Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum Reviews

So happen to find this randomly while lost looking for more souvenir shops and great idea to just stop and see it. You pay to get in for parking all money goes for preservation. Then pay for tickets depending on experience you want after that the moment you walk towards the vessel and inside is simply amazing and soooo much to look at. If you have mobility isssues going up and down tiny incline stairs i dont recommend this because certain locations require you to go up and down in order to see the whole ship. Outside you will see other war machinery. Must see experience totally worth it!

Visited with four adults and two curious and energetic kids. Great attraction to visit and a lot of fascinating stuff to see. Tour routes on the ships could have been better marked in my opinion. My major complaint is that there wasn’t more for kids to experience firsthand. Maybe things are constrained due to COVID, but the signage was all geared towards adults and there wasn’t enough for kids to climb on or actively get involved like in other outdoor museums we have visited.life vests and helmets to try on, dials to turn to elevate AAA guns etc.

Great museum with not only the 2 ships but numerous planes, a large well done Metal of Honor exhibit that details each honoree, and an entire Vietnan War experience complete with a camp set up, river boat in a jungle river setting and helicopters . The main ship is broken into 4 tours so you can pick and chose your areas of interest or do all 4 like we did. We easily spent all day. It was a quick Uber ride from the tourist area and our hotel. Folks mention parking fee but I did not see any paid parking ? Might want to check into that before a visit.

Visiting the USS Yorktown in hill in town was way high on my list of things to do and it was way worth it. Everyone should go visit the ship.

We went early when they opened, was a bit cloudy but the ship itself wasn't hot at all. Run up to the top floor first to see all the fighter jets! Everyone usually milling around the main entrance. USS LAffey (included in the admission) was so interactive and interesting. Staff was helpful and pleasant! The Vietnam display was realistic also including sounds!

Lots of options to customize your trip and great views. Very interesting history and facilities are clean. Do NOT go on high heat and humidity days! AC is only available in a few small areas and it tends to be crowded. Lots of walking, stairs etc. so only a few parts around are stroller friendly. Great experience but best done in cooler months. There is a lot to tour so plan at least 1/2 day here minimum.

Awesome experience touring a WW2 era Aircraft Carrier and Destroyer. The Museum Displays and Aircraft were really Awesome! Definitely allow 2-3 hours for your visit.

This was a great experience. Easy parking for $5. Plan to spend many hours looking, reading, and walking around and there are steps to climb. If you are visiting on a cooler day it can get windy so bring a jacket. The submarine portion is no longer available.

Excellent place to tour to learn about the history of ship and it's huge. Makes you proud of our country :)

The museum was maybe one of the best values in the entire area. There was a lot to see and learn. A large gold car was on hand to give a ride to those needing help getting out to the ship. It is very handicap assessible. The museums were very nice and we loved the flight deck will all the aircraft. We didn't allow nearly enough time to visit everything they offered. We should have planned for an entire day to visit everything. Its always a great sign when you leave wanting more!

Very well curated “museum “. The layout of exhibits as well as descriptive signs enhanced the visit. The addition of “period” aircraft on flight deck really drives home how huge these vessels are. Make you appreciate what life was like on these monsters that housed crews of over 3500. Exhibits also honored medal of Freedom winners. Visit was a winner!

Well worth the stop if you are in the area. We wish we had more time to do all the self guided tours but maybe on our next visit. The vietnam war exhibit was well done and a nice addition.

My son had AP world history class this past semester at school and was SO super excited about seeing the battleship. We spent 7 hours there and had an amazing family day. Highly recommend this tour. The people there are helpful and friendly.

How lucky are they to have amazing volunteers to offer you guidance upon entering? I could not thank them enough...and we both loved this amazing site and felt so lucky to have been able to experience it.

We were lucky enough to get the Captains Tour of the USS Yorktown by retired Naval Aviator Jim Pollard. This was for me a very personal experience because my late father was a LtCdr on CV-8 USS Hornet and was on board for Doolittle's Raid. Since he passed away when I was very young I never got to hear the stories, so visiting the Yorktown was a chance for me to see what his working environment during WWII.
Jim's gracious and engaging manner of leading the tour, his delivery of the details of life on board, as well as lots of facts and stats about the ship were direct and often funny, as a career pilot I felt some kinship and shared wry humor.
Jim leads a great tour, if you are lucky enough to get him as your guide you will be rewarded with an informative and often humorous time!
Many Thanks Jim!
Peter S, Maine

My family had a great time at Patriot's Point. It was a fun way to connect with history. Our children enjoyed the day and there was something for everyone to experience.

To see up close how sailors lived that served (and died) for our country was remarkable. Take the better part of the day to do all the self guided tours. Make sure to see both ships, as well as the recreated Vietnam village.

This is a self paced and self guided tour not to be missed. The gentlemen working the information desk inside the USS Yorktown were extremely helpful and recommended we begin with Tour 2 on the flight deck. It was impressive to see the various planes and imagine landing and taking off. We then visited other areas of the ship - laundry, bakery, officers cabins, crew's quarters, etc. Hard to imagine living and working in such tight spaces. Like other reviewers have noted, despite the fans, it can get hot in those tight spaces. Made us even more thankful to the men who served and fought for our freedom.

We ALWAYS stop at Patriots Point when near Charleston, it’s historical, presented in a very visual manner, and makes you appreciate how the Heroes of World War 2 and beyond keep this country safe! A “MUST SEE” for the younger generation and many memories for Veterans. A lot of stairs & walking on the various tours, but well worth it!

This is an incredible experience that ALL Americans should seek out. I visited as a Girl Scout many years ago, and it was impactful. I went with a few girlfriends about a week ago and loved it so much I brought my whole family. We live five hours away and came on our way home from a road trip. It was worth the lengthy detour. Plan on spending the entire day. We didn’t get through everything in the four hours we planned for it. Each person with whom we interacted, was FANTASTIC! We were greeted by a wonderfully animated Veteran who took time explaining the best way to spend our time on the USS Yorktown. We also interacted with a young man who will be joining the Air Force which made my son’s day. Wear all your patriotic gear for some awesome picture opportunities and bring Kleenex for the theater experience. Absolutely awesome!

What a great place to see, and if you have kids they will love it. I knew aircraft cariers were big but wow this thing is huge. They have many planes to see and walking through the different floors you learn how the sailors lived on it. It is wheelchare friendly with elevators. The ship USS Laffey is there also, It is crazy what this boat went through during the war. There is a film explaining how it was almost blown up.

charleston and patriots point has been a bucket list item for some time. the yorktown and laffe ships were a step back in time. pity the sub hasnt survived it's aging and is no longer accessible. the Vietnam experience was very well done as well. do yourself a favor and book a captain's tour; approx 90 mins. you get access to parts of the ship that u cannot access on your own. our guide Don (ex marine) was affable and well versed on many of the historical anecdotes connected with the Yorktown

We paid extra for the bull dog tour guide but it was well worth it. Our guide was wonderful, gave excellent information and this tour takes you behind the scenes. I would highly recommend this tour

Wow what a day!!!
We were advised to reserve at least two hours.... I say MAKE IT A DAY!
Bring lunch... the sandwich machine is okay but not great.
The aircraft carrier is just amazing, but make sure you also tour USS Laffey for one helluva history lesson that will move you like little else can.
The Vietnam Memorial area is equally interesting and shares insights into the reality of that war.
Seriously... make it a day. We were there for six hours and never realized it LOL

Toured the York Town impressive, toured the Lafety, sister ship to one my husband served on. The Vietnam exhibit was the best I have seen. Since that is the era I grew up in, really brought home what was happening there and when the service men returned.

Wonderful experience on the floating carrier Yorktown… we paid extra for the captains tour but it was well worth the extra money.. the guide Tom was so informative and interesting… my husband was in the USS Forestall a lot was similar which brought back memories of the 60’s for him!!!

Wonderful display of ships and their part in our history. Great way to spend a day. Also have a area of the Vietnam experience. Everything is spotless and educational. Easy to get to and parking is safe.

We've been here several times. It's a great place to explore with children and let them get a little hands on with military history. Kids will love the Aircraft Carrier, Submarine, Vietnam Base, Navy Cruiser, And several smaller attractions from Vietnam Museum, Medal of Honor Museum, NASA Attractions and Plenty of historic aircraft on the flight deck.
You get to roam through the Sub and the Aircraft Carrier on your own or take a guided tour. This can easily take a whole day alone exploring some great military history. Everyone will have a blast, my kids did. They also offer 4th of July activities, Veterans Discounts, Sleep over parties on the Aircraft Carrier and Haunted Tours. 100% Recommended.

Great place to stop. Especially if you are interested in history. Friendly knowledgeable staff/ volunteers. Really enjoyed this tour. Must see.

This was a great battleship experience. The entire tour needs at least 3-4 hours to adequately enjoy the experience. There is also a helicopter tour available, but it requires two riders per trip out. There are, like other ships, several levels to traverse in this tour with arrows pointing to the way. There are drink vending machines along the way as well. There is a replica (or an original, not sure) of an Apollo capsule on display that one can sit inside of. There might be long lines to wait for this capsule visit.

Very interesting. The World War 2 Destroyer and Aircraft Carrier are well preserved and impressive to tour. Both ships have compartments that show actual battle scene footage that is humbling. The aircraft aboard the carrier is interesting. The only downside is the WW2 submarine. It is rusted hulk that the people in front of us refused to enter. The part you can tour is interesting, but incomplete. Supposedly there is a larger Cold War submarine on display. The ticket seller did not mention it and there was no signage that we saw pointing you to it. I would have loved to tour that submarine. For some reason the real helicopter tours were not running. But no one in the ticket office knew why. .It does have a large, cool gift shop.

This was an interesting visit to see history that has been made and that this ship was a part of it. Seeing some of the old tech that was capable of running a ship this size that carried so many people and so much equipment. There were radios on board that I maintained when I was in the Army in the late 70s and early 80s. Obviously, the equipment was used by multiple services. I only wish we had had time to see everything on the tour but we needed to make our ferry to Ft Sumter. This is a trip that will have to be made again.

This is an absolute must if visiting the Charleston area, especially for those interested in naval and World War 2 history. Be sure to allow ample time to tour both ships, as well as the Vietnam Experience. Be aware that the price for parking at the site is very excessive ($30 for four hours), which must be added to your entrance ticket to get the true admission price. Here's a cost-saving tip -- park a quarter-mile away at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium behind the Cold War Submarine Memorial (FREE) and walk over to the naval museum complex. The Charleston downtown parking garage has a maximum daily charge of $18 for comparison.

Best 5 hours we spent while visiting Charleston, we totally enjoyed our visit. Just so much to see, learn and absorb. Great tribute to those that served on the Yorktown.

We spent far longer here than we had earlier anticipated as there was so much to see on this fascinating site. Clearly the biggest attraction is the huge WWII Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10). My son and I spent our time going slowly around the 4 separate walking tours on this ship. It meant a lot of climbing up and down the narrow, steep internal stairs (ladders) but we were really keen to see as much as possible. Down in the bowels of the ship you have to fight any concerns of claustrophobia, notably in the small space for the brig (ships prison). There is so much to see and read about the history of the ship. And, then on various decks, there is a plethora of fighter planes. Later I read that there are 29 different aircraft in total, each with its own description & history. We liked just walking on the main flight deck where we had excellent views of the surrounding area & right over to Charleston. Superb.

But the aircraft carrier is only one part of the museum. Berthed alongside it you have the WWII Destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724) which you can also walk around and explore all the many nooks and crannies. We sat for some time watching a short movie on the Pacific part of World War II including Pearl Harbour and the destruction caused, notably by the Japanese Kamikaze pilots. Must all have been terrifying.

On the outside decks of both ships I was intrigued to hear gunfire and sounds of bombing in the distance. Was it just my ears? No, when we walked over to the nearby Vietnam Experience all was revealed. This is a small but very visual collection of the key military equipment used in the Vietnam War - including very realistic and LOUD battle noises. As we wandered around I half expected to bump into Marlon Brandon in a remake of "The Apocalypse Now". We got talking to the gentleman who was overseeing this mainly outdoor exhibition. Very interesting. May I add that I have been to a big war museum in Ho Chi Minh city (previously Saigon)? It was intriguing to see the comparisons/impressions as perceived by both sides in this dreadful war.

I'm sure that we didn't see everything that this great place has to offer. But we did our best. Oh, by the way, I really liked the souvenir shop where you could buy at least three different types of hand grenades. Unfortunately we weren't sure how to get them back home to Europe as there was a helpful sign telling us that if we tried to take them through an airport then we'd get arrested. Oh well.

A fantastic, thoroughly recommendable day out. All for the princely sum of $27 (for adults) $19 (Seniors). A bargain!!!!

Went with family, and we all like military history. Touring the CV-10 carrier Yorktown was very interesting. I had toured an aircraft carrier several years ago in San Francisco, but I don't remember much about it. This one is set up very well for self-touring. You also have the option of touring with a docent. The CV also hosts overnight camping. There is an exhibit with all of the council strip patches of scout troops who have participated.

The destroyer USS Laffey was probably the most compelling vehicle to tour. The story of the Laffey is incredible. If you love a good story of pulling out triumph in the midst of sheer terror and unfavorable odds, then this is the tour for you.

The Vietnam Experience was interesting. It wasn't as good to tour, but the vehicles and camp set-up were interesting. Let's face it, the "police action" in Vietnam was terrible. I have tons of respect for the men and women who were there. I have no doubt that it would be difficult to create an experience that would recreate the horror. I wouldn't recommend that anyone with Vietnam-related PTSD come to this exhibit. I'm afraid that it may bring back some bad memories or flashbacks.

