Tag

military museum

Browsing
Patriot's Point Charleston, South Carolina
In South Carolina

Visiting Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston Harbor

When we began planning a stop in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the places Jeff was really looking forward to was the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. He is really into military planes and ships, so this was the perfect place for him to explore. I love history, so I was all-in, too.  And Kristin, well, she likes exploring just about anything. Our Plan for Charleston We’d already spent nearly two weeks away from home on this particular trip to Walt Disney World. On the way down, we spent some time in Memphis.  After that, we had several days at Disney. Before we headed home, we spent a couple of nights in St. Augustine, Florida. For a final stop on the trip, we decided to spend a night in Charleston for the first time. We left St. Augustine in good time, and we arrived in Charleston just in time…

Tweet
Pin11
Share
11 Shares
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
In Missouri

Exploring Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

If you’re planning a trip to Southwest Missouri, be sure to include a visit to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. This Civil War battlefield is located near Springfield and just about a half-hour from Branson. It’s a great experience for history lovers and those who love the great outdoors; it’s a great addition to your trip to the Ozarks. We’ve been a couple of times now, both in the summer, though not this summer. My summer advice is to always go early, if you can, to beat the heat. Begin Your Adventure at the Wilson’s Creek Visitor Center Like most places that are part of the National Park Service, the visitor center is a great place to learn a little background and orient yourself to the park. I love the park vehicles parked out front. You can also pay your visitor fees and purchase any souvenirs. My family always gets a…

Tweet
Pin178
Share
178 Shares
Fort Sumter
In South Carolina

Take the Ferry and Visit Fort Sumter

When we started planning a short trip to Charleston, I knew we’d love a visit to Fort Sumter.  While reading up on the tour, I soon discovered that Fort Sumter Tours handled the boat rides out to the fort.  Since we were only staying for a night on this trip, I thought it would be best to take the first ride of the day.  You can actually take the boat from downtown Charleston at Liberty Square or across the harbor at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant; the schedule differs at each location.  Though we were staying in a hotel at Mount Pleasant, Liberty Square had the earlier time, so we chose that tour.  It’s not too difficult to drive across the Ravenel Bridge to Charleston, so we woke up early, checked out of the hotel, and headed to Charleston.  The first tour was at 9:30 am. Beginning the Fort Sumter…

Tweet
Pin247
Share27
274 Shares
On top of the National World War I Museum and Memorial Kansas City
In Kansas City

The National World War I Museum and Memorial: A Kansas City Must-Do

Thank you to @VisitKC for sponsoring our visit!  As always, all opinions are honest and our own. I don’t know about you, but my knowledge of World War I is a little lacking.  In school, we never seemed to have a lot of time to study this conflict.  I’m not blaming my teachers; as a high school teacher, I know how much time is limited.  Every history class I’ve had seemed to hit the highlights, but I’m not sure I understood much. I realize the history behind World War I is complicated and that a simple survey is not enough to truly understand; still, I also know that this war doesn’t have as much exposure in general as opposed to other conflicts.  You can watch far more films about World War II or the Vietnam War.  When we realized that Kansas City has a world-class museum featuring World War I, we…

Tweet
Pin341
Share227
568 Shares
Soldier at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Virginia
In Down South

See History Come Alive at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Have you ever wondered what the American Revolution would have been like for the average family in the late 1700s?  Just like today, most people were not wealthy; many had small farms and were just trying to survive and maybe even thrive in the colonies.  Our history books tend to focus on the Founding Fathers and their service to our new country, and they absolutely should. But there is more to the story.  While Colonial Williamsburg demonstrates what life would be like in a city or town during the early years of our nation, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown aims to teach us more about rural life during this time period.  The indoor galleries do provide a timeline of the events leading up to the revolution, the war itself, and a little about the new nation.  The Siege of Yorktown is also highlighted, and the lives and actions of…

Tweet
Pin478
Share137
615 Shares
USS Wisconsin at the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, Virginia
In Down South

All Hands on Deck for Hands-On Experiences at the Nauticus Museum

When you think of Norfolk, Virginia, one thing comes to mind–the United States Naval Base.  Norfolk and the Navy just go hand-in-hand.  On our road trip this summer, we planned two nights at Virginia Beach.  As we planned this part of our trip, we soon realized how close we were to Norfolk.  We also discovered the Nauticus, a museum that commemorates shipping in every regard–commercial, scientific, and defensive. Adding to our excitement, we learned that you could take a two-hour cruise of the Navy ships nearby.  In fact, you could buy a combo-ticket to the museum and the cruise.  It was a no-brainer!  We had to do it! After our first night at Virginia Beach, we woke up early enough to head over to Norfolk to be at the museum before opening.  It is about a 30-40 minute drive, depending on traffic.  We also wanted to be early enough to…

Tweet
Pin486
Share128
614 Shares
National Museum of the United States Air Force Bomber
In Midwest

A Day at Dayton: Our Stop at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

If you have the opportunity, a stop at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is a great way to spend an afternoon.  And it’s absolutely free!  Even if you think that military history really isn’t your thing, this place is worth a stop.  The exhibits here are pretty awe-inspiring. The buildings that house the museum are impressive in themselves.  The main building tells you that you are about to see some big planes. The National Museum of the USAF, located at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is the official museum of the Air Force.  Although the museum is free, be prepared to go through security.   Since we were on a road trip and our time was limited, we made a brief stop and were determined to see the highlights.  The museum is open 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., so try to give yourself…

Tweet
Pin364
Share142
506 Shares
Pin It