For any military enthusiast, a visit to a military museum is a treat. And these treats don’t come any bigger than at aircraft carrier museums in the United States.
There are a total of five aircraft carrier museums in the United States of America. Each of them have a storied history and all of them have seen combat in various theatres. Paying a visit to these aircraft carriers is an amazing opportunity to take a walk back in history and to see how they operated and served the country.
Aircraft Carrier Museums in the United States of America
The five aircraft carrier museum in the US can be found on both the West Coast and East Coast. The five distinguished carriers are:
- USS Yorktown CV-10
- USS Intrepid CV11
- USS Hornet CV-12
- USS Lexington CV-16
- USS Midway CV-41
The five carrier museums can be found in California (two locations), New York, South Carolina and Texas.
USS Yorktown Museum
The USS Yorktown CV-10 was built in just 16.5 months and commissioned in April 1943 during World War II. It went on to serve in the Pacific during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It was finally decommission in 1970 and is now docked in San Diego, South Carolina.
The USS Yorktown museum opened in 1975 at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. The ship is so big that visitors can easily spend hours on the four self-guided tours. Alternatively, there are also guided tours that take you to the hanger bay and flight deck.
While at the USS Yorktown museum, you can also view the Apollo 8 Space Capsule that is at the carrier’s hanger deck and listen to the actual radio communications that took place.
Another highlight is the interactive Engine Room Experience. Head over the Hangar Bay to see WWII era fighters like the F4F Wildcat and the F6F Hellcat. On the Yorktown’s flight deck are carrier-based aircraft like the A-4C Skyhawk, A-6E Intruder and the F-14 Tomcat.
Where: 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.
Website
USS Intrepid Museum
The USS Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark, is now home to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. The museum provides a look into the history, science and service of the aircraft carrier.
The Intrepid was commissioned in 1943 and served in World War II, during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. It was finally decommissioned in 1974.
A highlight of a visit to the USS Intrepid while in New York City is the chance to view planes such as the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger and Douglas AD-1 Skyraider. There is even a MiG-17 and MiG-21 on display on the carrier’s flight deck. From the Vietnam War era is the McDonnell F-4N Phantom II and others. One of the most impressive planes is the Lockheed A-12, a reconnaissance aircraft operated by the CIA, that was developed into the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
Where: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, USA
Website
USS Hornet Museum
The Grey Ghost, as the USS Hornet CV-12 is known, was commissioned on November 28, 1943. She was named in honor of USS Hornet CV-8 that sank in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. She eventually decommission for good in June 1970 before being donated to the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in May 1998. The ship then reopened as the USS Hornet Museum on October 17, 1998 at Alameda, California, not far from San Francisco.
Visitors can view the exhibits about the carrier’s history and service, or join a guided tour. There are even paranormal tours conducted.
Where: 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Website
USS Lexington Museum
Located at Corpus Christi Bay in Texas, the USS Lexington Museum captures the history and service of the “The Blue Ghost”. The World War II Essex Class aircraft carrier finally arrived at Corpus Christi in 1992 and has operated as the USS Lexington Museum On The Bay since.
The most popular of the tours at the aircraft carrier is the self-guided tour of the flight deck. Along with the navigation bridge, arresting gear and anti-aircraft guns, visitors can also view 20 aircraft from the National Museum of Naval Aviation including the F/A-18 Hornet and F2H-2 Banshee.
Other exhibits at this US aircraft carrier museum include a flight simulator and escape room attraction.
Where: 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78402
Website
USS Midway Museum
Found in San Diego, California, the USS Midway Museum has more than 30 restored aircraft and plenty of exhibits and displays. Visitors can explore all the way from the bridge to the engine room and walk through the Below Decks exhibits like the gallerys and mess halls.
Experience the Battle of Midway Theatre along with interactive displays, view the aircraft found on the flight deck and learn how the Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, or Meatball, worked. Learn about the stories of aviators and sailors that operated the USS Midway over 47 years of service.
Where: 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, 92101, alongside Navy Pier.
Website
