot of history and the place is pretty cool as well.

I've visited on several occasions and have never been disappointed. My young kids love to explore the the offerings, climb aboard the boat, "fly" the helicopter, "drive" the hum-vee, stand in awe of the planes, and simply take it all in from the radio control tower. There are so many different things to see and hop into. I've gone at different times of the year, including recently during a special event day (things I generally avoid with a toddler and pre-k kid). It was really nicely done and there was ample space for everyone without feeling crowded. I did get there right at opening so that it would hopefully be less crowded and definitely timed it right. This is a nice place to go and explore.

Tip: The bulk of the museum is inside an unconditioned hangar. Don't let this hold you back. They do a great job with large commercial fans and opening/closing the hangar doors to keep air moving. If someone in your group is sensitive to heat/cold/humidity/etc, keep this in mind so that you have the best experience.

We had the best time at Naval Air Station Wildwood! This place is a hidden gem and a must-visit if you’re anywhere near the area. The museum is packed with incredible planes and helicopters you can actually get up close to—and even climb into some of them! It’s such a hands-on experience, perfect for kids and adults alike.

The history here is fascinating, and everything is so well displayed and maintained. The entire space is clean, spacious, and easy to explore. You can tell the people who run it really care about preserving its story and making it enjoyable for visitors.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just looking for a unique, family-friendly activity, Naval Air is a fantastic stop. Highly recommend checking it out!

P.S. For beer enthusiasts, Cape May Brewery is less than a minute away!

We really enjoyed our visit.There is a lot to see and it is very well done. The collection is varied and should appeal to a wide age range!

I have been to a number of aviation museums. This one is particularly interesting because you are allowed to climb close to, and even into, some of the aircraft (and some of the other vehicles). Really a great museum - do not miss it.

This is one of the most awesome aviation museums I've ever seen right next to the Cape May Airport. Well worth a visit

What a great hidden piece of aviation history in Wildwood NJ. Loaded with planes past to present and glimpses into the lives of young WWII pilots.Staff are very friendly. Met Dr Salvatore, the man behind this restoration, he was so enthusiastic and showed my wife & I his newest exhibit under construction, a giant eyeball that you will be able to walk through. You can easily spend several hours here.

I’ve watched this museum grow from four aircraft in a much needed repair hanger (of WW2 vintage) to a modernized, well maintained aviation history showplace. Two of the current WW 2 aircraft stood out in my mind - the Grumman Hellcat and the Vultee Valiant (“Vibrator”). It’s well worth the stop anytime you’re down the shore in Cape May.

My girlfriends and I took a road trip to see The Longest Yarn, a knitting exhibit featuring the first 80 hours of the D-Day landing by the British. Of course we were unbelievably impressed with that, but we had no idea of the hanger and aircraft that’s displayed. I can’t wait to share it with my husband and grandchildren. It’s a gem nestled in Cape May. For someone like me that’s the daughter of a man who drove a supply truck after D-Day, the history that’s displayed from WWII was simply amazing. Will definitely return.

The museum is in an actual hangar . If you’re a plane or history buff, you will love it. Many interesting and educational artifacts from the World War II era. Almost felt transported back in time. Highly recommend.

Disappointing. There really was not a lot of information or explanation with many of the exhibits, and not that much to interest the young kids, 3 and 5 years old. The focus is almost entirely on military aviation and related topics - all militay

Yesterday we attended Airfest with three young children, 6yr old, 3yr old, and 1yr old. The museum itself was a wonderful experience. So many artifacts (Magazine clippings, newspaper articles, uniforms, etc), there are also vehicles, Coast Guard Boat, real air traffic tower in addition to the aircrafts you can climb into. Which made the experience great for my children. There is a lot of history in this museum. They do a thoughtful job of displaying written descriptions of everything. Although the Airfest was fun, I wish to go to the museum another day. Mostly because there is so much history. I would love to have more time to explore the museum with my children.

Our family visited for the second time in two years and we had a wonderful time. We lucked out and were able to have a knowledgeable guide, Jim, take us through the museum this year which really added much more depth to our visit, we all learned a lot! Definitely a great place to visit while in the area!

Interesting piece of history that i was not aware of. We spent a few hours going through the exhibits and learned a lot about what transpired in that area of New Jersey. It is amazing to learn how important the function of that base was.

This is a wonderful display of all kinds of aircraft. I especially enjoyed seeing the WW II carrier planes Avenger and Hellcat, as my uncle trained at this very spot on the SB2C Helldiver before serving in the Pacific aboard USS Wasp. The museum is inside a gigantic restored genuine WW II hangar. There are interactive exhibits and kids can climb up ladders to see the cockpits of several of the planes. There is a Tomcat as seen in the original Top Gun movie. There are helicopters, which is appropriate as Cape May is the training center for the US Coast Guard. The space is so large that the displays are not crowded too close. The museum is dedicated to the memory of the 43 pilots who lost their lives in training accidents here. It is a truly wonderful place to visit.

Best museum ever!! Super fun and the staff were amazing! It was very cool to be able to go inside the planes and ships rather then just look at them.

Lots to see, touch and learn. Especially large number of vintage helicopters and aircraft with folding wings. Jeeps and other navy materials and memorabilia. One negative is we thought it was a little expensive for what we got, $14 / $12 veteran. Outside there were multiple vintage aircraft but we couldn’t get very close to them

Spent the morning between taking photos and learning about South Jersey's role in training pilots during WWII. Great place for a family visit! Planes, vehicles, and a great gift shop. The knowledgeable staff are there to help and are very welcoming. Don't miss the movie!

It can be confusing to find this museum since the address says Rio Grande & Cape May then Wildwood is in its title. The actual museum is tucked away at the Cape May airport across the street from the Erma fire department & Vietnam museum. The entrance is well marked at Hangar #1 which is the former WWII Naval Air Station & is currently listed as a national historic place. This expansive repository could use more exposure to the outside world. I'm sure there are many people who would love to visit this hidden gem, but don't even know it exists.
The entrance into the hangar is welcoming & grabs your attention right off the bat. Make your way to the small gift shop to purchase tickets. We used AAA for $1 off each admission. Next head to the recreated contact room for a brief informative film then enter the relic packed hangar.
This place is captivating for visitors of all ages.There are some interactive displays for the kids to enjoy & plenty of vintage artifacts for all to inspect. If you follow the time line display on the left as you enter the museum you'll have a good starting point. Make sure to take some silly pictures with your face in the wooden cut outs of the astronaut, pilot, Naval officer, & Rosie the Riveter since they're sure to get a chuckle.
Climb the steps of the Bader Field control tower for a birds eye view of the whole museum & check out the neat pictures along with the little known fact that Atlantic City's Bader Field was the first municipal airport in the country!
Find the photography/communications room stowed behind the huge American flag at the center of the hangar. The size of the cameras & lens' is something to take notice of. One of my favorite displays was the ejection seat & its corresponding eye opening video. Also it was something to see the Enigma coding device in person.
There is a lot to see & experience in here so plan on spending some time. This is a place I would like to visit again especially for the annual air fest.

