Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler: Tickets, Hours and What to See (2026)

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, officially the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, is the biggest attraction in Pooler and one of the best museums in the Savannah area. The short answer: it is at 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler, open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m., closed Mondays, and adult tickets are $13. The highlight is the fully restored B-17 bomber "City of Savannah."

Hours and prices below come from the museum's own website and ticket shop, checked October 31, 2026. Prices and holiday closures change, so confirm on mightyeighth.org before you drive out.

TL;DR: Mighty Eighth Museum at a Glance

• Where: 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322, a short drive from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m., closed Monday.
• Tickets: $13 adults, $12 seniors 60+, $9 kids 6-12, with military discounts. WWII veterans are free.
• Don't miss: the B-17 "City of Savannah," the B-24 Liberator restoration, and the Chapel of the Fallen Eagles in the Memorial Garden.
• Plan on: two to three hours, and a car or rideshare to get there.

What Is the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum?

The museum tells the story of the Eighth Air Force, the bomber and fighter command that flew from England in World War II. Its stated mission is to preserve the stories of the Eighth's airmen and ground crews, from that war to the present.

The Savannah connection is the reason it is here. According to the museum and a Georgia historical marker, the Eighth Air Force was activated on January 28, 1942, in the former National Guard Armory at 1108 Bull Street in Savannah. Within months its headquarters moved to England. Our Savannah history facts guide covers more of the city's past, from colonial days to the 20th century.

How Much Are Tickets in 2026?

The museum's online ticket shop lists these general admission prices:

• Adults: $13
• Seniors (60+): $12
• Retired military: $10
• Active duty military and spouses: $9
• Children 6-12: $9
• Active duty military children: $8
• WWII veterans: free

The museum says children under 6 are free, and members get in free. A family of two adults and two school-age kids pays about $44. To compare costs with the downtown options, see our Savannah museums guide to compare.

What Are the Hours?

Posted hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Its site notes that it opens on Memorial Day, and it posts separate notices for holiday closures, such as Christmas, and for private events. If you are planning a visit over Thanksgiving or the winter holidays, check the events page first. Our Savannah in November guide and Thanksgiving weekend guide list what else is open that week.

What Should You See First?

The B-17 "City of Savannah"

This is the centerpiece. The Flying Fortress sits in the museum's Combat Gallery, and the museum reports that volunteers spent more than 60,000 hours restoring it to full combat configuration. The museum calls it the finest static B-17 restoration in the world. That is its own claim, but even casual visitors tend to stop and stare. Walk all the way around it: the scale of the plane, and how tight the crew positions are, is the point.

The B-24 Liberator Restoration

The museum has started restoring a B-24 Liberator, the other heavy bomber the Eighth flew. Per the museum's site, the work is still in progress ahead of a future exhibit. It is a rare chance to see a restoration underway, so ask staff what you can view on the day you go.

The Mission Exhibits

Exhibits trace the Eighth from its arrival in England through the bombing campaign over Europe. The gallery walks you through a bomber mission and briefing, which helps the planes make sense. Teens who like history or aviation usually get more out of this than they expect. Our things to do with teenagers guide has more ideas.

The Chapel of the Fallen Eagles and Memorial Garden

Outside, the Memorial Garden holds plaques and monuments to the Eighth's dead, along with the Chapel of the Fallen Eagles, a small non-denominational chapel modeled on English parish churches. Each Memorial Day weekend, the garden is filled with 26,000 48-star flags, one for each Eighth Air Force airman lost in World War II.

The Research Center

The Roger A. Freeman Research Center and the museum's veterans' database are useful if a relative served in the Eighth. Contact the museum ahead of time if you want help with research, rather than counting on a walk-in.

Local tip: Pair the museum with a late flight. It is only a short drive from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, so on a departure day you can check out of your hotel, spend the afternoon here, and head to the terminal without backtracking into town. Remember it is closed on Mondays.

How Long Does a Visit Take?

Plan on two to three hours to see the B-17, the main galleries and the Memorial Garden without rushing. Aviation fans and families of veterans can easily spend half a day. Because it is all indoors except the garden, it also works well on a hot afternoon or a stormy one. It belongs on any list of rainy day activities in Savannah.

How Do You Get There From Downtown Savannah?

You need a car or a rideshare. The museum is in Pooler, near I-95 and the airport, about 20 to 30 minutes from the Historic District in normal traffic. The free downtown shuttle and walking routes don't reach it. Our guide to getting around without a car explains when renting makes sense, and our airport to downtown guide compares rideshare and taxi options along the same corridor.

If you want a car for just one day of the trip, renting for the Pooler and day-trip leg is often cheaper than paying for downtown hotel parking all week.

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What Else Is There to Do in Pooler?

Pooler is mostly shopping centers and chain restaurants, but a few things pair well with the museum:

• Outlet shopping: Tanger Outlets Savannah is in Pooler off I-95, close to the museum.
• A place to stay: if you are flying out early or driving I-95, our hotels near the Savannah airport and in Pooler guide covers the hotels with free airport shuttles. Or browse the full Savannah hotels directory.
• More military history: Fort Pulaski National Monument, on the way to Tybee, covers the Civil War era. It makes a strong second history stop on a separate day.

For dinner, most visitors drive back into town, where the range of Savannah restaurants is far wider. For more ideas outside the city, see our best day trips from Savannah.

Is the Mighty Eighth Museum Worth It?

For anyone with an interest in World War II, aviation or a family member who served, yes. The B-17 alone is worth the drive, and at $13 for adults it is an easy value next to a paid tour downtown. If your trip is only a weekend and you have no car, it is harder to justify, since getting there takes time. Save it for a longer stay, a rainy day, or the hours before a flight.

Bottom Line: Visiting the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is in Pooler at 175 Bourne Avenue, open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays, with adult tickets at $13. Give it two to three hours, start with the B-17 "City of Savannah," and leave time for the Chapel of the Fallen Eagles outside. Drive or take a rideshare, pair it with the outlets or a late flight, and check mightyeighth.org for holiday closures before you go.