Lexington Park Things to Do Tips by grandmaR

Free Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

I'm not sure this is a MUST SEE as much as it is the ONLY SEE thing in Lexington Park.

My husband went to Test Pilot School at Pax River. This is one of two air stations in the US armed forces that have TPSs. The museum is about research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of Naval Aircraft. It is one of only 11 Naval museums in the country that is chartered by the Secreatary of the Navy.

The old museum closed in 2001 to allow road widening, and has been opened in a temporary location. The temporary museum is a large siding-clad structure with a nearby aircraft viewing area. It is offset from the main road. It is 50% bigger than the old museum.

It is free and wheelchair accessible and has a gift shop which is run by volunteers (one of them was my son's nursery school teacher). The hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Parking is also free.

In 1999, my husband enjoyed taking his grandsons to visit the 17 naval aircraft, including the F-18 Hornet, the F-14 Tomcat, the Harrier II, the Sea Stallion helicopter, and the S-2 Tracker. He flew various planes but spent most of his time in the S-2. Others on display are the A-4 Skyhawk, and the F-4 Phantom II.

The museum offers hands-on displays, a wide-screen video presentation, full-scale aircraft and a flight trainer to help educate visitors about the process of testing military flight equipment. There is a model collection, the portable helicopter, the rubber airplane, a display about G-forces, the development of the ejection seat (the kids could pose in it), the story of the helmet, etc.

Address: Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Assoc., Pax R20670

Directions: As you approach Gate #1 and the Pegg Road intersection from the North, it is on the left. At this time there is no direct left turn access to the museum from Route 235.

Phone: 301-863-7418

Website: http://www.paxmuseum.com/