Pima Air and Space Museum – Best Museum Tours in Tucson

The museum and tour fees are easy on the wallet, accepting various discounts including American Automobile Association (AAA), Tucson Passport Book, Tucson Entertainment Book, and others. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food onto the grounds, also keeping it a budget travel friendly. The Thunderbird Grill outdoor café offers sandwiches, burgers, drinks, and snacks, on-site as well.

100 Years of Aircraft Technology

A day spent at the Pima Air and Space Museum is an inspiring walk through aviation technology. Allow at least three hours to complete this worthy adventure. The main museum ticket entitles guests to explore museum hangers, the Space Exploration Center, wander the grounds outside, and catch a free shuttle that may be scurrying around the aircraft grounds.

The hangers are filled with amazing one-of-a-kind aircraft from World War II, prototypes, hands-on aircraft action for the young and young-at-heart, aircraft engines, and other amazing air and space examples spanning over a hundred years of technology.

The Air Force One used by U.S. Presidents J.F. Kennedy and L.B. Johnson

Visitors board the last propeller-driven aircraft flown for primary U.S. Presidential transport. Climbing the stairs and stepping into the actual Air Force One used by U.S. Presidents J.F. Kennedy and Johnson is a surreal and reverent experience for every visitor. The 1962 Douglas VC-118A Liftmaster stands-out from the rest in the presidential aircraft circle on the Pima Air and Space grounds.

AMARG “Boneyard” Bus Tour

Guests may also purchase a special tour ticket for an exclusive bus tour from the Museum to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) also called the “Boneyard Tour” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

AMARG is the only facility of its kind, providing strategic maintenance and reconstruction support for U.S. and Allied military aircraft. The guided bus tour takes about one and a half hours in air-conditioned comfort. It is a perfect ending activity to a day of Pima Air and Space exploration.

AMARG Aircraft “At-the-Ready”

The bus weaves among the rows of military aircraft ready to fly at a moment’s notice. The docent carefully tells each aircraft’s tale, while guests try to wrap their minds around the reality that thousands of military aircraft surround them at-the-ready. Luckily, it is not unusual for a roadrunner or jack rabbit scurrying among them to offer a comic-relief photo opportunity, along with the stops for more serious photo moments, like the active force A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthog.”

ARMARG “Boneyard” Namesake

Half-way through the tour, guests learn how it became known as the “Boneyard” tour. Once across the bridge, the docent explains that the aircraft on that side never fly again. The boneyard is ever-changing. This summer a B52 Bomber is in three giant strategically placed pieces. Thanks to knowledgeable docents, like Bill M., visitors are quick to learn the pieces are there for Russian satellites acknowledgment, due to the 1993 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

How to See the Pima Air and Space Museum and the AMARG “Boneyard” Tour

Aircraft historians, airplane hobbyists, and aviation enthusiasts flock to Tucson regularly to Pima Air and Space Museum to board the AMARG tour bus time and time again. New exhibits are always being added.

• Location: 6000 E. Valencia Rd. Tucson, Arizona 85706; Phone 520-574-0462
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily, Last admit 4:00 PM; Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas
• From November to May, reservations recommended for to ARMARG “Boneyard” Bus Tour.
• See the Pima Air and Space Museum website for more information.

See our article, Tucson Holiday Family Favorite Events, for some fun at Christmas time.