Earn a private pilots license through your flight school. A private license requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, with your certified flight instructor (CFI) as well as solo time in your advanced training.
Sport and recreational licenses are ways of getting into the air should you not pass the FAA medical. Sport and recreational licenses let you use LSA --- light sport aircraft --- within a prescribed home range. A current driver's license takes the place of the FAA medical. A minimum of 40 hours of flight time must be logged before you are allowed to test for the license "ticket."
Training for your commercial license requires logging a minimum of 120 hours, depending on type of aircraft you wish to fly. Learn about aerodynamics, physics, advanced pilotage and communications, flight planning and filing, weather theory and chain of command.
If you wish to become a well rounded aviator, consider earning a rotor license in addition to the fixed wing certifications. Rotor aircraft are better known as helicopters. A helicopter license is an expensive training regimen. In addition to the ground school, aerodynamics and communications training, you train in emergency "auto-rotation" procedures, safe engine out landings, glide and hovering --- a very advanced helicopter maneuver.
Once your initial license and training is over, consider adding additional endorsements into your logbook. Earn taildragger ratings by completing a few hours (hours vary depending on how quickly you pick up the skills needed for taildragger aircraft) behind the stick in the tail-wheeled planes. Or you could consider earning a floatplane endorsement which allows you to fly seaplane-style aircraft. If you have the adventurous gene, earn a ski endorsement, allowing you to fly aircraft equipped with retractable skis for glacier and mountain landings and take-offs.