Georgia > West Central Region > Muscogee County > Columbus

More than 6,000 displays, including “World War II Street,” are included in the $100 million Columbus National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning.

Put yourself in the boots of the infantrymen from the French and Indian War and the American Revolution to events in Vietnam to the sands of the Persian Gulf at this unique historical center and its ever-changing kaleidoscope of more than 6,000 displays.

The new $100 million, National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center sits on 200 acres of majestic pines and hardwoods where Columbus meets Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. It is the first world-class museum to pay tribute to the U.S. Army infantryman and his 230-plus years of service to America.

Heritage Walk. A 20-foot wide walkway that connects the museum with a five-acre parade field where friends and family can watch loved ones graduate from infantry training. The walk is lined with the flags of all 50 states and custom engraved granite pavers honoring those who’ve served or anyone who has supported a service member.

World War II Street. Visit an authentically re-created company street from the 1940s, featuring a chapel, barracks, mess hall and the headquarters and sleeping quarters once used by General George Patton.

Rifle Range. As kids of all ages try their hand in a weapons firing simulator just like the Army uses, they’ll learn the lessons that freedom is not free.

IMAX 3D Theater at Patriot Park. The area’s only 3D IMAX theater, where award-winning documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters alike are shown on a screen 5 stories high and 70 feet high.

The Fife and Drum Restaurant. Enjoy a fine dining experience with classic American fare served by a professional, dedicated staff well versed in Southern hospitality.

Soldier Store Gift Shop. Stop at the Soldier Store to purchase everything from teddy bears in camouflage t-shirts to hand-crafted art glass pieces.

Links:

• Read more about Columbus National Infantry Museum.
• Read more about other Columbus, Georgia, travel and recreation resources.

 Georgia > Northwest Region > Whitfield County > Dalton

Historic Prater’s Mill and the annual Prater’s Mill Country Fair, a plethora of Civil War and Native American sites to visit, along with Georgia’s oldest winery, and great shopping are all found in and around Dalton in Northwest Georgia.

Dalton is well known as the Carpet Capital of the World, but what is less well known is that it makes a logistically convenient and economical jumping off point for touring some of the top recreational, historical and cultural resources of Northwest Georgia. Just an hour’s drive from Atlanta, Dalton has 16 nationally recognized hotels, plenty of local flavor restaurants along with the favorite national franchises and shopping to accommodate your family’s or groups needs.

Click on the links below to learn more about Dalton area attractions accessible from I-75. Use the INTERACTIVE MAP to view photos of individual sites, read brief descriptions, and find the best driving routes.

• Booth Museum in Cartersville
• Chickamauga Battlefield
• Chief Vann House
• Confederate Cemetery and Memorial Wall
• Creative Arts Guild
• Emery Center
• Fort Mountain State Park
• Georgia Winery
• New Echota State Historic Site
• Prater’s Mill
• Prime Outlets
• Rock City
• Tunnel Hill Heritage Center & Tunnel

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Chatham County > Savannah

A fascinating array of aircraft and hardware, along with an ever-changing schedule of events and special exhibits makes  Savannah’s Mighty 8th Air Force Museum  a “must see” item on the tour agenda of anyone interested in United States military history.

The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum preserves for all Americans the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present. The Museum’s vision is to sustain our cultural heritage, support a lifelong character education, and to be a center of community engagement.

Up-Coming and On-Going Exhibits, Features and Events Include:
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN An Exhibit dedicated to U.S. servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and to those who continue to serve. Exhibit will be on display August 3 – 15

MODEL PLANES Unique model airplanes will be on display in the Museum’s Rotunda August 21 -23. Free children’s model airplane building class on Sat. August 22.

THE MUSEUM AT NIGHT Experience the Museum at night with a unique tour by Rosie the Riveter, learn the techniques of a bombing mission, explore the combat gallery by flashlight and relax while watching a movie before bedtime. Airmen & airwomen will be called to breakfast by an authentic bugle call! Breakfast will be served in the New South Pub before an activity to learn about downed airmen in the Memorial Gardens. Participants will receive personalized dog tags at their debriefing before returning home. Bunking in begins at 5:45 pm and ends the following morning at 9:00 am. Reservations are required and spaces are limited in each sleepover night. Bring your sleeping bag and explore the Museum as it has never been explored before! This experience is great for children ages 5 through 12.

Links
Read more about Savannah’s Mighty 8th Air Force Museum.

 Georgia > Coast > McIntosh County > Darien

From 1721, the year it was constructed, until 1728, soliders representing English King George III garrisoned this wooden stockade on the Georgia coast, enduring hardships form disease, Indian attacks, and the unfamiliar coastal environment.

This is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast. From 1721 until 1736, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. A cypress blockhouse, barracks and palisaded earthen fort were constructed in 1721 by scoutmen led by Colonel John “Tuscarora Jack” Barnwell. For the next seven years, His Majesty’s Independent Company garrisoned the fort. They endured incredible hardships from disease, threats of Spanish and Indian attacks, and the harsh, unfamiliar coastal environment. After the fort was abandoned, General James Oglethorpe brought Scottish Highlanders to the site in 1736. The settlement, called Darien, eventually became a foremost export center of lumber until 1925.

Using old records and drawings, this 18th century frontier fortification on the Altamaha River has been reconstructed for public tours. Structures include a blockhouse, officers’ quarters, barracks, a guardhouse, moat and palisades. A museum and film cover the Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission, Fort King George, the Scots of Darien, and 19th century sawmilling when Darien became a major seaport. In addition to the many fort buildings, remains of three sawmills and tabby ruins are still visible. This site is on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.

Links

• Read more about Fort King George

The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins is the second largest museum in the U.S. Air Force with a collection of over 100 aircraft, missiles and cockpits

The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins is one of the largest aviation museums in the United States and a major Air Force heritage, exhibit and education center in the Southeast.

Informative and interesting exhibits tell the story of aviation events from World War II to the present. One will find displays on the achievements of visionary civilian and military men and women who made significant contributions to aviation in Georgia.

Situated on a 51-acre site on Robins Air Force Base, the museum is the second largest museum in the U.S. Air Force with a collection of over 100 aircraft, missiles and cockpits dating from a replica of an early 1896 glider to modern-era aircraft, such as the B-1B bomber, the SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2 Dragon Lady and F-15 Eagle. The Museum has been accredited by the American Association of Museums – one of only nine aviation museums in the United States to receive such an honor.

Since it opened to the public in November 1984, more than 9.7 million people from all over the world have visited the Museum, including more than 758,000 children who have participated in Museum education programs. The Museum of Aviation has the honor of being the fourth most visited Department of Defense museum in the United States.

Admission is Free
Admission is free and the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Guided tours are available for a small fee.

The museum is located 10 miles east of I-75 exit 144 at the end of Russell Parkway.

Links:

• Read more about the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins.