Top Things to do in Florida
Top Hotels in Florida
- 1. The Goodtime Hotel
- 2. Mondrian South Beach Hotel
- 3. Havana Cabana at Key West
- 4. Nautilus by Arlo
- 5. Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
- 6. 1 Hotel South Beach
- 7. Postcard Inn
- 8. B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale
- 9. Margaritaville Beach House Key West
- 10. Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Top 10 Military Museums in Florida, United States
Not just for retirees and theme park enthusiasts, the Sunshine State offers beautiful beaches, pristine diving conditions, and sizzling nightlife. Salsa the night away in a smokin’ hot Miami club, or swing away at one of Kissimmee’s many premium golf courses. An airboat tour of the Everglades is an unforgettable adventure – just look out for alligators! For the risk-averse, a lazy day spent on the soft sands of an Emerald Coast beach is as rejuvenating as a spa treatment.
Restaurants in Florida
1. National Naval Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,454 reviews
Experience the magic of flight at the National Naval Aviation Museum! See over 4,000 artifacts and 150 aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. Ride the flight simulators or catch all the drama and power of amazing IMAX films. Dine in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe and take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from the Flight Deck Store. Spend a cool day inside the Museum and experience Hands-on-History! New Naval Air Station Entrance: All visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Pensacola Lighthouse who do not possess a Department of Defense identification card or are unescorted by the holder of a Department of Defense identification card, will be required to enter the installation via the West Gate located off Blue Angel Parkway.
Reviewed By 763cathrynd
State of the art aviation museum for all ages! Has it all! 2 story quality museum along with a gift shop, iMax theater, restaurant in the beautiful setting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL! Easy to spend anywhere from 2-5 hours there! It’s awesome! Cost? FREE!
2. Navy Seal Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,298 reviews
Reviewed By Y68JMdavidp - Topeka, United States
This is an outstanding museum you don't want to miss. We spent 4 hours going through all the exhibits. You can see it in half the time if you don't attend the 2 hour movie, but it is a highlight as it provides you the history of the Seals from beginning to present and we learned a lot. I highly recommend it. You will enjoy sitting in a black hawk helicopter, maybe seeing and petting a Navy K9 puppy, seeing Seal Delivery vehicles, maybe trying out the obstacle course, and getting a real appreciation for all the Seals do! You can even dress up for a photo opp!
3. Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 427 reviews
Founded in the 1977, The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum has a continually growing collection of over 45 historic warbirds from the beginnings of aviation to the present day. The VAC is a 501(3)c educational organization dedicated to the preservation of, education about and commemoration of Warbirds from all eras and the men and women who flew, maintained and fought in them.
Reviewed By johnfT2402TY - Illinois, United States
For a smaller airport, this museum boasts a fine collection of restored military aircraft from the U.S. and other nations. Many of them are still in flying condition and we arrived just after a WWII B-25 had flown that day. Timing is everything. The staff and docents were extremely knowledgeable and instructive. Amazing to see one of the ONLY P-82 fighter aircraft from the WWII. This is a pair of P-51 Mustangs assembled together in a twin fuselage configuration. The museum does not sit on a major highway, but just follow the signs, as it is well worth the visit.
4. Military Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
The Military Heritage Museum recently moved to a new location: 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda Fl . Just a few steps away from Fishermen's Village, the Museum has over 17,000 sq ft of exhibit and activity areas. On the first level, take a walk-through history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Visit the Hall of Hero's gallery and its special Medal of Honor exhibit. On the second level become part of history, through simulations and virtual reality including aircraft, tank, and naval simulators. Take a special forces "parachute jump" or drive a "tank" - two incredible virtual reality experiences we offer. Also found on the second floor is our Academy Library and ancestry research. Be sure to visit the War Room, Library and our our 247-seat Gulf theater.
Reviewed By Daleanator - Punta Gorda, United States
The overall quality is amazing with the inexpensive entry. This is a wonderful place to both learn and teach history with a wonderful group of volunteers and workers. From the extensive displays of artifacts to the amazing virtual reality goggles, this really is a place to learn and explore history.
5. Military Museum of North Florida
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By SanfordFoodie - Sanford, United States
We didn't know what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by our visit here. Located in an old Quonset hut that was at part of a former Naval Air Station located here, this museum has a nice collection of military memorabilia including uniforms, weapons, actual hardware, models, and dioramas. We had a guided tour by two young docents who did a great job, and a nice chat with another gentleman who's a part of the museum. This place covers the gamut of American military history, from pre-revolutionary war right up to the present. Outside there are a number of vintage military vehicles including a number of jeeps, other vehicles, a gun, and even a huge Landing Craft Transport that could hold 200 person and 100 tons of supplies. It is massive. This was a great time and best of all it's free. But we left a $20 donation and felt that we got our money's worth, for sure. If you're in the area, see this, you won't regret it.