Wonderful experience. The staff on the battleship was helpful and informative. Explanations of exhibits easy to read. Submarine was available for tours. Naval airplanes also on display along with exhibits from WW1 and Viet Nam as well as WW2 and Gulf wars, Desert Storm memorials were also on the premises..

This was overwhelming in the best possible way. Being able to climb aboard the ships was an amazing experience. They were interactive enough to keep the kids engaged. The Medal of Honor and Vietnam exhibits were also great. A must do if you're in South Carolina.

Never thought we’d enjoy as much but we did! The aircraft carrier is full of old war planes and you could spend hours browsing. Navy Vets will love this!!!

The Vietnam Experience is a must-see and included in the price along with the USS Yorktown. If you are a Vietnam War Vet, it will be especially thrilling to see.

We took the Captains Tour. Andrew was an EXCELLENT and passionate tour guide. We enjoyed his tales. The ship is beautiful and a great historic destination.

Highly recommend the "Captain's Tour" on USS Yorktown. We were able to see special areas not shown on regular tour. Our guide Paul Watters is very knowledgeable and provided great insight about USS Yorktown's history.

Had a great time! The Yorktown is the main attraction but take the time to visit the Laffey and the submarine. We took the captains tour and our guide (Paul Waters) did a great job. I highly recommend the tour.

Great opportunity for older kids to learn history visually. Well done. My dad's fighter is on exhibit, but the wings are folded cause it's really large. Be sure to explain that the wings were hinged to fit more fighters in the carriers. Nice volunteers.

A lot of stairs and a lot of reading as any museum would have . So much information ! We toured the entire ship from engine room to captains chair ! You can easily spend 6 hours plus there . We spent literally 6 hours there going through everything ! It gives a whole new meaning to what our military did and still does .

If you have any interest in WW2 history this is a must see. My wife and I did the Captains tour and were very happy that we did. The guide did a great job of supplying details of what it must have been like on the Yorktown back then.

While this ship was obviously not the one that sank after the battle of Midway it is the same class carrier and very similar. It was amazing seeing just how much equipment is packed into every area.

After the tour you can stay aboard until they close up late afternoon. Be sure to leave a little time to see the destroyer berthed next to the carrier.

Definitely worth visiting. There are multiple self-guided tours of the Yorktown that take you throughout the ship and really give you an idea of what life aboard was like. Could spend a whole day just exploring this one ship. Some of the areas of the ship are a little challenging to get to—very steep and narrow stairways; more like ladders—may be an issue for some people. The Medal of Honor museum is a special exhibit to visit. For someone interested in history—especially military and naval history—this is a must see.

My husband is retired from the Navy. He served on an Aircraft Carrier it was exciting to see up close what he has described to me for years. It was very educational. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Easy to get to and a very beautiful area.

The Yorktown is an interesting walking tour. We have never been on a carrier before, so it was very cool to see how our Navy spent their days/nights on this ship. Got to see the kitchen area that had a 10,000 chocolate chip cookie recipe posted. Sounds like a lot, but if there is a 4000 member crew, that's just 2 per person and some extras. Can't even imagine. The ship was retired in the 70's. Great walking tour. We also toured the USS Laffey, docked right next to Yorktown. This ship was hit by kamikazi aircraft in WWII but wasn't sunk. A History Channel video was playing in one of the areas that detailed that day.

Tip: if you want to see the USS Yorktown and Fort Sumter, park at Patriots point. You can bring your lunch and sit at one of the picnic tables. The fort tour is very short and seemingly takes longer to get there and back on the ferry than on the actual island. The staff was very nice. We saw several dolphins on our ferry trip. You are able to take snacks to the fort.

Our ferry to Fort Sumter was at 12:30pm, so we had 90 minutes in the morning for the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, which is not just an ordinary maritime museum. The museum is actually the retired aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Yorktown, and the destroyer, U.S.S. Laffey. I After the very first five minutes of our Tour #1 I promptly informed my husband that we are returning to the ship the moment our ferry trip to Fort Sumter is over and don’t have a minute to lose. We managed to finish Tour #1 before our trip to Fort Sumter and had three more tours left to do.

U.S.S. Yorktown, the World War II’s famous “Fighting Lady”, was heavily involved in the Pacific campaign which ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. Tour #1 includes the sailors’ living quarters, their mess hall, the galley with its own bakery, the torpedo room, the ship store, etc. At the end of Tour#1 we explored the hangar and got familiar with different types of planes and helicopters carried by the famous ship.

We managed to do full Tour #2 and Tour #3 after our ferry trip to Fort Sumter. Going up and down countless very narrow and steep stairs, but it was more than worth the effort. We got familiar with different types of the WWII, Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm military fighter planes and their heroic pilots, climbed up to the captain’s bridge, saw the engines, the machinery and various navigation devices on the carrier as well as the admiral’s and the warrant officers’ quarters.

After two more hours in the museum we sadly realized that we have to choose between Tour #4 (post office, more administrative facilities, etc.) or a short tour of the destroyer U.S.S. Laffey. We opted for the destroyer and it was quite interesting to see a smaller ship, which protects the carrier.

For those of you who love military history it is a must to see this unique maritime museum.

We want to Charleston for a first time visit to the charming city we have heard so much about. And even all we heard could not compare to its colorful history and friendly charm. But as my husband is a Vietnam veteran and stationed for a time there, he read about the museum and wanted to take me there and give me a close realist experience of what his six years in the Navy were like aboard a destroyer.
I really had no idea until
I actually boarded the ships and watched all the movies and holograms of actual experiences that I knew only from news reels.
I cannot speak to the experience others visiting with no prior personal military experience might have, but we found all of the exhibits, movies and guides (many volunteers who lived the days and experiences in the movies) awesome!
The whole museum brought home the price of our So Loved Freedom.
Personally, I was moved by the actual realism of the Vietnam experience.
Everything was well done!!!
The pride of those who served was so evidenced.
For me, much of it was emotionally charged, but I was So glad to have seen it all. I loved it and now have even more love and respect for our veterans…beginning with the sailor I married.
I thank you whoever that was who had the idea of Patriots Point. And Charleston, is the perfect place to build it.
.

Surprised how good this was. Busy time to visit but enjoyed it. Nice demonstration and good tour. Friendly staff. Would recommend.

Visited Patriots Point last week and still thinking about it today. It was great to be able to see all exhibits for one price. We started with the Vietnam exhibit and was literally blown away by how realistic it was. Upon entering you go through an museum like area with the history of the conflict, models, displays and a short movie. You then go outside and 'experience" what a military camp would have been like while stationed there. It was very well done and realistic. The USS Laffey and USS Yorktown were also very good and informative. It was interesting to learn the history behind each boat. We ran into a volunteer on the USS Yorktown and he was very knowledgeable about the carrier as well as the war in general. They also have a small Medal of Honor museum on the Yorktown. I would highly recommend everyone to visit and see what our fathers/uncles/grandfathers went through to ensure our freedom as well as others.

My husband and I enjoyed this. We were disappointed the submarine was not open and no one mentioned it (not at the parking, ticket booth or the website). Gave me a huge appreciation of the sacrifice our military makes for our freedoms. There were several areas to visit, I think 5 in all. Saw all ages enjoying.

What an interesting place to visit! We arrived here shortly after noon and just had enough time to see it all before they closed! With your general admission ticket you get to fully explore the aircraft carrier, Yorktown, with many planes on it and even a space craft! You also can board the destroyer, Laffey and a submarine, Clamagore. The tours are self guided and self paced. My father served on a diesel submarine back in the 1950s, so it was cool for me to see what he would have experienced.

If you have any mobility issues, I am not sure this is a place for you to go. We had to climb ladders, squeeze into spaces, there are lots of places where stumbling would be easy to do, we had to squat to get through the sub hatches. It was a great, yet exhausting experience and we are both pretty fit.

This was an experience that every American needs to see to appreciate. All three: The USS Yorktown, The USS Laffey, and the USS Clamagore were truly inspiring.

The Medal of Honors hall should NOT be missed.

Lots of walking, and eat a hearty meal before you go as there is only a snack bar and you will be spending HOURS exploring.

Really enjoyed this attraction. The carrier had 4 self guided tours that were easy to follow. There was a small attraction inside the Vietnam era section that got the wife's heart pumping really fast. This was one of our favorite things that we visited on our trip to Charleston.

This is a must do for anyone interested in American military history. The exhibits are very impressive and there is a lot of information given. We opted to take the Captain's tour and it was worth every penny! Tom was our guide, he served many years on several aircraft carriers. He was informative and entertaining. His knowledge definitely added to the experience. We spent 4 and a half hours here and did not see everything. Sounds like a good reason to plan a return trip!

We visited 26 years ago and were happy to return. USS Yorktown is still the same grand old lady but the exhibits and displays have bene updated. Fascinating insight to life on board and the daily risks undertaking by all involved.
Great visit - if coming from Charleston i would recommend using the Water Taxi as you get fantastic views of the harbor and any shipping up close as well as seeing dolphins, many of which congregate around the hull of Yorktown.

Great experience. You can't go see an aircraft carrier everyday. Lots of good displays that are well done and give a lot of history. Handicap and disabled accessible on many levels of the ship. Lots of opportunities for views of the city. Great additional displays here of the battleship and a Vietnam War display too. Worth the stop and the time to visit.

We took the Captains Tour and what a delight. Our guide was a small lady with a huge knowledge of WW2 and the Yorktown. She made the tour so interesting and exciting. Our tour lasted about an hour and half. You need to plan at least 3 hours to see everything after the tour. Bring school age kids. The ship and the times it represents is amazing. We had a large group and Kevin was a great help to us as well.

The entire facility is very well organized & gives you a chance to experience all the ships, etc. at your own pace with guidance. This place is a must for any U.S. History/U.S. Navy lover.

History is so cool! We really enjoyed the self guided tours on the Yorktown. The ship is pretty much as it was in so many areas. Few items to note: the stairs are steep and narrow. Wear good shoes, definitely not flip flops. It was super hot when we visited. The aircraft had several air conditionedbareas as well as big fans. The only area that was miserable was the flight deck. An umbrella to block the rays would have been helpful.

Very cool place to visit. Spent hours here and didn’t even go to the very top! I really enjoyed visiting.

There is so much to see here, it’s not possible to get through it all! Definitely prioritize what you want to do. We were there for 2.5 hours and it wasn’t enough time, but some of our favorite spots were the Flight and Hangar decks of the USS Yorktown. The Hangar deck had the Medal of Honor Museum which is a must see (also, amazing spot with AC!!). Loved their videos and although the sticker machine wasn’t working for the kids the day we visited, it was still a cool idea. We also enjoyed the Aviation Hall of Fame. Other members of my family loved viewing all of the aircraft. Prior reviewers are right about how hot it is while you’re touring. You can purchase water at the gift shop for $2/bottle and there are also vending machines with drinks next to the USS Yorktown. We were able to get a golf cart ride from the parking lot and to the ship on the way in; we walked on the way back.

There is a lot to see here. Allow enough time (2.5 hours +).
Maybe I am biased, the USS Alabama in Mobile is a much better tour. We wanted to see the carrier, and it is cool but a lot of it looks the same after a while and we did not do all 4 tours. A quick walk-thru the Laffey was good, maybe we should have stopped at some of the videos?
Still, I would recommend it and enjoy seeing this piece of history.

We had a great boat trip to Fort Sumter. The Rangers and volunteers there were so informative.
We were sorry that we were too tired to go aboard the USS Yorktown, maybe next time.

There was A LOT to see/do, and we didn’t get to more than the main Yorktown decks. Kids loved climbing around and looking at the planes. There was a really cool special exhibit on WWII uniforms, including garments belonging to local people, and details about their lives and experiences. (My fave, and not just because it was air conditioned.) We took a picnic lunch and ate in the shaded pavilion between the ticket booth/gift shop and the attractions. Get there early - parking was full when we left.

This was an amazing experience. We came on a beautiful day the history is amazing. My father is a Vietnam Vet and they have added the Vietnam experience to the grounds. A gentleman greeted us with the last name of Singleton or Singletary ( I apologize) but he took time to give us a full fledged history on the boats, he is am amazing asset. The submarine is still in harbor but not open to the public. You can see so much history it's just amazing. The different aircraft, the sheer size of the vessels. And the views from top deck. Wear comfy shoes/ other. Pack a picnic. Enjoy your visit. There are helicopter rides and boat rides on sightseeing cruises available at an additional purchase. Very recommend experience.

This is a true WW2 Gem. Takes you back in the history books. The Yorktown is awsome and the PT boat and Submarine were very cool. The view of Charleston from Patiots Point is awsome. What a slice of Americana.

The USS Laffey has an incredible story of survival. The USS Yorktown had a storied existence. Both are there in one place to tell their stories. Highly recommend.

my son in law and I did the Yorktown self tour before the family ate at the Charleston Harbor Fish House..we spent about an hour, excellent tour, lots of good information...I was stationed on a Carrier (USS Tripoli CVE-64), which was very small compared to this, had a great time, unfortunately the ship's store was closed by the time we finished touring, so no souvenirs...I think my Grandson did get me a lapel pin a few days later when he and his family did the tour...

