Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
The doors opened on 16 August 2000, the 60th anniversary of the original Test Platoon’s first parachute jump. The museum offers free admission, a main exhibit gallery, temporary gallery, four-story tall theater, a gift shop, and a motion simulator ride that features two experiences. Admission is free, and we do accept donations in the gift shop and in donation boxes in the lobby. The main gallery is designed as a self-guided tour, in chronological order, through the history of airborne and special operations soldiers from 1940 to the present. The temporary gallery changes periodically and displays a myriad of exhibits pertaining to the United States Army airborne and special operations units through their history and conflicts from World War II to the present.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,093 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
136
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Nick C
7 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Lots of stuff to see, well organized and thoroughly researched. Our family of 5 was easily able to spend 4-5 hours here. The fact that it's free is even more surprising. The museum itself is laid out so depending on your level of interest you can either get a general overview of each section by reading all of the captioned displays or if you feel like reading, can go deeper on each section. The full scale displays were also cool to see and walk through. The people running the museum were welcoming and also knowledgeable. (They also CRANK the air conditioning so it's a perfect summer spot)
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will W
Roanoke, VA45 contributions
Jan 2023
WOW, what a fantastic place! I spent 3 hours in the museum. Great displays to honor the Airborne & Special Ops. This is the way a military museum should look! Like the layout and the ability to skip around if you want to avoid other groups without feeling crowded. Awesome detail regarding the different campaigns and operations, especially of WWII. Gift shop was good, Entire place was spotless and looked new. Staff was friendly and helpful. Great greeting as you arrive inside the building. Lots of parking right beside the museum. Would have liked to seen an area that allowed you to purchase water/soda and snacks for those who planned a multiple hour visit. I understand and agree with the reason for not allowing any food/drink inside the display area of the museum. Maybe establish a room farthest from the display area where food/drink can be purchased and only consumed in the same room. One of my favorite museums I have visited. Will return with friends!
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are happy you enjoyed your visit!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
waldentenn
Signal Mountain, TN787 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This museum in downtown Fayetteville is free and chronicles the 20th-century history of the Airborne and Special Operations branches of the US Army. It is a must-see for military history students and buffs. The exhibits are varied and excellent. You are greeted by a volunteer retired army veteran at the door.
Written April 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gwkelley
Raleigh, NC655 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
If you are in the area, this is a great place to visit. The displays include life size characters with the displays made to look like geography of area the wars were in. Little children may not understand, but may be entertained by images while the adults read. There are videos and other attractions within this museum.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffrey W
5 contributions
Jun 2021
Was in Fayetteville to go zip lining and had some time to kill. Literally, saw the museum while at the stop light. Noticed the traveling Korean War exhibit and decided to stop. Glad we did. I am a History teacher and was fascinated with the entire museum. Always enjoy reading about the experiences the great men and women of the armed forces go through during war. It gives me more appreciation and gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Enjoyed reading about history of the Airborne units and field of engagement. I could have done without the simulator.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,719 contributions
May 2023
If you appreciate Military history, come here. It's a comprehensive overview of Airborne and Special Operations from WW II to recent operations. Easy to reach information overload. We will return in the future to walk through the second half more thoroughly. Children would enjoy seeing the life size military equipment. Welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Admission free. Closed on Mondays. Ample parking with room for a bus or RV.
Written May 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron M
Hope Mills, NC10 contributions
Jun 2023
I was assigned to Fort Bragg when they were building this place. When they finished it I was on my last tour of Iraq and retired as soon as I got back. Sadly, I never took the time to visit. Now that I am home, i made the time to visit and I have to admit, this place is OUTSTANDING!
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish W
Goldsboro, NC37 contributions
Jan 2020
So glad we had the chance to visit this museum. So much history and so beautifully done! Give yourself a few hours. It does require a lot of reading if you really want to be educated but there’s plenty of visual history too.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lin_Dan_2223
Fayetteville, AR1,777 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Great presentation with lots of information about Airborne Paratroopers within the US Army from WWII to present. They have exhibits from numerous operations, including Grenada & Operation Desert Storm. Excellent place to go for historical accounts of the US Army paratroopers.
Written May 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doctor Bob
Fayetteville, NC36 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
Whether or not you have served with the military's Airborne or Special Operations Community is irrelevant! If you have the occasion to visit Fayetteville / Fort Bragg / Pope AAF and do NOT take the time to visit this extraordinary historical archive, it is your great, great loss. I would liken it to visiting NYC and not visiting the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.
Paul Galloway, Museum Executive Director, and crew have done an incredible job of archiving historical events, equipment, and personalities that epitomize and celebrate the best of the Airborne and Special Operations Community. You do not have to have served in the military to be amazed the by C-47 Dakota aircraft, and the AH--6 "Little Bird" suspended from the ceiling of this incredible facility. Allow at least two hours to tour this museum.
This is museum is not a testament to bravado. It is a testament to men and women who put others and their nation before themselves. If you weren't proud, honored, and humbled to call yourself an American before you enter the building, I guarantee that your heart and soul will swell with pride before you depart the area.
The museum displays are updated frequently. Plan to visit whenever you are in town.
Paul Galloway, Museum Executive Director, and crew have done an incredible job of archiving historical events, equipment, and personalities that epitomize and celebrate the best of the Airborne and Special Operations Community. You do not have to have served in the military to be amazed the by C-47 Dakota aircraft, and the AH--6 "Little Bird" suspended from the ceiling of this incredible facility. Allow at least two hours to tour this museum.
This is museum is not a testament to bravado. It is a testament to men and women who put others and their nation before themselves. If you weren't proud, honored, and humbled to call yourself an American before you enter the building, I guarantee that your heart and soul will swell with pride before you depart the area.
The museum displays are updated frequently. Plan to visit whenever you are in town.
Written June 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have heard that a badge and flag for AATTV Mike Force was added to the memorial in 2006 ? No images can be found.
Rah B.
Raleigh, NC7 contributions
Hi Frosty,
I'm not sure but I would call them at the following number: 910-643-2778.
How much does it cost?
Jenna404
North Carolina25 contributions
admission is always free, but the kind gesture is offering a donation to help keep it operating. The Virtual Movie is expensive tho...not worth it. Kinda lame!
I would like to take my grandparents to the museum, but my grandfather has difficulty standing for long periods of time. Are there plenty of places to take a break? Benches, chairs, etc., throughout the museum?
Phillip W
Fort Walton Beach, FL47 contributions
Yes, very Handicap friendly even as you walked through the museum exhibit. The staff has always been just great with any issue. You have to know that lots of veterans have severe handicaps from the service. Have a good time very touching and emotional now with the all the flags displayed.
Do you need a military ID to get into the museum?
momorse
Massachusetts71 contributions
No, it's open to the public.
Christine G
18 contributions
Would it be safe (and I mean safe as in not disrupting other people lol) to bring my four year old son and two year old daughter?
momorse
Massachusetts71 contributions
Absolutely!
ctucker2
Goldsboro, NC8 contributions
How much time should you allow to visit this museum?
Diane M
252 contributions
You should allow at least 2 hours, and will probably spend more than that if you want to be able to see and take in all they have to offer. Well worth it, and definitely take the simulator ride!
How much does it cost?
Diana E
Ann Arbor, MI3 contributions
Admission is free while donations are accepted. The simulator ride costs $8.50 for each ride (there are two), but the combo ticket gets you both rides for $12.
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