The Virginia Air & Space Science Center is a museum in downtown Hampton focused on aviation and space exploration. Its NASA connection, historic aircraft and hands-on galleries make it a distinct stop among museums in Hampton.
- Location: 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669.
- Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
- General admission: $23.50 for adults ages 19–64; other age and eligibility prices are below.
What to expect at the Virginia Air and Space Center
The Virginia Air & Space Science Center is the official visitor center for NASA’s Langley Research Center and describes itself as one of 12 official NASA Visitor Centers in the United States. Its collection connects the history of flight with space exploration, including more than 30 historic aircraft and spaceflight artifacts.
In the Adventures in Flight gallery, the story runs from the origins of flight toward future aviation. You can board a full-size passenger jet, try an air-traffic-control activity and see exhibits about NASA Langley research. The Apollo 12 Command Module and Orion PA-1 Test Vehicle are among the spacecraft-related objects on display.
The center’s hands-on approach gives the visit a mix of aviation history and space-focused activities. For a broader look at local museum choices, this guide to museums in Hampton compares several ways to spend time with the city’s collections.
How do you get to the center?
The center is about a five-minute drive from Buckroe Motel. Its address is 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669, and the phone number is 757-727-0900.
Parking may be available across Settlers Landing Road in the municipal parking area. If you are considering public transit, Hampton Roads Transit operates Route 109 between Hampton Transit Center and Buckroe Beach, and Route 115 between Hampton Transit Center, Fox Hill, Buckroe Beach and the VA Medical Center.
Hampton Transit Center is at 2 West Pembroke Avenue near downtown. Check current route maps and schedules to work out the connection; these routes do not establish a direct stop at the center or a route from the motel.
Allow time for exhibits and activities
Plan your visit around the galleries and activities that interest you: the Adventures in Flight gallery alone includes a passenger jet visitors can board, an air-traffic-control activity and NASA Langley exhibits. The center does not give a recommended visit duration, so use its gallery features to decide how much time to set aside.
If you want to add another museum stop, the Hampton History Museum is at 120 Old Hampton Lane. Its local-history focus makes it a different kind of visit from the aviation and space collections here; the Hampton History Museum guide covers its visitor details.
Admission, opening hours and visitor facilities
The center is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; it is closed Monday and Tuesday.
General admission is free for ages 0–2 and members, $20.00 for ages 3–18, $23.50 for adults ages 19–64, $21.50 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $20.50 for active-duty military and NASA visitors. The center encourages online ticket purchases to save time.
Before you go, check the official site before you go for the center’s latest hours, admission details and ticket arrangements.
Air Power Park and the Hampton Carousel
Air Power Park is a free, 15-acre outdoor collection of vintage aircraft and experimental space-launch vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s. Its displays are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The restored 1920 Hampton Carousel is another downtown attraction; the city describes it as one of 170 antique wooden merry-go-rounds still existing in the United States.
For a fuller day of sightseeing, the Hampton one-day sightseeing route can help you combine downtown stops with other local places.
FAQs
Is the Virginia Air & Space Science Center connected to NASA?
Yes. It is the official visitor center for NASA’s Langley Research Center and presents exhibits about NASA Langley research.
Can you board an aircraft at the center?
Yes. The Adventures in Flight gallery includes a full-size passenger jet that visitors can board.
Does admission include online ticket purchasing?
The center encourages visitors to buy tickets online to save time. Check the center’s official site for ticket arrangements before your visit.