Falcon Field Airport in Mesa is a fabulous option for kids to watch airplanes and helicopters up close for free! It’s a small craft airport that has frequent take-offs and landings. If you have an airplane lover in the family, this is the perfect place to visit.
Falcon Field Airport in Mesa is a fabulous option for kids to watch airplanes and helicopters up close for free! It’s a small craft airport that has frequent take-offs and landings. If you have an airplane lover in the family, this is the perfect place to visit. It can get windy near the airport which can make the air feel cooler so it’s recommended to dress in layers.
The best way to find the plane viewing areas is to turn onto Falcon Road off of McKellips Road. You’ll see large signs that say “Viewing Area.” Follow those until you see a smaller white sign with an arrow that says “Public Viewing Area.” This will take you to a parking lot next to the air traffic control tower. There are always plenty of parking spots available and it is free to park.
There are two viewing areas. Both are outdoors, offer shade opportunities and bench style seating. You can use the two free viewing binoculars in each viewing area to get some great closeups visuals on nearby aircrafts. If you plan to stay a while, pack a lunch and eat at the picnic tables available in each area as well.
The first viewing area is always available to the public and is located beside the administration building you’ll see once you have parked. Follow the kid-sized runway to a large glass, see-through wall which makes for great plane viewing. There is also a grassy area which is great for play and two kid-sized planes that kids can climb on and pretend to fly their own airplane.
The second viewing area is available during terminal business hours (Monday-Thursday from 7am-6pm). To find it, head inside the administration building from the parking lot. You’ll see a huge, partially shaded amphitheater style area beyond another set of doors. You’ll be able to view airplanes take-off and land without the glass wall in view! There are also restrooms inside this building which are very clean and have a diaper changing station.
Don’t miss stopping at the office (on the right when passing through the building), and requesting a free kids gift bag of goodies! An employee will sometimes come around to greet visitors and pass the gift bags out as well. The gift bag usually includes a coloring book, soft foam mini airplane, and sometimes other goodies as well.
On the first Saturday of every month, the airport hosts an event called Cockpit Close-Up from 8-10am. A volunteer pilot will bring his or her aircraft in front of the viewing area for the public to take a closer look. Most of the time you will even be able to climb inside! You are welcome to join the event at any time during that window and the administration building will also be open during this event. We have found 9:00 a.m. to be the sweet spot when there is less of a crowd.
Of interest, there is a playground nearby called Falcon Field Park. It is less than half a mile away from the viewing areas and there are sidewalks between the two so if the weather is nice enough you can walk. There is also a separate parking lot by the park if you prefer to drive. The park has slides, swings (baby, regular and even a tire swing!), animals to ride on and a ladder to climb on. The playground is not shaded but there is a shaded structure over some picnic tables nearby. Restrooms are available here as well.
Falcon Field Airport in Mesa has a bit of a history too. It opened in September 1941 and served as a World War II pilot training base. Arizona’s open spaces and dry climate made it ideal for training air troops. In 1948, the government turned over the airport to the city of Mesa and today it serves as a popular airport for small aircraft and the military.
The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum down the street may also be of interest. We stopped at the musuem for about an hour. It isn’t geared for kids, and there is a lot of no-touch airplanes on display. But older children and teenagers will find it more interesting, or any child with a knowledge and appreciation for aircraft. Adults will love soaking up the history. The employees had numerous fun facts about the airplanes, and handed out patches to the kids.
Follow Falcon Field Airport in Mesa on Instagram to stay connected and get the most up-to-date details on their upcoming events.
Falcon Field Airport
4800 E. Falcon Drive
Mesa, Arizona 85215
480-644-2450
Mesa is full of things to do with kids! Check out this list for other indoor and outdoor ideas.
