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Hiller Aviation Museum
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
33 reviews for Hiller Aviation Museum
If you're even a half-way aviation buff you'll totally dig this museum.
Great for kids. They can run around and be semi crazy withot really disturbing the exhibits. Lots for them to interact with.
Go upstairs and try out the computer simulators. Limited time slots, though. Check the website for schedules.
Buy a family membership so you can get free admission to the annual Vertical Challenge airshow, and other cool stuff.
Way cool shit!
Lots of planes, lots of info and flight simulators downstairs, and upstairs..
Creepy mannequins adorn the demo airplanes.
Make sure to check out for free pass days.
I'm not much of an airplane junkie, but I definitely enjoyed myself.
For those who are not terribly into admiring aeronautical or aerospace engineering marvels that fall between the ages of shall we say from "the cradle to the graveyard", this place is still worth a visit.
Admission prices seemed to have gone up recently, so go to the website and get yourself a $1 off admission printout coupon.
The routine is simple. Go through the entrance and turn yo a$$ left towards the gift shop counter, where you pay for admission. Get a wristband (your receipt) similar to the kind that will get you into the general admission pit at some bip bop pop or rock concert, and you're on your way.
The gift shop has all sorts of toys, trinkets, and models of all sorts of cool aircraft.
There is a separate exhibit detailing the history of various aircraft related inventions (see the numerous reviews and photos posted by others).
But the real fun for the little ones include a small children's play area of rocking horse type toys, except they are airplanes or bi-planes instead of Mr Ed or Strawberry Shortcake's pony. There is a makeshift cockpit where kids can go inside and pretend they are air hostesses or pilots.
The last part of the fun is in the courtyard area, where there is the head section of a defunct 747. You enter through the back and get to see the inside. Climb the stairs to see what old school "first class" is like, and venture to the front to the cockpit to see a gazillion switches, dials, meters, gauges, and wonder how airplane pilots managed them all.
The most enjoyable part of the experience was meeting one of the staff of this 747 exhibit. I forget his name, but he's a retired navy fighter pilot who served the South China Sea many years ago and also has experience with piloting a 747. He explained that in this kind of old school cockpit, there were two pilots, one navigatior, and one engineer on board. If you see him, thank him for his service to our country and for the work he is doing now at the museum.
Fun conversation with the adults, while the kids go into the cockpit and mash on cockpit control buttons without fear of crashing, losing altitude, and seeing all those wacky things as a result of "Airplane"
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My overall review above is based on how much fun my 2 1/2 year old son and 5 year old daughter had at the museum. My son LOVED standing on the platform outside and watching the small airplanes land and take off. My daughter loved listening to each of the TV stations discuss the history of the aircraft that was floating over our heads. I loved how much attention we got, that the kids under age 5 were free, that it was one of the few places that wasn't anything close to crowded at noon on a Sunday (we were the second or third family in the museum), and that they had a tiny toddler section where the kids could choose from at least 10 wooden stationary airplanes they could rock back and forth on.
In terms of customer service, guidance, and staff, definitely 5 stars. The workers were so sweet and so excited to share the insider information they had, and they were thrilled to see such ecstatic children go crazy in the museum, which was obviously their pride and joy. Way overstaffed for such a small operation, but there was always someone around with a big smile of encouragement.
The only thing I didn't like was that there was no food court or cafe. I heard that the Sky Cafe across the runway from the Hiller museum is the San Carlos Airport's cafe, and it's not associated with the museum, but it's a good stop after a trip to the museum where you can eat and continue to watch the planes land and take off.
A super fun day that my kids haven't stopped talking about. They had a better time there than the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose that we went to the day before!
For one or two hours, this aviation museum is the perfect visit for families with young children. Not only are there planes from every era from vintage to modern on display, there are also hands-on exhibits, bird shows on select days, a pretty decent educational gift shop that focuses on all things planes, changing exhibits (we went on high-speed Euro model train weekend), and to top it all off, you can go out back and watch little commuter planes take off and land! (There's even a flight sim area for flight sim geeks.)
