Museum FAQs

Where is the museum located?

The National Naval Aviation Museum is located at 1750 Radford Boulevard on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Please note that the museum is located on an active U.S. military installation with access through a security gate. Admission is FREE.

How do I get to the museum?

Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. through the West Gate only on the south end of Blue Angel Parkway. Please review the ADMISSION/SECURITY section within this list for complete details regarding base access and security requirements.

What are the museum’s hours of operation?

The museum is open every day of the year from 9:00 AM -4:00 PM except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Hangar Bay One annex closes at 3:30 PM.

Implementation of the REAL ID Act begins May 7, 2025. That day, and any day after that, anyone 18 years and older who plans to visit certain Federal facilities or fly domestically will need a REAL ID or a valid U.S. passport to enter U.S. military bases or board federally regulated commercial aircraft.

How much does the museum cost?

There is no charge for admission to the museum, parking lots, and Blue Angels practices and autograph sessions.

What is the base access policy?

Base Access Identification Requirements per the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Navy:

• U.S. Citizens 18 years of age and older must show a REAL ID or a valid U.S. passport. 
• As of march 2026, NAS Pensacola’s Commanding Officer has directed the following base access visitor’s policy: Non-DoD personnel are authorized access only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Visitors over the age of 18 must be screened and vetted through the NAS Pensacola Visitor Control Center (VCC) located at the south end of Navy Blvd prior to being granted access to the installation. Once approved, visitors must turn around and proceed to enter the installation’s West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway before proceeding to the National Naval Aviation Museum.
• DoD personnel may access the installation seven days a week in accordance with normal procedures. The National Naval Aviation Museum remains open seven days a week.
• Additionally, vehicle operators must have a REAL ID or a valid U.S. passport, and foreign nationals will need to be escorted by a U.S. citizen as driver in the same vehicle. The U.S. citizen/sponsor will require a background check at the Navy Blvd. Visitor Center, Front Gate.
• Persons with felony convictions are not authorized to access the base.
• All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks.
• It is recommended that you keep your ID with you at all times.

If I am a foreign national, may I still access the base and visit the museum?

Per Department of Defense and U.S. Navy policy, foreign nationals may access the base and subsequently visit the museum ONLY IF the following requirements are met:

• Non-U.S. citizens must be escorted by a U.S. citizen who is riding in the same vehicle. The U.S. citizen must be driving the vehicle. 
• The U.S. citizen will have a background check upon arrival at the Navy Blvd./Front Gate Visitor Center.
• Non-U.S. citizen visitors who have not been processed through the Foreign Visit System Confirmation Module (FVSCM) must be in possession of and present one of the below documents:
  1. Permanent resident card
  2. Alien registration receipt card (Form 1-551)
  3. Foreign passport that contains a temporary 1-551 stamp
  4. A temporary 1-551 printed notification on a Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV)
• If the foreign visitor is not in possession of one of those documents, and/or does not have a U.S. citizen escort they will not be able to access NAS Pensacola nor visit the museum. There are no exceptions and the museum is unable to provide escorts.

What kind of security can we expect in accessing the base?

To gain access to NAS Pensacola, you will enter through the West Gate, on Blue Angel Parkway, by showing proper ID at the entry checkpoint, and be subject to search of the vehicle. The following items are prohibited on NAS Pensacola and will result in being turned away:

• Weapons (firearms/knives), including those of Concealed Weapon Permit holders
  • While firearms are strictly prohibited aboard the installation, those who are traveling with firearms (concealed permit holders included) can store them temporarily at Jim’s Firearms near the West Gate off Blue Angel Parkway. Jim’s Firearms is a full-service firearms dealer and, for a nominal fee, can store firearms so that those visitors can gain access to NASP and the museum. Click here for more info, phone number, and address.
• Boats and boat trailers are prohibited.

What kind of security measures can we expect at the museum?

Upon entering the base, proceed to the museum and enter the campus via the main entrance, or proceed directly to the flight line for Blue Angel practices. Please keep proof of identification on your person at all times, as patrons may be asked to show ID upon entering the flight line and museum.

The following items are prohibited in the museum and on the flight line:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Drones (countermeasures will be taken)
• Backpacks and coolers must stay in the car, unless they are diaper bags or medically required bags. All bags are subject to search.

Is there a maximum limit of people allowed at the museum?

Yes. Once the museum parking lots and Pensacola Lighthouse parking lots are full, base security is required to close the base to new entrants until more parking becomes available.

Advance purchase of attraction tickets does not guarantee that you will be admitted to the base, which is dependent on availability of parking.

Is there a museum dress code?

Please remember that the museum welcomes many families. Acceptable attire is required for entry. We ask that guests dress appropriately. Shoes and shirts are required. Bathing suits must be appropriately covered. Visitors will not be allowed entry into the museum wearing clothing with profanity or words that disparage individuals or groups based on sex, race, or national origin.

If I am a foreign national, may I still access the base and visit the museum?

Per Department of Defense and U.S. Navy policy, foreign nationals may access the base and subsequently visit the museum ONLY IF the following requirements are met:

• Non-U.S. citizens must be escorted by a U.S. citizen who is riding in the same vehicle. The U.S. citizen must be driving the vehicle.
• The U.S. citizen will have a background check upon arrival at the Navy Blvd./Front Gate Visitor Center.
• Non-U.S. citizen visitors who have not been processed through the Foreign Visit System Confirmation Module (FVSCM) must be in possession of and present one of the below documents:
  1. Permanent resident card
  2. Alien registration receipt card (Form 1-551)
  3. Foreign passport that contains a temporary 1-551 stamp
  4. A temporary 1-551 printed notification on a Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV)
• If the foreign visitor is not in possession of one of those documents, and/or does not have a U.S. citizen escort they will not be able to access NAS Pensacola nor visit the museum. There are no exceptions and the museum is unable to provide escorts.

