The National Soaring Museum preserves the history of motorless flight on Harris Hill in Elmira, New York, across from the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation airfield. You can see historic gliders and sailplanes, explore soaring-history exhibits and plan a visit around the museum’s seasonal hours.
- Location: 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903
- Hours: Open daily
- Admission: adult, youth, senior and family prices are covered below
Where the National Soaring Museum is
The National Soaring Museum sits atop Harris Hill, across from the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation airfield, at an elevation of 1,709 feet above sea level. Its address is 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903.
The museum’s setting reflects the area’s long connection to soaring. The first U.S. national soaring contest was held in the Elmira area in 1930. Local soaring enthusiasts organized a glider exhibit at Strathmont Estate in the late 1950s, and the museum opened at its current Harris Hill location in 1978.
What can you see at the National Soaring Museum?
The National Soaring Museum displays gliders and sailplanes, with a collection spanning aircraft from the late 1890s to the present day. Exhibits also include the U.S. Soaring Hall of Fame and the National Soaring Landmarks program.
The museum facility covers 37,132 square feet. Its 8,000-square-foot Heritage Hangar is open to the public during regular business hours, and you can ask staff about a tour. Gliders, sailplanes and memorabilia outside the main exhibits may also be viewed on request during regular business hours.
An archive area and gift shop are part of the facility, alongside the Heritage Hangar. The museum’s focus on motorless flight connects the aircraft collection with the history of soaring in the Elmira area.
National Soaring Museum tickets, hours and visitor access
The museum is open throughout the year, with longer hours in the warmer months. Its official site gives the seasonal schedule as 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. from April 1 through October 31, and 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. from November 1 through March 31.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM–4 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
A travel guide indexed by the Air Museum Network gives admission prices of $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for youth ages 7–18, free for children age 6 and under, and $6.00 for seniors age 60 and older.
A family ticket for two adults and two youth costs $20.00. Ticket prices and operating details can change, so check the official site before you go.
For visitor questions, call the museum at (607) 734-3128. If you want to see aircraft or memorabilia that are not part of the main exhibits, ask staff about viewing them during regular business hours.
How do you get from Horseheads to the National Soaring Museum?
From Travel Inn, the museum is about 4.3 miles away, with a reported drive time of about 18 minutes.
From Route 17/I-86, the museum’s directions say to take Exit 51 and head south toward Consumer Square. Turn right onto County Route 64, then follow signs to Harris Hill Road/County Route 55 and the museum. A one-day Horseheads itinerary can combine nearby parks and aviation history.
If you are approaching from Route 352, turn onto Harris Hill Road/County Route 55 opposite the SPCA. Continue up Harris Hill, pass the scenic overlook, then take the next right to the museum.
Mark Twain State Park is another area outing, with details in this Mark Twain State Park visit guide.
FAQs
Where is the National Soaring Museum?
It is at 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903, on top of Harris Hill across from the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation airfield.
What is the National Soaring Museum about?
The museum preserves the history of motorless flight. Its collection includes gliders and sailplanes dating from the late 1890s to the present day.
Are the museum’s hours the same all year?
Open daily. No. It gives different opening and closing times for April 1–October 31 and November 1–March 31.
Can you ask for a tour?
Yes. The Heritage Hangar is open to the public during regular business hours, and visitors can ask staff for a tour.