Entry No. 18 — the Spokane file — filed under: offbeat-museum

Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center

Founded by Dr. Forrest Bird, a lifelong aviator who soloed a plane at 14 and went on to invent the first mass-produced medical respirator and the life-saving Babybird for infants. The galleries pair vintage aircraft with the stories of relentless inventors, from Bird's own respirators to gadgets dreamed up by other tinkerers. It sits right at the Coeur d'Alene airport (Pappy Boyington Field), so planes are part of the scenery, and admission is free.

The move: Drive out past Coeur d'Alene, tour one obsessive inventor's planes and life-saving breathing machines, then watch small aircraft take off from the adjacent runway.

📍 Before you go The museum relocated from Sagle to Hayden (Pappy Boyington Field); confirm hours by phone since it is closed Sunday and Monday.

📍 Hayden, Idaho
💸 $
⚡ Up for anything
🌗 Indoors

Where: 2678 W Cessna Ave, Hayden, ID 83835

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

#offbeat-museum #aviation #inventions #single-obsession #north-idaho #day-trip

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-24