Military Aviation Museum
Hidden GemMilitary Aviation Museum is a attraction in Pungo & Blackwater, Virginia Beach, best for aviation buffs, history lovers, families, a non-beach day.
Out among the farm fields of Pungo sits one of the world's largest private collections of flyable World War I and World War II aircraft — and 'flyable' is the operative word: these warbirds take off from the museum's own grass airstrip, the Virginia Beach Airport. Daily admission includes guided tours through genuinely transplanted history, including the Goxhill Watch Office (an original British WWII control tower brought over brick by brick), the German-built Cottbus Hangar, and a dedicated WWI hangar. The museum flies its aircraft at events across the year, headlined by the Warbirds Over the Beach airshow each fall, and offers rides in vintage aircraft for those who want more than a walkaround. Locals routinely call it a hidden gem, which undersells a globally significant collection hiding twenty minutes from the Boardwalk. Open daily 9am–5pm, closed only Thanksgiving and Christmas; adult admission $17 with discounts for seniors, military, teachers, and youth — WWII veterans visit free.
Amenities
- Guided hangar tours included with admission
- Original WWII-era buildings
- Vintage airplane rides
- Manual wheelchairs available
- Elevator to second floor
Know Before You Go
- Best for: aviation buffs, history lovers, families, a non-beach day
- Parking: Free on-site parking with handicapped spots adjacent to the entrance and at-grade sidewalk access.
- Accessibility: Manual wheelchairs first-come, elevator to the main building's second floor, accessible restrooms throughout; ASL interpreters, descriptive tours, and sensory-friendly mornings available with advance notice. Service animals welcome.
- Dogs: not allowed — Service animals welcome; emotional support animals are not permitted.
- Location: 1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-10.
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While You're in the Area
Astraea Coffee
Pet-friendly cafe in a converted house near the Municipal Center courthouse cluster, pairing coffee with bagels, wraps, and a fresh bakery case.
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Pungo-area seafood restaurant known locally as a 'locals' secret,' serving dinner nightly plus a full weekend brunch service.
CorduroyHidden Gem
Melbourne-inspired coffee and made-from-scratch food in a historic Pungo Village home — the rebrand of longtime local favorite Sawdust Road.
Flip Flops VB Grill
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-featured tropical grill in rural Blackwater near Munden Point Park, known for Caribbean-inflected seafood.
Heirloom
Family-owned Pungo wine bar and farm-to-table kitchen with seasonal small plates, serious wine, and a 4-5:30pm happy hour.
Monk's PlaceHidden Gem
Cash-only Pungo roadhouse pouring since the 1940s — dollar-bill walls, paper-plate burgers with a cult following, and fried gizzards on the menu.
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Upcoming Events Nearby
Warbirds Over the Beach
October 3, 2026 – October 4, 2026 · annual
The Military Aviation Museum's premier all-warbird air show fills its Princess Anne Road grounds with flying WWII-era aircraft, bringing the museum's own airworthy collection into the sky rather than leaving it static on display. The two-day show runs 9am to 5pm alongside the museum's regular exhibits; standard museum admission applies ($17 adults, $15 seniors/military/teachers, $10 ages 5-13, free for members, WWII veterans, and children 4 and under). It's the signature annual event for Pungo's rural southern end of the city, a genuine surprise for visitors who don't expect a working WWII airfield inside Virginia Beach limits.
Autumn in the Air
November 7, 2026 · annual
A newer addition to the city's Parks & Recreation calendar, this single-day fall festival takes over Mount Trashmore Park with folk, americana, and rock bands on an outdoor stage, food and drink for purchase, and activities scattered across the lakefront lawn. Now in its third year, it's grown into the city's answer to a proper autumn street festival without the Oceanfront crowds -- bring a lawn chair or blanket, since tents and large coolers aren't allowed in the event area. Free admission and parking make it an easy afternoon add for anyone already in Kempsville.
Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar
November 14, 2026 – November 22, 2026 · annual
Now in its 48th year, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation's holiday craft bazaar splits across two weekends and two recreation centers: Princess Anne Recreation Center hosts November 14-15, then Kempsville Recreation Center takes over November 21-22. Crafters sell handmade items ranging from stocking stuffers to fine art at budget-friendly prices, with Saturday hours 9am-4pm and Sunday hours 10am-3pm each weekend. Admission and on-site parking are free at both locations, making it an easy holiday-shopping stop regardless of which side of the city you're on.