Of all the things a visitor to Charleston, South Carolina, can do for excitement and entertainment and sight-seeing pleasure, I've never experienced anything more exhilarating since Cowboys and Indians than taking self-guided tours through the USS Yorktown, the World War 11 aircraft carrier moored at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. See a map of five self-guided tours and follow the colored markers from flight deck to hangar to galley to wardrooms to auxiliary rooms to bridge to captain's cabin to plot to mess hall, even the engine room. See memorabilia, military art, diaries, uniforms, archival photographs and artifacts. See planes, including a Wildcat, Hellcat, Hornet, Corsair, Dauntless Avenger, Phantom and a B-25 Mitchell. Located at 40 Patriots Point Road, in Charleston Harbor, in Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River from Charleston, the Naval & Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 to 5. Aside from the USS Yorktown, visitors can view the USS Laffey, a World War 11 destroyer that was off Utah Beach on D-Day and was at Leyte Gulf for the invasion of the Phillipines, the Medal of Honor Museum, the Apollo spacecraft and the Vietnam Experience. Also find time to squeeze in a boat trip to Fort Sumter. And don't miss a new exhibit, the USS Yorktown Ship Library, which offers visitors a unique look at what life was like on board the ships. I miss the submarine, which was towed to Norfolk in 2022. The USS Yorktown, named for the USS Yorktown that was sunk at the Battle of Midway, was built in 16 1/2 months in 1942 and went on to serve significantly in the Pacific. Later, it served in Vietnam, recovered the Apollo astronauts and was decommissioned in 1970. In 1975, it was towed from Bayonne, New Jersey, to become the centerpiece of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

So much to see and learn history while touring. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore all the exhibits. Ships and planes and a walk through the “Vietnam Experience “.

Huge display of military equipment and history. So much to see and do between all the different museums located on this site. Well worth a full day of exploration.

Excellent collection of WWII aircraft. A similar collection of Cold War aircraft, though many of them on the flight deck are in poor condition. Well documented exhibits.

FASCINATING! The USS Yorktown CV-10 and USS Laffey are docked at Patriot's Point and the public can look around onboard to their heart's content. Bonus, is the aircraft that are on display on the carrier deck. Much history here and a must see for all Americans.

Our tour guide, Paul Watters from Bulldog Tours, did a fantastic job explaining the naval museum and USS Yorktown. He obviously is a well-read historian. His knowledge of Yorktown and other naval history of the WWII era was impressive. He even added tidbits of how terms like sick bay, head, boatswain, all hands on deck, scuttlebutt, and other naval/sea terms originated. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

My husband and I came down to see this for his 50th birthday. It was absolutely worth the 14 hour drive.

We paid for the captains tour, which is totally worth it! Our tour guide , Mike C, was in both the navy and the Air Force and was extremely knowledgeable. You get to see parts of the ship that aren’t on the normal tour.

This ship is HUGE with a lot of ladders to go up and down. Be prepared and where good sneakers.

We had a wonderful time touring the ship, museums and flight deck with all of the different airplanes! The ship was very accessible with volunteers driving golf carts to the ship (it is quite a walk in the heat) as well as having elevators on board. There are guided tours, etc. We just explored on our own. We loved all of the history and exhibits. The recipes in the bakery and kitchen were fascinating! Imagine baking thousands of chocolate chip cookies for the servicemen! The dental services rendered were very interesting. The Medal of Honor Museum was exceptionally special and made us very grateful for our military heroes who fought for our freedoms! We left with an incredible sense of appreciation for each soldiers bravery, service and sacrifice! So thankful for our military (former and current). So proud to be an American!

Fabulous. Organized. Very informative. Lots to see, read, watch. We were there for 4 hours and did about 60% of the USS Yorktown and the Vietnam experience. Did not have time for the USS Laffey or submarine before closing.

Was told about this place by a friend sounded like a excellent place being a Vietnam Veteran. The 38 dollars was a over payment. So sad that they take your money and give u nothing except what has been there for many years. There is so much that these places could do to improve their presentation but heven forbid. I was very disappointed after seeing this . They need some serious upgrades or need to open it for free. My wife was even shocked and said this is a total shame. Do not recommend this place at all unless it's free and then I have my doubts.

This was my second time there and I could go back for more. Our daughter's first time and she loved it. You really get the feeling of what life was like aboard these ships. We only toured the Yorktown. The sub was closed so to covid. The ship is well maintained. We did the self guided tour which is easy to follow.

There are also elevators for people who cannot climb stairs. Just a note, these aren't normal stairs. Most are steep.

Went to the USS Yorktown & USS Laffey with my husband, a history buff. We spent about 4 hours there. The majority of the time we were on the Yorktown. There are several educational videos that we watched and several airplanes that we could view. The veteran volunteers were friendly and welcoming.

This is a very cool place to go. Learned lots of history and respect for service members. It was very very hot in July. Expect to be soaked with sweat. They have a lot of vending machines to purchase water, Gatorade, soda and snacks. We each drank 4 it was so hot. If you have physical mobility issues meaning if you can not climb ladders and steep steps then it is not the place for you at all. If you do not like small tight spaces then it is also not for you.

Yorktown and the Vietnam Experience is a must see. The history and stories will move you. Brave men and women serving USA

From beginning to end, this visit was well worth the time. Upon approaching the ships on the dock, we were greeted by one of the staff with advice on touring and where to take advantage of all of the displays and exhibits. Once aboard the Yorktown, the smell of "old ship" was in the air and the rich history of the vessel came alive. Walking through the passageways on multiple decks it was easy to imagine being aboard the ship during its heyday.
The hangar deck alone was well worth the price of admission. The collection of World War II aircraft, the space capsules, and the Wall of Aviation Heroes was outstanding. Each of the exhibits allowed for self-guided tours as it was well documented and explained. The Apollo capsule experience was fantastic! The Museum contained unique pieces that everyone should see. And that was just one deck.
Touring the ship at your own pace allows visitors to enjoy each and every step of the tour. From top to bottom and bow to stern, there is more to see at every turn of the labyrinth-like passageways. And that was just one of the three ships.
The entire park is well maintained and easy to access, but this visit is not one that should be done if short on time. Plan for several hours in order to see and experience all of the items on display in and around the park.

My friend and neighbor was on a four day weekend to South Carolina and we were looking for something to see so he picked up the brochure from our hotel and this is where we ended up. This place is quite amazing and so well worth the time because there is so many things to see and learn especially for the younger generation to know what it's like to work and live at sea. It takes about 3 hours for the tour but anyone would like this. It's docked at the mouth of the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor.

It was very impressive to see an aircraft carrier like the Yorktown. We took a tour on ourselvers w/o a guide or audio-guide. Nearly all areas of the ship are accessible. Some new fashioned aircrafts do not really fit to the historic ship.

You have to see it when in Charleston. My husband and I visited Patriots Point this week. We took a water taxi that departed near the Aquarium. We arrived right when they opened, and a retired navy captain came over to us and asked if we wanted a free private tour given by him of the upper flight deck/tower that tourists aren't normal allowed to see on the USS Yorktown. We agreed and it took about 45 minutes. His boss came along as well. Had to climb many levels of the ship via ladder-like steps. The captain was very informative and answered many questions we had. It made the visit more special to us. Although we didn't go into the museum section, we did go through most of the tours on the USS Yorktown, read some of the pictures, saw some videos, climbed into a Gemini rocket/shuttle. It was all very fascinating to us, especially since both of our fathers were in the Navy in WWII. We also saw the airplanes and helicopter and toured the destroyer Laffey and the submarine on site. We didn't stay on the submarine very long as it was crowded and only seemed to have one way in/out and when we tried to go back out it was difficult navigating past people in the very narrow passages. Larger people may want to skip the submarine because it was tight quarters. If you go when they first open, it's not crowded at all. The volunteers were very nice and knowledgeable on the USS Yorktown as well.

Truly an excellent experience. This makes our 4th US carrier museum visited. Is largely a self-guided experience, but with interesting video and static displays. Plenty to see - plan for 2-3 hours for the entire suite of the 4 tours and the CMH Museum. If visiting the adjacent, USS Laffey, add an additional 60-90 minutes. Read up on your history of the USS Laffey ahead of time to enhance your experience aboard this historic WW 2 ship.

Very detailed and informative experience. So much to see and do for only $30! We stayed for 3 hours and could have spent the rest of the day and not see it all. Wear cool clothing and take water, but it is worth the heat.

We spent over 2 hours touring the aircraft carrier Yorktown and could have dawdled a little more. It is huge, and we visited every place available. We did a self-guided tour, but the signage is excellent, so we learned a lot. We also toured the Laffey, a destroyer, and enjoyed it also.

This was the highly anticipated highlight of our trip for hubby who is a history buff. We easily spent 2 hours in just the Yorktown. Lots of historical displays, planes, info, etc. Fascinating to see every area of this amazing ship. The Medal of Honor Museum is very moving. On loan display of vintage uniforms cool to see. Views of shoreline are great from both the hanger and flight decks. Greatly appreciate the senior discount and elevator. A must see if you are in the area.

Very patriotic. Wear shoes comfortable and safe on ladders. Recommend doing self guided tour 1,2, and 3. Learn about life on the ship. Vietnam Nam exhibit is the first I've experienced. Sounds are very realistic and startling. Get a cookie in the gift shop.

You could seemingly spend days at this complex of historical military vehicles and equipment. An absolute abundance of information and sights that any history junkie would eat up.

We opted for the Captain's Tour led by a veteran and absolutely loved it. You gain access to areas unavailable to general admission customers (such as the Captain's Quarters, one of the interiors of a small plane on the inside of the boat, the top of the ship where the anchor is let down, etc). It can be pretty overwhelming to do the tour yourself and the added knowledge of the tour guide gives a lot more life to the areas you go through.

This was a great rainy day activity except that the high winds meant we couldn't go outside on the deck which was a shame. Probably spent half a day there and only did the Captain's Tour and walked around the other Yorktown exhibits ourselves. Just goes to show how much you can do here.

My 9 year old son and I spent almost 3 hours here. He had a blast. We took the water taxi over and then grabbed an Uber back to the hotel because we missed the last departure of the water taxi. Adult admission was $27 and child was $16. He also wanted to ride in the Pulseworks Simulator which was an additional $8..he said it was super cool. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing because you will be doing a lot of walking and climbing up and down very steep, narrow stairs. Most spots on the lower decks have no AC so it gets hot...bring water! Very nice views of the bridge. My son had a really fun time exploring the 2 ships. Large giftshop with nice selection of items.

A bit pricey - tried to use a savings code at ticket booth, it did not work. You can save by buying tickets online. Grand kids loved exploring the boats (started with the Lafey first). You can bring your own food/snacks and water. We spent almost 3 hours exploring and walking. The self-guided tours are well marked. Ship stairs are ship stairs, took my time going down!

A great experience, seeing the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier, the USS Laffey, a destroyer,
lots of military aircraft, a Medal Of Honor display, and an authentic Vietnam War base, and Vietnam War display.
Everything is well-maintained, and there are plaques, signs, mannequins, sound effects,and holograms,
giving viewers a real glimpse of US history!
Lots of close parking ($5 per hour), and free
golfcart shuttles.

Went on site an hour before they closed, they only sell tickets online, so wasted valuable time with a frustrating website that was difficult to use with my phone and no student discount, but once I wrapped that up, we sprinted to the ship to walk 2 of the 4? self-guided tours. Walking the well-labeled painted paths, will take you past the machine rooms which still have that nostalgic smell of oil, the cafeteria, the ready room. Don't miss a walk on the outside main deck. We ran out of time to see the other areas and bridge, but would gladly come back to finish the touer, walk the smaller ship, and see the Vietnam Experience. Odd the gift shop closes before the exhibit? Would be nice if they sold tickets in the gift shop, and offered a student discount..

We had fun with our grandson exploring the two ships moored here as well at the Vietnam section. The three of us followed the signs for all four self-guided tours throughout several decks. In the process we saw how pilots and sailors experienced life during World War II. We also briefly walked through the Vietnam area and got a feeling of what is was like for soldiers and Marines who fought there.

Awe-inspiring opportunity to experience--the sheer size! Strong narrative descriptions throughout and plenty to see for young and old. A lot of stairs, but elevator to main deck an option. Early June and temps were already high. Motivates one to learn more about naval history in WWII. Large gift shop.---Online tickets make arrival easy. $5.00 parking fee.

This Is Tom’s third visit to this naval museum and because we had recently returned from San Diego, California and a 6-hour walk around the Aircraft Carrier Midway; Tom had planned to skip most of this gallant lady (CV 10 Yorktown), but his need to revisit one of the four engine rooms again took over, and we spent some time in the engineering space he relates well to. This is a relatively a small carrier.

The original Yorktown CV- 5 was sunk by the Japanese at the battle of Midway and was the sister ship to the Saratoga which survived the war, (Saratoga went to the bottom in 1946 with the Atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll = a place Tom spent a week diving the Saratoga and a bunch of other ships and submarines that went down in the A bomb testing).
The carrier (new Yorktown CV 10) was originally laid down as a Heavy cruiser, but aircraft carriers proved to be more valuable during WWII and thus she received a redesign into an aircraft carrier while under former intended construction as a cruiser).
With that narrow original hull design of a cruiser, the Yorktown is MUCH narrower than the Midway we viewed for 6 hours in San Diego last May.

Tom’s main target / focus was to visit the Historical WWII destroyer, Laffey, The Laffey was hit by six Japanese suicide aircraft off of Okinawa (rebuilt and survived the war).

