Pensacola’s Naval Aviation Museum Soars

Pensacola, Florida is known for its sugary-white sand beaches, delicious Gulf Seafood, and one of the country’s best aviation museums, the National Naval Aviation Museum. Every naval aviator flyboy (or fly girl) comes through Pensacola Naval Air Station to earn their wings of gold. So, what better place to house the nation’s premier collection of Naval Aircraft?

It’s a museum like no other. Here, you can walk aboard the actual wooden flight deck from a World War II aircraft carrier. Travel back in time to Pensacola circa 1940’s to see what life was like as the boys went off to war. Find yourself on a Pacific Island as American forces advance across the Pacific. Walk through a World War II aircraft carrier, complete with a pilot ready room. Go deep below Lake Michigan in search of World War II aircraft. Take a tour of a flight line filled with vintage, historic Navy aircraft. Test your aviation skills inside an F-14 Tomcat simulator.

Then, there’s the impressive collection of airplanes. The museum is land out by period, beginning with the first Navy aircraft. Fantastic displays show just how far aviation came in such a short time period. See the massive NC-4, the first airplane (aka Flying Boat) to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Marvel at the Blue Angels suspended high above in a 7 story glass atrium. Take a look inside a PBY Catalina. Get your picture taken by a Tomcat, Hellcat, Viper, or Hornet. Peak inside a K-47 flying airship.

And, there’s more. The much anticipated Hanger Bay One opened in late 2010, paying tribute to post World War II aircraft. Walk up the stairs of a Presidential Helicopter that once flew President Nixon. See the Navy’s last flying boat, the SP-5B Marlin. Check out the R4D-5L Skytrain and P2V-1 Neptune.

Make sure to stop at the Cubi Bar Café for a cold drink or sandwich during your visit. It’s a replica of the famed NAS Cubi Point Officer’s Club in the Philippines. The plaques hanging on these walls came directly from the Cubi Club. The food’s great too – the best on the base!

Admission to the National Naval Aviation Museum is absolutely free! Try to take one of the free guided museum tours that are offered throughout the day. The guides are all retired military and provide fantastic insight on the history of Navy aviation. Plus, you can see the Blue Angels practice on select Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year!

For more details, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org

Bike down a 10,023 Foot Dormant Volcano? Only in Hawaii!

When you think of a Hawaiian vacation, you probably imagine sitting on a sun-drenched beach with a Mai-Tai as palm trees sway in warm tropical breezes. That is, after all, the quintessential tropical Hawaiian vacation. But what about biking down a massive, towering volcano? You can in Maui, with little effort at all!

Haleakala towers above Maui, rising over 10,000 feet into the sky. It’s the volcano that helped shaped this island all the way through the 17th century. Scientists say that one day it could erupt again, or it couldn’t. Native Hawaiians hold the volcano with deep reverence. And, on a clear day, Haleakala seems to pierce its way all the way up to the heavens. So, adventure companies decided to offer visitors the adventure of a lifetime. Bike 28 miles down a 10,023 feet volcano in just under 4 hours, without having to pedal!

It’s a bike ride like no other on the planet. You begin your ride on top of the world, where the landscape is rocky, harsh, and virtually barren. As you coast down, you pass through the fertile farm land of Maui where the famed Maui Onion grows, cattle roam, and flower farms are plentiful. Then, you end up down by the ocean in the town of Paia, where a refreshing drink is waiting for you!

Of course, the bike ride alone is thrilling enough. Bikers get to ease into switchbacks as they take in absolutely gorgeous views of one of the most beautiful islands in the world. But, there is another benefit. Haleakala offers some of the most gorgeous sunrises on the planet. As the sun creeps over the crater, the sun’s rays play off the numerous cinder cones, creating a rainbow of colors. So, these adventures companies offer Sunrise Bike Tours of Haleakala. But, you will need to be an early riser to take the sunrise tours. Adventure operators pick you up at your hotel around 2:30AM!

