By the turn of the 20th century, Pensacola was the state's second largest city and a major commercial fishing center. In 1914 the federal government established the nation's first naval aviation training base here and the modern city began to take shape. Tour the National Museum of Naval Aviation (1750 Radford Blvd.; 850-452-3604), with more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft. You can walk the deck of a World War II aircraft carrier, visit a jungle air strip and get a close-up view of the famed Blue Angel Skyhawks. Guided tours, an IMAX theater and rides in a motion-based flight simulator are available.

For a pick-me-up after the tour, try Trader Jon's (511 S. Palafox St.; 850-429-1000), a downtown tavern informally known as the "Blue Angels Museum." Specialty of the house is a "wing-walker," and the walls are lined with thousands of photos and memorabilia. Or dine authentically Japanese at Yamoto's (131 New Warrington Rd.; 850-453-3461), that features a sushi bar, tatami room and hibachi sections.

North on U.S. Hwy. 29 is Century, one of the nation's few remaining examples of a mill town. Its historic district contains about four dozen homes and commercial buildings dating from 1900 to 1934 and includes the restored Century Hotel and the Mayo House. James Houston Jones Historic Park (Jefferson Ave. and Fourth St.) is the site of the Post Office Museum, the Boxcar Museum and the Leach House Museum.

South to U.S. Hwy. 90, Milton's Museum of Local History (6866 Caroline St.; 850-623-4422) is located in a 1912 opera house. Milton dates to 1825 when it was used as a Blackwater River port for area plantations shipping cotton and wool to Pensacola. The Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site and Museum is located on one of Florida's earliest industrial complexes.

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