The most depressing view of today was of the rotting remains of the US WWII submarine, USS Clamorer SS 343. (too expensive to maintain / put back in shape

What a very interesting and sometimes emotional place to visit. We did the guided tour which is in addition to your ticket but well worth it. Our tour guide was Bill and he was so dynamic and really brought thing to life. This tour takes you into the inner workings of the ship to really see how the sailors lived and also climbed all those ladders which we got to experience. Coming from a Navy family made me appreciate what my father went thru during his Navy life. So glad he returned alive and well unlike many others. Your ticket enables you to wonder thru a Destroyer and an Airplane carrier in addition to many other exhibits. What a really nice exhibit and what great staff some of which are Navy Veteran Volunteers. We both really enjoyed this exhibit and seeing the airplanes and also a space capsule. When I learned that the electronics on this first space endeavor were less powerful than our current day cell phones I was in awe that anyone would agree to pilot this into outer space. Fascinating! We cant wait to go back and see it again. If you're a vet or know one its an experience that they will thoroughly enjoy. Well worth twice the admission fee!

you can read this review, but frankly there are 4700 others, all 5 star....easy to get to, plenty of reasonable priced parking, a real piece of history; you can smell it, the self tours of the crews quarters/mess/dental and medical bays, engine rooms, bunk house, etc are all really impressive. There are a couple dozen varied planes and copters on the flight and top decks. I personally really recommend the Medal of Honor museum, extremely moving. Take some time and give these MOH recipients some of the immortality they deserve by looking up a few and reading what they did.

What a great, living testament to our history. The exhibits and planes were amazing. The fact that it is basically run by volunteers, many of whom are veterans, is very cool. Folks said the Captains tour [which is of the USS Yorktown carrier and did not include the destroyer btw] was a must... but we could have done without. You do get to see a few places with the tour guide that others don't get to see, like the Forecastle and captains quarters. Some of the things the tour guide said seemed false or exaggerated, but ultimately I don't have the inclination to research everything. I found being in a tour group slightly annoying - basically it's just a person taking you around telling you anecdotes, and you're literally skipping all of the exhibits so just have to go back and read everything. To me, this just made our visit take longer since we had to go back anyway. I guess it just depends on what you like as a traveler. I am not a fan of tour groups in any form.

This should be a national monument..one that every American should see. It was VERY moving. The downside was the parking fee. Welcome to the world of privitization and shocking surprises. Our parking bill was nearly half the price of a ticket. Parking fees are putting a damper on things that are important to ordinary Americans.

My friend and I visited Patriots Point to see the ships. First we toured the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. There was so much to see. We could have spent the whole day. You can walk all over the ship, look at the displays, watch movies about the history of the ship and WWII. We took the stairs into the lower levels of the ship and spent time wandering around. I had no idea where we were on the ship or how to get back out until we stumbled across some stairs. But we saw all sorts of interesting displays. On the deck we looked over the various planes that were parked there. Very interesting.

We moved over to the USS Laffey Destroyer and toured it. This was another tour worth the time. The submarine is also included, but it was down for repairs while we were visiting. We did get to look through the Vietnam experience which was worth the time. Overall, this Naval & Maritime Museum is worth seeing.

Very interesting! Kids and adults found it very informative but fun. A lot of walking and some tight spaces :) Loved the smaller boat and seeing dolphins.

We arrived early to this attraction. We had booked on line and entrance was easy. Large car park and restrooms available , near the gift shop.
We started our self tour in the Vietnam display which was both moving and very well done. Part of it was inside and some outside with various tanks and helicopters etc. The sound affects outside were very good but a chilling reminder of what it was probably like in real life back then.
We then moved on to the Aircraft carrier the USS Yorktown. We were lucky enough to be in the presence of a number of Yorktown Veterans who were willing and able to chat and remember their time on board with anyone wanting to listen to them .
The carrier is very large lots of displays to read and see. Also you can climb up to the flight deck where there a a few planes and helicopters to see. There are plenty of restrooms and a small cafe/ kiosk.
Defworth a visit if history is your interest.

Amazing to get to see and visit these huge ships with so much history behind them. Great to visit this time of the year without any crowds.

Good family visit with great aircraft carrier USS Yorktown for history lesson and the museum of honor was well done. Lots of walking

Awesome to see if you're a history buff/nerd. Lots of walking but well worth it to see where history happened on such a massive ship

I am so glad we waited to go here until the kids were off to college. I got to take my time and read everything I wanted to read and look at every display. If you are not into history and specifically military history, you probably won't have a good time here. Also, be prepared to walk and climb. The Laffy had some maintenance going on so some areas were not open to the public. The self guided tour is not as clearly marked as it is on the Yorktown. Over all, a great day. We spent about five hours going through all three displays and probably could have spent a good deal more time there if we had read EVERY little thing.

If you like modern naval history, I highly recommend. This restored aircraft carrier is a floating museum of WWII, Korea, the Cold War and Vietnam. Don’t miss this!

This museum is fantastic! By far one of the best naval museums I have ever been too. Here you can visit the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier that is loaded with aircraft ranging from WWII to modern day. Also, the USS Laffey Sumter-Class Destroyer AKA: the ship that would not die, is on display. I would highly recommend the Fat Electricians Youtube video on the ship. Lastly there is a replica of a Vietnam-Era Navy Forward Operating Base with a Riverine Patrol Boat, various aircraft and vehicles on display.

I took my girls on the captains tour of the Yorktown. It lasted two hours and was very informative of the ships capabilities and history. They both were pleasantly surprised at how cool it was. All of the staff at this facility are very well educated, polite and sociable. Our tour guide was a former Naval Aviator, super cool and laid-back. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in military history.

Parking is not free, but not expensive. Tickets are kind of pricey, but not horrible. Keeping naval artifacts in good condition is expensive. The specialized tours are well worth the money and not overly expensive.

We recently visited Patriot’s Point with high hopes, but unfortunately, it’s clear the attraction has seen better days. The history is undeniably rich, and there are some fascinating exhibits, but much of the experience feels stuck in the past — and not in a good way.

The volunteers we interacted with were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the site. They were a highlight of the visit and deserve a lot of credit for keeping the spirit of the place alive.

However, the overall experience needs serious modernization. Many exhibits are dated, and some displays include fake food props that look like they're straight out of a 1980s cafeteria.

Patriot’s Point has all the potential. It just needs the leadership to match the dedication of its volunteers.

We scored a very knowledgeable, sweet veteran named Bob. He gave us an extensive tour of the Laffe. Things we would have never heard! Then we walked over and toured the USS Yorktown carrier. We just did this one on our own. Lots of planes inside the carrier and up on the deck, so cool!! We love history so this was wonderful!

We spent just over four hours touring the ship. I got a combo ticket with Fort Sumpter to save a few bucks. Do all four "tours" on the ship - just guided paths to make sure you see everything. The Lassey destroyer is worth seeing as well. Do the Vietnam experience as well. A great day out.

Both the Yorktown and Laffey are well prepared for touring. The Yorktown is MASSIVE and you get to go through a surprising number of areas. Lots of signs explaining so much. Childhood dream fulfilled.

Went in July for a graduation on the aircraft carrier; it is an amazing historical site. The breeze made it much nicer in July.

This was a wonderful experience. The USS Yorktown is a wonderful place to explore but we also went in to the submarine and the Lafferty Destroyer. There are guided tours but we wandered around on our own following the three tours mapped out on the ship. The Medal of Honors hall is also very moving and worth a visit. Definitely can easily spend a half a day of more.
Note: There is limited food available, only a self serve snack bar on board the ship.

If Patriot’s Point isn’t at the top of your Charleston agenda, rethink it! This is the absolute, hands-down must-see thing in Charleston. You get to go inside navy ships - large and small and understand the lives of a sailor and other military personnel aboard these ships. I will say, there are a lot of tight quarters, narrow halls, and dozens of steep ladders/stairs to climb as your tour up and down and across the ships. I walked about 3 miles in total across 3.5 hours that we spent. We had to hurry through - and it still took us 3.5 hours. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. The Vietnam experience is unique and worth walking through. The self guided tours were pretty well labeled so you can navigate your way through. Plenty of hands on things you can touch and watch, too.
The Medal of Honor Museum was awesome. Had a blast.

Great place to visit. The Yorktown has 4 tours. I recommend taking 3 & 4 first, then 1 , then 2. #2 has the most stairs to climb making it the best candidate to miss. It was instructive to see the places on the ship. How it is a complete city on its own. I would not recommend going to see it in the summer no a/c, very few fans. The exhibits were interesting and enjoyable. You can spend all day here. An extremely valuable history lesson.

A great visit! We had a lot of fun, so much our tour took 6hrs!!! The museum is super complete and even has interactive experiences! Great for families with kids and teens!

Patriots point is a must!! My husband and I took our 17 and 14 year old kids. We all loved the history on display. It was amazing day to get to walk through the ship knowing its contribution. The crew and all the heros named at the museum will not be forgotten. We experienced educational moments while reading through all the areas on display. We walked through the carrier ship on our on as well as the Vietnam experience. There are guided tours if you would rather see everything that way too! The people were all friendly and helpful. I also visited the ship at night on the ghost tour. Loved it as well. I recommend patriots point and will be going back!

We gained a much greater appreciation and understanding of the challenges and difficulties that members of the US Navy shared that served on the USS Yorktown.
It was such an honor to get a brief glimpse of the incredible achievements, both with those that constructed this carrier ship, and those that sacrificially served on it.

It was quite fitting that we toured this on Veterans Day weekend. We felt a deep connection with the countless individuals that sacrificed their lives to help preserve the freedoms that we sell appreciate today.

We highly recommend investing 2 to 3 hours to fully embrace this unique adventure, and gain a greater insight into what helps make America and its military so important and so powerful!

Take this tour today.
You’ll be glad you did!

My family decided to visit Charleston, SC for our family vacation this spring and seeing the USS Yorktown and the USS Laffey up close and in person was a definite stop on our to do list. When we arrived, we debated about whether we wanted to pony up the extra cash for the "Captains Tour" or just the regular admission. We decided to get the Captains Tour and it was SOOOO WORTH IT! Our tour guide, Paul Watters, was a Vietnam Veteran who had served on a similar aircraft carrier to the USS Yorktown. Mr. Watters added a great deal to our experience as his time in the military and familiarity with these vessels enhanced the amount of information that we could learn during our few hours on board. There is no way that we would have gained nearly as much from the experience had we just gone on our own. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum really brings the history to life.

We loved learning about the history of the ships and sailors. Highly recommend the captains tour so you can see more of the ship and hear real stories about its history

took captains tour. well worth the extra money. amazing experience. forgot i had a captains tour of the destroyer. i wandered by myself. amazing.

You have to go here and plan on spending time here. We spent 5 hours and could have spent more. There is so much to see. First of all, there are 4 different tours to take on the massive air craft carrier. There are a ton of planes to look at on the flight deck and more to look at in the hangar deck. The destroyer is cool to look at but does not take as long as the aircraft carrier. Then they have a Vietnam camp to look at too. Worth every penny. My 9 year old loved the entire thing and never complained of being bored.

Super cool experience. Being able to walk the various decks, and through different spaces was illuminating. Highly recommend!

We spent 2 1/2 hours going through everything. I wish we could have gotten on a tour as the self guided was good but not great. An audio tour would have been a nice addition. The free interactive on board was very good but i would NOT recommend the Jet simulator

Our visit here was wonderful! The ships are so unique to tour. You can do most on your own, but I highly recommend doing the Captain’s Tour. Our tour was so informative and we got to see parts of the ship that you can’t access if on your own. The staff here is very knowledgeable and friendly. Wear good walking shoes when you go.

Enjoyed seeing ships and the history. As a Navy wife of a retired 20 year navy guy, it was interesting to see the USS Laffey and walk about the ship. My husband was able to explain all the goings on of a ship that size as he was very familiar with them.
The Vietnam Exhibit was very emotional as my hubby is a Vietnam Vet and it reminded him of not so pleasant things. But we must remember history not ignore or delete it.
I would plan on spending the whole day there as lots to see.at your own pace.
Parking is by card which is interesting. As seniors who are not technical, had to have help to do it but attendant was very nice and helped us.

We were at our condo in nearby Pawleys Island recently, and I wanted to celebrate spooky season. So we decided to take a ghost tour aboard the Yorktown Carrier. We went through Bulldog Tours as they are the only ones authorized to give the guided nightime tours. I have a separate review on that, and I highly recommend the tour.

The ship is one of 24 Essex class carriers built during WW2 for the Navy. She was commissioned in 1943 by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She participated in several missions and earned 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. The ship was decommissioned shortly after the war. She was modernized in 1953 as an attack carrier and served with distinction in Korea. She was later an anti-submarine carrier and served in the Pacific, earning 5 more battle stars. The ship also served as the recovery ship in December 1968 for the Apollo 8 mission as well as being in the film Tora!Tora! She was permanently decommissioned in 1970, and 1975 was turned into a floating museum and was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Today, you can take a self guided tour or several guided tour options. On the Ghost tour, we went through several decks of the ship, including the living quarters, the sick bay, the hanger, and the carrier deck. You realize the enormity of the ship in the hanger carrier when you realize how many aircraft can be housed here. And the carrier deck gives you a stunning view of the river and bridge.

There are several things to do, including touring two ships and the Vietnam experience. You can also host your next big event here. Including an overnight experience! If you have 10 or more in your group, you can experience life aboard the ship. Imagine what a bachelor or Bachelorette party would be! This is also a favorite with boy and girl scouts. In fact, during our tour, there was a scout troop aboard. There are also helicopter tours from here, including a lighthouse tour, which I hope to do in the future. There is plenty of paid parking. There are a number of dining options along Shem Creek that offer river views. There are bathrooms at the souvenir shop. The ship is partially handicap accessible. If you require accommodations, I would suggest calling before you buy tickets.

***If you do take the Ghost Tour and want a few souvenirs, you will need to come during the day while the store is still open. The store is in a separate building and does not require admission.

The ship is fascinating, and I loved touring it. Bulldog Tours do a fantastic job, and I highly recommend them as well. This is a great adventure for the whole family.