6. Veterans Museum & Education Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 787ruthf
Local groups have worked long and hard to put this together. Wide range of paraphernalia, uniforms, models, documentation, etc. from multiple wars. Extremely interesting. Well worth the stop. Near lots of other features - antique shops, chocolate factory tour, magic shop, jewelry, restaurants, etc. We strolled in and stayed over an hour
7. Air Force Armament Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,358 reviews
The focus is on Air Force armament through a variety of historical displays, from a B-17 World War II bomber to an F-4 Phantom II jet.
Reviewed By ajcracer - Riverton, United States
A very interesting place to visit getting to see the SR71 up close as well as the B52 made the stop worth it many aircraft on display as well a lot of information about their histories if your an aircraft buff this stop is worth your time
8. Spanish Military Hospital Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 549 reviews
Your journey to the past begins as our skilled surgeon performs surgical demonstrations. Watch as our Apothecary creates medicines and discover how colonial herbs were the origins of some of the most popular medicines today. We are pet friendly!!
Reviewed By donnab914 - Palm Bay, United States
Loved the detailed descriptions of medical implements and how they were used. Made me appreciate modern medicine all the more, The demonstration on herbs was very informative and I liked that they gave you a handout to take with you since there was so much information presented. They allowed us to bring our dog with us which was a bonus, and they even took her picture.
9. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, located in Carrabelle, Florida, was established to honor and preserve the heritage of the men and women who trained at the camp during WWII. Camp Gordon Johnston opened in 1942 for the sole purpose of training Infantry Divisions and their support units in amphibious operations. This camp trained a quarter of a million men, closing in June of 1946. Three infantry divisions and two special brigades left here after receiving amphibious training to confront tyranny both in Europe and the Pacific. Learn about their dedication, fears and heroism at our museum. The Museum has compiled an extensive history of the various units that trained here, as well as a photographic display of the area and life as it existed at the camp. Furthermore, the CGJ veterans have contributed the artifacts brought back from battles overseas, along with uniforms, equipment, and all sorts of souvenirs, too numerous to name.
Reviewed By susancY1579YD - Biloxi, United States
A wonderful free museum and great collection of artifacts. Very informative and wonderful staff on hand to answer questions. This is a must see if in the area. Carrabelle was the location of a very large training facility.
10. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,167 reviews
327 Foot museum ship from WWII and Viet Nam. It is a National Historic Landmark. INGHAM served our country from 1936 to 1988 and in 1985 was the most decorated ship in United States Service as noted in a letter from President Ronald Reagan in the exhibit room. It is the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat (626) in WWII. It served as the Flagship for the seaside operation of General MacArthur's return to Corregidor in the Philippines. She served from 1936 to 1988. The ship is totally intact as if was on decommissioning day. Offering one of the best Sunset viewing venues in Key West on Friday and Saturday Evenings, serving wines and various Beers.
Reviewed By River55land
I've been traveling to Key West for decades and only learned about this maritime museum through TripAdvisor this trip. I've pretty much done everything there is to do in Key West and I was looking for something new when this popped up. The Ingham has been docked in Key West since 2009. A confession: I served on board the CGC Reliance as a radioman stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas for 18 months. As you might expect, there were some good and bad experiences. Throughout my 4 years in the Guard, I had heard about the Ingham. It was a thrill to tour such an historic ship. The ship, contrary to the photo on Trip Advisor which makes you think you have to take a boat to the ship, is moored at Truman Park, part of the Truman Annex. It's the star of the show. I was welcomed aboard a little before 10 am by a dedicated volunteer. When he found out I was a former CG, he broke off his briefing and said have at it. They provide you with a card that has all the "stops" with information on the card. Many of the stops are narrated. You pretty much get to see the entire ship. You can't go in some rooms but all are visible on the tour. My favorite was, of course, the radio room. When you tour this ship, it's like stepping into a time machine to WWII. Like any ship commissioned in 1936, it is showing its age and rust is a constant companion. Volunteers do all the work including chipping, scrapping, and painting. It's a donation entrance fee and they suggest $10. It'll be the best $10 you will spend. Part of the crew quarters and mess facilities are turned into a museum for WWII and Vietnam (Ingham participated in both). A ship this decorated (2 Presidential citations) has some interesting history: convoy duty where it sank a U-Boat, the Mediterranean during WWII, the Pacific Theater, also, WWII, and Vietnam. Be sure to wear shoes with good treads. They warn you of the steepness of the ladders (stairs for landlubbers) and there are quite a few on the tour. It's not really handicapped accessible but it would be pretty much impossible to do that. I would plan at least one hour for the tour. Getting there is a short walk from Whitehead Street. While in the vicinity, you should also visit Fort Zachary Taylor, another short walk from the ship.