NAS Wildwood Air Museum
One of the best kept secrets in the area. Alot of very interesting sights to see and facts to learn about. The workers are very knowledgeable and helpful. They have done an amazing job restoring these planes, helicopters and war replicas, much time and effort has been put into thus Museum. An awesome place to take the children and for history buffs!

went tues aug 28, 2018. was 96 degrees! way tooo hottt! big fans and no ac. its all in a hangar like facility. small ac gift shop. kids liked the ups truck more than the airplanes lol

Was a great visit for our rainy day visit to Cape May. Lots of cool stuff to see. Our visit was so delightful with the pleasure of meeting our retired Vet. (Jay Goheen). Thank you so much for your service, and the great conversations we had. It was so nice to speak with you. And thank you for all you continue to do for us. God Bless you.

The collective is displayed in the only remaining hang to be built for naval flight training in Cape May pre WW. I have visited many Aviation museums and this one of best I have visited the exhibit is wonderful for young and adult tourists. I truly would could have spent hours more here the exhibit was mostly inside but there were a number planes out close to the runways I will plan to visit again next summer

What a great collection! Spans the major wars with just a few items per war, but great choices regardless. The documentation is just right - not too much detail and highlights the facts that matter.

The ladies in the gift shop were amazingly helpful. I believe it was Bethany and Karen. They made the trip to the museum just that much more special by making my family and myself feel so very welcome. Their knowledge of the displays was inspiring. As pilots my wife and I are drawn to aviation as a Veteran I understand and appreciate it on a different level. When younger people honor the past in the way these young ladies do there's no doubt they love where they work and to me that said it all about the place... We will be back.

Not very large but enough to see for any history buff. They have collected quite a bit of information and pieces for exihbits. Highly recommend it.

Really glad we visited NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, good historical education and perspective. Cool aircraft and some excellent aircraft engine displays. Especially of interest to me: Enigma coding machine (a replica) and Norden bombsight (a real one, I believe). We originally went to see the visiting WW-II aircraft (B-24, P-51, B-17, etc. from Collings Foundation), but glad we spent an hour in the permanent museum exhibits. Very good video explaining history of NAS Wildwood in WW-II.

We never knew this place existed it was awesome. My 3 year old grandson absolutely loved it. Andrew, Bethany, and Donna could not of been more helpful. I even joined a membership. Can not wait to go back!!!!

It was really fun checking out all the old airplanes. You get to sit in some of them as well (that was pretty cool).

The Aviation Museum is an interesting way to spend the morning. I recently visited there again and took the time to learn Wildwoods past as a training ground for bombers and officer training. The contributions of the town during WWII were extensive.

The museum is filled with all sorts of planes, helicopters and uniforms not just from the war years but from all eras. So many of them you can climb into and experience for yourself.

It is a good way to amuse yourself children especially those who enjoy watching planes take off from the airport.

Gem of a museum. Loved the L-19 (having owned a Cessna 170). And an Enigma machine next to a Norden bombsight is a great combo.

It’s not huge nor is it overcrowded with exhibits. There is a great variety which you can get very close to or, in some cases, inside. We enjoyed it.

The WW2 museum is awsome museum. Lots of local stories, and plenty of vintage aircraft. Bethany in the merchandise shop was very accommodating, was able to track down the right size rain jacket in their storage and was available at the counter by the time we were leaving.

The Naval Air Station Wildwood is great. I attended with friends, one who's father was a WWII Vet. There was much for us to see and lots of hands on for children.
We were also able to see the exhibit "The Longest Yarn", a knitted and crocheted depiction of the "The Longest Day" created for the 80th Anniversary, June 6th 2024, of the 80 day Battle of Normandy before the liberation of Paris. It is intricate and amazing. It was fascinating for me, having been to many of the sites depicted in the exhibit.

Wonderful historic visit. For all ages. Thanks to all the veterans that served and trained in Cape May during WW II.

Youve watched MIDWAY and PEARL HARBOR and all the other WWII movies, now you can see and touch (maybe) the actual planes.

Well worth the modest admission charge and the 2 hours well spent

We were given a guided tour by Jim. Very enjoyable and very informative. Andrew and Bethany in the gift shop were very friendly and helpful.

This a real hidden gem by the Jersey shore. If you like airports, you’ll be in one here. The WWII hangar right on the ramp sets the stage nicely. We went on a Saturday in August and it wasn’t crowded, which was great. There are lots of airplanes including an F-14 Tomcat and plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids and curious adults. There are volunteer docents around to answer questions and swap airplane stories with. Jay was great! I’m an old pilot, so, of course, I liked it, but my sister, wife and nephew all had fun too. It’s a good diversion from the beach if you need to kill a couple hours on a cloudy day or sunburn break. It’s also easy to get too - not too far off the parkway.

Stopped here on a recommendation from our manager of the condo we rented. Very interesting, well done exhibit with many planes and helicopters from WWl, WWll, and Vietnam. Lots of info and also exhibit about harbor boats evacuating persons on 9 11. Worth the visit. Good place for youngsters to have accessibility to the planes.

There's a lot to see and learn at this place. It can be a good experience for public of any ages. The facilities were clean and well maintained. Staff was polite and attentive plus all Covid-19 preventive guidelines are being follow.

This museum is the hidden gem of Cape May County! Interesting, fun and educational for all ages. The current Longest Yarn exhibit is fascinating and an extra bonus with admission. There is always something new to learn and have enjoyed having a membership for many years. The current edition of the quarterly newsletter, The Osprey, was very fresh and new this month with engaging articles on history, and the personalities that keep this treasure running smoothly.