It is interesting but parking is 5 dollars an hour. It takes along time to get out of the lot and is very confusing,Poor signage. Go to USS North Carolina in Wilmington. Free and plenty of free parking.

Outstanding. The ship is full of displays ranging from WWII era to more recent times. Displays were well documented and self tours well marked. I only had 2 hours, but could have used at least another hour if not more. You can also tour a destroyer that’s alongside the Yorktown.

aircraft carrier, battleship, submarine, vietman museum... so much to do and see. seriously, wear good shoes (hiking boots, tennis shoes) and plan to spend the day walking the multiple decks, climbing up and down ladders, and experiencing history.
we did take the tour and it was costly, but definitely worth it.

Awesome experience. Huge historical display of aircraft carrier and many displays of different operations the navy carried out all over the world. Lots of various aircraft to see. Several video displays as well.

The Captains tour was amazing! Our guide was a Vietnam vet who had been stationed on the USS Ranger. He was so full of information and amazing stories. This tour takes you through places on the ship that not everyone gets to see. Totally worth it!

This was the highlight attraction of our trip to Charleston . Im kind of a history buff so i might be somewhat bias. On our first day our group of four adults , went to the Charleston visitor center for information and to buy tour tickets including the one to patriots point. We were told it was an open ended ticket so we could use it any day or time we wanted to.

We were staying in Charleston so we used lift to get us there and back that went very smooth and cost around 20 bucks. The driver dropped us off right in front of the entrance building. inside was a large gift shop and bathrooms. After going through the gate you will have to walk a lengthily boardwalk to the two ships that are here. the laffey and the uss yorktown.

We toured the yorktown first and saw everything there is to see here including the ship itself and all the decks. the aircraft on deck and below. the film, museum, and the other exabits. (note to those with mobility issues) The stairs here thin and close together not easy for some to use. One of our group stayed behind wile the rest toured the ship. Also of importance. There is no A/C so it can and at times become hot and uncomfortable. We did not partake in any of the additional cost items .

The fish house is only restaurant here, so we backtracked to the entrance and walked around to the building. (note, IF you walk the boardwalk from the yorktown in the other direction, it will take you to the fish house much faster) the menu there did have non fish items on it but very limited. We all liked the food we got.

After lunch we toured the laffey battleship. (make sure you do the event in the main gun turret) back towered the entrance We also walked around the Vietnam exabit and enjoyed seeing everything here. We came here at open time 10am and left around 3.30 pm so most of the day.

THis place had alot to see and was very well done. highly recommend .

This is a fantastic museum. There is so much to see and even one-half day isn’t enough. I found the Vietnam War part of the museum very moving. The air craft carrier is awesome. Lots of walking and stairs.

Kids really enjoyed being on the boats. It was cool walking up and down the stairs, seeing the pump and equipment rooms, sleeping bunks, mess hall, etc. Just mind boggling what our men and women endure when they serve. The sub especially.

Awesome facility to see, learn and tour to get in contact and connection with so much that we sometimes can only read about. The ship, planes and information is almost overwhelming. History, Naval, or Aviation buff, here is the place to visit. Wear goos shoes, lots of walking and stairs to get between the decks on your tour.
Enjoy!

Very interesting self guided tour of the USS Yorktown. You can also download an audio tour through the app. Check the Hangar Deck for historic planes. There's a replica of the Apolla 8 spacecraft with video. The Medal of Honor is on one of the decks and is not to be missed. Stories of heroes from the Civil War through recent Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The Vietnam Experience is set up as a Navy and Marine base with a mess hall, sleeping quarters, helicopters, and a patrol boat. Sounds of artillery fire and helicopters are constant so very young or sensitive visitors should beware.

The Captain's Tour was outstanding. The guide was excellent. Because of insights we gained a much better understanding and appreciation of what we were seeing. I know we would not have enjoyed our visit had we not taken the tour.

Also, want to acknowledge the volunteer veterans throughout the park, who also answered our questions after the tour ended. They were wonderful!

Our tour guide was Shawn. One of the most informative and interesting tours I’ve ever been on. He was passionate and knowledgeable and kept everyone’s attention. Definitely will recommend to anyone! I also picked up something unusual on camera while there! Creepy!

We enjoyed the history on this large retired Navy vessel and the chance to see a number of different era planes on the flight deck. Lots of steep stairwells with narrow rungs, so you have to watch your step. Signs are not always clear as to where to go. Many people were confused as to how to get back to the starting point so they could disembark. For the admission price, it would be nice if parking was free.

Upon arrival we were impressed by the massiveness of the USS Yorktown. We participated in a Captain’s tour. Susie, our guide, did a good job sharing information about what life aboard the ship was like. She is from a military family and had some personal connections to share. We learned a lot about the ship, life at sea, and the brave men who fought during WWII. It was enjoyable for the whole family.

A great historical attraction with plenty to see.
Quick hits
- Lots of walking and steep ladders/stairs wear comfy shoes
- the flight deck has the best views of the harbor
- the tour requires a lot of reading

Came here with a friend. The exhibits are very informative if a bit dated. Spent most of our time on the Yorktown and Laffey. We did not do the Vietnam area due to time. It was most impressive to explore the various parts of the ship and see where the Sailors lived, worked, and fought, and to read about the history of aircraft carriers, the navy, and naval aviation. There's even some space-race history in there as well (no spoilers though!). Great family friendly attraction which also boasts some great harbor views and photo ops. Worth including in your itinerary, for sure.

The entry ticket lets you see a self-guided tour of a destroyer, submarine and the Yorktown aircraft carrier. If you are interested in history you can easily spend a few hours there. We have three teenage boys and they really enjoyed it and learned a lot. We also took the Captain's tour for $10 more each. Our tour guide, Mike, was very knowledgeable and we got to see some cool areas of the carrier that you don't get to go into except on the tour.

It’s not cheap to get in at $30 a person. But it’s pretty awesome. The carrier Yorktown is the highlight but the Laffey is also pretty cool. There are a ton of displays and movies. A ton to see and learn. A really great place.

This was awesome!! The boat is the museum - so it is especially cool getting to see so much of the boat! Truly walked 2+ miles while we were there and learned so much about the aircraft carrier and other boats and their role in multiple wars! Amazing. We were very glad we went! There are volunteers throughout offering some info and answering questions. Very cool!

We did the Captain’s tour with Don. He was very knowledgeable about the ship and WWII. The tour provided the opportunity to go in some otherwise off-limit areas and we learned more about life on the carrier. In addition to the guided tour, there are several other tour routes you can follow to see the various parts of the ship. It doesn’t get very hot down on the lower decks; be sure to bring water. There are also refill stations available.
In addition to spending several hours on the ship, there are many other things to see while there. With the Yorktown, Medal of Honor museum (onboard the Yorktown), Laffey, and a Vietnam experience (replica of camp) all available with your ticket, you could easily spend all day here to see each.

Wow. I’ve toured retired ships previously but never an aircraft carrier. This was a real gem. There are so many interesting sections. Some are interactive - including a motion simulator aircraft ride, and an Apollo capsule that can be entered So it’s good for kids great for older adults as long as they don’t have mobility problems- lots of stairs. I’ll probably go back Oh and by the way the staff are fabulous

Wow, the Yorktown was a wonderful experience; what a standing monument to history and the ships active part in it.
We did the 'Captains Tour" which ran about 90 minutes and gave us real historical perspective, great Q&A and access to different parts of the ship.
We were with family (9 total), kids ages 8, 10 and 14. Our (Bulldog) guide Don Bommarito really engaged the younger children and kept them engaged and inquisitive.
A great piece of history not to be missed, and a great reminder of the sacrifices made.

This ship is huge and there is so much information to absorb to the point of being overwhelmed. So cool to be up on the flight deck and see the planes and the cable that they attached to with their tail hooks. The history of various ships inside the ship was interesting as well. I wish we had done the narrated tour as I am sure we would have learned even more.
The Vietnam experience was a gray experience. At points you felt like you were in Vietnam and experiencing just a tiny portion of what it might have felt like to those soldiers. You can spend several hours at this location and still not see everything.

We wandered around the air craft carrier for about two hours and could have easily spent more time there. We never were able to get to the other exhibits, but our main goal was to get to walk on the flight deck. It's nicely laid out and amazing how big this ship is.

We took our 7 year old on a cool breezy day, and she absolutely loved it. This was my third time at the museum, and it’s always a hit. Our daughter loved the different tours and the feel of “exploring the ship.” It was also a really good way of being able to explain some of the things she’s learning in school. The stairs were actually easier for her throughout the ship due to her smaller feet.

My grandson and his grandfather spent 5 hours exploring. They really had a great time. My granddaughter and I had to leave because she was too scared to climb up and down the stairs.

You could easily spend all day here, although since this was my second site visited for the day I found I ran out of steam after about 3 hours. The USS Yorktown (aircraft carrier) is the famous draw, but in many ways I found the USS Laffey (destroyer) more interesting, and it certainly has a thrilling history. I noticed that, while there were plenty of adults visiting, they also made both ships accessible and interesting for kids, with lots of places where you could actually touch equipment.

This was a fabulous self-guided tour. Learned so much about this part of maritime history. My husband who was an officer in the navy for 12 years was with me, so explained every nut and bolt and what things were used for. It took us at least 3 hours. We also had some child (we think - plenty of school groups there) pull the fire alarm and we had to evacuate but then we could come right back after about 15 minutes. But it gave me an appreciation how difficult it would be to have to get out of this kind of vessel quickly.

So much to see. One could spend the entire day easily. We added the Captains Tour and it was outstanding. Our guide Thom, had served in 4 carriers during his 30 year Navy career. We benefited from his first hand knowledge of the life on a carrier. An outstanding tour. Don’t pass up this great learning opportunity.

We had a great time at the navel museum. We got to see up close encounters of what it’s like to live on the ship. It was a great experience and I learned a lot!
Would not recommend going if you are pregnant like me, or have young kids or someone who is handicap. There is a few accommodations for handicaps etc, but there not a whole lot they can do without ruining the history of the ship.
We were unable to do the full tour due to having a young child and not being able to navigate the ups and downs, but it was still an amazing time and we got to learn and see things we have never seen before. The staff is very friendly and prices weee good too!

We enjoyed the Museum exhibits very much. There were several volunteers available to ask questions, and there several options to purchase while visiting. We toured the Yorktown, the Laffy, and visited the Vietnam exhibit. All were informative and allowed our imaginations to dance through the exhibits.

What a great tour. Don was a great guide on the Captain's tour. I highly recommend taking it. You learn more about the ship than just walking around.

We had a guided tour from Paul Watters with Bulldog tours. Paul was a fantastic tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and made learning about the yorktown fun. Highly recommend doing the guided tour with Paul.

Had a wonderful time exploring the carrier USS Yorktown and destroyer USS Laffey and learning their stories. Seeing the crew quarters, bridge, and the rest of the ships' interiors makes you appreciate the conditions sailors endure while in service. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society's official Museum aboard the Yorktown is a great tribute to the heroic warriors who earned the award. The Vietnam Experience does an amazing job telling about a complicated time in US history. Seeing Vietnam-era helicopters and artillery along with mock-ups of quarters and other structures was very informative.

From one Veteran to another, walking the decks and learning the story of the USS Yorktown makes me extremely proud to be an American.

We visited Patriot's Point on a Tuesday afternoon. We had advanced tickets but it wasn't crowded. We walked through the destroyer first and then went to the Yorktown to meet our guide for the Captain's Tour. The tour was excellent. It gave a good overview of the ship and it's history and allowed access to a few restricted areas. Our guide, a former navy pilot, was great.....very informative.

My only criticism is the onsite parking fee of $20......this is a little much.

What an amazing place!! Brought my kids (12 and 17) here and while it wasn’t my oldest’s favorite thing she still enjoyed wandering around and looking at everything.

I ordered our tickets ahead of time which made admission quick and easy. They offer a chance for a souvenir photo to be taken before you walk to the ships — you can view and purchase pictures at the end.

The walk down the pier to the ships is very cool - stop for a moment and really take it all in. And follow the directional signs that tell walkers to stay to one side and carts to the other - so many people missed this and slowed down the cart travel for those that needed it.

Vending machines for drinks are available but were sold out (except for Coke), I recommend taking a water bottle with you as it gets very hot in there. We were there on an exceptionally hot day and one of my kids ran out of water which is when we learned the water was sold out…not at all surprised but mentioning as something to be prepared for.

My kids wanted to ride the simulator and both said it was pretty cool. The entire place was very educational and walking up on the flight deck was a very surreal experience - you don’t realize how truly huge it is until you stand next to several planes. It never felt overly crowded, likely due to the sheer size of it. We spent a few hours between the USS Yorktown and the USS Laffey and could have spent more but we were all hot and tired and needed a break. We spent so much time on the ships we didn’t get a chance to take in the Vietnam Experience but friends we were with were able to and said it was amazing. I’m sorry we missed it.

There is also a large gift shop with tons of souvenirs to choose from and is located near the exit of the area. There is also plenty of parking and it cost $5 to park.

We were married on the ship in November 2020 and come back every year to enjoy it!! The staff was wonderful when planning our wedding. What an incredible setting!!! Everyone that attended said it was the best wedding they had ever been to!!

Great experience if you’ve never been to another wartime ship; even though it is SO expensive. The website is incorrect, the admission fee is $30 (not $28) AND they charge $20 for parking. When we were leaving we realized we could have parked on the road outside of the parking lot for free- I hope this will help someone else avoid “highway robbery”…

I was honestly expecting a tourist trap kind of experience here. The kind where you can say you were on an aircraft carrier and that was about it. I was so very wrong! This was a fantastic addition to our trip. It is amazing to see the ships and learn how sailors lived and worked during WWII. I highly recommend a visit.