ARE YOU CLEAR FOR LANDING?

National Naval Aviation Museum and Flightline Bag and Beverage Policy

Only the following bag types are allowed in the museum and on the flightline:

• Clear tote or storage bags of any size
• Clutch purses (solid or clear) approximately the size of a hand (4.5 x 6.5 inches)
• Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags after undergoing inspection.
• Only water in an enclosed container with a secured lid may be brought into the museum. No outside food is allowed in the museum.
• If you are arriving at the museum using a public mode of transportation (i.e., taxi or Uber), the museum cannot store luggage during your visit.

Where can I watch the Blue Angels practice?

The best place to watch a Blue Angels practice air show is on the flight line behind the museum buildings. Please see the campus map below for additional details.

Is there a charge for Blue Angels practices and/or autograph sessions?

No. Blue Angels practices and autograph sessions are free and open to the public. There is no charge for admission to the museum. (For more information on requirements to access NAS Pensacola, please review the ADMISSION/SECURITY Section within this list.)

When are the Blue Angels practice air shows and autograph sessions?

The schedule for the Blue Angels’ season can be found via our website. Click Here.

Is seating available for Blue Angels practices?

A limited number of chairs are available for onsite rental. There is also limited bleacher seating, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Am I permitted to bring my own chairs to the flight line?

Yes. Visitors are strongly encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Am I permitted to bring my own chairs to view the show in the museum parking lot?

Yes. Visitors are permitted to bring their own chairs, but please be mindful to not block vehicular thoroughfares.

Is parking for the disabled available?

Yes. Parking for disabled patrons is available.

Can you accommodate parking for motorhomes, RVs, buses, etc.?

Yes. There are a limited number of spaces available toward the back of the museum parking lot near the Hangar Bay One annex.

Is there a fee for parking?

No. Both museum admission and parking are FREE.

Are guided tours available? How much do they cost?

Yes. FREE, daily guided tours are available, led by our knowledgeable volunteer docents, many of them military veterans. Tours begin at the main information desk. Tour Times: 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 1:00 PM

How do I purchase and receive attraction tickets?

Attraction tickets are sold through the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. You can purchase tickets here, and your tickets will be emailed to you after purchase. You may also purchase tickets to our simulators and the movies at our movie concessions counter inside the museum. Please note that advance purchase of attraction tickets does not guarantee base entry, which is dependent on availability of parking and the possession of proper credentials for entry to NAS Pensacola.

If I cannot make my attraction time will I receive a refund?

No refunds are issued for attraction tickets.

Can I bring food or drink to the museum?

Only water in an enclosed container with a secured lid may be brought into the museum. No outside food is allowed in the museum.

Does the museum sell food?

Yes. Dining options include the Naval Aviation Museum Theatre Concession Stand, offering sandwiches, wraps, candy, and snacks. The Cubi Bar Café is offers a broader menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, and more. View their menu here. In addition, food trucks are located between the main building and the Hanger Bay One annex on a rotating basis and are subject to availability.

Can I bring or borrow a wheelchair?

Yes, and yes! We have a limited number of standard and bariatric wheelchairs available free of charge. To rent a wheelchair, please visit the information desk to inquire about availability, as they are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are not available to reserve before arrival. Walkers are not available to rent. Visitors are always welcome to bring their own mobility devices.

Can I bring bags/coolers into the museum?

No backpacks/coolers are allowed inside the museum. Diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search.

Can I bring my pet into the museum/on the flight line?

Pets are not permitted in the museum unless they are a service animal. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” In the State of Florida, miniature horses trained specifically for this purpose also qualify as service animals. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals do not qualify as service animals, nor do pets. It is against Florida law to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle.

At this time, service animals are not permitted on the flight line due to the extreme conditions including excessive noise. Patrons with service animals are most welcome to view the practice adjacent to the flight line. All efforts for reasonable accommodation will be made to ensure that all patrons and their service animals are able to view the Blue Angels practice sessions on campus. Please see a museum staff member if you have questions or require additional details.

Can I bring a stroller into the museum?

Strollers are permitted in the museum and on the flight line. There are no stroller parking areas in the museum or on the flight line. DO NOT leave strollers or bags unattended.

What kind of events can I hold at the museum?

The museum is happy to host military ceremonies and reunions sponsored by a military member (active, retired, or reserve).

Whom do I contact to plan an event?

For military ceremonies or reunions, please contact our Special Events Coordinator, Catherine Hajcak at catherine.a.hajcak.civ@us.navy.mil

To arrange a school field trip, please contact: Cathy Powe at cpowe@navalaviationmuseum.org

To arrange a media visit, please contact: Hill Goodspeed at merriwether.h.goodspeed.civ@us.navy.mil

How do I contact the Museum to facilitate an artifact donation?

If you have artifacts that you would like to donate to the museum, please email our Curator, Ms. Dina Linn: dina.g.linn.civ@us.navy.mil.

If you wish to donate archival material, please email our Archivist, Mr. Jared Galloway: jared.b.galloway.civ@us.navy.mil.

Please read, complete, and submit the donor packet as an attachment to your email.

Download Artifact Donor Packet Here