Fantastic experience with our two teenage boys on a rainy beach day. So much to see and experience. The boys loved getting into the cockpits and other vehicles and messing around with all the buttons and knobs and switches. So much history. Great staff and really cool gift Shop with unique items. Make this a priority you won't be disappointed. You us about an hour to see everything but we hung around for longer just taking it all in.

Our visit was a pleasant surprise. A well-run facility with excellent aviation exhibits, a wonderful gift shop. A nearby eatery, too!

This a wonderful museum of the history of aviation in this part of southern New Jersey. While it might appear to be small when you arrive, it is filled with many planes and displays. The side rooms add a great deal of information about life during the time when this location was a training center for WWII pilots. Very well worth the time and money.

Loved the old planes and artifacts . They had so much old history newspapers, records and furniture. The variety of planes was amazing. There were items from different branches of the military also.

My family goes to the Aviation Museum every summer. We always enjoy looking at the planes and all of the other history there. The staff is always very friendly and they change things up periodically with displays and such so that it's a different experience every year. I hope to continue our tradition for many years to come.

Always love coming here and admiring the history. The founder and chairman, Joe Salvatore, was kind enough to take the time to speak with us and tell us the stories behind the German U-Boat surrender and behind certain planes. As he said, “everything has a story!”. He was amazing. Highly recommend!!

A good museum but could be better. Many photographs are sunbleached, some exhibits are missing (see photo), and at least one video monitor wasn't working and some planes or pieces thereof are missing explanatory placards.

When visiting Cape May, my wife and I explored the Naval Air Station Museum. The day was very interesting as it began with a film about the history of the Air Station during WWII. The exhibits ranged from WWII fighter planes, jets, helicopters and many other aviation artifacts. This is a very interesting way to spend a few hours to experience WWII history and the brave members of the military that we should all be proud of. Definitely worth the visit.

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
people are wonderful--gift shop great! a really fun afternoon.
thank you to the volunteers...great exhibit

This museum is an absolute gem. It was informative, moving, and beautifully curated. We happened to bump into Jim, a wonderful volunteer, and he graciously gave us an impromptu tour. His passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm made the experience truly special. It felt like a private tour, and we walked away with a much deeper appreciation for the exhibits we would’ve missed without him. (Also Hi Kathy!! Jim spoke very highly of you) Don’t miss this stop!

Excellent Place to visit with whole family. Everyone very friendly and helpful. Whole family enjoyed visit even 3yr old son!!

What a pleasant surprise! Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is amazing! There is so much history, amazing exhibits, and incredible military aircraft and military vehicles. The staff are super kind and helpful. We had an outstanding tour guide, Jim Pennington. He spent 3 1/2 hours with us, taking us to each plane, explaining the details of each aircraft, as well as backstories. Also, Bethany in the gift shop went above and beyond to help us. Our Memorial Day was very special, and we will definitely be returning.

This is an amazing museum! Luckily for us, it was also the location of a wedding reception that we got to attend recently. Let's start with the hangar itself, because the setting is beautiful. It is about a 10 minute drive from the beach area of Cape May. The owners have done an amazing job of preserving and displaying many aircraft from WWII, Vietnam and beyond, including helicopters and even an F-14 fighter jet. It's got it all, and best of all, you can actually climb up and sit inside many of the planes! Don't miss the room straight out of the 1940's filled with Americana nostalgia. You will truly feel like you stepped back in time. As the sun goes down, the hangar takes on a beautiful glow and becomes the perfect backdrop for an event. Bethany from the gift shop (the bride) planned all the wedding details- everything from the dinner to the decor turned out perfectly. It was the best wedding we have ever been to! Our group was a mix of ages- from elementary aged kids to senior citizens. NAS Wildwood had something for everyone. Don't miss this place, for an event or for a fun day with the family.

I have spent a lot more money for lesser museum's. There were quite a few interesting exhibits and planes and things for the grandkids to climb, explore and stay busy.

Great rainy day activity. Excellent for kids that enjoy planes! Admission is a little pricey for the amount of time spent. Some of the kid exhibits were too high for little kids to actually see.

My 13-year-old son and 76-year-old father were in heaven. They are both WWII buffs and loved seeing all the old planes, cars, tanks, and aircraft from various eras. I went for the The Lonest Yard exhibit -- a knitting and crocheting The Longest Day. 80 meters in 3D representing 80 years and the 80 day Battle of Normandy before the allies got to liberate Paris. It was sobering and breathtaking.

06/28/22 - We love the NAS Wildwood Museum. Great staff. They had many planes and some Vietnam Helos, and some cool WWII and Vietnam vehicles great history. Grand-kids loved it too. We could walk around and climb into some of the planes, and Huey's. Joannie, sorry if I misspelled her name, was very helpful. To use it was will worth it to explore this museum. We recommend this place, and would like to return in the future,

It was amazing! My husband found this on Goggle while we were in Wildwood visiting. We learned about history and how women were involved in the war!! It was fun to be able to interact with the military aircrafts present. It was a great treasure to visit.

Very interesting display of aircraft. A true representation of NJ Naval History.
Great place to stop and spend an hour or more walking through the display.
Dog Friendly and something for all ages.

Incredible! This museum had more robust history and incredible opportunities to engage and experience the World War II era particularly than I expected. A must see for all history lovers, patriots, and families who want to honor those beloved servicemen and women who have made our country proud.

Nice place to visit while in wildwood! Lots of cool things to see and take photos of. And some exhibits explaining about ww2 and the many jets and arioplans

On holiday in Stone Harbor, we saw the vintage WW2 planes overhead, went online and found this Airfest at the Cape May Airport. It was really well organized - and my husband booked rides on a B25 and B17. He was so happy! Very cool stuff to see there! Go if you can with the whole family.

As an aviation enthusiast, I found this museum across Delaware bay from where I live in Delaware. It's located in Cape May/Wildwood New Jersey. I had never heard of it before, and after visiting it, I found that to be a shame that it is not publicized or taught in U.S history books. Briefly, it was in 1943-45 a training airport for Navy military pilots to learn and practice flying dive bombing techniques and missions. There were over 16,000 flights from the airport, and 43 Navy pilots lost their lives in this training before they ever saw any action in war. We owe these brave Nave pilots a lot, to have trained to protect the country, and especially for the loss of lives in the training. I am very surprised that the story and history of the Naval Air Station Wildwood New Jersey is not a very popular story, especially in the areas where it is near, such as New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania. This is an important part of U.S. history that should be in every history book in American classrooms.

