Virginia Air & Space Science Center

The Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton is one of the most authentic aviation and space museums on the East Coast — and it's substantially underrated given its location in the same area as NASA Langley Research Center, which is just minutes away.

The centerpiece of the museum is a real Apollo 12 command module, the spacecraft that carried astronauts Conrad, Bean, and Gordon to the Moon and back in 1969. Standing next to this tiny, scorched capsule — the actual vehicle that survived reentry from lunar orbit — is a visceral reminder of what human spaceflight actually looked like. Kids who've only seen rockets in movies go quiet in front of it in a way that tells you something landed.

The aviation collection is substantial, with historic aircraft suspended throughout the main hall. Interactive exhibits on aerodynamics and flight let kids experiment with wing shapes and see how Bernoulli's principle creates lift. Flight simulators provide a hands-on experience of what aircraft control actually feels like — these are popular and fill up, so sign up early on arrival.

The IMAX-style theater runs documentary films on aviation and space topics throughout the day. The combination of real artifacts, interactive science exhibits, and film content makes this a more complete educational experience than many aviation museums.

Important logistical note: the museum has very limited hours, open only Wednesday through Saturday, 10AM-5PM. Plan carefully if visiting from Williamsburg (about 45 minutes) or other parts of the region.