Since opening just a few years ago, thousands of camp groups have visited the Cradle and have made it one of the most popular destinations in the area. Each of our eight galleries deliver a “wow” experience as campers travel through time viewing over 75 air and space craft from hot air balloons to an actual lunar module.

With the Leroy R. and Rose W. Grumman IMAX Dome Theatre and the Red Planet Café, a visit to the Cradle of Aviation is a safe and exciting field trip, right in your own backyard.

The Cradle is a 150,000 sf facility providing you and your group with a safe and spacious environment that's sure to please everyone in your group. We're located in Garden City on the site of the historic Mitchel Field airbase right next to Nassau Community College and the Nassau Coliseum.

Enjoy one of our workshops or guided tour or your group may visit the museum galleries without a guide. The exhibits are in chronological order and throughout the museum, our volunteer docents are there to share their aerospace experience.

Camp Workshops

Workshops are $1.00/camper in addition to museum admission

Living in Space 30 minutes, all grade levels.
There are many things one needs to know before venturing up into space…like how does one survive? The most common and practical questions will be answered on what life is like in space. Students will discover where to sleep, what kind of food is
available, what astronauts wear and how they go to the bathroom. Students will even get to try on a space suit!

Rockets Away! 30 minutes, grades 4-12
Rocketry is an important development in modern day science and technology. This
program will guide students through historic milestones leading to some of the current uses of rockets. Demonstrations of basic rockets will be included.

Kites! 30 minutes, grades 1-3
3000 years ago the Chinese invented kites and today most of us have attempted to fly one. Learn how kites were precursors to airplanes and build your own kite.

How Does It Fly? 30 minutes, Grades1-8
What are lift, thrust and drag? These are just a few of the concepts explored in this
program that features hands-on demonstrations covering the history of air travel. Explanations of how flight is accomplished will provide insight into the scientific
principles of flight.

Guided Tour

Guided Tour is $2.00/camper in addition to museum admission

The History of Flight from Balloons to the Moon! 50 minutes, Ages 6–12
Now you can take a stroll through history from hot air balloons to a walk on the moon in under an hour. This museum educator led program will take your group through the museum’s collections focusing on the major events in aviation history from the early days of manned flight to Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface. The tour can be tailored to the needs and age level of each group.

Maximum 25 campers per workshop or tour.

The IMAX Theatre Experience

The Leroy R. and Rose W. Grumman Dome Theatre with its 70 foot wrap around screen provides you with a breathtaking experience that stimulates your imagination as only IMAX can. We have a wide variety of exciting films.

Available films can be found here.

Click here for bus map

CALL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR DATE! 516-572-4066