San Diego is considered the birthplace of naval aviation, so it's only fitting that the city is blessed with one of the largest and most comprehensive aviation museums in the country. The 1935-built venue, with its sleek, cylindrical design, is stuffed to the rafters with over 60 aircraft that illustrate the history of flight. On display are a mock-up of Da Vinci's ornithopter, full-scale models of a 1901 Wright glider and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, plus authentic WWI- and WWII-era fighter planes. The jet and spacecraft collection is topped by the actual command module from the Apollo 9 mission. Now over 50 years old, the museum offers a few high-tech features; several realistic flight simulators put visitors in the hot seat, and a 4D theater (3D visuals plus seats that move with the action) screens adrenalin-pumping movies. Little ones love the Kid's Aviation Action Hangar, which offers little pedal planes to drive around and child-size flight simulators. Diehards may want to visit the museum's Gillespie Field Annex (619/258-1221, open Mon–Thurs 8am–3pm), which houses more planes, including many which are being restored.