The San Francisco Bay Area Family Destination
What’s Happening This Season
at The Hiller Aviation Museum
Adventure, innovation, and discovery take flight every day! Explore exciting hands-on exhibits, flight simulators, and special events perfect for curious kids and families all year long.
Every Day at the Museum
When the weather cools down, the fun at Hiller Aviation Museum takes off!
Bring your family to explore aviation through interactive exhibits, pilot a flight simulator, and discover the wonder of flight in an inspiring indoor environment — perfect for after-school outings, weekend adventures, and school breaks.
Perfect for:
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After-school fun that inspires imagination
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Rainy-day adventures close to home
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Holiday activities that bring the whole family together
Here are just a few of our inspired activities.
Drones
Fly a drone!
Discover the fun and challenge of drone flight! Observe drone demonstrations, take the controls of a realistic drone simulator, and pilot an actual drone in the Drone Plex flight center during Try and Fly.
Flight
Flight Simulators
In the Flight Sim Zone, take a virtual flight across the Bay and see the world from the unique perspective of a pilot. Real pilots will show you how to control a Cessna 172.Â
Invention
Invention Lab
This “mini makers lab†has new hands-on activities for kids, exposing them to STEM in a fun and engaging way. Here they can use the tools of science to explore aviation, aerodynamics, engineering, assembly, and design.
Exhibits
Explore your journey
From historic aircraft to interactive displays, we have something for everyone.
Activities
Hands-on inspiration
Get hands-on with our activities: flight Simulators, Drones, and Invention Lab.
Groups
School Programs
Field trips in science, technology, math, and engineering for Grades Pre-K through 12
Open Daily, 10 AM-5 PM, Including Weekends, and After School too!
We’re the perfect museum destination during Bay Area school breaks. Kids of all ages will have fun learning about S.T.E.M. through our exciting interactive displays.
Everyday Fun, Rain or Shine
We have a vast indoor area at the museum, so no matter what the weather, finding indoor fun is easier than you think.
Where Holiday Memories Take Flight
Experience Holiday Fun for Kids, Parents, and Grandparents. Drones, Flight Simulators, and STEM Adventures Await.
ALL HILLER Events
Upcoming Hiller Events
Flying Football Fun Fest
Flying Football Fun Fest
Share the excitement of the Big Game with a helicopter football drop, Bot Bowl, drone demonstrations plus acti...
Hearts and Hangars
Hearts and Hangars
Cupid’s touched down for a members-only evening in the hangar! Join us for aviation-inspired Valentine craft...
Maddux-Airlines
Maddux-Airlines
The story of airline pioneer Jack Maddux. Granddaughter Ryann Willis inherited never-before-seen photographs, ...
Glider Discovery Day
Glider Discovery Day
Discover the world of flight in a special outdoor family event!
Straw Rocket Workshop
Straw Rocket Workshop
Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high perform...
St. Patrick’s Celebration!
St. Patrick’s Celebration!
The Luck o' the Irish meets the Hiller Aviation Museum for a special aerial celebration in honor of St. Patric...
Paint-A-Plane
Paint-A-Plane
Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airpla...
Bay Area Garden Railroad
Bay Area Garden Railroad
The Bay Area Garden Railroad Society's waist-high track features live steam locomotives. These railroad engine...
Bubble Bonanza
Bubble Bonanza
Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high perform...
Bubble Bonanza
Bubble Bonanza
Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high perform...
Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter!
Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter!
Get an Easter Egg straight from the Bunny and enjoy face painting, a bounce house and slide, and a model train...
Trains and Planes
Trains and Planes
See amazing model trains on display in beautiful settings crafted by dedicated enthusiasts.
Airport Runway Run
Airport Runway Run
Don't miss this rare chance to run on the real Runway at San Carlos Airport. Certified 5K/10K with 2K fun run.
Straw Rocket Workshop
Straw Rocket Workshop
Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high perform...
Paint-A-Plane
Paint-A-Plane
Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airpla...
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
Museum Closes Early 3PM – Christmas Eve
OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
The Hiller Aviation Museum is closed Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Closures also include select featured and private events.
I have a 3 year old and it's perfect for her.
We're in the museum every other week, looking at the airplanes, playing in the playground, going in the 747-400, and seeing real airplanes takeoff and land in the adjacent airport, it's a blast.
You can also fly a very cool simulator (free for members) in the second floor, and do a new science project/build with the little ones every time you get there (in the lab).
Not to mention (but I will) the special events they have during holidays and just throughout the year, like seeing Santa and the Easter Bunny arrive via chopper, paint a real plane, see a leprechaun parachute to the museum, see huge sets of model trains and so much more.
And we've got it all for $139 for the whole family for the whole year. (With this membership we also received 2 extra tickets, which we used when friends came along).
Highly recommended!
Hours
Open 10 am – 5:00 pm
7 days a week*