We have been here several times and it is always an interesting and worthwhile experience. The Museum is housed in an old WW2 hanger which is amazing in itself and has artifacts from the time this was an active NAS and from general aviation history. There are plenty of things for kids, lots of old planes to look at and plenty of information about the history of this particular NAS. It's located at the Cape May Airport so there are usually small planes landing and taking off outside. It's very easy to spend a couple of hours here. Even during the summer, it never seems crowded and it's a nice break from all the Sea, Sun and Sand. There's a diner across the parking lot- the Flight Deck Diner is open until 2 for lunch and the Cape May Brewery and Tasting Room is nearby as well.

It had so much history and great planes! My 2 year old was super thrilled running around looking and touching them. She loves getting into the old Vietnam keep. Her grandfather was in the Vietnam so it was a great picture.

Got a couple hours while down the South Jersey shore area? Looking for something to do on that rainy beach day? Head on over to this hidden gem at the Cape May Airport....you won't regret it. I've been past this dozens of times and never stopped. Shame on me. It was well worth the price of admission. And Joan, the nice lady at the store which begins your trip, is a great way to start the tour! ENJOY!!!

This smallish museum packs a lot into the space. Unique attractions and exhibits that even my pilot husband, who's visited many large aviation museums, found fresh and intriguing. Many intimate touches, such as the wall of signatures and notes from veterans, help to bring the past to life. Well worth a visit.

The different aircraft on display was awesome, but what really go me was the orientation movie at the beginning.
The staff was so friendly and the prices in the gift shop was very reasonable.
A must see if you visit Wildwood or Cape May NJ.

Really nice exhibit about the WWII history of Wildwood. Great exhibits. Very relatable. Great for kids.

$50 for a family of 4 didn't sound expensive at the time. But walking through the place and you'll realize you've been ripped off. It's a hangar that takes less than an hour to see everything. And on top of that everything says to ask for assistance, but no one is around to assist you.

I’m am a member and I renewed again!
This museum is a wonderful place .. lots of history, lots to learn and enjoy.
The airfest is always so much fun.
I highly recommend the museum and the airfest.
The museum has other fun events in the warmer months.
Thank you for an awesome weekend!!

Take the kids low cost and lots of pictures available in the many displays. Takes a couple of hours @nd completely safe for the kids. Let them roam and learn a little history about cape May and the ww2 training that occurred here.

We were simply on our way to a beach in Cape May when we searched for additional things to do and came across this historical gem. One of the coolest things there is an authentic dog tag making machine. For just $10 you can get your own set of personalized dog tags. The people are wonderful and it’s a terrific piece of US military history.

Great experience. We purchased a family pass so we can come again later this summer. The personnel were very friendly and had a wealth of knowledge that enhanced our experience.

We take our 5 year old granddaughter to NASW several times a year. The membership is great as it covers the admission. We love seeing and getting in and out of so many aircrafts and boats. Then seeing them working on the newly arrived Harrier was a bonus. What a great job Doc and the staff has done.

We went on a cool August day which was lucky because there is no air conditioning and somehow the inside of the hangar was more humid than the outside air. Very muggy inside. We arrived at about 11 am and there were tons of kids running around, opening/slamming car doors, climbing on the planes without adult supervision. By the time we were getting ready to leave at 12:30 most kids had left, so if you want a more adult/sedate visit, probably should avoid the earlier morning hours. The museum was enjoyable and we were glad we made time for a visit during our Jersey Shore vacation. Recommend eating at the diner next door, very good food and great prices.

I am not as enthusiastic about aviation as my friend was, however the hands on experiance made it so amazing for me. It also gave me a new appreciation for aviation and how far we have come. Then as i thought it couldnt get any better joanie went above and beyond to make our experiance amazing and something ill remember forever. Thank you joanie and keeping doing what you do. And thank you to the museum for being available. I learned alot and had a great time!

Great little museum. It presented interesting facts about the military presence at Cape May during WWII. Several touching letters from the men to their wives were on display and worth reading. It was a pleasant two hour experience. There is ample parking.

Fantastic Museum. There were many things to choose from doing…I am glad we did not miss this one. I really appreciate how you paid honor to those young airman that lost their lives in the training phase. It was a lot of airplane to handle for such low time pilots. Keep up the good work.

This visit was the highlight of our Wildwood vacation. It's a hidden gem that's full of history. There are historic planes, helicopters, and tons of other museum artifacts and stories that represent NJ's role and impact during WWII. We even discovered a picture of a friend's father, a Tuskeegy airman. Definitely a must see!

Cape May and Wildwood have so much to do and see that we almost missed this amazing attraction. We've often eaten breakfast at the Flight Deck Diner in the Cape May Airport which has the best breakfast in the area. Afterwards we would watch the planes take off and land. We would view the Viet Nam exhibit as well remembering this horrific war. This time we decided to view the NASW Aviation Museum, We had just watched the Top Gun movie and had read that the F14 Tom Cat is at them museum. We were in awe of how many planes and artifacts that were on display. While being amazed at the size of the F14 we spent over two hours seeing everything the museum offered. My husband is a retired Navy man and he hasn't stopped talking about all we saw. This is something that brings history to life. I hope families take advantage of this opportunity. What a great place for a school trip for a real history lesson.

It was a great experience. My 5 year old loved it. I love the fact that you can get into some of the planes and jeeps.
The gentleman in the shop was very nice also!

I have been to the museum before and it’s always a great experience but this time we spoke with a volunteer named Ralph. Ralph was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable and an overall gentleman who made a great experience even better. Really enjoyed speaking with him about the Mig-15 jet and how it was acquired. Bethany in the gift store was also very friendly and nice.
The museum is a true gem and more people need to go there to learn about the sacrifices that our military folks had made for this country.
Thanks to the gentleman who had the insight to save the building and open this great place.

