I first visited the Ronald Reagan library in Simi Valley, California in 2009 and returned a few weeks ago to take my Grandpa for Fathers day. The Reagan library is an incredible museum that is interesting for anyone who enjoys American history regardless of their political preference. They are open daily from 10:00am-5:00pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission for the museum is $16 for ages 18-61, 62+ is $13, 11-17 is $9 and $6 for 3-10. Those with a valid military id can receive admission for free. I would like to encourage you not to bring children to this museum as it is very boring for young children because there isn’t much that they can touch and there is a lot of reading involved.
The museum starts with exhibits focused on Reagans childhood and his college years. As an actress I loved seeing memoriablia and pictures from Reagans years as an actor. There is a photo spot where you can practice reading a speech off of a teleprompter which is fun though most people just pose for a picture. There is a spot focused on when he was shot which is located right before the replica of the Oval Office. There is a docent inside of the Oval Office who provides with you some interesting information. On my previous visit the docent mentioned that Reagan use to like to surprise visitors by sitting at the desk in the Oval Office which I am sure was incredible to see.
One of the best parts of the museum is getting to go inside Air Force One. You have the option to have one of their photographers take your groups picture at the entrance to the plane. They have you stand outside the door and wave like so many Presidents have done. If you don’t want to take the picture just let them know and go on in. There are docents throughout the plane to tell you stories.
The plane is really cool and I only wish that I could travel on a plane like it because I would be able to get so much done. Ronald Reagan loved Jelly Beans so if you look closely in the photo below from Air Force One you will see a jar of them on the desk. There is a chocolate cake towards the back of the plane and we were told that President Reagan always had a cake on board incase it was someones birthday.
Currently the museum has an additional exhibit on football which I enjoyed because there was quite a bit of memorbila related to UCLA which is my favorite school. In the past the exhibit has also been a traveling Disney exhibit so you never know what might be in there when you go. As you exit the Reagan exhibits you will see the gift shop and the additional exhibit. You can purchase food and snacks at the library but it is nothing fancy or fantastic so I would encourage you to eat elsewhere.
The library hosts several events throughout the year like book signings and concerts. Coming up this month is a book signing with Ann Coulter, a sunset dinner with a tribute to The Beatles and The Beach Boys, and a Reagan forum with Governor Jeb Bush. For more information on events at the library please visit: http://www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-and-events-overview.aspx