Best of all, kids four and under are free. You can't beat that.
My only disappointment was the lack of café with decent food options, but there was a frankfurter stand in back with a small area of picnic tables. So yeah, bring your snacks and healthy food. The only food to go in the immediate vicinity is a Burger King a few paces up the street, and we all know how healthy BK is.
God I really love this place it has a ton of information that can keep me entertained for hours on end!
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If you know the way to San Jose on Highway 101, you might have passed this place a bunch of times. From the outside, it doesn't look much and not too impressive. But I've learned that you can't judge a book by its cover.
Inside, you get a cornucopia of the history of human flight from the Wright Brothers to the Blue Angels. You can also get inside the fuselage of a Concord or check the cockpit of an F-16 fighter plane. Am I turning you on or what?
This place wasn't even on our radar until we discovered that our son and two of his classmates had their science project selected to have it displayed here. He, along with his friends won the district prizes respectively and this was the equivalent of the big leagues. Their school had two groups selected from their class and that was quite an accomplishment.
OK...I'm guilty of being a proud papa but it can't be helped.
This was a nice backdrop to hold the science fair as you got to wander their exhibits. You have to be amazed though on how the Human race have come so far in flight.
So aim high and you will hit the stratosphere.
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I'm not a big aviation head and was at the museum for an event, but took a walk around the place. If I were a plane buff I'd give this a 5.
There's a LOT packed into one little hangar. I liked the way the old aircraft had propellers and gears set in motion- it allowed me to imagine what it was like to actually pedal or ride the planes. There are two flight simulators downstairs, simulator stations upstairs open from 11-2 on weekends, and an air traffic control simulator game where you try to keep space between airplanes and no crashes. (It's stressful.)
I missed the gift shop but it looked interesting. Little picnic table area out back near the 747, which you can climb into and upstairs. Keep your head down if you sit in the pilot's seat- I banged my head (and I am short) trying to sit down.
The volunteer staff are the best part. Some of them have been helicopter pilots, or worked with pilots, and have great stories about crazy accidents. They can also give you an idea of how little pilots make and what an expensive hobby flying is.
This is also a great site for events like book launches. The main hall is large and carpeted. If you bring in balloons, keep them tied securely and take them out back and pop them (or take them home) after the event. Otherwise loose balloons trigger the burglar alarm after hours...
I think this is the coolest museum for kids and adults. Plan on spending about 45 minutes to an hour, no more. You get all sorts of exhibits. A few of them are hands-on, e.g. a helicopter simulator, a blue angel cockpit, a motion flight simulator. When the weather is good, be sure to check out the 747 front section outside and also watch the planes take off and land at the real airport. Check for special events as well.
For about two visits for a family of four, you can join as an annual member and you get to go whenever you want.
There's a party room that you can reserve to host your kid's birthday party as well.
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If you're like me, you've passed this place on 101 a zillion times and wondered why there is a museum dedicated to aviation in the middle of the peninsula. Well, take it from me, it's worth going there and checking it out for yourself.
This is a great place to take the kids.
You can tell that it's a lovingly put together collection.
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We didn't expect much of it but as our child was very much into planes we decided to give it a go. It absolutely exceeded our expectations.
Unlike other places this one is not either for kids or for parents but kept all of us interested the whole time, and we are not huge plane fans in general. We also very much liked the little shop they have. We got some really cool toys.
I'm always interested in learning more about commercial aircrafts and have been picked about which type to fly for vacation and business.
Saw the sign of this museum off 101 all the time and finally got a chance to go there.
It's not a very small museum and actually you could get on the plane. Of course, the plane was an old one, built in the 60's. You would be amazed by the development of aircraft industry in the past 2 decades when you looked at the condition and equipment of this demonstration. There wasn't air-conditioning and digital equipment at that time! But now, we have all types of fancy simulation games which look even more advanced than this real one!