As we approached the large hanger, we couldn’t miss a gaggle of De Havilland Canada DHC-4 A Caribou aircraft, part of a reengining project—giving us more impetus to see what was inside the museum. After a brief, historical film, we explored the hanger whose focus is naval aircraft including a Coast Guard exhibit. See website or Wikipedia for list. Because there were few barriers, we were able to get close to the well-displayed collection of 26 planes and helicopters. The airbase operated for most of World War II as an aircrew training site. It was reopened as a museum in 1977. The Museum’s mission honors the 42 servicemen who lost their lives there.
Three carrier-based aircraft held our interest:
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat: wingspan 43’, mph 380, 12,000 produced between 1943-1945; extremely effective against the Mitsubishi Zero—10,430 produced.
Grumman F-14B Tomcat: wingspan 62’, mph 1544, 712 produced—a supersonic jet, variable-swept wing, saw some action in Vietnam and by Iran in the Iran-Iraq war. Note the large arresting cable.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was one of the first successful jet fighters to incorporate swept wings to achieve transonic speeds. It appeared during the Korean War. The U.S. responded with the F-86 Sabre. But the U.S. wanted to examine an intact MiG. The U.S. offered $100,000 in gold ($950,000 in 2019 $s) for anyone who would defect with a MiG-15. A military pilot from Soviet controlled Poland responded; not long after, a N. Korean pilot did so also. Chuck Yeager, the famous test pilot, tested the MiG-15 and deemed it comparable to the F-86 Sabre.
Other items of interest: Bell OH-13G Sioux M*A*S*and* unit helicopter.
Bader Field (Atlantic City) Air traffic Control Tower
Thrust Master Boeing 747 Cockpit simulator
V2 replica: German single stage ballistic missile, 45’, Mueller gyroscope, 3580 mph max, range 128-200 miles, WWII 1942-1945.
To answer our questions, we enlisted the aid of the guide, a navy veteran bombardier, and the Guest Service coordinator—both were very helpful.
For lunch, try Harpoons on the Bay, 91 Beach Drive. N. Cape May (4 mi.) and enjoy a view of the Bay and good food--depending upon the chef.

The Planes through the years was amazing. Enjoyed the interaction videos. Information signs near the displays were very informative. Got a new shirt from the store.

Very large and fascinating collection of aviation memorabilia and planes. Very nice to see the section on women's contributions to WWII not just on the home front but also on the warfront. Very cool collection of magazine covers and adverts from the 40s. A recreation of a 40s home. You could spend hours here with all of the great and immersive history. Jets and other vehicles from most major wars. This museum is a must see second to only the National Air and Space in DC. So amazing!

What a pleasant surprise. So much here for all ages. I'm a casual aviation buff and this whole place is just packed with exhibits. And it's clear that lots of love and care went into them. You won't be disappointed. Beware of only one thing... it's in a large aircraft hangar, so no air conditioning. Still worth the trip!

Very nice collection of war planes and auxiliary . There was a lot to see and you were able get close and touch planes.

I recently visited NAS Wildwood because I'm always interested in aircraft and the history of the Greatest Generation of the 1940's. This museum is well worth the $14.00 admission. Their collection of aircraft and vehicles, all authentic, was certainly worth my time to examine, and I've seen a lot of WWII era exhibits. Learning about the training that took place during the war reminded me that our servicemen didn't just die in battle. During the 36 months NAS Wildwood was a training base, 42 men perished in training accidents. They also have many historical documents that were fascinating to read, for example, the part that German POWs played in providing labor around the base. Apparently they were cooperative and helpful, and were treated well. There were also several historical films that were of interest. I spent between 3-4 hours there and was glad I did. The hangar itself is interesting as it is the only remaining wood structure of its type. If you are interested in the history of this period, give NAS Wildwood a try.

Our first trip to the NAS Aviation Museum was great!! Our guide was Jim Pennington! Jim’s knowledge and enthusiasm brought our shared American history to life! Jim obviously loves his job and we loved spending time with him. We also met Doc. Doc is responsible for putting this treasure of a museum together!!! Thank you Jim and Doc for your service!!! Tricia and Glenn D

This was our second trip to the Air museum and it was an even better visit this year! It wasn’t crowded at all so my kids had a chance to really enjoy seeing everything and sitting in the exhibits that allow it. Bethany & Donna were a pleasure to talk to and very informative about upcoming events. The museum itself is on the small side but it’s great for all ages, easy to get around and has many awesome artifacts. You can see everything in about an hour or less depending on crowd size. The admission price is very reasonable as well.

We had such a great time here! Wonderful history, artifacts, planes, helicopters and souvenirs. Everyone was so nice too.

This is a great little local air museum. I went here to see their F-14 Tomcat and was pleasantly surprised by the other aircraft in the collection. And you are allowed to sit in some of the planes. If you are into cool airplanes, or have a little one that is, you should definitely stop in.

I’ve visited a lot of aviation/military museums but this is the first that I’ve been to that allows you to get up close to aircraft. (want to see a VTOL Harrier up close?) Others have you straining over rope barriers to see anything. NAS also has many interactive displays that explain training as well flight in general. Hopefully you can go when Jim and Ralph are there. Two great guides who can answer all your questions.

It doesn't get any better than this for nostalgia lovers......everything you would never expect to see in a little town like Cape May was right in that building and special exhibits outside. From WW2 to VietNam aircraft plus more exhibits of period articles and pictures are there to enjoy. Bring the kids and have a great time here.

The aviation museum keeps getting better and better. There’s always something going on and there are always good conversations to be had and things to learn from the docents.

They have preserved a piece of the WWII Wildwood Naval Air Station to display all sorts of air memorabellia ranging from early training aircraft to WWII aircraft. VietNam era helicopters and even a Russian jet. All the units are in excellent condition. To this they add Coast Guard equipment, an early vintage control tower, displays of early radio gear and the German Enigma code machine. So much to see in a large double hanger.

Was disappointed this time. They had moved many of the planes out of the hanger due to some short of show, None the place had there history on them . They were out on the run way, They gave us about $2. discount. The last time thet had had many videos none this year. They main movie didn't work. They had no one in the hanger. You could walk around the hanger with paying anything. We went to the office, A girl come out and we went to the gift shop for the tickets. If wanted a gift we had to find this girl, Very disappointed there was a Vietnam exhibit across the street. Put they had so much tall grass We were afraid of snakes. We really enjoyed our last visit probably spend about 3-4 hours ther

One of the coolest places I've ever been to. Tons of American history and one of the few places you can see, touch and even get in some warbirds. Phenominal establishment. Bonus it's a non-profit...support local. Worth the price of admission. A bonus was staff was really friendly and gracious to share their extensive knowledge about the aircrafts that were there.

My hubby and I took our two toddlers to the airfield during the festival this weekend and L O V E D every second we spent here. My kids were engaged, entertained and educated all at the same time which never happens. This is a great, fun and family friendly way to spend time as a family on a beautiful Sunday morning . We will 100% be back soon!

