During these cold winter months many parents wonder what they can do with their children inside.

Well you can go see some restored historic planes right here in southwest Michigan.  The place to see them is the Air Zoo located in Portage Michigan.

Mlive is reporting on some of these beautiful and historic airplanes you can see at the Air Zoo museum.  In fact did you know that the Air Zoo is a Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum?  The Air Zoo has over 100 air and space planes and artifacts.

Some of the planes you can see up close and personal are the following:

Bell P-39Q Airacobra

Used in World War II, pilots were originally concerned about this plane because the engine is located behind the cockpit. But it posed no greater hazard in a crash landing than with an engine located in front of the cockpit.  The P-39 was known for its ground attack capability.

Sopwith F.1 Camel

These planes shot down more than 1,200 enemy aircraft in World War I, making them the most successful Allied fighter in the war.

North American B-25 Mitchell

This bomber was one of the most widely used in World War II. It was also considered one of the most versatile.  Along with being used as a fighter, the B-25 was used for high and low level bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance and submarine patrol.

V-1 Flying Bomb

Developing by German in World War II, and also known as the "Buzz Bomb" or "Doodlebug," this was an unmanned missile. It was essentially an early unguided cruise missile.  The V-1 was used beginning in 1944 to strike London and southeastern England from launch facilities in German-occupied northern France and Holland.

P-47 Thunderbolt

Also known as the "Jug," this multi-role righter was the largest, heaviest and most destructive single engine aircraft used in World War II.

Looking for something to do this weekend for yourselves or with your children, go check out the Air Zoo museum in Portage, it is extremely interesting and a great place to spend some family time.

Looking for something to do this weekend for yourselves or with your children, go check out the Air Zoo museum in Portage, it is extremely interesting and a great place to spend some fun family time.

What else can you do at the Air Zoo other than looking at their very cool planes?  Well according to their web-page you can:

3D Full-Motion Flight Simulators

Strap in and take hold of the controls as you perform full-motion loops, rolls and dives while dogfighting in a fighter plane, or performing aerobatics in a high-performance stunt plane. Presented in amazing high-definition 3D it's the closest thing to real flight without having to leave the ground!

Doron Flight Simulator -  Take a ride and experience two amazing adventures!

Corsair Challenge (approximately 4 minutes)

Passengers experience one of the most unique fighter aircraft of the World War II era. This flight simulation will take you on a colorful autumn journey over beautiful Southwest Michigan in the Air Zoo's Goodyear FG-1D Corsair.

Barnstormers 2000 (approximately 4 minutes)

Fly as one of fifteen barnstormer planes in this exciting simulator. Whiz past a control tower, through deep canyons, observe a volcano and race a speeding train!

Indoor Amusement Park Rides!

Century of Flight Ferris Wheel - Take a ride in this majestic 26-foot indoor Ferris wheel as you learn about the decades of flight and get a pretty awesome view of the exhibits! Anyone under 36" must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to sit on their own and not on the adult's lap.

Flying Circus Biplane Ride - Kids of all ages will enjoy steering their own colorful Flying Circus biplane as they enjoy the thrill of barnstorming with the wind in their hair.  Anyone under 36" must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to sit on their own and not on the adult's lap.

Montgolfier Balloon Race - Celebrate the invention of the hot air balloon as you fly through the air in our Montgolfier Balloon Race ride. Fun for riders of all ages! Anyone under 42" must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to sit on their own and not on the adult's lap.

Paratrooper Jump - Feel the sensation of weightlessness (about 1/2 G), as you are dropped at random intervals from a height of two stories... for a moment, you will feel just like a paratrooper with a parachute! All riders must be at least 36" tall (with or without an adult).

The cost is:

Adults $15.95

Children $14.95

Children ages 5 – 8 $14.95

Children ages 0 – 4 Free

Seniors 60+ 12.395

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