A couple of things to be aware of:

-There are lots of stairs. And I mean LOTS! And they are usually very steep. Be prepared for this if you plan on going.

-You have pretty much free rein in all the open areas of the ship. We did it without a tour and felt we had a great experience exploring the ship. You probably can skip the additional paid options.

-Start with the carrier. We did that and by the time we got to the battleship we were really tired. I’m glad I had more energy for the carrier since it was so much larger and complex.

Dont miss Patriots Point and the wonderful museum experience on the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey..its a great tour and experience. Be sure to see the Medal of Honor Museum and the Vietnam Experience walk through tour both are exceptional..great time for families and couples..

Had an awesome day even though it rained. Took the captain's tour was very good. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the ship and was very interactive with the group. Highly recommend

We got to tour the Laffey destroyer and the Yorktown aircraft carrier before we were tired. We need to go back to see the Vietnam display and the submarine.
The destroyer was hard to follow where to go next. The aircraft carrier had signs on the deck to follow.
I think we only got through 20% of what there was to see before we were done. We will be back to see more.

Very cool experience and tons of history and information. Would highly recommend visiting Patriots Point. Lots of walking and ladders to climb!

Even if you are not into war/history, you should pass up visiting Patriots Point and touring the USS Yorktown. This place is huge and there is so much to see. The exhibit is well marked for the various tours directions. Plans several hours for the full self-guided tour. Lots of opportunities to take pictures and understand the lifestyle and working conditions of the seamen.

The history alone is 5 star! The displays are exceptionally detailed and the Vietnam area is amazing.
The only reason I gave 4 and not 5 stars is due to the shuttle service never helping us somewhat disabled seniors to the Ship Store or the ship.
There is an elevator on the USS YORKTOWN. Thank you.

Stumbled across the Museum by accident. What a great piece of history. Have to go back again. You cannot appreciate everything going on in just 1 day. Good exercise, too!

Excellent exhibits and supporting media presentations.
Allow plenty of time as there is so much of interest-we were there on a Sunday and
the crowd was no problem as there is so much to see.

My husband and I were in Charleston to participate in the Cooper Bridge Run in April 2025. As we ran over the bridge we saw the USS Yorktown and thought it would be fun to tour it. Before we left town on Sunday we did tour the museum. We were happy we did! I had never been on an aircraft carrier before. The volunteers in the museum were veterans and most helpful and informative! The tour was self-guided with arrows and placards keeping us going in the correct directon. It was very interesting to see how servicemen lived and worked aboard the ship. There were several 'mini museums' inside the aircraft with photos and audio of various people, planes, warships and events. The flight deck was awesome with many planes tied down and descriptions of these planes. Inside we climbed up into a fighter airplane and it was a great photo op! There were tight and steep stairs to get to the various levels. It was very windy when outside on the different levels so hang onto your hat! The Vietnam exhibit was very interesting and sobering. We came away wishing our grandkids could have been with us----we will bring them back when we can!

Had an amazing time waking the ship. Excited to possibly catch pictures of ghosts. Love the history. Had a wonderful time with my family. I would 100% come back and do the ghost tour.

WOW, did not realize aircraft carries were so big. Easy to tour on your own. It reminds us that our freedom should not be taken for granted and lots of men lost their lives for us today. There is an elevator if you don't want to do stairs. There is also a golf shuttle as it you do have to walk down a long dock to get to the ships.
The planes are on the aircraft carrier
Battleship is right next to the aircraft carrier
Vietnam is next to the gift store. It did feel real with the set up and sounds.

Comprehensive and well-mapped out experience of being on an aircraft carrier and a destroyer during war time. Going below decks on the narrow stairways ("ladders") is highly worthwhile. The Vietnam Experience also is stirring - many explosion simulations and much military history is presented. Easy parking and access. They could use an onsite cafe - they just have vending machines.

It was okay. I wish the movie had subtitles so I could understand those they interviewed better. Very different from a past aircraft carrier tour I did as you didn't get to see much of the ship itself. It focused on the planes.

A tour of the USS Yorktown will show you the life of a sailor. They have done an amazing job of making a self guided tour through the aircraft carrier. You get to see everything from the aircraft on the flight deck to the engine room and everything in between. This is an impressive tour which gives a small example of military life. There is also a Captain's Tour twice a day which we had missed. Your ticket also includes a destroyer and a submarine to tour. We had run out of time to see everything. Make sure you give yourself the day to see everything.
Thank you to all those who serve.

We only had time to visit the USS Yorktown. I've been to many military museums but this one is excellent. While this is an old aircraft carrier, it is HUGE. We did nto take the tour but kept bumping into one and the guide sounded very knowledgeble. One of the volunteers showed us the emergency hatch that goes all the way down to the very bottom of ship. Its a 4 story ladder. Absoutely amazing.

Additionally, there is an amazing view of the Ravenel Bridge and Charleston proper. There is a Congressional Medal of Honor museum (air conditioned!) that details the creation of our country's highest award and guides guests through the different conflicts and honorees of the CMH. My husband is a Marine and he was close to tears. Very moving and reflective.

The Yorktown is the show. It’s a history rich old ship with lots to see. You are able to explore areas deep inside and up into the tower. The exhibits and interpretive displays are good, but everything has a dated feel to it. The planes on the flight deck are cool, but several could use some paint. The destroyer along side is interesting too. The CIC experience is informative. The Vietnam are is interesting but a little rough around the edges. Overall glad I went and would recommend it. I’m sure they would love a few million in donations to update the exhibits.

Must see. I wasn’t surprised seeing the rating on here. This tour puts the awe in awesome. We all loved it. Wanted to go back but had to get on the Fort Sumter tour which is another must see.

Took our son to see the USS Yorktown here. It is amazing in person! The museum was great! You can explore the whole ship and see how the sailors lived. There are also tours available. The top of the ship where the aircraft carriers are wax fantastic! .

We took the captain’s tour which I found very interesting but my kids (6 & 7) would have rather explored freely. There were tons of things to do and see in the museum. Kids loved it. I’m not one that’s typically interested in military history but the sheer scale of the ship and what it needed to be able to do was incredible.

Check it all out! So much incredible American Military History. Walk around the point, check out the carrier. Bring lunch and have a picnic on the water. A definite must for visiting Charleston.

We visited with our 11 year old son. He couldn't get enough of the jets and ships.

It was really interesting. Cool stuff to see. The Vietnam experience was great. Learned a lot there. The USS Laffey was amazing with the story n videos. USS Yorktown had a lot of cool planes with lots to see. Well worth the money n time.

Unbelievable experience-do not miss! Self guided tour through the decks of the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey as well as a very moving Vietnam experience. A great tribute to our military complete with interactive exhibits, movies and more-this has something for everyone. Wear comfortable shoes (lots of stairs to climb) and bring a water bottle (although they do have concessions available for purchase). Lower decks got very hot in the August Carolina heat, but there are several air conditioned rooms and exhibits that helped to cool off. The staff were very kind and helpful. Give yourself plenty of time to experience it all, we spent almost 3 1/2 hours and we still did not read every single sign, etc. Ferry to Fort Sumter is on site as well so if you plan accordingly could do the same day.

You owe it to yourself and kids to go here. So much to see and do. Really well done, even if you have been in an air craft carrier. If you have not been in one, there is no excuse for not going. You’d truly be missing out.

Reading about all the Medal of Honor recipients was awe-inspiring. What a wonderful tribute to true heroes!

Spent several days in the Charleston area and this was one of the highlights of our trip. My nephew is in an electric wheelchair and the aircraft carrier has an elevator so he was able get to the deck and several floors and even do parts of the tour. He was so excited. There is a large assortment of planes and equipment to view. You could spend many hours there.

Absolutely the #1 thing to go see in Mt Pleasant/Charleston at least once. The Yorktown by itself is enough, but add a destroyer, a sub to the list makes it great. For those alive during the vietnam era, the vietnam experience and movie was also great. All included in the one price makes it a deal. A full fast walk tour of the yorktown will take you 2 hours. Lots of stairs, low ceilings, warm areas, etc. so somewhat strenous. We were exhausted at the end of the day, but worth it. Do it first, as the others aren't as strenuous and long. Big watchout though for tall people on both the yorktown and sub....DUCK! I got a decent size gash on my head on the sub. My fault but easy to do if 6 feet tall. Once done with the tour, then do the more relaxing boat trip to Fort sumter. Get tickets for that ahead of time and get in line 40 minutes before...gives you time to relax a little after this tour. The two combined took 6.5 hours.

Very impressive displays and well presented tours. Take the walking tours through the whole ship and visit the top deck to take a picture with the F-14 Tomcat. Overall really impressive displays and easy to follow the various themes.

Walking on an aircraft carrier was amazing! I will never do.it as sailor and this was my chance. We were in a flight simulator which was pretty cool too.

What a great place to visit and experience! I was so amazed at this tour. The airplanes on display are amazing. All of the history in one place is astounding. Our guide was so helpful and knowledgeable. Our daughters had a great time. It truly was a great experience and we highly recommend this tour.

We elected to take the Captain’s tour and had Thom Ford from Bulldog Tours as our guide. Thom was amazing with his fund of knowledge. He is a Navy veteran career officer and knew tons of details about Navy life as well as the facts about the Yorktown and her history. The tour is really about 2 hours and gives you a wonderful overview of the ship. You get to see areas that are not on the regular tours and you get the info that only a carrier veteran would know to point out. Strongly recommend this tour. We now plan to go back and do the other walking tours on our own.

My wife and I went here for the day. Amazing place and wonderful tribute to the men and women of service. Viewed the SS Laffey as well as the USS Yorktown. Both were amazing and had plenty of interactive exhibits to see and get a small feel for the combat that these vets experienced. Also went to the Vietnam section which was great as well. Would def recommend for anyone interested in history or military

So much to see and experience here! We really enjoyed exploring the aircraft carrier, destroyer and Vietnam War experience. There is a lot of history and you could spend all day if you want to read it all! The aircraft carrier involves a lot of climbing up and down to different levels. They do have some alternative options for those who can't climbing the ladders, but not sure if you get to see everything. The Medal of Honor Museum was a moving experience. The volunteers were all wonderful and so knowledgeable. There is a little snack area (snack/drink vending, some prepackages sandwiches, think gas station options) but otherwise no where to get food while you're there. The flight simulator is not worth it - only complaint!

This was an all day event. We got our moneys worth here! There was so much to do and see. It was a great experience and the people here were great. I have been on many other ship tours like The Battleship North Carolina and the Wisconsin but they were not as in depth as the Yorktown. I would love to come back and do the other tours that are available here! The only bad thing was the wraps in the vending machines were frozen so we were not able to eat them.

We had so much fun here. We did the behind-the-scenes tour on the USS Yorktown and while I was disappointed that it skipped a lot of the ship, it still contained so much information that it was entirely worth it. Thankfully the ship wasn't incredibly crowded in most of the rooms, so we got to take our time and enjoy the spaces by ourselves. Having the veteran on the USS Laffey was delightful. He was very friendly and helpful. It was also nice experience to actually meet someone who had served on a ship and hearing his stories was amazing.

Between the outside temperatures, and inside we went through the drink we brought in quickly. The soda that my child wanted was sold out which was disappointing. The prices in the snack area were higher than i anticipated but we were glad to have the option. The hot dog station outside was a nice very well priced surprise and great way to end our visit.

If you love history, especially Naval history, you’ll love Patriot’s Point. From the Vietnam Experience to the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey, you can cover WW2, the Korean and Vietnam War.

By far one of the best WWII ship tours I've seen. Not only do you get to see the history of the Yorktown (from WWII through Vietnam) but also the Laffey (most decorated destroyer of WWII). Nothing bad to say about either ship or its exhibits. Well worth your time and make sure you take time for the Mount 53 Japanese attack on the Laffey.

The history and displays were great! Found the flight deck to be the most interesting and enjoyable for a mid-day visit. Way to hot in other parts of the museum mid-day to enjoy! My little boy really enjoyed the Apollo display.

We've visited quite a few museum ships, but seeing the Yorktown was a whole different experience. Yes, it's self-guided, but we found signs were more than enough. Warning: expensive.

It was incredible touring the Patriots Point Naval & Museum. So much history. It's quite a privilege to be able to see firsthand the Yorktown and the inside accommodations for these men. A must if you are in the area.

My husband, son and I visited on the President's Day weekend. It was interesting scrambling all over the ships. I did a lot of steps - up and down! Staff members on board the ships were very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw many boy scouts having an information session in preparation for their sleepover that night. What an experience for them! If you come to Charleston, I would recommend that you come on this tour. We combined it with Fort Sumter. Parking here was $5.

The main attraction is the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier with a wide range of exhibits and aircraft. The main hanger deck serves as the starting point for several tours and displays. Aircraft are located both in the hanger and up on the exterior deck. I took the self guided tours which included climbing up into the control tower and bridge as well as tours of the medical, kitchen, and bunk areas. It was a warm summer day and the ship got warmer as the day progressed. There are just a few areas with air-conditioning to provide some relief. There is a smaller gun ship docked next to the Yorktown which you can also tour, and a submarine that is closed to tours. I spent about 3 hours exploring the ships.

You can tour the USS Yorktown Aircraft carrier and walk out on the flight deck, tour the bridge and go all the way down into the engine room. This ship saw combat in WW2 in the Pacific Theatre. Awesome history and a must see at least 1 time although I have toured it 5+ times.

