Plane Amazing

As the National Museum of the United States Air Force celebrates its 100th anniversary, explore the destination’s fascinating exhibits, artifacts and stories.

Acassette tape of astronauts’ favorite wakeup music. Flight uniforms that date from the 1920s to contemporary times. The World War I diary kept by Eddie Rickenbacker, the Columbus, Ohio-born fighter pilot famously nicknamed “America’s Ace of Aces.”

These are only a fraction of the unique artifacts featured in “100 Years of Heritage,” a special exhibition the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton is presenting this year in honor of its centennial. The exhibition’s May 21 opening approximates the date in 1923 when people were invited to view airplane paraphernalia at a Dayton airfield. That small-scale display launched what is now the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum — think nearly 20 acres of galleries showcasing hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft and missiles.

“This museum preserves pieces of American history,” says staff historian Douglas Lantry, “and it’s free because that history belongs to all of us.”

The size and scope of the collection makes the mu- seum a top-flight destination, but with free admission and parking, it’s also a bargain.

In 1903, Daytonians Orville and Wilbur Wright started a truly groundbreaking chapter of history by inventing the airplane, and among the treasures you’ll find in the museum is a wind tunnel that Orville designed in 1916 for aerodynamic experiments.

You can also walk through the SAM 26000 that was President Kennedy’s Air Force One, ride in a flight simulator and discover exhibits highlighting the Tuskegee Airmen and Women in the Air Force that show how these military heroes and pioneers reflected and led cultural changes.

And to learn something about service, courage and sacrifice, stop by the Memphis Belle, the legendary and meticulously restored B-17 that embodies legions of airmen who gave their lives to defeat Nazi Germany. Memphis Belle’s name was inspired by pilot Robert Morgan’s fiancee, and just seeing its classic pinup girl nose art is worth a trip to the museum. 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 45433, 937/2553286, nationalmuseum.af.mil — Damaine Vonada

Zip Around: At Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum in Hamilton, another large-scale piece of art awaits you around every bend in the road — more than 80 in all. Explore the sculptures installed across more than 300 acres on foot, or opt to get behind the wheel of an “Art Cart” to cover more ground. (You’ll thank us later!) pyramidhill.org

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Count Your Steps: Four walking trails run through Side Cut Metropark in Maumee, offering plenty of space to stretch your legs. The Metroparks Toledo destination is also connected to the all-purpose Wabash Cannonball Trail, which stretches 63 miles and touches four northwest Ohio counties. Take a break from the pavement to stop at Blue Grass Island, a popular fishing spot. metroparkstoledo.com

JUNE 23-25

Drop your anchors, the 57th annual Festival of the Fish is getting groovy! Head to the Lake Erie shore town of Vermilion for “Fishstock 3 days of Peace, Music & Perch,” complete with midway fare, beach yoga, a sandcastle contest, rides aboard the small sternwheeler cruise boat The Mystic Belle and the Lighted Boat Parade. vermilionohio.com

JUNE 21

Make “Your Smiling Face” another one in the crowd when James Taylor takes the stage at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center. Enjoy the waterfront breeze and views of the Ohio River as you listen to the six-time Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s classic tunes like “Sweet Baby James’’ and “Fire and Rain.” riverbend.org

The Maria Stein Country Fest brings the fun to farm life. Pull on your boots and head to this rural community in Mercer County for live music, a petting zoo, carnival rides and games, antique and stock tractor pulls, a cruise-in car show, tournaments and a performance by the impressive square-dancing tractors. (Yes, really!) facebook.com/ mscountryfest

Roar into Summer:

More than 500 rare and endangered animals — from cheetahs to the southern white rhino — call The Wilds home. For a few nights, you can, too! After a full day exploring the nearly 10,000-acre conservation center in Cumberland on an Open-Air Safari, zip lining over animal pastures and taking a trot on horseback, soak up the views with an overnight stay in the lodge, cabins or yurts. thewilds.org

JUNE 23

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