See real-life aircraft, learn about aerospace pioneers, and enjoy interactive exhibits at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey in Teterboro, NJ.

Have you ever wanted to climb into the cockpit of an airplane? At the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey you can do just that—and more.

Founded in 1976, the Teterboro, NJ-based aviation museum offers a wealth of history, artifacts, artwork, and aircraft spanning “from early balloons to the space age,” says Shea Oakley, the executive director of the museum. The museum’s collections focus on the historic events and technological advances by New Jersey’s air and space pioneers over more than 200 years. The two-level museum has 10 aircraft on display (inside and outdoors), thousands of artifacts to view, more than 400 aircraft models, and interactive exhibits. "We really cater to all age ranges," Oakley says. 
 

Think Like a Pilot

The museum offers a host of interactive exhibits, including a hot-air balloon basket that guests can carefully climb into and an ejection seat from a B-52 bomber that guests can sit in. A favorite among young visitors is “Little Cut Up,” an airplane assembled from actual “cut-up” aircraft parts. Kids are encouraged to sit in the cockpit of the aircraft and make the control surfaces move on the wings and tail, just like a pilot would. The museum’s custom-built Fundamentals of Flight interactive aerodynamics exhibit provides hands-on opportunities for guests to experience the principles of flight. 
 

Honoring Aerospace Pioneers

The Aviation Hall of Fame contains bronze plaques and information about the aerospace pioneers inducted from 1973 to present who have made an impact on the New Jersey aerospace industry. Inductees include former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin as well as identical twins Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly, both retired NASA astronauts and the only twins who have ever traveled to space (All three were born in The Garden State!).
 

Inspiring the Next Generation

In addition to preserving the history of New Jersey aviation, the museum is also dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of aerospace pioneers. Through the Dare to Fly Program kids learn about aerodynamics by designing, building, and flying balsa wood gliders. The museum hopes to open its Night at the Museum program—currently offered exclusively for Scout troops—to the public in the future (for groups of 15 or more). It also hosts tours for school groups.

Get In the Cockpit

Though you can board two of the museum’s aircraft year-round (“Little Cut Up” and an authentic Martin 202 airliner outside), Open Cockpit Weekend is worth marking on the calendar. Held six weekends throughout the year, including June 17-18, it allows guests to sit in the cockpit of most of the aircrafts on display at the museum. The annual Wings and Wheels Expo, Sept. 23-24 at Essex County Airport in Fairfield, NJ, will have several aircraft, vintage military vehicles, and show cars on display.
 

Want to Go?

Address: 400 Fred Wehran Road, Teterboro, NJ
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Admission: $8; $6 seniors and kids. Groups of 10 or more: $7; $5 seniors and kids. Open Cockpit Day: $10; $8 seniors and kids.
For more information: 201-288-6344 or njahof.org

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Main image: Visitors can board the cabin of an authentic Martin 202 airliner from the 1950s in the museum’s courtyard—it’s said to be the last one left in the world.
© 2016 by the Aviation Hall of Fame of NJ