Do you need to be a world-class bike rider and in terrific shape to ride down Haleakala? Absolutely not! If you can ride a bike and are in decent shape, you will do just fine. In fact, most tours have a safari van follow the bike riders. If you get tired or are uncomfortable on the bike, just hop in the van and ride down the volcano in air conditioned comfort.

Interested in learning more about adventures on Maui? Our Maui Pocket Travel Guide can help. Learn about off the beaten path adventures, receive 4 distinct Maui itineraries, discover the best places to stay (it’s not the big chains), where to eat, play golf, and beaches that offer the best in snorkeling, swimming, and walking.

Have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad? Then, purchase the Maui Pocket Travel Guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B005G0JJA6. Or purchase the PDF version from our website: www.greatamericanvacationideas.com/Hawaii.html

America’s Military Might is on Display at Patriot’s Point

Military engagements have shaped the history of Charleston, South Carolina. So, it is only fitting that one of the nation’s best naval attractions is located just across the Cooper River. Patriot’s Point is a Naval and Maritime Museum. Here you can explore some of the nation’s most decorated naval ships, including an aircraft carrier, World War II destroyer, a cold war era submarine, along with a Vietnam Support Base Camp, and the moving Medal of Honor Museum.

USS Yorktown
Patriot’s Point main attraction is the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, “The Fighting Lady.” She saw extensive action in the Pacific and was awarded 11 battle stars during World War II. She also picked up the Apollo 8 astronauts after they splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. You can literally spend hours here exploring. There are 6 terrific walking tours that give you a glimpse of what life is like aboard an aircraft carrier with 3,000 + men! All tours are self-guided, so you can take your time. Our favorites are:

•The Flight Deck and Bridge – Walk through the Pilot’s Ready Room, Air Traffic Control, and Combat Information Center on the way to the Captain’s Bridge. Then, explore the flight deck complete with some of the Navy’s most powerful aircraft. Check out the catapults and see just how little room for error Navy Pilot’s have!

•Hanger Deck – Aircraft had to be brought up from the Hanger Deck to the Flight Deck. Here you can see impressive displays of F6F Hellcats, the F-9 Cougar, the F4F Wildcat, flight simulators, and Apollo and Mercury replicas. The moving Medal of Honor Museum is also located here. A walk through this museum is sure to make any American’s heart beam with pride at the sacrifices these brave men and women made.

•Living and Working Quarters – An aircraft carrier is a city on the sea. Here you can see where the crew ate, slept, and worked. Check out the Bakery to see how to make an order of 10,000 chocolate chip cookies!

USS Clamagore
This is your chance to step aboard a naval submarine. The USS Clamagore is a GUPPY II class submarine that was used extensively during the Cold War. Imagine living aboard this submarine. There is hardly any room to maneuver in! A walking tour takes you through the torpedo firing room, crew’s living quarters, the cramped kitchen, and dining areas.

It’s easy to spend at least half a day exploring Patriot’s Point. Make sure to dress comfortably – there is virtually no air conditioning on these ships. That makes the experience all that more authentic! For more information, visit their official website: www.patriotspoint.org

Note: The World War II destroyer, USS Laffey, is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment. It is not available to tour at this time.

The Best Way to See the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are America’s version of the Caribbean. Warm tropical breezes, beautiful blue ocean waters, coral reefs filled with colorful sea creatures, and some of the best fishing in the world lure millions of people to this slice of paradise each year! So, what is the best way to see the Florida Keys?

1.Swim with the Fishes – North America’s largest coral reef sits just offshore the Florida Keys. Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with tropical fishes, stingrays, coral, sponges, lobsters, and even the occasional shark. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the ultimate destination for snorkelers, with trips out to the reef and even sunken Spanish ships to explore inside the park! But, Pennekamp isn’t the only place to snorkel. There are literally hundreds of charters that will take you out to explore the wrecks, reefs, and more! Plus, there are plenty of places throughout the Keys where you can swim with dolphins and porpoises.