The museum displayed history of small planes and we still see some of these aircrafts used for fun today. They provided simulation games on pc too.
Besides the aircraft show, this museum is also a great option for event and function no matter whether you're a fan of aircrafts,
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We went back for a second visit and my son fell asleep on the way home (and the trip home is less than 10 minutes). That alone deserves a bump to 5 stars. Yes, it's small museum, but it's big enough for us. This is great fun if you're interested in planes or helicopters at all.
Bring your sunblock and hats, it can be sunny out on the observation deck.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/3/2008
This is a really fun place to visit and watch planes take off and land outside on an observation… Read more »
This is one of my children's all time favorite places to go.
Talk about opening their minds to possibilities. All sorts of aircraft and parts and things to touch and things to look at. You can even sit in real cockpit.
At Hiller, you can look forward (what if I were to learn how to fly?) as well as look back at the history of aviation.
Sure, it's a small museum, nothing like the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum. But Udvar-Hazy is just outside of Washington D.C., and Hiller is a few miles down the 101.
The Hiller Aviation Museum is a wonderful gift to our community from a helicopter pioneer, Stanley Hiller Jr. He died just a few years ago, in 2006, in his 80s. Big thank you to Mr. Hiller for his generosity.
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This is a cute museum with interactive games for kids. I wouldn't ever go back, but I will say that their staff is very friendly and go out of their way to share their knowledge. That part was impressive.
There really isn't much to keep you occupied for very long, but it is educational and worth going if you have kids and you happen to be in the area.
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It's a bird, it's a plane----it's a SUPER museum! Hiller Aviation Museum is a true gem. If you have even the slightest interest in airplanes, this is the place to go! (Please see my photos!)
If you can go there without expecting a Smithsonian type experience, you'll be blown away! You will not believe what was going on in our very own Bay Area BEFORE the Wright Brothers.
The exhibits and replicas of aircraft represent 100 YEARS of aviation beginning in 1869!
You begin with the "Avitor", a blimp-like unmanned aircraft powered by a 1 hp steam engine that flew one mile in 1869 at a field that is near the present SFO.
There are manned gliders that were flown from 1883 to 1911. Many of the exhibits feature short videos in addition to the replicas.
In 1911 the teen-aged Gonzales Brothers built and flew a tractor bi-plane in San Francisco.
There are many planes, helicopters, flying platforms and prototypes of flying machines on display.
There is a Boeing 747 (the front 45 feet of it) outside where you can climb into the cockpit or sit in the First Class seats. The cockpit is amazing with at least a thousand dials, switches and "thingamajigs" for you to pretend you are piloting the plane, During our most recent visit a very cheerful and informative docent (former pilot) explained to us what some of the instruments were for.
There are some interactive exhibits inside where you can "pilot" a flying platform and "fly" other planes.
The 2nd floor contains cases of model airplanes. You can also get a closer view of the planes that are hanging from the ceiling.
FANTASTIC gift shop with books, kites, model airplanes, those great flat balsa wood planes, CD's and DVD's, clothing (caps, bomber jackets, tee shirts), posters, key chains, puzzles, Playmobil sets and other toys. My favorite item were the teddy bears in bomber jackets and goggles!
http://www.aviationmus...
Check out their website for special programs for kids. This museum is great for all ages,
I love this museum!
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I was a kid when my dad suggested we go here. We'd pass it all the time and he'd always say "hey we should go to the aviation museum." Well, one Saturday we went and this place is really cool! It's relatively small in comparison to other massive museums, but it's packed with fascinating aviation bits. You get a history and you get an appreciation. If you live nearby or if you're passing through, it's definitely worth your time to check it out!
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The Hiller Aviation Museum definitely beat expectations for me when, after driving by it for over a decade, I finally visited with my 2 and 4 year olds this weekend.
Sure, you're not going to confuse it with the national Air & Space Museum in DC... but we're talking San Carlos here and the Hiller is quite impressive by the standards of suburban museums.
