Shearwater Aviation Museum

The Shearwater Aviation Museum, outside Halifax, has always been on my list of things to discover.

The boys enjoy going to the Greenwood Aviation Museum so we thought we would give this one a try, too!

Here’s what the website says

The Shearwater Aviation Museum’s mandate is to collect, preserve, display and promote the history of Maritime Military Aviation at the air station now known as 12 Wing Shearwater, from 1918 to the present time.

Our Visit

There are several sections to the museum. In the first room, there are so many planes and helicopters on display. Each aircraft has a description beside it so you can learn further.

There is also a section at the back where you can watch a plane being repaired and restored.

There are more planes on display in another galley, including an incredible story of a plane that was found in pieces, years after the war, in Ontario. After years of restoration, they put the plane back together and flew it again!

There is also a room of uniforms and insignia as well as an art gallery upstairs.

We took about 45 minutes to go through the museum.

Visiting with Kids

If your children are interested in airplanes, this is a great place to take them!

There are very few things that the kids could touch in the museum. There is a flight simulator machine, but at the time of our visit, it was broken.

If you are looking for an aviation museum with more hands-on activities for kids, we would recommend the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum.

However, the Shearwater Aviation Museum has a much bigger display of actual aircrafts!

Location

The Shearwater Aviation Museum is actually very close to the Dartmouth Ferry terminal – perhaps 5 minutes down the road! Once on Pleasant Street, everything is very well sign posted.

Directions can be found here.

Hours and Admission

No admission is charged, but there is a chance to leave a free-will donation.

The hours of operation for the summer and off season are here.

Nearby

Nearby the Shearwater Aviation Museum is the Dartmouth ferry terminal called Alderny Landing. There is a lot here to check out from theatre to markets and shops and more!

Further down the road, about 5 minutes past the Shearwater Aviation Museum is Fisherman’s Cove.

This is a lovely area right across from McNabb’s Island in the Halifax Harbour. There are rows of shops with all sorts of treasures and a few restaurants.