For many travelers, military bases continue to be mysterious, gated worlds witnessed only in news reports or movies. However, some of the USA’s most iconic military bases are not off-limits; in fact, they’re open to the general public and a haven for history buffs, families, and nationalists alike. These sites combine architectural grandeur, living history, and a direct connection to the men and women who for so long have served the nation.
Whether you’re looking to step beyond the history books for a firsthand experience or walk the grounds where legends were made, here are a couple of historical military bases that will surely give you a memorable insight into America’s rich past and present.
Fort Moore (Formerly Fort Benning), Georgia
Fort Moore is commonly known as the “Home of the Infantry” and is located just outside Columbus, Georgia. It has been the proving ground for the United States’ foot soldiers for several decades and signifies an important point in American military history.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of a visit to Fort Moore is the National Infantry Museum. Always on the list of the country’s most popular free museums, it does more than just display artifacts. In fact, it immerses you in them. You can wander through life-size dioramas of a World War I trench, the deserts of Iraq, and the jungles of Vietnam. The “Last 100 Yards” display is its own reality show, depicting the last seconds of a heated infantry engagement in profound detail.
The interesting part is that the Army has invested quite heavily in keeping these sites viable for future generations. They focus on difficult cleanup missions and renovation projects to remove dangerous materials left from the mid-century-era constructions, such as asbestos in army barracks, which can lead to a serious form of lung cancer, mesothelioma. This is to make these sites attract both tourists and military personnel while making sure people can enjoy historic aesthetics without having to worry about their safety.
West Point (United States Military Academy), New York
Sitting high up on a plateau with a stunning view of the Hudson River, West Point, New York is the oldest continuously operating military installation in the United States. It has been operating since 1802 and has trained leaders like Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight Eisenhower. The campus itself is a National Historic Landmark and sports a Gothic Revival architecture that creates a medieval fortress-like atmosphere rather than a typical college campus setting.
The sense of tradition is evident here as well. As you walk through this place, you’re literally treading the same grounds that helped shape the course of American history. The West Point cemetery is yet another place of significance that honors legendary figures interred there, such as astronaut Ed White and Lt. General George Armstrong Custer.
West Point is home to some of the region’s most beautiful views and incredible architectural designs. However, since it’s a military academy, you can’t just explore the place on your own. Still, you can find bus tours that drop you right into the most hallowed grounds of the military academy. Security is tight here, and visitors over 17 years of age are required to have a valid government photo ID, like a passport or driver’s license, to join a campus tour.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor National Memorial is one of the most emotional and visited historical military bases in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the site annually. The 21-acre historical site remembers the unfortunate attack of December 7, 1941, claiming the lives of over 2,400 Americans, eventually drawing the US into World War II.
Contrary to the rest of the sites on this list, Pearl Harbor is less about exploring active military installations and more about paying homage to the people who served in one of the darkest periods in history. Still, there’s plenty to explore, including the USS Arizona Memorial, a striking architectural work by Honolulu designer Alfred Preis. This floating memorial rests on the USS Arizona without actually touching the ship so visitors can view the ship below through a floor-level window.
The inside of the memorial contains a wall made of marble with the names of the 1,177 victims who died on the ship engraved on it. The memorial also contains the Shrine Room, where the survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack chose to be buried. Moreover, visitors can also explore the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and its two prominent museums. These are entitled “The Road to War,” which focuses on events leading up to the attack, and “Attack and Aftermath,” which highlights transformations of the Pacific Theater through 1945.
Additionally, there are two theaters where you can watch historic documentaries with accompanying narratives from award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and personal testimonies from Pearl Harbor survivors. Whether you’re a fan of history or interested in America’s pivotal wartime transformation, Pearl Harbor offers an experience unlike any other that pays tribute to those who gave their all for the nation.
In Conclusion
Exploring these historic military bases is not simply a sightseeing trip, but it actually connects you to the real American story. They serve as a testament to resilience and service, preserved to keep them safe for generations to come. Arrange a visit to witness American military history firsthand; just don’t forget your ID.