Wow, love this place, so much history and information. I think you need a full day to cover all the attractions at PP and I would suggest leaving the trip to Sumter to another day. There is so much great access to the interior of the ship you can wander around for hours. The ship is divided into 4 "tours" that are well marked and self guided and this does not include the Medal of Honor museum, the USS Laffey, or the Vietnam Experience. Like I said, leave yourself lots of time to really see it all.

My husband and I love visiting decommissioned aircraft carriers. Our first one was the USS Midway in San Diego. The USS Yorktown is one of the best in the country. The really cool thing about this one is that they allow Scout Groups to have an overnight experience on the ship.

On our visit in November, we spent nearly 4 hours exploring every nook and cranny of the vessel. My favorite area was the Medal of Honor exhibit.

What an amazing experience to get to explore every inch of this air craft carrier. There was also a destroyer and submarine to explore. Words can not begin to describe the enormous SIZE of this ship, so wear sneakers, not sandals ! There are ladders and floors where you need the grip of a sneaker and have the top of your foot protected. You will leave feeling more patriotic !

We did the USS Yorktown Captain's Tour with Bill - he was intelligent, interesting, and funny! We got to see all kinds of cool spaces and learn way more than we would have by just walking around on our own. Well worth the extra $18.

The tour of the aircraft carrier should not be missed. There is an incredible amount to discover and very friendly and helpful veterans are happy to answer any questions and explain. Good footwear and adequately scheduled time are advantageous.

We paid the extra and took the Captain’s tour on Veteran’s Day and boy am I soooo glad we did!! Our tour guide was phenomenal! He was passionate, knowledgeable and genuine and made our experience even that much better! He took us back in time with his tour. All of the stories he told were special. We even liked hearing how he had come there as a Boy Scout and fell in love with it. You could tell. At the end of the tour he was talking and teared up…was such a moving moment that I had to hold back my tears as well. My son is a Navy Nuc so everything hit even closer to home. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone…except those who can’t climb small ladders… :)

Really neat air craft carrier. It’s hot in the summer but worth it. Go early in the morning. The Veterans working at the front table were great.

Extremely interesting museum, with full access to uss Yorktown aircraft carrier. Enjoyed seeing what it would have been like on the ship. The Vietnam outdoor exhibit is also executed well with helicopters, trucks and boats. Worth a visit while in Charleston

Our family (2 adults and 2 teens) really enjoyed touring the ship. The self guided tours led us all around the boat and gave us a great idea of what life on a ship during WWII times was like — our 15 and 13 year olds really enjoyed that part of the tour. We enjoyed getting up close to the airplanes on the flight deck too…our 46 year old regaled us with his knowledge of airplanes and flight decks — gleaned entirely from Top Gun, of course. The ship and museum are so big we didn’t even see everything — after a couple hours we left to get some lunch. If you’re up for it though, you could really spend the better part of a day on this ship.

We were able to spend a great deal of time on the USS Yorktown, and still didn't see it all! The USS Laffey story was amazing, and the Vietnam Experience was very educational. Come prepared to stay most of the day, and to do a lot of walking. But so worth your time if you are in the area!

This museum was the highlight of our week long road trip. The price is great for how much you get to see and experience. The staff was incredibly nice and knowledgeable. Highly recommend for all ages.
We spent 2 hours exploring just half of the Yorktown, and did not even touch the destroyer or Vietnam experience. This is definitely a place that needs a full day, but we unfortunately didn’t have time. However, we will definitely be back!

Historical! Enjoyed getting to stretch our legs and move around. Couldn’t do the whole place as we only had a couple hours. The view of the harbor from the flight deck was phenomenal.

Go see a slice of American history. World War II relived. Plan on spending a couple of hours walking through this piece of living history.

This attraction is top notch. If you're a history buff, you can be here all day. We arrived when they opened (recommended); it's cooler and less crowded. Along with a military discount, they offered a discount to educators as well, so that was a pleasant surprise. They take each group's photo in front of a green screen as you enter, and you can buy the photos on your way out. They're expensive, but nice.

While they do their very best to make this attraction accessible, there is a lot of walking and climbing of steep, narrow ladders if you are physically able. I did see a few strollers, but I imagine that would limit your access. We elected to take advantage of the Captain's Tour and it was worth every penny. The tour lasted almost 90 minutes. Try to book that in advance though, as they promptly sell out. We were able to grab 2 of the few remaining slots, and again, we arrived at opening.

We had 3+ hours to explore the Yorktown and the Laffey prior to our tour. A free pamphlet explains in detail 4 self-guided tours. We only had time for the first 2. Hint: Some of the Captain's Tour will cover what you can see on the first self-guided tour. I wish we had done 3 and 4.

There are vending machines to purchase water and soft drinks, and water bottle refilling stations in multiple locations. There are vending machine type snacks available for purchase on the main deck near the information area.

They keep air moving throughout the ship, but it can be a little warm. In some locations, there are sound effects to add additional depth to the experience. Some of the engine rooms can be a little loud. There are mannequins at different areas throughout, and this can be startling (but comical) if you're not expecting it!

The Medal of Honor Museum on board is a breathtaking display and a beautiful tribute to the medal and those who have earned it.

We ended our visit with a walk through the Vietnam experience. This was also not to be missed. In order to exit the property, you are directed through a gift shop with some nice memorabilia but, surprisingly, it is also well stocked with your normal beach-shop type items as well.

Was kind of interesting but was such a money grab and could have been better.

Paid $82 just for three people. Got there and they told me I had to pay $20 for parking. It’s a long walk in only to find no one at the info desk for 10 solid minutes, only for the guy to be snarky. $3 for a “scavenger hunt” that is equivalent to a restaurants kids menu. Told that to do the audio tour it was another $8 PER PHONE to download.

It was neat being on an aircraft carrier but everything was outdated. There was hardly any good info to read, and maybe the audio tour would have helped but the info guy told us not to bother.

We also did NOT realize how much steep stair climbing there would be.

For this price, just include a fun scavenger hunt and the audio!! We left after a couple hours just feeling ripped off and bored.

We went on a very rainy day and still had an amazing visit. Even if you don’t pay extra for a private tour there are people there that will answer any questions that you have. My guys loved the planes and USS Yorktown. Very impressive!

If you love history, come here. It was so awesome from the USS Yorktown, the submarine, and the Vietnam Experience: it was wonderful! There is so much to see here including the beautiful view of the harbor. It was an entire day trip, but worth every minute. An additional plus is the teacher discount! It was worth every penny.

June 2025. Awesome museum tour. I visited here when I was a child, but visiting again as an adult, and adding the Captain’s tour to our package, took the tour to another level. Our tour guide, Jim, a retired naval aviator, adds a totally unique perspective to the tour. It was extremely hot in most spaces. The tour lasted 1.5 hours and was one of the best museum experiences of my life. Highly recommend.

Charleston, South Carolina, is noted for its colonial and antebellum mansions, world-class restaurants and historical sites related to the Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War II. But the most popular tourist attraction of all is the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. Located at 40 Patriots Point Road, at the mouth of the Cooper River in Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston, it was established in 1976 with the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown as its centerpiece. It also is home to the Patriots Point Museum, a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, the Cold War Memorial, the only Vietnam Experience Exhibit in the United States and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and its Medal of Honor Museum. It also serves as an embarkation point for Fort Sumter tour trips. The USS Yorktown dominates the 350-acre site. Open to the public from 10 to 4 daily, it was decommissioned in 1970 after being awarded 11 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation in the Pacific during World War II and five battle stars for service off Vietnam in 1965-1968. Other ships on display are the USS Laffey, the most decorated U.S. destroyer in World War II, and the USS Clamagore, an iconic Cold War submarine and the only Guppy III submarine preserved in the United States. There are 28 naval aircraft on display on the USS Yorktown's flight deck and its hangars, including a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, F6F Hellcat, F4F Wildcat, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, FG-1D Corsair, Dauntless, Avenger, Grumman F-9 Cougar, Grumman A-6 Intruder, F/A-18A Hornet, three helicopters and an anti-submarine Drone. The Vietnam Experience brings the history of the Vietnam War to life through holograms in an exciting 3-D production set in a U.S. Marine Corps artillery fire base during the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968. Don't miss the Medal of Honor Museum, which features interactive exhibits that tell the stories of brave Americans from the Civil War to World War I to World War II to Iraq to Afghanistan. Patriots Point attracts nearly 300,000 visitors each year and has attracted over 11 million visitors while becoming the most popular tourist attraction in South Carolina.

We are so glad we took guided tour, it was well worth the extra money to understand everything we were seeing. We highly recommend this tour, it was very educational.

This is definitely a must see!!!
Worth the money.
Make sure you have enough time for the whole tour.
Friendly and helpful staff.

I had been here as a child with my parents, and was excited to be back with my wife. A very good salute to the men and women of our armed services.

We took a 90+ minute tour of the USS Yorktown. Ad (?) was our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgable and entertaining. Answered all questions and we never felt rushed. The ship is HUGE - I highly recommend you pay for the tour. The tour guide let us know what we hadn't seen at the end of the tour so we could explore on our own.

If you like anything about history, this is a hands-on must see when traveling to Charleston! It not only captured the attention and interest of the men of the family, but the women and children too. There is so much to see, plan on spending the whole day to see it all. And when we visit Charleston again, we will go back to Patriots Point!

Long, tiring, but great tours of a famous WW II aircraft carrier, The Yorktown, and an unsinkable destroyer, The Laffey. Humbling to walk in the footsteps of heros that defended our freedoms!

This is a cool place. I liked the old ships and the part they played in history. My children were also quite impressed. Totally worth it.

We were lucky to have planned our visit on the day where there were a pin ceremony happening. This was fantastic to watch.

The USS Yorktown itself is very informative. We visited as a family of 2 adults and 2 children (10 &11) who enjoyed the tour very much. We loved being out on the flight deck and seeing the planes.

The tour takes you right down into the engine room and you really get a feel for the conditions these people had to live under.

The other highlight for us was the Medal of Honor Muesum. We were extremely privileged to meet and chat with Leroy Petry, the Medal of Honor Association President.

every one should take this tour ....narrated by volunteers.....very good....obviously a little warm in the ship and wear comfortable shoes....the guides answered all the questions and the ship was loaded with memorablia

It was a pleasure to explore history first hand. To see the events that the USS Yorktown went through in her career and have pieces of flying history sitting atop and below deck were great.

If you have any interest in the Military at all you could easily spend half a day here. But my wife is not particularly and still was interested and engaged for the 3+hrs we visited. I came for the Yorktown, but the USS Laffey was an unexpected treat. The displays are well done and a retired USN veteran docent was exceptionally helpful and informative. The tour is basically self-directed, which is fine. There are several interactive displays & videos to give insight into the function of a destroyer during it's service life. The Yorktown is amazing. The planes on display in the hangar and on the flight deck are very interesting and again, many placards, displays and experiences provide an avalanche of information and entertainment. We also strolled through the Vietnam experience and gift shop. It's time & money well spent.

The Patriots Point Museum includes a WW II Aircraft Carrier as well as a Destroyer. There is also a submarine, but it is out of service due to its deteriorating condition. There are also museums within the aircraft carrier and a Vietnam camp to tour. The tours are self guided and cover many parts of both ships. Volunteers are available to explain things and help you on your way. You can easily spend several hours here. It's well worth the money for anyone who has an interest in military history.

This is a must see for history buff. Be ready to walk a lot, not all parts are accessible, there are lots of narrow stairs.
It was engaging enough for our 6 year old.
Take lots of snacks with you, their vending machines have limited options. This wa the first aircraft I visited so I was just I'm awe of how these things operate..

One of the best military museums I've been to visit. The USS Yorktown, USS Laffey and Vietnam Experience each had immersive experiences that told great stories and felt like you were there while they were in service. As a Navy veteran, the Combat Information Center on the Laffey simulation was very real and accurate, really brought back some memories. A great value to see so much history in one place.

We enjoyed the history and displays. Staff was friendly and helpful, especially to seniors. The park was clean.

We enjoyed our day at Patriot’s Point very much. It was fun and interesting visiting the aircraft carrier. The tour was outstanding. The Vietnam experience was well done. We enjoyed the ferry ride and visit to Fort Sumnter. Be sure to allow most of the day. I highly recommend.

Just an outstanding experience. How often do you get to go onto an aircraft carrier? There is so much to see. I suggest following the 4 tours on the carrier. It will help you stay on track and see things systematically. If you have time to watch the video presentations do so. I also found the gentlemen at the desk upon entry to be very knowledgeable and helpful. Note: if it storms, they will close the flight deck.

a. The best thing to do here is to go to the website and view all the activities available before you buy your tickets. If you opt to tour without a guide allow 2 hours, more if with a guide. At Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant you will have to pay to park your vehicle. This is done by using your cell phone by scanning a code from signs which are located throughout the lot. Once this is done you will need to enter via the gift shop, go out the back door and take a right to the ticket booths. We made our reservations on Trip Advisor 4 months in advance for May 14, 2025 and I was a little concerned about getting our physical tickets as was the attendant but when I told the attendant that we made our reservations through Trip Advisor she immediately found them and gave us the tickets. On a side note, the window next door is for tickets to Fort Sumter, if time permits and you also want to see this it would be a good time to get these tickets as well. The ticket will also give you access to the USS Laffey destroyer and the Vietnam Experience.

Once onboard the aircraft carrier you will be on the hangar deck which houses multiple aircraft that had been used on aircraft carriers throughout US history. There are multiple displays and a theater on the forward section. Be sure to go there. It runs on a loop with a 15-minute interval in between. Next climb the steep stairs to the flight deck and walk around various aircraft from one end to the other. Then go up another set of stairs to see where the captain of the ship sits, if you are able you can also step way up and sit in the captain’s chair.

