This Hidden Gem Aviation Park Is An Out-Of-This-World Day Trip In Kentucky
Ohio might be known as the Birthplace of Aviation, but that doesn’t mean that Kentucky doesn’t also celebrate the art of flight. Kentucky has its own impressive aviation feats, from Willa Brown Chappell, the first African-American woman to be licensed as a private pilot in the United States, to Esther Mueller Ammerman and Mary Edith Engle, two Bluegrass pilots who served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, to decorated WWII pilot Herschel H. “Herky” Green. In Bowling Green, Aviation Heritage Park is a hidden gem that’s an engaging and immersive history lesson, and it makes for one high-flying day trip in Kentucky!
There's something about the art of flight that captures the imagination in a way no other form of transportation can.
Whether it's the romance and freedom that comes with taking to the open skies, the gravity-defying art of flying (and being a real-life super hero!), the sleek aircraft itself, or the fascinating history of American aviation, flying is undeniably alluring.
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Aviation Heritage Park celebrates American aviation -- past, present, and future -- as well as Kentucky's contributions to the field.
This 12,750 square-foot living history museum is located outside and invites guests to come and immerse themselves in the art and history of aviation. It's open to the public daily and admission is free.
There are even special events, like the annual Hangar Party, that invite guests to come and revel with fellow flight enthusiasts, in a real, honest-to-goodness airplane hangar. How cool, right?
From a kernel of an idea that a few Kentucky aviation enthusiasts had more than a decade ago, the dream for a museum honoring aviators from South-Central Kentucky was born. It would be a memorial to Bluegrass aviators, complete with historic aircraft and the sleekest and most celebrated flying machines.
Those who *know* airplanes will be in heaven at this amazing park, which includes stunning aircraft such as the NASA T-38 Talon, Bell UH-1 Iroquois (AKA the "Huey"), Grumman Panther F9F, and F-111 Aardvark.
Plaques at each of the featured aircraft offer details and explanation about these fascinating flyers.
Looking into the horizon, Aviation Heritage Park is in the process of constructing a 11,000 square-foot museum to enhance the experience and provide more context to Kentucky's place in the American aviation story. Stay tuned!
Have you visited this aviation park and museum in Kentucky? What a unique day trip! Aviation Heritage Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk and admission is free.
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