This place is a hidden gem in the Cape May area. We went there on a rainy day and spent a couple of hours looking at all of the aviation exhibits. My young granddaughters had a good time sitting on the various aircraft. It is a great place to learn some of the history of our military planes and vehicles. Check out their website for admission prices and hours.

Great exhibits for all ages, had complete access to airplanes. Was very informative, with an emphasis on local WWII history. There are also many interactive and hands on exhibits. You can even get inside the various airplanes! The highlight of our visit was when Dr. Salvatore personally took us around and showed us behind the scene projects they were working on. He even took the time to tell us the story of how he acquired an engine for Boeing 777 and explained the history of many exhibits. It was such a great visit and will definitely be back again!

My daughter and I visited the NAS Wildwood last week and were approached by the most knowledgeable volunteer, Jim, during our visit. He answered all of our questions and provided so much insight into every piece of equipment in the museum. Our visit was enhanced immensely by knowing the stories behind how the museum acquired some of the pieces and he made the visit more personal by providing some information regarding the servicemen and women who had worked at and some of whom died at NAS Wildwood. We will definitely be back. Jim is an absolute GEM. We will definitely be back and hope to see him again. I believe he may have changed the course of my daughter's life by the information he gave.

A Hidden Gem of a museum. Who Knew Cape May and Wildwood had a WWII Naval "Bomber" training facility and the stories that go along with it. Tons of planes and related equipment, artifacts, and personal stories. Great find.

Rainy day experience! It was a really nice look at the history of military aviation. We had a good time getting to sit in actual plans/helicopters/vehicles.

We visited the Aviation museum with two teenage girls and our 9 year old boy. It’s an open air hangar with lots of old planes and helicopters. The people working there were nice and doing a good job with masks and capacity. There was plenty of planes to get in and check out, which my son enjoyed - the girls had fun because my son had fun, otherwise I think we would have all thought it was boring. If I had one complaint it would be that overall it could be cleaner.

My wife and I took our 3 year old and we all had a wonderful time. There were great exhibits and our son especially loved to sit in the cockpits. Great set up. I highly recommend it to anyone taking a break from the beach.

First visited NAS Wildwood 5 or 6 years ago. A lot has changed and all for the better. The layout is more organized than my prior visit. Really enjoyed the mix of static exhibits.

Great displays my son loved that you could get into some of the jets and helicopters. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves history like we do.

What a great place to see the history of our military. The hanger is well kept and staff is friendly. Would bring the family again!

What an amazing and authentic experience to see living history in front of us- loved every minute of it, especially the D-Day “The longest yarn” exhibit. Everyone was also super friendly and helpful explaining the history behind the exhibits and displays and even young kids found it interactive and relatable.

This museum is a hidden gem in south Jersey. The displays were fantastic, and the history...of course, specific to NAS Wildwood...was outstanding. From an aviation fan like myself, this was a great experience. Our whole group loved it, and really enjoyed the fantastic staff here.

If you are into military aircraft this is the place to go. Great hands on interactive displays. WW11 nostalgia room. Large aircraft engines. Everything from fighter jets to helicopters

Amazing to get so close and actually touch many of the airplanes that have kept our country free. The planes are awsome and even better because most haven't been restored - you are seeing them as they would have been when operational. The exhibits are great too, many being "hands-on" and/or interactive. Really a good way to spend a couples hours or a whole day!

Being a Navy veteran. My wife and I wanted to visit the museum while visiting New Jersey.
We were invited by Jim Pennington to join a tour he was about to do. His aviation knowledge and friendly demeanor made our visit very memorable.
We would highly recommend you visit to learn about this military history.
We would give the facility and Jim 5 stars!

Located in Hanger #1 at the airport. Nicely restored with the help of many veterans. Numerous planes and information boards telling the story of Wildwood’s role in WW II aviation. Also sections for the contributions of women, music and local heroes.
We were there two hours and husband returned the next day.
Parking outside the museum. Volunteers are informative and helpful.
Place is hard to find. We drove past it twice. Lots of signs in town and along the road, but not when you need them.
Near the Cape May Brewery.

Dress for the weather even though it's indoors - it's in a vintage hangar, after all. The station itself has an interesting WW2 history. Several of the aircraft can be entered, and the only "do not touch" signs were on propellers, Good interpretive signage, some of it quite detailed. From Stearman to F-16 with a couple of autogyros and a 777 engine for good measure. Knowledgeable docents.

This is a very cool museum that helps to tell the story of how World War II impacted not only Wildwood but all of the Jersey Shore. Plenty of interesting information and exhibits and a wide variety of aircraft and other items on display. It makes for a perfect break from the beach.

NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum is a hidden gem for all those interested in history, aviation or World War II. The Museum is in one of the original hangars at the Naval Air Station Wildwood which was the training station for pilots learning to fly bombers during World War II.The planes on display are amazing but there are many exhibits which explain the non military aspect of the life these pilots and the surrounding community experienced. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours if you want begin to do justice to the Museum.

A hidden treasure in my local area! Really cool
Exhibits and interesting history
This was a great place to visit

Having an interest in American military history, my wife and I visited the NAS Aviation Museum while staying in Cape May. The Museum was the highlight of our visit to Cape May. Joanie, the Museum's attendant, provided a warm welcome as well as a personal perspective. The collection includes several of America's most storied combat aircraft from WWII and aircraft and helicopters from the Vietnam conflict.
The Museum also has histories of several WWII heroes from the South Jersey area and wonderful Life Magazine cover photos from the War years.

Fantastic walk back in time, with a caring and invested staff, great gift shop, great access to these fantastic machines/fantastic space. Wonderful way to spend a few hours on South Jersey. Go Naval Aviation!

Our son wants to be a pilot and loved the museum. It is a good way to spend an hour or so checking out some interesting history.

My husband and I were on vacation and heard of NASW from another vacationer. So, we went. What an exceptional experience. We had a tour guide named Jim who was amazing: his knowledge, his enthusiasm, and anecdotal stories all made the visit so much more interesting. Additionally, there was an air traffic control tower that the public could explore, as well as flight simulators. Neither my husband nor myself had ever heard of the NASW. What a gem!!!!

