An SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, JFK's Air Force One and a massive B-52 bomber are among the stars of this extraordinary private aircraft museum. Allow at least two hours to wander through hangars and around the airfield where more than 300 'birds' trace the evolution of civilian and military aviation. If that's too overwhelming, consider joining the free 50-minute walking tour offered at 10:30am or 11:30am daily (1:30pm & 2:30pm December to April) or shell out an extra $6 for the one-hour tram tour departing at 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3pm.

Hardcore plane-spotters should call ahead to book space on the 90-minute bus tour of the nearby 309th Aerospace Maintenance & Regeneration Center – aka the boneyard – where almost 4000 aircraft are mothballed in the dry desert air. You don't need to pay museum admission to join this tour.