Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola is known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and features the Naval Aviation Museum and IMAX, a lighthouse and Fort Barrancas, built by the Spanish in 1797. Hours: Museum: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. IMAX: first movie is at 9:30 a.m. then shown every hour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org for more information.
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens is the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay, Florida and its Navy yard. Construction on the fort began in 1829 and was completed five years later in 1834. Fort Pickens enjoyed a long life of active duty, as it was used until the 1940s. Historic Fort Pickens is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and its Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. March through October. For more information, all 850-934-2600.
Indian Temple Mound Museum
In 1962, the Indian Temple Mound Museum opened as the first municipally owned and operated museum in Florida. More than 1,000 artifacts of stone, bone, clay and shell are housed there, as well as one of the finest collections of prehistoric ceramics in the Southeast. The museum is at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Visit https://fwb.org/347/Indian-Temple-Mound-Museum for more info.
Air Force Armament Museum
Experience the aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I right through to today’s high-tech planes and bombs. Inside, you’ll find an extensive collection of weaponry and interactive displays that will amaze and intrigue. Outside displays include vintage military aircraft including the fastest plane ever built – the SR-71 Blackbird! Admission is free. The museum is at 100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base. For more info, call 850-651-1808 or visit www.afarmamentmuseum.com.
Battleship USS Alabama
History meets heroism from World War II to Iraqi Freedom. At Battleship Memorial Park you walk the decks of a mighty battleship, go below in a World War II submarine, view cockpits of combat aircraft, see a Vietnam River Patrol Boat and a plane like the one flown by the Tuskegee Airmen! The battleship is at 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, Alabama. For more information, call 251-432-0261.
Pensacola Museum of Art
The museum, housed in the Old City Jail, features works predominantly from the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum is at 407 S. Jefferson Street. For more information, call 850-432-6247 or visit www.pensacolamuseumofart.org.