Really enjoyed the visit and was surprised by the diversity of aircraft including a nice stable lot WWII planes, a F-14, F-16, a Mig and a number of helicopters. The smaller exhibits around the perimeter of the hangar add some local flavor to the history of the hangar from its WWII days. Enjoyable way to spend a few hours and definitely recommend. The only downside was some of the sound systems for the exhibits were difficult to hear clearly (and I'm not a person with a hearing problem).

The variety of planes, helicopters and cars was amazing. Had no idea the role of this station played in training pilots for WW2. I have seen documentaries about the war in the pacific and in the future these films will have so much more meaning. To see the role of women's contribution to the war effort was also enlightening. As an Air Force veteran it meant a lot to see the aircraft and then visualize the men who flew them into battle. I was a medic in the Air Force so it was gratifying to see the MASH helicopter. Great exhibit.

I took my parents and my aunt and uncle to the museum. My uncle is a retired Navy Veteran and he throughly enjoyed the museum.

This has been on our Things to do List for a while and we finally made it. Very well put together and informative. It was a crowd pleaser for young and old alike.

We had so much fun at the yearly fundraiser listening and dancing to the live swing band! Will definitely be back!

What a fantastic experience we had! My son and I equally enjoyed climbing into the various carriers and watching the exhibit videos. There’s so much go learn, but it’s presented in such an easy to navigate fashion. Highly recommend!

My 4 year old son had the most amazing time. It was a great way to spend our Sunday morning. Also the staff member within the store was amazing. She explained to my son the different type of planes and figurines available.

We really enjoyed our visit. There was a lot to see and explore. Unfortunately, there was nobody around who could answer questions we had. Well worth a visit on a nonbeach day in Cape May County.

Went to visit this museum on our way to Cape May and it was amazing. It's full of historical air crafts you can actually sit inside plus other fascination memorabilia from World War II and beyond. It's beautifully curated and an amazing spot for kids as well. They are also dog friendly since it's all housed in a wooden hanger, one of the few original ones remaining from that time. Very cool highly recommend to anyone!

I have been coming to Wildwood for over 30 years and this was the first time I visited. Awesome museum. I learned quite a lot about the history of the air station and the role it played in the war. The exhibits and aircraft were very cool. You can actually sit in some of the planes!

We've been to CM many times but this was our first time to the museum. There's a lot of fun and interesting information about WWII and before and after. Two hours and we were still interested. Great to see the planes from different areas, and a few interactive display items as well as cultural info.

Children and adults enjoyed visiting the museum.
Kids can board the many exhibits and there were many nostalgic displays that WWII vets could relate too.

Our visit was beyond wonderful. There is so much to see and everything is accompanied by good descriptive information. Best of all, we were fortunate enough to meet Joseph “Doc” Salvatore, the Founder/Chairman of the museum. He is a wonderful man who saved this World War II hanger from certain demolition and turned it into a masterpiece. The rest of the staff was wonderful as well. I would highly recommend a visit. We definitely plan to go back soon! BTW, we drove down from Marlton, New Jersey.

This is a great museum. There is an interesting collection of vintage aircraft as well as a large collection of piston and jet engines. There is also a great gift shop with lots of items for the entire family. There are several interactive exhibits and many of the aircraft you can climb up and view the cockpit. There is a film that explains the history of the hanger that the museum resides in. I was excited when I saw the F-14 Tomcat and the pictures of the men that flew it, as I knew one of them. I am thankful that Dr. Joe Salvatore and his wife had the foresight to save the hangar and create this museum. A great way for kids as well as adults to spend a fun couple of hours understanding the history of the artifacts as well as what went on during WWII at this hangar.

Found this place on trip advisor. It was very well done and many displays related to the local area. A great place for kids and easy to see things at your own pace.

If you have never been and love history, this is a place to go! We love going on Labor Day weekend because they have a wonderful airfest where you can actually ride in one of the old military planes that are well kept! The ride is tax deductable and support the upkeep of these planes and the people to maintain them. Like I said, we go every year and plan to do so for many more years. Take your kids and show them the dedication of the average military man...its amazing!
If you are looking to have an event or wedding, they can do that for your there. Check it out!

The Museum is located at a very small municipal airport near Cape May Court House. It's not really in Wildwood as WW is a barrier island and the airport is on the mainland. It is in a WWll hanger, and that is part of it's charm. There is an extensive variety of aircraft and other related military vehicles as well as US Coast Guard related boats and helicopters. Some of the aircraft you can actually sit in as well as climb into boats and jeeps. There are videos accompanying some of the exhibits, and on some days veterans that will describe either a particular aircraft, or the history of the Wildwood airfield for training during WWll. Lots of old B&W photos dating back to 40's showing the busy airfield in its Hay Day.

We had an absolute wonderful time, stumbling upon this hidden gem while we were on a beach vacation. My son who is 11, is super interested in anything aeronautical and military related, so this was right up his alley! It was educational, hands-on, and real life in your face. You can touch it kind of stuff! Don’t miss it if you have the chance!

The staff who works here, including the people I spoke to Bethany and Karen, as well as the staff that I didn’t speak to who are more behind the scenes, really care about this operation. Don’t miss the gift shop for lots of cool, souvenirs like model, planes, toys and some great T-shirts.

Thank you for keeping a piece of this important history alive to share with us!

I am not a history buff by a long short, but this place is amazing! So much to learn about what went on in one of our favorite shore towns. The exhibits are just full of information, many other topics that relate to NASW as well. Plenty of aircraft for kids to climb into, and other interactive displays. The building itself is just amazing to look at and think about the activities that happened there! We came for the first time last year, and now it's a must do on our annual vacation to Stone Harbor!

Wonderful and informative staff. Met the gentleman (and his dog) who started it all. A man of vision who saw an opportunity and seized it. A great place to take children to learn history and spark their interest in aviation.

We just assumed that, being a museum, this place would be air conditioned--should have done my research! I spent the majority of our visit in the gift shop (the one part that does have AC) with our 4 month old, while my husband went through with our 3.5 year old (who lost interest pretty quickly).
I think this would be awesome for older kids (and adults!) who have a real interest in aircraft, as you can actually get inside many of them!
For little kids, on a 90 degree day, it was a bit of a waste of money.

I love the aviation museum. I’ve been going here my entire life, and I always love seeing their collections of planes and war memorabilia. There’s really no other place like it around. To be able to stand next to and even get into some magnificent machines, it’s always a good time for us.

