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Pensacola Naval Air Station Review

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Pensacola Naval Air Station

Address: 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL, 32508 | Map It
Phone: 850/453-2389; 800/327-5002; 850/453-2024 IMAX theater
www.navalaviationmuseum.org

Category: Military Sites
Location: Pensacola

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Fodor's Review:

Locals almost unanimously suggest this as the must-see attraction of Pensacola. As you drive near it, don't be alarmed if you're suddenly struck with the shakes—they're probably caused by the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels' aerobatic squadron buzzing overhead. This is their home base, and they practice maneuvers here on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 from March to November. The Naval Air Station's bleachers hold about 1,000 people and they fill up fast, so get here early. Then stay late—the pilots stick around after the show to shake hands and sign autographs. During the show, cover your ears as the six F/A 18s blast off in unison for 45 minutes of thrills and skill. Watching the Blue Angels practice their aerobatics is one of the best "free" shows in all of Florida (your tax dollars are already paying for these jets).

Within the Pensacola Naval Air Station, the 300,000-square-foot National Museum of Naval Aviation (850/452-3604) has examples of more than 140 aircraft that played important roles in aviation history. Among them are the NC-4, which in 1919 became the first plane to cross the Atlantic; the famous World War II fighter the F-6 Hellcat; and the Skylab Command Module. Other attractions include an atomic bomb (it's defused, we promise), Mercury and Apollo capsules, and the restored Cubi Bar Café—a very cool former airmen's club transplanted here from the Philippines. Relive the morning's maneuvers in the 14-seat motion-based simulator as well as an IMAX theater playing Fighter Pilot, The Magic of Flight,and other educational films, such as Deep Sea and Hurricane on the Bayou.

Cost: Free, IMAX film $8, two films for $13
Open: Daily 9-5

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