Check Out America’s First Flying Museum Of Antique Aircraft In New York

Looking for a fantastic day trip in New York that's fun for the whole family? One place that's worth checking out is the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Dutchess County. This place is fascinating for anyone interested in the history of flight. Unlike the dry, static displays of most museums, the collections at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome can actually be seen in action. The antique aircraft and aircraft reproductions that reside here are regularly shown off in public air shows.

The air shows are one of the facility's main draws. Dogfights play out in the sky, written out in the spirit of old silent film dramas. There are even recurring characters like the Black Baron that show up each week.

Each time you visit, you're liable to see a different aircraft up in the sky. The museum has around 20 airplanes that cycle in and out of rotation.

Many of the museum's planes are actually originals, like this Thomas-Morse-S-4B from 1918. The Aerodrome houses one of the largest collections of planes from 1900-1937 in the entire world, in fact.

One of the museum's crown jewels is an accurate reproduction of the Spirit of St. Louis, one of the most famous planes in the world. The original plane, piloted by Charles Lindbergh, was the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

The reproduction housed at the Aerodrome is almost completely historically accurate, missing only the long-range tanks.

The Aerodrome also hosts remote controlled airplane events that attract competitors from across the country. The RC planes that are flown are miniaturized versions of the antique aircraft housed in the museum.

For an additional fee, you can even experience a 15-minute ride in a historic biplane! The reproduction 1929 plane has an open-air cockpit, and is really a unique way to view the area.

The museum is open seasonally from May through the end of October.

For more information about the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome In New York, check out their Facebook or website.