Once you have finished your tour step onto the USS Laffey. The first thing to do is to go to the aft gunners room to watch a video. This is difficult to enter and exit though but worth it if you are able. After this stroll through the ship to view all the various stations. About halfway forward there is a large room with a video to watch about what the USS Laffey endured in WWII. Allow about 1 hour for the USS Laffey.

Once you leave go back down the walkway and on your right will be the Vietnam Experience. Here you can view helicopter’s used in Vietnam and can watch video’s about this war in a couple of the huts.

This was a great experience. I have never been on an aircraft carrier and this one has some really interesting history behind it. I never knew or thought of all the intricacies needed on a carrier to accommodate the civilization that would inhabit it. The display also includes a WWII Destroyer and Submarine as well as The Vietnam Experience. It doesn't cost much and it will take a good portion of your day to see everything they have to offer. Do yourself a favor and visit this place.

It doesn't get better than this amazing historical visit. So much amazing history in one place. Given yourself plenty of time and BRING alot of water. They have water stations onboard the ship to refill your water bottles but its very hot. Alot of walking and up and down tight areas. bring proper shoes. You won't regret the visit. Be sure to visit the Vietnam experience BUT if you were in Vietnam or traveling with someone that was the videos in the small trailers are "triggers" as they are very real. You just can't go wrong with this visit.

If you like ships or the military or history this is a great spot. It is awesome to walk around an aircraft carrier or destroyer. Well marked walking tours. The Medal of Honor museum is very good. All the volunteers seem to be veterans and are a pleasure to be around.

Great time on the Yorktown. The whole family found the self tour really interesting, not to mention eye opening.

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Yorktown. The exhibits are very well curated and the docents are friendly and informative. But here’s a tip: we didn’t you can take the elevator to each deck. We took the elevator to the main deck, but there are a lot of steps to get to the flight deck. Coming down we found an escalator (yay!). It was out of order (boo!). Still, it was fun and informative and we’re glad we went.

This exhibit and museum is just outstanding. Worth the tiny admission price and so much to view and take in. Friendly folks to answer questions.

This ship is huge! A bucket list item done. Very cool! Opens at 9, we got there at about 8:30 and had breakfast at one of the tables in the parking lot. Plenty of parking too. Unfortunately, I kind of had to race through the ship. We had tickets for Ft Sumter at 10:15. It some ways it was awesome, some ways not. It's kind of overwhelming all the routes and areas you can visit and the amount of displays and information on each route. On the other hand, the ship and planes could use a little TLC. Most of the planes on the deck were faded out and dingy. I get they sit in the hot sun, wind, rain, etc 24/7 but a new coat of paint would do. wonders. I think given the appropriate amount of time, I would have really been able to read and enjoy everything instead of taking a bunch of pictures and running off to the next thing. So plan to spend a minimum of 3-4 hrs here. Plus the time at the fort. The other suggestion is that if you have people that aren't going through the ships, don't buy a ticket. I got one for my wife thinking there was a museum or something. There is not. The ships are the museum. Save yourself the $27. I did buy them online ahead of time.

A powerful reflection of the dedication and commitment made by our servicemen and women of the military. This museum provides a window into experiences of the past and present. There many narrow passageways and stairs, which may make it difficult for some, but there is an elevator to the main levels of the ship. We greatly appreciated the hospitality and kindness of all employees and volunteers.

So much to see. You could spend all day there. Would highly recommend. Lots of info to read and learn about. Be prepared to climb lots of steps on the ships. Some of our party was a little older and struggled a little toward the end. They do have an elevator if needed. Unbeknownst to us we went on a day they had a gold star family run. It was an honor to meet some of these families.

Highly recommend this tour and about three hours to really enjoy it and learn. The history of the destroyer USS Laffey while on tour in WWII. Really enjoyed the video of the gunnery in the front of the destroyer when it was attacked by Japanese planes. It is so realistic, and heart goes out to those brave men that went through that attack. Then toured the USS Yorktown. Wow! What a monster aircraft carrier. The number of aircraft in the hangar and deck are amazing. Went all over the ship which requires a lot of going up and down small narrow stairways. Went to bridge, mess hall, and all of the other places. What a history this old carrier shared. If you like history this tour is well worth the money.

We booked a private tour for a corporate event at Patriot Point and had the best time! Our guide, Tom Simons, was knowledgeable, entertaining, and engaging. Our attendees raved about the experience!

USS Yorktown is a history rich old ship and we are able to explore most of the areas inside which took around three hours.

planes on the deck will be absolute delight for anyone especially for kids.
We had amazing experience with the Flight Simulator, Apollo Spacecraft and the Destroyer.

A cool place full of history. This ship has seen history made from WWII to Apollo and beyond. A must Charleston destination.

Great experience!
Touring the vessels and the Viet Nam experience was incredible.
Watching the videos was helpful in understanding the history.
Docents were helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Spent 3 hours, could've spent the entire day

So much history at this museum. Give yourself plenty of time to visit the USS Yorktown and the USS Laffey, and also the Vietnam Experience Exhibit. There are several short documentaries with veterans sharing their combat experience that brings history to life. This is a must see while visiting Charleston.

This is a great stop for everyone. There's plenty for the kids to enjoy. Just touring the USS Yorktown is such a moving experience, but it's also filled with other displays and movie/video opportunities. The USS Laffey is also rich in history with a great Command Center interactive program.
They offer helicopter rides and an interactive Vietnam War display. Well worth your time.

We did the Captains Tour of the USS Yorktown. It was interesting and the guide was knowledgeable and approachable with questions.

Great place to visit and learn about history. Lots of up and down stairs. Worth ever step. Go enjoy this historic ship. Nice people working there to help you.

Fantastic historical meander through time. Aircraft, walking tours, flight deck, newspaper articles, sailors working stations, artifacts. Exceedingly enjoyable and patriotic. Well-designed and thought-out. Not enough time to see everything.

An amazing experience. We did the tour and the guides are very knowledgeable. Lots to see. Tons of aircraft to check out. The Vietnam experience was really cool as well. The layout was a neat experience.

We could have spent ALL day here! My husband explored every nook and cranny each ship had to offer. We didn't have time for the Vietnam experience but it was wonderful either way!

This was a phenomenal experience. We enjoyed visiting the Yorktown, particularly the flight deck. Volunteer Rich Mady was very knowledgeable and encouraged us to visit the U.S.S. Laffey, which proved to be a great experience. Truly awe inspiring to see a tiny fraction of the complexity and danger our military experienced on a daily basis.

One of the most fascinating museums we have been to. Exploring the USSYorktown was definitely a bucket list adventure . The Vietnam exhibit was eye opening and the congressional Medal of Honor museum is a must for all ages !

Rick R. At check-in was brilliant. He was very professional and attentive to my questions. He got me checked in and on my way very quickly.

Heavy... It's all wonderful history, but I decided to hit this landmark with my parents and father who was in Vietnam and minus my father in-law who was not. There is a warning sign out front that warns of realistic displays and sounds and real it was. From radio calls, to gun fire, and music. It was a lot and although my parents enjoyed it, it also brought back many memories for them. My dad, my mom who was dating my dad and waiting for his return, to remembering high school friends that never came home . Now that my dad is 78 is was pretty deep. Fyi

Overwhelming. This could easily be more than a day. While the grounds include a destroyer, the Yorktown, and a Vietnam exhibit, I only completed the Yorktown. Admittedly I did every tour route of the ship, all the exhibits on it, and enjoyed the Captain's Tour so I covered every available inch. But that thoroughness came at the cost of a quick trip to the destroyer and missing the Vietnam exhibit. And I allocated an entire day, although I did not arrive until just before my 11:00 Captain's Tour, which may be the thing you can cut. While it was guided by a former Navy officer it duplicated some of the things you can get on your own (and if you read the exhibits and markets). The exhibits on the Yorktown were extensive and well done, so I would caution you to prioritize what you want to see.

We went to Patriot’s Point to take a tour to Ft Sumter. It was great to see the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey while we waited; unfortunately we didn’t have time for both tours. Also got a great view of the bridge while we waited. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

More than a pair of ships and an aircraft exhibit. You truly feel the presence of the brave men of the greatest generation, who stood between our safety and those who threatened it. I came away with a better appreciation of the complex variety of specialists required to man and operate a mobile wartime floating air base, and the awe inspiring sacrifices these men had to make to defend our country. Not to be missed. Plan for a whole day.

This is a fun place to visit. I recommend you buy the behind the scenes ticket. You getting see places on the guided tour that you don’t see when you buy the regular ticket. Be sure to bring a bottle of water.

Bring your walking shoes and be prepared to climb some steep stairs. What a great way to experience a little of what our service men and women had to endure. It was a great day exploring and learning what went on behind the scenes in battle. Small children on the ship should be seriously considered to not come on this excursion.

I wanted to support this museum because I am so grateful for the men and women who have sacrificed to keep us a free country! It was a great museum. We toured the aircraft carrier and saw all kinds of historic planes too. We saw Doolittle's plane and so many others. The Vietnam Experience was great too. It was a super hot day though. The volunteer at the entry area desk was very helpful too!

A bit pricey but worth it; USS Yorktown is very interesting. The Medal of Honor museum on the Yorktown has lots of inspiring stories about individuals who earned the medal. Can make & print stickers for free in Medal of Honor museum. Took about 2 hours to see most of the USS Yorktown. If it’s a rainy day, wear waterproof shoes as the water collects on walkways and you’ll end up with wet feet.

Fantastic experience of seeing up close an amazing tour of vintage American military might. A must see as long as you can physically go up and down many ladders. And don't miss the USS Laffey gun mount video.

We visited Charleston on our cruise and it was a cooler, rainy day so we decided to Uber to Patriots Point. Our 13 and 9 year old had a great time. We were there from about 10-2pm and still could have spent more time exploring the complex.

Want to see what it was like to live, work and be a part of an aircraft carrier? The USS Yorktown is impressive! Active duty in three major wars (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) and part of the race to the moon (Friendship 7 and Apollo 8), the artifacts, displays and tours through the ship let you peak into that history.
Give yourself ample time to tour the ship and be able to have some time left over to tour the USS Laffy moored right next door - unfortunately we didn’t and will have to plan a return!

Very interesting museum. Such a unique experience. Be aware there is a LOT of walking, and, if you want to see everything, a LOT of stairs. There is a scavenger hunt suitable for upper elementary to middle school (there's lots of reading required) that does not seem to be well advertised at the ticket counter. Worth the few dollars (it was $3 when we went) and you get a pen, too. Mind there are a couple hints mislabeled.

We took the Captain's tour with Tom, I believe his name was. He was retired Navy. He was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable and we really enjoyed his commentary. When the tour was over we headed up to the deck where the aircraft were which was very impressive. Do the tour in the morning, it does get hot.

This can turn into an all day affair if you aren't careful! There is so much history here to read about and look at. Very moving! We ended up spending much longer than anticipated. Great views of Charleston and Ravenel bridge from the top of the aircraft carrier.

Excellent way to spend an afternoon LOVED IT. Learned so much and yet could go back tomorrow and learn that much more again. Recommend the Captain's Tour.

We had a group from age 25 to 72 and we all enjoyed it. It is a LOT of information to process so we were kinda burnt out and didnt visit the Vietnam Exhibit. Great reminder of the sacrifice all the military men and women have gave. Definitely wear good shoes. Plan to spend a minimum of 4 hours, or maximum of all day if you can retain lots of details. On the USS Laffey, do the CIC and Mount 53 Experience exhibits. If you have a stroller, you are greatly limited. Felt we got a great tour without paying extra for Captain's tour. The veteran at the front desk recommended Medal of Honor first then the 4 tours in no particular order, although I'd say leave Flight Deck for last.

If your into history of WWII this is the place to go. It is massive and will take awhile to go through but worth it. It is hot and very close walls down below. However worth the money!

Parking is a separate fee of 5 dollars. The U.S.S. Clamagore is closed forever and is being dismantled and will be sunk as an artificial reef in Palm Beach County, FL. Ships and aircraft are very interesting IF one has never seen this type of display before. Otherwise, the only thing worth seeing is the exhibit of the medal of honor recipients. That was very moving.

A great memorial to the heroes who served our country! I encourage everyone to watch the movies … raw and emotional footage of young and courageous men who made the ultimate sacrifice

We had a great time exploring both ships and learning about their fascinating histories. The staff and facilities were top-notch, making our visit all the more enjoyable. It's no wonder why we love to visit every time we're in town - we're always happy to support such a fantastic museum.

There is so much to see here that it took us 2 days to tour it & we didn’t have enough time to see the USS Laffey! (We will definitely have to come back). USS Yorktown was amazing. Well designed top to bottom, with the hangar deck & flight deck full of spectacular planes. The Fragile Exhibits room was awe-inspiring. The Vietnam Experience brought me to tears. Next time I want to try the helicopter tour. Took the ferry to Fort Sumter, too, from Patriots Point. Everything is right there. Parking only $5. My respects to the amazing veterans who volunteer here & share their stories. Everyone is so hospitable & friendly. And there’s a picnic area to eat a packed lunch.

Definitely a wonderful half day for a family excursion. The Laffey took our attention the most with the very good video about its history. I didn't do all the narrow stairs, but felt I saw everything. The Yorktown was interesting too, but it is possible to tour Navy ships elsewhere. The Vietnam Experience was very worthwhile too--that was my era, and it was interesting to compare the feeling engendered there compared to the WWII mighty aura of the other ships. I hope sometimes there are Vets there to provide more details and answer questions. Also we took the helicopter ride, which was a very good value.