Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ

Sunshine rains down on this part of Arizona bringing vividly to life the exquisite colors and shapes of the more than 300 air and space vehicles displayed at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Pima, Arizona. In just one day you can experience the width and breadth of our aerospace history including a visit to an ICBM missile silo and a tour of the nearby United States Air Force boneyards. Catch your breath and read on.

Pima has one of only four surviving examples of the enormous, lumbering, six engine B-36 bomber plus an equally rare B-58 Hustler supersonic nuclear bomber, two B-52s, an FB-111, a RB-47, Soviet Migs, and almost every other military aircraft and helicopter flown by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and the Coast Guard all the way up to today. Oh, and Pima has three hangers dedicated to WWII with American, Japanese, and German warbirds inside.

So where to start ? Grab a map, enter through Hanger One and explore. One thing not to miss is the spectacular graffiti art of Francisco Rodrigues da Silva also known as “Nunca,” a street artist from Brazil. Along with some 40 other artists, Nunca used the fuselage and wings of some of the old warbirds to create the absolutely joyous art you’ll encounter here.

For a rest break, try the Flight Grill and not just for the food. While you relax, you’ll have a perfectly beautiful, 50-yard line view of the outdoor ramp.

Be sure to bring your walking shoes and dress appropriately. It gets hot here and this is a big museum (80 acres) with several hangers and an enormous outdoor display area.