This museum is fairly new and still expanding. It sits outside west Cape May on a large parcel of land. There are plenty of signs to find your way here. The aviation displays of planes, helicopters, and ephemera were outstanding. In some cases, you can sit in the cockpit. They cover World War I, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Irag War, Afghanistan War, and some non-war planes. It great for the family, a class of students, or anybody. There is a lot to see and full of history.

We love our first visit the last time we were in Cape May. It is a bit of a distance ride but interesting to see Cape May other parts.

The old haniger brings back day when I was small and visited active bases on Decoration Day, Memorial Day or Veterans Day.

Now I appreciate seeing these items up close more grown up and understanding history clearly.

Quite a number of aircraft and other items are on display to understand the history of the Base and how important it is.

BTW there is a video film at the beginning will show you the base and how it played an important part.

I would take children to understand the military roll in this country.

Some exhibts are interactive..

This Naval Air Museum is great for a 2 to 3 hour visit .Lots of aircraft, helicopters, and memorabilia inside an unheated hangar so dress warmly in the cooler weather. There is a gift shop and cafe on premises, although neither was open in mid November.

One of the better aviation museums I've been in and the best part is you can bring your dog! Lots of different aircraft, etc. on display with nice signs giving information about each display. Definitely worth a look if you are at all into aviation, even if you don't have a dog.

We brought our two grandchildren, and our daughter in law who happened to be on crutches. Ralph, our tour guide, immediately brought out a wheelchair.
Ralph took us through the museum, sharing lots of terrific information about the airplanes and their histories. He also had detailed knowledge of D-day which was the subject of a special exhibit entitled “The Longest Yarn.” Each of the 40 dioramas were created with yarn - all the figures and scenes were knitted. Amazing!
Of course we ended our tour in the gift shop where they had a selection of fun and reasonably priced airplane and military themed toys. The women working there were very friendly and helpful! My grandkids will remember this visit for a long time, and I’m sure will ask to visit next time they come to stay.

Had the opportunity to visit this great museum in the dead of winter last week Jan 23 2024 when there were few visitors. The aircraft on display are really a cross section of types and periods. The aircraft are in excellent condition. Many look flyable. F-14, F-5, F-16 are particularly impressive as are the Avenger and Hellcat. It is possible to sit in the cockpit of a Mig 15 and a Navy F-80. All aircraft are in a single WWII era hanger filled with other planes and memorabilia. Absolutely a must see for any military aviation enthusiast. Volunteers keep it running. Need about two hours there depending on your interest in the planes and history. Plenty of parking and easy to get to. Map out ahead of time. Don't miss this Museum on what was once a very active Navy airfield going back to World War II.

This is a must-see, the Naval Air Museum and airport in Cape May was a last-minute find. I'm so glad we went, we spoke with the curator Mr Salvatore who was very knowledgeable with all the exhibits. There's a lot of cool aircraft dating back to World War II. There's an actual replica of the flight control station, as well as exhibits memorializing those who lost their lives. There's also a room full of antique furniture and appliances dating back to the 40s! Don't miss this one👍

This is my favorite Rainy day activity when we are down that way. I go there at least once a year - what an awesome display of airplanes and our Coast Guard. New things all the time.

Lots of ‘retired’ aircraft, much to the delight of our grandchildren, especially our 3 yr old grandson, who has been pleading to go again ever since. Well set up with opportunities to get inside cockpits and control towers. If you go without young children, you can read the many informational placards that accompany these exhibits. A family membership was only $6 more than admission for us four and it’s good for a year. Great gift shop as well- my granddaughter got a female Blue Angel doll and my grandson picked a bag of plastic military men and planes ala 1950’s and is playing with them quite a lot. Can’t believe this is our first time here after visiting this area for 40 years!!

We went during the air fest for ww II. Thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits, airplanes, the music from the Victory Belles. Watching the planes take off and land was great! Everyone was very helpful. Historically accurate, educational and actually really good for kids.

Rainy day? Bring the children there! Very interesting with a lot of hands on interactions. It's also worth the trip on a sunny day!

Pay no attention to the 5 year old review from June 27, 2014 - its writer,perhaps, had been under the influence of bad seaweed. Today this museum is worth it's price of admission and highly recommended.

Run by volunteers, veterans and Dr. Salvatorre, there is a variety of military land, sea, and air hardware and some commercial engines. Many items are available for hands-on contact and all displays have information panels with details. Adjacent to the Cape May Airport, you may see take-offs or landings of small charter planes. The museum's hangar is the largest wooden structure east of the Mississippi River and well-maintained..

You will not be disappointed for your $14 entry fee

Excellent displays in a historic setting. The museum and the nearby Flight Deck Diner made for a wonderful visit. Joanie in the gift shop was a delight to talk with.

I’ve been to Cape May many times and always went downtown. This time we wanted a less commercial type of day and found the Aviation Museum very educational. The aircraft and military displays are well thought out and in excellent condition. Very family friendly. The kids had a blast.

This was a very interactive museum and my family had a great time getting into the planes and learning about military history!

My husband and I had a day to wander around Cape May and decided to go to the Naval air station. It was fabulous we got to see our Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Air Force! They even had a blue angel plane. I don’t want to give too much away butit was just the best time beautiful planes vehicles lots of information videos the place was very clean. We just enjoyed every second of it

Fav part was Huey from Vietnam war and seeing the f14 and f16
I wish there were more modern aircraft

Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is an amazing place! It’s in a huge hangar with a number of authentic exhibits and many aircraft on display. Whether old or young you’ll really enjoy this special place. When there, say hello to Bethany and Mason who do a fantastic job welcoming and informing guests.

I’ve been coming here for years with my kids. While there is a fee to get in, I don’t mind paying it because I know it goes towards the upkeep of this neat place! It’s like stepping back in history, something you don’t see too often these days! I just love the character of the building, the planes and helicopters are awesome! My kids and I love it and always recommend it!

This was very cool!

I especially enjoyed a '40's themed room that you could observe while listening to radio commercials from the time. You made the connection with what life was like at home while World War affected life everywhere.

This base was a training base for pilots and the stories were touching.

If you like planes, you'll enjoy their collection. But even if you're not a huge plane fan, there's plenty to see and learn.

Lots of military aviation history that you can touch, feel and even sit in. A great tribute to those who have served our nation with honor.

Great way to spend a few hours. The kids ,8(girl) and 3(boy), both loved the place. It wasn't very crowded on a rainy day. We had a good lunch at the flight deck diner before gong into the museum.
We highly recommend making the trip.