Located in Mobile Alabama, you will find USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. It's a must-see when you are in the area!
One of the things that I love about our family is that we all have a deep love for history. Now, ask me how I liked history in school, and I'm going to be brutally honest and tell you that I despised it. Even when playing review basketball in Coach Akers class. Still hated it. I just didn't care what happened before I was born, and I certainly didn't care about how it related to the future.
Thankfully the older I got, my love grew for history. Double thankfulness, my girls both enjoy it!
So how does this relate to the USS Alabama? When I was in middle school, my family went on vacation to Charleston, South Carolina. We went for the sole purpose to visit the USS Yorktown. My dad was stationed on the Yorktown in the 60's before the Vietnam war. It was by far the coolest vacation I've ever been on. It probably trumps Disney World in some senses because my daddy had once walked where we were walking. His photo was actually in the dental lab below deck! (he was a dental tech.)
That trip gave me a love for a different sort of history. Navy history. Well sort of. I love being able to walk where history has taken place. This is where the USS Alabama comes in.
Years and years ago, back when Kayla was little we went over to the Gulf Shores area with my parents when they had an RV. We made a day of it and went aboard the USS Alabama. Although it's not as large as the USS Yorktown, it still takes several hours to do it right. You want to take all the colored tours. You want to read all the plaques, and take all of it in.
We have been wanting to make it back over because even though we looked and read everything, it's a wonderful "museum" to go through. I think that you look at it with a different perspective each time.
Kayla doesn't remember her first trip on the Alabama, because she was so young. Like myself though, with the Yorktown, she'll always remember this one.
The girls loved every minute walking through and taking in all the history. Imagining what life would have been like out to sea. Learning that different ranks meant sleeping and living was a bit different.
It was our second trip, but we will definitely be back! If you're are planning a trip to Gulf Shores, Pensacola, or even Panama City (and you have a day to spare), you won't want to miss taking a trip back in time and heading aboard the USS Alabama.
Walk where soldiers once walked, slept, lived, and spent their day to day lives; whether they were out to sea or in port.
Of course while you are there you'll also want to check out the submarine, USS Drum. Check out Vietnam and Korean Memorials, try out flight simulators, and look at over 25+ aircraft at the indoor pavilion. It's seriously worth the time to check it out. If you're looking for something different that you don't see in most tourist towns, check out the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. They are open daily from 8 to 5. You'll pay a park entry fee of $2 per car, and admission is reasonable; five and under: free, ages 6-11: $6.00, ages 12 and up is $15.00.
All opinions are my own, these are our honest reviews. We were in no way compensated for this post.
Janel says
I have only ever been on one of these type of ships it was the one in San Diego. Our family was very surprised at how close and small the sleeping quarters are .
Kindness in Demand says
It looks like you guys had such a great time. Finding educationalyet fun trips are always tricky. Definitely marking this down as a must see!
Jessi says
That looks awesome! What a wonderful experience I really liked your story about your father as well. My dad was an Army Paratrooper during Vietnam and he was deployed overseas. It is always interesting hearing the stories from our men and women who wore the uniform.
Debra says
My boys would think this was awesome! We have got to see something like this someday!
Orana Velarde says
Looks like a great day of historic sightseeing! I always love visiting old boats, they look so interesting and full of stories. Glad to hear your daughters enjoyed it too.
Nicole Feliciano says
What a great trip--combining American history with family time is the best. Thanks for sharing.
melissa says
what a wonderful excursion for the family! I love when you can take a trip and combine history, education and fun simultaneously- it is really the ultimate in multi-tasking!
Catherine says
I love that you're exposing your children to important American history. Combing a love for learning and making memories as a family, what a great trip!
Terri Steffes says
What a fantastic trip! Loving the look on your daughter's face at the water fountain. Yep, they drank from that. We are a history loving family, too.
Sarah says
What a fun family experience! My boys would love to do something like this, I'll have to see if we have something near us!
Rachel @ Kitchen Cents says
What a cool place to go see. The bunk cots are so interesting. It looks like you guys had a blast. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley @ Far Beyond Love says
We did a tour like this a long long time ago when I was about 6 or 7 and it is still one of my coolest memories. Those ships are so much fun when you're a kid. I'm so glad you enjoyed your experience!
Jocelyn @Hip Mama's Place says
Looks like a fun place to take the kids for them to learn about some history! I would love to take my kids there!
Shelby says
What a cool park! I love how hands on it is. Those are the best kinds of parks or museums.
Amber Nelson says
What a great experience. I love the photos. It looks like you had a great time!
Kiwi says
You did a great job on the recap. Wow this memorial park was really interactive they got to lay in the cots and everything!
Jessica says
That seems like such an amazing experience. I have never been on any ships like that. I have been on a lot of tall ships since it is a big part of my home town but no kind of military vessel. I absolutely love the photos everyone looks like they are having a great time.
Robin Rue says
This looks like it was such a fun time. My kids would love to visit something like this!
Krystle Cook says
I love places that you can visit that teach you a little something too. I would love to go on one of these bigger ships and explore.
Jeanine says
Wow that looks pretty amazing. my boys would love something like this. they love history and love things about ships so it would be a great time to teach them about history while exploring something they're interested in.
Toughcookiemommy says
My husband's side of the family has a lot of Navy members so I know that they would love to visit this Battleship. It's a huge piece of American history.
CourtneyLynne says
Omg what a neat park!!! We have a military naval park sorta close to us and my daughter loves to visit it!
CoCo says
What a cool way to learn in person rather than from a book or movie!