The Pilot Passport features more than 70 landmark badges you can earn by flying to and checking in at certain airports across the country or by checking in at historical sites (aviation and nonaviation related alike). Many of the airports are gateways to fun attractions, from outdoor activities to museums, one-day trips to full-week vacations, and solo excursions to family getaways.
Aviation and space buffs will enjoy adding these airports to their logbooks and exploring nearby attractions.
- First Flight Airport in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Before you go, check out these tips for flying in, nearby attractions, and places to eat.
- Neil Armstrong Airport in Wapakoneta, Ohio. While in Ohio, trace aviation history from Armstrong’s hometown to the place where the Wright brothers built their first flying machines.
- Virgil I. Grissom Municipal Airport in Bedford, Indiana. The Virgil I. Grissom Memorial Museum is just over 10 miles from the airport. (If you are really into space history, visit that museum and these other space race capsules.)
- Boeing Field/King County International Airport in Seattle. Be sure to visit the Museum of Flight, which made our list of great aviation museums in the Northwest.
- Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia.
- Lloyd Stearman Field in Benton, Kansas. Watch aircraft take off and land while you eat at the Stearman Field Bar & Grill, and while you’re in the area, check out these other airports in the Air Capital of the World.
- Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Get some early practice landing at Wittman Regional Airport, to make sure you can hit your assigned dot when you fly in for EAA AirVenture later in July.
- Mojave Air and Space Port Airport in Mojave, California. Fly in on the third Saturday of the month, known as Plane Crazy Saturday, when the Mojave Transportation Museum hosts family events, and eat at The Voyager restaurant.
For outdoor adventures, take your friends and family to these popular destination areas.
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about your flycation. As you plan your trip, check out AOPA’s rental car and hotel discounts to save.
Alyssa J. Cobb
The former senior director of digital media, Alyssa J. Cobb was on the AOPA staff from 2004 until 2023. She is a flight instructor, and loves flying her Cessna 170B with her husband and two children. Alyssa also hosts the weekly Fly with AOPA show on the AOPA Pilot Video YouTube channel.