2.Step Back in Time – Interested in what life was like before the famed Overseas Highway was built? Take a guided boat tour to Indian Key Historical Park or Lignumvitae State Park to see how the early settlers lived. These parks are only accessible by boat and have retained that rustic, turn of the century feel.

3.Hit the Beach – One of the biggest misconceptions about the Florida Keys is that there are miles and miles of beaches. There aren’t! Instead, you see the Atlantic Ocean hugging one side of the road and the Gulf of Mexico the other. But, there are a few fine beaches here. Our favorite – Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Palm trees swaying in the breeze, soft sand, gentle surf, and a limited amount of coral makes this a hit with both locals and tourists.

4.Take in Some History – Key West is a city steeped in history. Visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to explore a fort that placed a pivotal role during the Civil War. Explore Harry Truman’s Little White House. Stop by the Hemmingway House to see where To Have and Have Not was written. Spend the night at the La Concha Hotel where Tennessee Williams wrote parts of A Streetcar Named Desire.

5.Be Adventurous – Take a fishing charter out to the Marathon Hump or go tarpon fishing in the back bay. Climb aboard Conch Air to get a birds-eye view of the 7 Mile Bridge. Hop aboard a seaplane or charter boat tour to explore Fort Jefferson, situated on Garden Key in the heart of The Dry Tortugas.

Interested in learning how to plan the ultimate Florida Keys vacation? Our Florida Keys Pocket Travel Guide will help you do just that. Our guide takes an in-depth look at each Key’s must see attractions, delectable restaurants, beaches, lodging, snorkeling, and fishing.

Do you have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad? Then, purchase our guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B005CJ85XI . Or purchase the PDF version from our website: www.greatamericanvacationideas.com/Florida.html

Love Old Westerns? Head to Old Tucson Studios!

Do you enjoy watching Old Westerns like Rio Bravo, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, El Dorado, Joe Kidd, and Mclintok? How about television shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, High Chaparral, or Little House on the Prairie? Well, do we have a vacation idea for you!

Just outside of Tucson, Arizona, tucked away in Saguaro National Park, sits Old Tucson Studios. All of those movies (plus hundreds of others) and television shows were filmed right here. Here, you can walk down the same Western streets the Duke did. You get the chance to belly up to the bar just like Doc Holliday did before the big shoot out with the Clanton gang. You even get the chance to take a stagecoach ride down the dusty streets of a vibrant Old West town!

Old Tucson Studios is a complete Western town. With over 70 buildings, you are sure to recognize a few facades from your favorite Western flicks. There’s a town hall, complete with a courtroom and banker’s office. The saloon features a Western dancing revue with Miss Kitty & the girls. You don’t need to cross the border to get a taste of Old Mexico. There’s an authentic Mission and Hacienda here. Plus, there’s The Reno, a locomotive that has been featured in more than 100 films and television shows / spots.

Your admission allows you to freely explore the sets, famous store fronts, sheriff offices, and jails. Plus, you get:

•Guided Tours – This is a must at Old Tucson Studios. Tours last up to 1 hour and are given by “historians” who know their Western movies. Some were even extras on some of the famous films made here! Learn the exact street location where some of your favorite films were made. Learn about the behind the scenes movie goers never hear about. Learn how they created the Rio Grande River in the middle of a barren, dry desert!

•Live Action Shows – Gunfights, musical revues, and stunt shows are sure to make you feel part of the Wild, Wild West. Make sure to see the Miss Kitty Musical Revue in the Saloon. You can sit back and be entertained while enjoying a cold beverage in ice cold air-conditioning! Want to know the secrets of making a Western? Catch the stunt show. And, don’t miss the best gunfight this side of the Mexican border. Which side will you be on?

•The C.P. Huntington Train - This isn’t your typical, relaxing train ride. Yes, you get to see the beautiful scenery of the Sonora Desert. However, desperados are on the loose. Will they try to rob your train? Of course, but it’s all in good fun.

•Trail Rides - Looking to ride the dusty trails just like Clint and John did on their way into town? Consider taking the Old Tucson Studios Trail Ride. Now, there will be an extra charge for this one of a kind experience. It’s worth it. Guides take you into the desert, show you where some of your favorite film scenes were shot, all against one of the most amazing panoramic backdrops in the country.

