12 Military Installations Now Open for Tourism

Many of the world’s former military bases have been transformed into fascinating destinations where travelers can explore history, architecture, and landscapes once closed to the public. These sites offer a rare look at strategic structures, preserved technology, and stories that shaped national defense efforts. Today, visitors can tour underground bunkers, walk through restored forts, and observe exhibits that highlight both wartime innovation and peaceful reinvention. Whether perched on coastlines or hidden in remote terrain, these installations provide meaningful insights into military heritage while welcoming curious travelers. They create an engaging blend of education, culture, and adventure.

1. Fort Monroe, Virginia

Fort Monroe blends coastal scenery with deep American history, offering visitors a look at centuries old defenses, maritime views, and exhibits that tell the story of its strategic evolution. Travelers can explore the extensive stone walls, walk through restored quarters, and learn how this fort shifted from active duty to a public landmark. The museum displays artifacts from different eras, and the surrounding parkland creates a peaceful contrast to its past. This destination invites guests to appreciate architecture, military planning, and the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.

2. Pearl Harbor’s Historic Sites, Hawaii

The preserved naval installations at Pearl Harbor allow visitors to connect with pivotal moments in American history. Guests can tour retired vessels, step inside interpretive centers, and understand the events that shaped global conflict. The combination of outdoor memorials and indoor exhibits offers a reflective look at bravery, innovation, and resilience. The site honors those who served while providing an educational experience for travelers. Surrounded by calm waters and an active harbor, the area blends remembrance with a strong sense of place, making it a meaningful stop for anyone interested in military heritage.

3. Castle Williams, Governors Island, New York

Castle Williams stands as a striking circular structure overlooking New York Harbor, offering travelers a vivid example of early coastal defense engineering. Its restored brick walls, guided tours, and elevated viewpoints help visitors understand how the fort once protected the city from seaborne threats. Exhibits describe daily life for soldiers, while the surrounding island provides open green spaces and waterfront scenery. The contrast between historic fortifications and modern skyline views creates a memorable experience. This site invites exploration and reflection on the city’s evolving role in American defense efforts.

4. Fort Point, San Francisco, California

Fort Point sits beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, blending nineteenth century military architecture with one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Visitors can explore brick corridors, arched passageways, and lookout points used long ago to guard the bay. Exhibits detail how soldiers operated cannons, monitored waterways, and lived within the fortress. The fort’s dramatic setting adds visual appeal, drawing travelers who enjoy history and coastal scenery. With its preserved rooms and sweeping views, the site highlights how strategic design once shaped the protection of San Francisco’s shoreline.

5. Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum, Florida

This museum showcases the former launch and tracking facilities that played a central role in America’s early space and missile programs. Visitors can view historical rockets, explore retired command areas, and learn how military research supported groundbreaking advances. The exhibits blend technical detail with the human stories behind the missions. Outdoor displays provide a close look at preserved equipment while offering views of the surrounding coastline. This destination connects past military operations with the broader evolution of space exploration, making it a compelling stop for science and history enthusiasts.

6. Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island

Fort Adams offers miles of stone corridors, expansive ramparts, and a rich narrative about coastal defense. Visitors can walk through resored casemates, climb to scenic overlooks, and learn how soldiers protected Narragansett Bay. Exhibits explore the fort’s engineering, daily life, and later transformation into a public attraction. The surrounding park adds open lawns and waterfront views, creating a balanced experience of heritage and leisure. With its striking design and panoramic setting, the site provides a rewarding way to explore military history in a relaxed and scenic environment.

7. Malmstrom Air Force Base Missile Museum, Montana

This museum provides a rare glimpse into America’s Cold War missile operations. Visitors can examine preserved equipment, learn about launch control procedures, and understand how crews maintained readiness. Interpretive displays highlight technological advances, the pressures of strategic duty, and the base’s role in national defense. The exhibits blend historical context with technical detail, creating an immersive experience. Surrounded by wide open Montana landscapes, the museum presents a powerful reminder of the era’s tensions while educating travelers about the service members who operated these complex systems.

8. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Florida

This coastal fort combines military heritage with sunny beaches, making it a popular destination in Key West. Visitors can explore thick brick walls, climb through interior chambers, and view displays that explain the fort’s role in Civil War and later defenses. The park also offers shaded walking paths, picnic areas, and shoreline access, creating a unique blend of history and relaxation. Scenic vistas enhance the experience, showing how the fort’s strategic location supported maritime operations. It’s a site where cultural learning meets outdoor enjoyment.

9. Titan Missile Museum, Arizona

At this underground site, travelers descend into a preserved missile complex that once formed part of America’s Cold War deterrent. Guided tours explain launch protocols, crew responsibilities, and the engineering behind massive intercontinental systems. Visitors can see control panels, bunkered passageways, and the towering missile within its silo. The experience blends technical education with the emotional weight of the era. Surrounded by quiet desert terrain, the museum offers a sharp contrast to the intense history it represents, giving guests a rare and memorable window into military preparedness.

10. Fort Vancouver, Washington

Fort Vancouver invites visitors to explore reconstructed structures, interpretive exhibits, and archaeological insights that reveal centuries of military activity and community life. The grounds include officers’ residences, parade spaces, and workshops that show how the installation supported both military and cultural exchange. Guided programs discuss the fort’s strategic importance and its influence on regional development. The landscape blends open fields with forest edges, creating a peaceful atmosphere. This destination offers a balanced mix of storytelling, education, and scenic wandering, making it accessible for travelers of all ages.

11. Hamilton Fortifications, Bermuda

The historic fortifications overlooking Hamilton Harbor provide travelers with sweeping views and a chance to explore stone tunnels, gun emplacements, and restored lookout points. Interpretive signs describe how British forces defended the islands and managed maritime traffic. The broad ramparts offer plenty of room to wander, while nearby coastal paths add scenic value. The site blends military history with natural beauty, giving visitors an understanding of Bermuda’s strategic past. Its elevated position and calm surroundings create a relaxed yet educational experience for those interested in coastal defenses.

12. Presidio of San Francisco, California

The Presidio offers miles of wooded trails, restored military buildings, museums, and scenic overlooks with views of the bay. Visitors can explore former barracks, coastal batteries, and exhibits that detail centuries of defense operations and cultural transitions. The landscape blends forests, beaches, and historic architecture, reflecting the site’s evolution from active post to expansive public park. Interpretive centers highlight stories of soldiers, Indigenous communities, and environmental preservation. This destination combines heritage and recreation, creating an inviting space for relaxed exploration.