Strategic Air Command (SAC) Museum

Even if you're not especially interested in aircraft or the military, SAC Museum is a fascinating display to see. Many of the aircraft are located in two simulated hangers, giving a feel for their size. The building itself is fairly new, having been opened in 1998. Prior to that time, the museum was located in Bellevue, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha.

The current facility is vastly superior to what the museum was when I first visited it many years ago. It features a glass atrium, which is very impressive.

Quick Tips:

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy some leisure time in Mahoney State Park when you visit SAC museum. The two sit side-by-side.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is a snack bar in the lower level of the museum. It wasn't anything fancy, but did provide for a brief respite between viewing exhibits. It would do in a pinch for a snack -- which, I suppose, is all it is supposed to do.

The museum has a grand atrium of glass at the entrance. There are two simulated hangers containing the 31 aircraft, as well as several smaller displays between the hangers. Hours can be spent wandering among the exhibits.

When I first visited SAC museum, it was located in Bellevue, Nebraska, not too far distant from Offut Airforce Base. The planes were at that time displayed outside on a paved surface. Though it was fun to wander around and examine the planes, there seemed not to be much design in their arrangement. There was also one building with airforce related displays at that time.

On occasion, airshows were held at the museum during it's tenure in Bellevue. These usually drew large crowds.

The atrium of the museum is a magnificent structure. According to the literature available at the museum there are 525 glass panels. It really is awesome. And the display that it contains is awesome also. A Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is suspended in the center of the atrium. It can be viewed from a catwalk that runs around the atrium.

There is a lot of glass in the main section of the museum. Just off the atrium you can see a large conference room/theater.

The first hanger houses a number of the aircraft. There is a catwalk on the north side of the room that gives you an overall view of the room and allows you to get a closeup of the aircraft that are suspended from the ceiling. Though this is an impressive sight, there's nothing like getting on the ground floor and walking among the planes. There is plenty of space between the planes, and because of the size of the area, it does not seem crowded with visitors even though many people might be there at one time. I guess enormous is the best word to describe this hanger.