The biggest hits with my little guys were the climb-on features including (a) the 747 fuselage including the full upstairs section and 7 seat pilot area, (b) in distant second, the Blue Angels cockpit and (c) a two-seat helicopter complete with flight simulator screen.
I'd also recommend a visit here even without little kids in tow. The museum boasts dozens of planes, exhibits and and full-size replicas representing air travel from 1880 through present day.
Hiller backs up to the San Carlos airport, so big and little kids alike can watch the local prop planes land from just yards away.
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This is a small museum, but really worth it when you come on a special event day. Last year, we came during the model train exhibit. This year they had the model train exhibit over the Easter holiday and the Easter bunny was dropped off by helicopter!!! It was hilarious and the kids loved it.
My son was 1 1/2 last year when we first went and he had a great time. I would definitely recommend this museum for kids who like planes/helicopters/vehicles in general.
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I've seen this place a billion times while zipping by in both directions on US101 and have always wanted to stop, but couldn't due to traffic, time or both. I remember seeing similar museum right off a busy major highway when I lived in Bavaria and never was able to stop also, so went finally today and was it some sort of "wunderbar! As John G. above sez: if you know the way to San Jose...." and it is worth the visit!!! The admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids 5 to 17 yrs and mature kids (aged 65+). No matter your age, you'll love this place filled with model planes, airplanes, simulators, and compartments of real aircraft like the nose and pilot compartment of a actual 747 sitting outside waiting for your questions and visit! A very interactive simulator upstairs and using computer screens and controls, you can see how "easily" you can land an aircraft coming into SF International!! All the exhibits beautifully displayed with lots of good history of aircraft and more! You can easily spend an hour (or more) here, and if you have kids, they should love it!!! Their gift shop alone is worth it if you're ex-military and/or a plane buff; there is a massive wall display of pins from commands, units, aircraft and more!!! A place worth coming to again and again!!
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A nice small museum right off 101. It probably will take you 2-3 hours to go over the whole place, and they do have some nice planes to look at. They also have a large plan in the back where you can sit in the cockpit. They also have some virtual reality plane rides which make it more fun for the kids. Don't expect a cafeteria there so if you expect to eat some lunch, pack.
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Cool airplane/aviation museum where you can learn a lot about the history of flight and even sit in an actual airplane cockpit. Decent place to bring aviation fans and kids/nieces/nephews for a couple of hours. They also have private functions here often so nice place to recent out and have a private party where guests can roam around all the exhibits.
Years and years ago they had real flight pods used in the more recent Star Wars movies. That was pretty cool.
Bottom line: Rather small museum in size but big in aviation spirit.
Remember when you were a kid and you were able to enter the cockpit when you boarded a plane and hang out with the pilots?
Want your kids to be able to do the same thing? or at least something close?
At the Hiller Aviation Museum which has a full airline cockpit sitting outside for your kids to play with. There is a docent present to answer any questions that you/your kids may have.
There are also many models of airplanes for you to look at and learn about. A child's play area is provided with toys and crayons so even the youngest tot stay amused.
For the older kids (8-17), on the third Saturday of every month, the museum offer free airplane rides so kids can experience the thrill of flight. This is an excursion that you must plan if your child is interested in aviation.
It is better to go on a weekday than a weekend because of crowds. I think that it is expensive for adult entry.
This 5 star rating is for the Aviation Camp that is held at the museum. We live about a mile from the museum but our son has never been that enthralled with planes so we have been there a couple of times and thought it was cute. This summer I put him in Aviation camp at the museum. He had a wonderful time. He learned a lot. The director and counselors were wonderful. I was very impressed that they built a solid fuel rocket that launched successfully. The launch was well organized and only one rocket fizzled. A quiet fun camp and educational to boot.