Old Tucson Studios is not open every day of the week. So, make sure to visit www.oldtucsonstudios.com before your visit. Admission discounts are available for Arizona residents, senior citizens, military members, and SASS members.

On the Way to the Grand Canyon – Meteor Crater

If you are headed down I-40 on the way to the Grand Canyon, you’ll most likely see a few billboards for Meteor Crater. It’s an attraction (pretty much the only one) between Flagstaff, Arizona and Winslow, Arizona. So, should you get off the Interstate and see it? Well……

More than 50,000 years ago, a meteor hurling through space decided this would be the perfect place to crash. Smack dab in the middle of nowhere! Meteor Crater is huge. It’s over 550 feet deep and more than 4,000 feet across. It’s so big that 20 professional football games could be played end to end on the crater floor.



Scientists claim this is the world’s best preserved meteor crash site in the entire world. In fact, NASA even trained the Apollo astronauts’ right here to prepare them for conditions on the moon. Meteor Crater has even found its way onto the Department of Interior’s Natural Landmark list.

But, you won’t be able to see the crater from the Interstate. You will have to pay to see this unique, one of a kind feature. There are no free public viewing areas. Admission includes:

•Collisions & Impacts Movie – A 10 minute movie tells in vivid detail what scientists think happened here 50,000 years ago. Make this your 1st stop to make your visit more meaningful. You’ll know what you are looking at!

•Guided Tour: This is the best way to see the crater. Tours last an hour and take you on a restricted trail along the crater rim. There are no guard rails here, so be careful! Guides will stop along the way to point out unique features, give you the history of the area, tell you about the Apollo astronauts work here, and even let you know which Hollywood movies were filmed here. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes (the trail is rocky) and bring sunscreen. There is no shade here! Tours are given hourly between 9:15AM and 2:15PM.

•Discovery Center: This museum has all sorts of artifacts and displays related to meteors, asteroids, and anything space related. You can learn about other meteor impacts around the world and see a 1,400 lb meteorite fragment. They even have an Apollo test capsule on display.

•Observation Platforms: If you aren’t up for the guided tour, there are plenty of viewing platforms located on the property. Short paved trails will take you to the observation points, complete with telescopes. They have even created a panoramic air-conditioned view for you to enjoy.

This is a one of a kind, out of this world experience. There are just a handful of places across the globe where you can see a meteor impact. So, it just may be worth your time and money to get off I-40 and spend a few hours to see what happens when Space collides with Earth.

For more information, visit www.meteorcrater.com

Florida’s Dog Friendly Beaches – Saint Augustine

People flock to Saint Augustine to visit the nation’s oldest city. Dogs love to visit the area strictly for the beaches! Saint Augustine Beach is one of the most dog friendly beaches in the entire state. Dogs have free reign here (as long as they are on a leash) any time of day, any time of year. You can spend hours here frolicking in the waves with your furry friend and relaxing on the beautiful sugary white sand.



Most Florida beaches are not that dog friendly. Certain restrictions apply as to when dogs can visit and many beaches don’t allow dogs at all. So, Saint Augustine Beach is a real find!

In fact, it’s one of Florida’s hidden gems. There are no towering high rises lining the beach. The sand is sugary white and soft. The beach is long, extending miles upon miles down the Florida coast. When the tide is out, the beach is incredibly wide and flat making it a great walking beach. The surf is not too rough. So, your dog will love jumping the waves and taking a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. An added bonus – dogs are sure to make a few furry friends here.

It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to visit Saint Augustine Beach. There are plenty of free parking lots scattered along A1A. If you want to park on the beach, you can do that too for a few dollars. Sandy beach lots are firmly packed down, so there is little risk of getting stuck.

So, what are you waiting for? You know your dog loves to go to the beach, dig holes, and play in the waves. Saint Augustine Beach is the perfect place to make those memories with your family’s most loyal companion.