When going on a trip, besides your flights and accommodation, visiting attractions can make your trip pricey. Especially when you`re with a family, the admission fees can add. It was lovely to see on a road trip through Florida, that Pensacola offers a wonderful and entertaining attraction for free. I really enjoyed my visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum, maybe it`s due to the fact that I think planes are fascinating, but I think it also had to do with the set up. There was something for everyone, young and old. From simulators to an IMAX theater to walking around between planes from way back. You can easily spend an afternoon here.
Here`s a sneak peek of what you can expect.
I hopped on board a flight line trolley tour that takes you on a 20-minute tour of the many aircrafts displayed outside. (This tour is also free)
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s day). You can visit the museum on your own or take a free guided tour given by retired military volunteers, for these you just meet at the information desk at the following times: 9:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. For more information, you can visit Navalaviationmuseum.org.
Fun Fact The museum also shares a home with the United States Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron! Blue Angels will perform practice air shows over NAS Pensacola most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. You can find a schedule here. These practices are free and open to the public.
Unfortunately when I was there the Blue Angels were not, but I did get lucky by seeing this F18 fly past while visiting the Pensacola Lighthouse, another attraction close by. A very thrilling experience standing on the top of a lighthouse and hearing those engines. A tip from the lighthouse keeper, it`s a great spot to see the Blue Angels practice too.
Are you into airplanes like me?
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