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Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida
Kennedy Space Center visitor complex
Spring Break in Motion
Full speed ahead for family travel adventures full of planes, trains, cars and boats!
By Stacey Zable
Spring break is here, so check out these top picks to rev up smiles for the whole family—whether the consensus is planes, trains, automobiles or boats!
In the Air
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is celebrating the “Year of Aviation” along with its 55th anniversary in 2025. Highlights during the spring break months include a March birthday celebration, marked by a special rocket build and launch activity, and information on women aviators in the Spark!Lab hands-on engineering lab during Women’s History Month. April 26 is World Pilots Day, and activities will be geared around that theme. Plus, aviation-themed STEM on Stage demonstrations and aviation trading cards will be part of the festivities. These events are all in addition to checking out one of the world’s largest collections of rockets and space artifacts and a world-class planetarium. You can even train like an astronaut together at Family Space Camp or enjoy flight simulations and more during the Family Aviation Challenge camp.
Getting up close to space-flown artifacts in The Rocket Garden
Peter Mayer
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX
More space thrills can be enjoyed on the Florida Space Coast, starting with viewing such galactic treasures as a Saturn V rocket, the Atlantis Space Shuttle, replicas of Mars rovers, and Mercury and Gemini space capsules at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida. Ages 10 and older can even be a part of the Astronaut Training Experience, while the U.S Astronaut Hall of Fame honors American space heroes. View restricted areas and hear from local space experts while on a bus tour. And if you time your visit right, you may be able to view a live rocket launch.
Save up to 20% on admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex when purchasing tickets through AAA.com/Tickets.
An artistic representation of the moment the Wright Brothers took flight is on display at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
ADOBE STOCK
Go back to the beginning of air travel at the actual site where the first flight took place on Dec. 17, 1903, at what is now the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Manteo, North Carolina. Located near Kitty Hawk on the northern part of the Outer Banks, the memorial includes a visitor center and museum housing a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, plus interactive activities and exhibits. Youngsters can earn a Junior Flight Ranger badge by completing the Junior Ranger booklet and attending the 30-minute “Wind and Sand” ranger program, which tells the story of the Wright Brothers and includes a walk to their camp and the location of the first flights.
The Fargo Air Museum in North Dakota has its own Wright Brothers’ Flyer display among the other aircraft exhibits that fill two hangars. In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you can “travel” across the United States on a virtual one-of-a-kind flight at SkyFly: Soar America. Participants hang suspended in the air in front of a 50-foot spherical screen, moving in synch with a film to simulate flight. Wind, scents and mists provide a true immersive experience. Note that you must be at least 40 inches to take the ride, but you can watch the film in a viewing room with those in your family who don’t meet the height requirement.
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In the Driver’s Seat
If ground transportation is more your speed, visit the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, Colorado. This historic car museum preserves the legacy of Carroll Shelby, a former race car driver who became a visionary automobile designer. He is best known for creating high-performance vehicles, including Cobras, Ford GT40s and Shelby Mustangs, which left an indelible mark on motorsports. The museum showcases an impressive collection of race-winning Shelby cars and memorabilia, allowing visitors to gain insight into the models and the man who revolutionized American performance cars.
More racing cars await as part of the “Driven to Win: Racing in America” exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan. Presented by General Motors, this interactive exhibit immerses visitors in the thrilling world of auto racing, from soapbox derbies to drag racing. Check out simulators and the pit crew challenge, while exploring how legendary drivers like A.J. Foyt and Ken Block pushed the boundaries of engineering and innovation to reach the winner’s circle. Additional exhibits at the museum, which is part of The Henry Ford museum complex, highlight the first 40 years of aviation, presidential vehicles (including the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated) and the bus on which Rosa Parks “took a seat” for Civil Rights. While at The Henry Ford, take the Ford Rouge Factory Tour to discover the history of Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant, the future of manufacturing and what goes into assembling F-150 pick-up trucks.
Planning your road trip adventure is exciting, especially when you’re able to choose a vehicle you’ve always wanted to drive. If you’ve always wanted to cruise in a Ford Mustang or drive a convertible, renting a car can be a great option. Renting allows you to avoid putting miles on your own vehicle and choose a ride that fits your needs—whether it’s a fuel-efficient compact car or a larger vehicle for extra luggage. With Hertz, AAA Members save up to 20% off the base rate, get a free additional driver, free use of a child safety seat and other valuable savings that can extend your road trip budget. Learn more at AAA.com/CarRental.
On the Rails
All aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia, for a four-hour, 26-mile roundtrip journey through the Appalachian foothills of North Georgia. The nostalgic trip begins at the historic depot and includes a two-hour stop in the sister mountain towns of McCaysville, Georgia and in Copperhill, Tennessee, along “The Blue Line,” where you can literally have a foot in each state.
Continue into Tennessee to Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley Railroad for another chance at a throwback rail trip that includes historical tales from the onboard guides. Among the most popular choices is the 65-minute Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride, which crosses four historic bridges, passes through a pre-Civil War tunnel and gives passengers a tour of the train restoration shop. All train tickets also include admission to an exhibit detailing the railroads of the Tennessee Valley and more.
Weeki Wachee River at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is easy to navigate.
On the Water
Ensure memorable experiences on the water by participating in boating excursions that offer something unique. These boating excursions offer something unusual. For example, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, take a boat tour inside a cave at the 72-acre Lost River Cave. The cave boat tour features captivating tales of the ancient Native American hunting ground that became a Civil War campground for both Union and Confederate forces and was even once a Jesse James hideout as well as an underground 1930s nightclub.
More exploration—this time along the river that feeds the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States—is found in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring Hill, Florida. While families might be familiar with the natural attraction’s iconic mermaid show—itself a bit of Old Florida nostalgic fun—many might not know about the opportunities to take a guided boat tour down the Weeki Wachee River or rent a kayak or standup paddleboard to explore the river on their own.
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where watersports abound, one of the favorite boating escapes involves dolphins! Dolphin cruises offer a great way to see these sleek, playful creatures up close in their natural ocean habitat. These cruises often include additional amenities like onboard refreshments and educational commentary about the marine environment.
Whether your family prefers soaring through the skies, racing on four wheels, riding the rails or launching onto water, these transportation-themed travels make for an unforgettable spring break.
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