After A Trip To The Presque Isle Air Museum In Maine, Get Outside And Explore Aroostook State Park

Presque Isle is the largest city in Aroostook County, offering three colleges, a mall, and the Presque Isle International Airport, where you'll find this gem — the Presque Isle Air Museum. As you take in the experiences depicted in the historical displays of aircraft, documents, artifacts and people, for whom the museum is dedicated, you will find yourself feeling patriotic, proud, and sentimental. Those women and men of the U.S. Armed Forces, who served at the former Presque Isle Army Airfield and Air Force Base, are now being honored and remembered at the airport. After your museum tour, check out the nearby and stunning Aroostook State Park. History also abounds on this Maine day trip, as you'll soon see.

The Presque Isle Air Museum opened in 1996. It is housed within the Presque Isle International Airport, sharing the same hours.

The museum is an ongoing project that's dedicated to the women and men in the armed forces who served at the Presque Isle Air Force Base.

Many of the museum's pictures have been donated by families to contribute to this important body of history.

Anyone with photos or artifacts to share is encouraged to do so. For those hesitant to part with their original materials, copies can be made.

How else will people remember the experiences of these brave soldiers?

What happened that day? Where did he land?

This Douglas C-47 Skytrain, aka Dakota, or Whiskey 7, was the cargo aircraft of the Army Air Corps during World War II.

These planes, which were used extensively by the allies during the war, were in front-line services for many years.

And off it goes.

Major John H. Trask of the U.S. Air Force, is one of the many brave heroes honored at the museum.

He is a native of Easton, Maine, who served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1971, while stationed at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Dow AFB, Ramey AFB, and Grissom AFB.

On Oct. 28, 2015, Major Trask, was honored for his 20 years of service, and for donating his flight uniform for all to see at the museum.

Somebody else who visited the air force base during that time was this man, known as legendary actor Clark Gable.

Other celebrities visited the base, such as Jimmy Stewart and Bob Hope, who came during a United Service Organizations (USO) tour.

About eight miles away, stretch you legs and breathe in the fresh air of Aroostook State Park.

This is is the home of Maine's first state park, and the first TransAtlantic balloon flight in 1978.

This gorgeous park offers bountiful scenery, wildlife, and easy-to-moderate hiking trails.

The easy Notch Trail is a 1.3-mile out-and-back hike, following a seasonal stream up the ridge. The North Peak Trail, a moderate but steep climb, leads to one of the many breathaking viewpoints this park has to offer.

Brink a nature journal to sketch some of these beautiful wildflowers along the way. Camping allows for a closer look at everything.

The park's 800+ acres offer experiences from Quaggy Jo Mountain to Echo Lake.

Pack your bag and prepare for everything here.

And yes - come in the winter.

Take a snowy hike and warm up in a cozy cabin.

As you can see, Presque Isle, Maine, is definitley worth considering for your next adventure. For a look at another nearby museum, check out the University of Maine at Presque Isle. And if more nature attractions are what you're after, you'll surely find them in this lovely Pine Tree State.