Thunder City
Cape Town, South Africa
Ever wanted to fly in a fighter jet? You can at this private jet collection, which maintains English Electric Lightnings, BAe Buccaneers and Hawker Hunters, among others. "After paying a handsome fee and receiving several hours of instruction, you will fly over Table Mountain and Robben Island, former 'home' of Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment," Michels says. thundercity.co.za

National Norwegian Aviation Museum
Bodo, Norway
"This museum, on the site of a former German airfield from World War II, houses Spitfires, Twin Otters, a U-2 spy plane, a Mosquito and others. It also has simulators and workshops for kids," Michels says. "Save time to climb the Svartisen glacier in Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, followed by a meal of hearty bread and reindeer stew outdoors while sitting on reindeer skins." Luftfart.museum.no

Luray Caverns Airport
Luray, Va.
"Just outside of the entrance to Skyline Drive, a scenic fall driving destination, is Luray Caverns," Michels says of the Shenandoah Valley wonder with cathedral-sized rooms and high ceilings. "Arrive in style and fly to the Luray Caverns Airport by private plane, landing on its 3,100-foot lighted runway." Explore caves and hear the "Great Stalacpipe Organ" make concert-quality music with stalactite formations covering more than 3 acres. 540-743-6551; luraycaverns.com

The Museum of Flight
Seattle
"A major exhibit, In Search of Amelia Earhart, which includes artifacts, photos, newspapers and film footage on the aviator, has just opened," Michels says. "Check out the museum's own Air Force One and Concorde and get the feel of being a pilot in the facility's flight simulators, from hang gliding to the space shuttle." Take a vintage biplane ride with Olde Thyme Aviation for aerial views of Seattle. 206-764-5720; museumofflight.org

Wright Brothers National Memorial
Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
"Come see where Wilbur and Orville Wright flew," Michels says of this site on North Carolina's Outer Banks. See a full-scale reproduction of the Wright 1903 Powered Flyer in the Visitor Center. The grounds have replicas of camp buildings, markers outlining the distances of the four powered flights and a granite monument atop a 90-foot dune honoring the Wright brothers. 252-441-7430; nps.gov/wrbr

National Air and Space Museum/Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, Va.
"Thousands of aviation artifacts and things with wings are displayed at this location near Washington Dulles Airport," Michels says of the companion facility to the museum in Washington, D.C. "In addition to the Boeing Aviation Hangar with aircraft of all types, visitors can also see spaceships and rockets, including the Space Shuttle Enterprise." 202-633-1000; nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy

National Museum of the US Air Force
Dayton, Ohio
More than 400 aerospace vehicles are displayed, including many that are rare and one of a kind — and admission is free. "If you go before Dec. 5, check out the Air Force One used by President John F. Kennedy," Michels says. After that, it goes into the restoration shop for a new paint job and won't be back in the museum's Presidential Gallery until February 2010. 937-255-3286; nationalmuseum.af.mil

Hangar One Steakhouse
Wichita, Ks.
"What else would you do in Wichita — home of Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems, as well as excellent beef — but eat a steak at an aviation-themed restaurant facing the airport?" Michels asks, noting that the restaurant also has The Control Tower lounge. 316-941-4900; hangaronesteakhouse.com