Make of this place what you want, but you'll bore the kids to death here unless you let them run around in the open field. That's all that you find here. Sure, it's the place where aviation really developed and the first airport; but it's one old building, some white flags, and a single sign at the end of a very long and winding road. Don't go out of your way for this one, but if you love to walk or bike it's certainly the place to do it.
This is is small museum built where the Wright brothers not only did their initial work on heavier-than-air flight but also had a flying school later on. The displays in the museum are well done and informative, describing not only the work of the Wright brothers but also how Wright-Patterson AFB was created and how it got its name. The location is a bit hard to find. There are two gates only a few feet apart at the entrance, one of which is larger and is usually locked (because it is to Wright-Pat AFB). The smaller gate to the right is the one to the museum. The museum is only a mile or so from the Air Force Museum so is a quick and easy stop. We did not watch the video so cannot comment on its quality.
This is where the Wright Brothers learned how to fly. They received permission to store their aircraft here and make their flights around the field. The hangar is a reconstruction, but with the catapult, rail and marker flags you can see where the brothers flew and get a feel for the area. It is mostly unchanged and still an empty field.Stop by the NPS visitor center before coming out to the field. Watch the movie (same one shown downtown, if you haven't seen it), see the exhibits, and do the free junior ranger program (for kids of all ages). Once you're finished, you'll earn a pair of special wings!
There is just a huge field and a hangar where the Brothers kept their planes but it is neat to know that flying was first here. Doesn't cost anything and it's neat to say you've been where the Wright Brothers created a great invention!
Seeing the film at the Wright Brother's Memorial helped us appreciate the struggle to get flight where they did. Being from North Carolina and knowing their history at Kitty Hawk, it was interesting to see the field where the work continued. The way the displays are setup at the field helps you understand how it looked "back then".
You can walk the field and see the shed and lauch tower for the Wright flyer. This is where the Wrights got the bugs worked out of practical flying machine. Low key very insightful no cost.Kids can run.
Not a whole lot to see but just the fact that is was the very first airport ever made it worth going to. They have a replica of the the Wright brothers 1905 hanger along with the catapult to launch their first airplanes.
We visited Huffman Prairie Flying Field as part of our Tour of the National Aviation Heritage Trail in Dayton. The actual field where the Wright Brothers flew is some distance from the Visitor’s Center. The Center includes small but educational displays of the Wright Brothers’ involvement with the field as well as the exhibits demonstrating how aircraft fly and are controlled. The science is reinforced along the trail. The ranges at these sites are very helpful. Definitely worth a stop.
We found this Interpretive Center as part of the Aviation Trail. It was our final stop but one of the best. We only planned to get our stamp and our Wilbear, but ended up staying an hour. They've packed a lot of interesting information and interactives in a very small space. Uber- friendly Rangers and free admission. Highly recommend!
We visited after touring the Air Force Museum that is nearby. This is a nice small location with displays, a memorial, and a wonderful film. Be sure to take the time to watch the film as it really helps you understand the untiring work of the Wright Brothers! You can drive to the actual field but we did not have time to do the drive.