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My husband and I try to go somewhere new and fun every weekend. I've been meaning to visit this place for years and so last Saturday we gave it a try. We had such a great time. I never realized that the birth of aviation (outside of the Wright Brothers) happened pretty much around here. There is so much neat stuff there. Our favorite part was the cockpit of the real 747 we got to sit in and an ex-pilot explaining all the buttons. Btw, you can get a $1 off admission coupon on their website.
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Small but interesting air museum at the San Carlos airport. Interesting attractions include a big section of a 747, many helicopters, a big piece of Boeing's Super Sonic Transport (rival to the Concorde, never produced) and lots of other goodies. This is a very inexpensive way to spend an afternoon with your kids if they are interested in flight. http://www.hiller.org
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Really fun, cute place in San Carlos, ESPECIALLY great for children. It costs a few bucks for admission, but they have a cool gift shop and lots of things to look at. I would imagine kiddies between like 2 and 8 years old would be fascinated by the model airplanes to look at and the other planes displayed. I've never seen just two adults there together walking around, I've only seen adults with children, so if you have a child take him/her there. It's fun to watch the planes land and take off outside, as the museum shares its property with the TINY San Carlos airport for small, private planes. Wonderful place for a field trip for kids.
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Went here on a school field trip a couple weeks back. Given that there were 100+ first graders running around it was an okay place. The tour guides were great. They kept the kids engaged in what could have been some very dry stuff for the kiddos. And even I laughed at some of what they said. The space is very cool. I know they do events and such and think it'd be a great place for a party. As museums go I don't think they had enough interactive stuff for the kids to do. If I had brought my girls there alone for a visit we wouldn't have last half an hour before they were bored. It's a place truly for those kids who love all things airplane.
Good way to kill a couple hours - very educational - lot s of hands on exhibits, Hiller is tooting his horn a bit , but hey he built the place right?
I'm probably spoiled from all the time I hung out at the National Air and Space Museum, the environment was pretty spartan. Still for an air and space museum in the Bay Area, it's a quaint place and the exhibits were nice. The gift shop is pretty good too. The front desk person I asked about flying lessons at the airport though was completely useless.
Before bio-tech there was dotcom and silicone; long before that the Valley was full of aviation. These aviation pioneers from the bay area are well represented in the Hiller Air Museum. I've been piloting military helicopter since I was 18 and know many aviation legends; so going to an aviation museum sounded rather boring. Then earlier this year I attended the retirement dinner of a friend at Hiller. It was an incredible event with the museum open to only us. There was a hosted bar (wine + beet) as over 50 of us toured through the museum at our leisure. The food was catered and pretty good and for a bunch of aviators the back drop was great. FFWD; a couple months later I was invited to bring a Helicopter into KSQL for the Hiller Air Fest. The museum hosted all the aviators and a select crowd of locals for an exclusive beer fest and twilight air show. Chuck Aarons did his helicopter aerobatic routine in the BO105 (yes, helicopter aerobatics) and Jim Cheatham did a fantastic demonstration in the R44 show copter. I was busy drinking beers and socializing with some fantastic people so I didn't really catch everything else going on around me. The long and short is this ... if you're a fan of the bay area and it's history then you'll be presently surprised by the museum. If you are a fan of aviation and have not been here since it opened 9 years ago then should come and visit it. If you're an aviation aficionado then you've got to put next year's airshow on your schedule. I won't be there because I'll be enjoying yet another lovely summer at a world class beach with no ocean or water. Also, if you want to have a very special event (wedding, retirement) hosted in a truly unique environment don't forget that Hiller will take good care of you. NOTE; the home of Army Aviation at Fort Rucker AL has a definate 5star museum, as does the Navy at P-Cola and the 6star would be the Air & Space Smithsonian at KBWI.
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One of our favorite places to go with toddlers! What fun, when they get older, we will sure come back for the Saturday flights for kids. This is a super super place :)
This is a great museum for curious kids and adults. I took my 10 year old son and he loved it. I highly recommend it if you're looking to get the kids away from the TV and Video Games.
