Now that we have made it past January and the declaration of our New Year resolutions (which you may or may not be sticking to!) have either been accomplished or ditched, make another resolution to get out and travel more this year! Sink your toes in white, sandy beaches or explore the Upper Midwest – or declare that this is your year to try Space-A travel and experience the original Oktoberfest in Germany! So many military places to visit with so many things to do!
If you need help getting started on destination ideas then check out our month-by-month military base selection below! Our best military places to visit in 2018 were selected on their convenience, base amenities and and whether or not there was an interesting festival or event nearby. Go ahead! Check it out!
Sunset in Guam. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
February
Yongsan Army Garrison and Osan Air Base, Korea – Space A and Lodging. The obvious attraction here is the proximity of the Yongsan Army Base to the Olympics in Seoul Korea. Osan Air Base, located approximately 40 miles south of Yongsan, is desirable as it offers Space-A travel to possibly assist you in your travels to the 2018 Olympics!
Osan Air Base
March
Anderson AFB, Guam – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. Excellent scuba diving, beautiful beaches and intriguing shipwrecks to explore along the coastline of Guam. Visit Underwater World Guam, Lost Pond/Shark’s Hole, Two Lovers Point, Guam’s Coral Reefs and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. JBER is the perfect destination to check out The Iditarod, known as “Last Great Race on Earth®”, which begins in Anchorage and covers 1,000 miles traveling north to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast. The Iditarod has been a huge attraction since its first race in 1973, drawing participants and spectators from all over the world
April
MacDill AFB, Florida – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. Beautiful sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico with warm weather breezes is enough said about why MacDill AFB is on the list! After a long winter of snow and cold temperatures, this is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine – affordably!
Fort Gordon, Georgia – Lodging and RV Camping. Golf enthusiasts will love being this near to The Masters in Augusta and with the most affordable lodging available in town! The Masters is scheduled April 2-8, 2018.
MacDill Inn
May
Camp Atterbury, Indiana – Lodging and RV Camping. A quick 35 miles south of Indianapolis, visitors can enjoy the speed and thrill of the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the racing capitol of the world! For over 100 years the race has captivated and intrigued millions and continues to attract fans from all over the world still yet today!
Andrews AFB, Maryland – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. Experience the second race of The Triple Crown at The Preakness or enjoy the Baltimore Wine & Food Festival. Guest will enjoy over 150 international and local wines, beers, and spirits along the waterfront in Baltimore.
June
Norfolk Naval Station and JEB Little Creek, Virginia – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. As the largest, longest-running, free maritime festival in the nation, the Annual Norfolk Harborfest® includes tall ships and the Parade of Sail, the largest waterfront fireworks show on the East Coast, entertainment, family activities, water activities, work boat races, build-a-boat contest, and much more. Virginia Beach is a a short drive away and offers a variety of summer entertainment venues and additional military lodging options along the ocean!
Beaufort MCAS and Parris Island MCRD, South Carolina – Lodging and RV Camping. What would summer be without a cool, refreshing slice of watermelon? Help celebrate the Hampton County Watermelon Festival, which is just 45 miles north of both Marine Corps bases! Or enjoy the beautiful South Carolina beaches or enjoy a leisurely summer afternoon in historic Beaufort!
July
Fort Lesley J McNair and JB Anacostia – Lodging. What better place to celebrate the Independence Day than in Washington D.C.? Explosive fireworks, the National Independence Day Parade, an Entertainment Cruise along the Potomac and a free Capitol City concert are just a few of the great events to enjoy!
Francis E Warren AFB, Wyoming – Lodging and RV Camping. Whether you are a true cowboy or a weekend cowgirl, you won’t want to miss Cheyenne Frontier Days! From rodeos to Old Frontier Town, this is sure to be a trip to remember!
August
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. Just 35 miles south of Seattle, you can experience the Seafair Weekend Festival which has been a Pacific Northwest tradition since 1950. Events include Hydroplane racing on Lake Washington, a Blue Angels air show in the sky, world class wake boarding tricks off shore and so much more.
Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. August is one of the most popular vacation months with its warm summer days and generally sunny forecast, which is one reason why so many locals and visitors enjoy the annual Boston Seafood Festival! Visitors will enjoy seafood tastings, clambakes and chef demos, educational events, family fun and more while celebrating one of the oldest industries in the U.S.
Joint Base Lewis McChord
September
Minot AFB, North Dakota – Lodging and RV Camping. Visit the largest Motorsports Festival in the Upper Midwest – Motor Magic. If you are into classic cars and auctions, historic military vehicles, radio controlled airplanes, drag racing and more, then this is the event for you!
San Diego Naval Base and Coronado North Island, California – Space A, Lodging and RV Camping. If you are a fan of sailing or just a fan of festivals, then perhaps the Festival of Sail, the Largest Tall Ship festival on the West Coast, is a great destination! Or enjoy the annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa or the San Diego Bacon Fest at Point Loma.
October
Garmisch Community (USAG Bavaria), Germany – Lodging* and RV Camping. If you are a fan of Oktoberfest, then Germany is obviously the place for you! Garmisch Community is about an hour southwest of Munich, but Garmisch MWR offers packages and transportation to the festival to take your travel worries away!
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Kittery, Maine – Lodging. Just 60 miles north of the base is the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival, which attracts over 40,000 visitors annually. This is also a great time to take in beautiful fall color tours in both New Hampshire and Maine.
NGIS Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Kittery
November
New York Coast Guard Sector – Fort Wadsworth and Staten Island Navy Lodge, New York – Lodging. Where better to be to kick off the Holiday Season but in New York City? Check out the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or simply enjoy shopping in the Big Apple!
Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois – Lodging. Rivaling its competitive East Coast holiday celebration, Chicago is home to The Magnificent Mile lights festival which kicks off in November welcoming shoppers and gazers alike along Michigan Avenue! Or if you prefer to travel north, check out the holiday events throughout Downtown Milwaukee!
Great Lakes NTC
December
Buckely AFB, Colorado – Lodging. High in the mountains, the Mile High city is a winter lover’s paradise offering a variety of outdoor recreational activities whether it be downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or anything else that requires ample snow! But make sure to make time to visit the Denver Christkindl Market that transforms Skyline Park into a magical “old world” European Christmas village, with wooden vendor huts, twinkling lights, festival music, and an authentic German Bier Hall.
Happy Travels!
This article is shared with you by Militaryliving.com, your premier source for temporary Military Lodging, Military Space-A Travel, Military RV Camping and Military Travel information.
*Lodging restrictions apply for CONUS active duty, retirees and dependents. Please see MLP listing and the Army Lodging eligibility restrictions.
