Some of the most impressive museums can be military museums. Most museums of this type have large equipment like tanks or planes to view, or even to crawl inside.
Note that many are located on military bases, which require a photo ID to enter. Here are eight of my favorites.
A tank at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
1. National Museum of the Pacific War — Fredericksburg, Texas
The exhibits at this museum are top-notch. Hopefully you are staying for several days in the area when you visit. This museum has a policy that you can use your tickets for 48 hours.
I found that extra day was wonderful since the museum is so full of great information that my mind couldn’t make it through a day.
So, take your time. Leave for lunch or even a nap, then return to continue through the excellent displays.
How do they move all this stuff in?
2. National Naval Aviation Museum — Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida
My husband and I spent hours looking at the displays in this large building. We were about to leave when we realized we’d missed a second large building!
These buildings are full of planes, from biplanes to jets and even aircraft carriers. There are plenty of cockpits to climb into for photo opportunities along with movies and flight simulators for a fee. The museum itself is free.
Destroyer at Battleship Cove
3. Battleship Cove — Fall River, Massachusetts
This museum is said to contain the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels where you can walk through a battleship, a destroyer, a submarine, a PT boat, and a Russian ship.
Kids will love crawling around the ships. Definitely do not wear high heels, since you climb up and down narrow stairs and climb through water-tight doors. This is a hands-on experience!
Full disclosure: My husband served on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. destroyer, so seeing the rack he slept in is pretty cool!
Ready to carry the tank into battle!
4. Mississippi Armed Forces Museum — Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Outside the museum is a large field of different equipment like tanks. Inside are many displays but the one on trench warfare during World War II really stands out. The sights and sounds take you there. This museum is free.
5. White Sands Missile Range Museum — White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
White Sands Missile Range Museum
The highlight of this park is the outdoor display of missiles and rocket tests on the range with more than 50 items. Inside are different exhibits, including nuclear information based on the nearby Trinity Site where the first atomic bomb was detonated (that site is only open twice a year).
In the museum, I liked the Darth Vader helmet along with the story that goes with it. This museum is free.
6. United States Army Aviation Museum — Fort Rucker, Alabama
Displayed here are early planes used by the Army, including biplanes. Lots of helicopters are here.
One Black Hawk helicopter on display was one of three shot down in Somalia. The incident was made into a book and the movie "Black Hawk Down." This museum is free.
The lifeboat that Captain Phillips was held hostage in for five days after a Somali pirate attack.
7. National Navy UDT-Seal Museum — Fort Pierce, Florida
While this museum isn’t as large as the others, I found the exhibits quite memorable. The model of the Osama bin Laden’s compound was quite interesting.
I only watched a few seasons of "Survivor" on TV, but I remember Rudy from the first season. What I didn’t remember was that he was a decorated Seal. The obstacle course outside is a very physical reminder of the great shape the Navy Seals are in.
8. Air Force Armament Museum — Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
The rooms and outdoor area is full of planes, weapons, and bombs. The equipment covers the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. I enjoyed the painting on the sides of the planes. This museum is free.
