uss lexington tour hours

Climb Aboard The USS Lexington, A WWII-Era Aircraft Carrier Docked Right Here In Texas

The USS Lexington, a WWII-era aircraft carrier docked on Corpus Christi Bay, offers a unique museum experience with self-guided and guided tours.

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If you're a war buff, history enthusiast, or some combination of the two, there's a museum in Texas with your name written all over it. The USS Lexington, a WWII-era aircraft carrier permanently docked on Corpus Christi Bay, is open to the public for tours, and it's an experience the whole family will never forget.

Also known as the "Blue Ghost," the USS Lexington is a WWII-era vintage aircraft carrier. She was commissioned in 1983 and served the country longer than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation (48 years).

Today, the USS Lexington is docked on Corpus Christi Bay. It serves as a museum, open seven days a week year-round to tell the ship's rich and impactful story.

Visitors can either explore the ship on their own or enhance the experience with several guided tours. From a four-hour deep dive into areas not typically accessible to the public to overnight paranormal investigations, there's something for everyone.

If you take the self-guided option, there are five different routes to choose from. No two are alike, as each one weaves a unique path through the ship's 11 decks and 100,000 square feet. Embark on all of them for a fun-filled day rife with learning opportunities.

There are several other attractions aboard, including the ever-popular Flight Deck. Get up-close-and-personal with 20 aircraft from the National Museum of Naval Aviation, and marvel at landing gear and the infamous Plank. The Flight Deck is wheelchair accessible via an elevator.

Refuel with a hearty meal at the Mess Deck Café, designed to look just like a traditional mess hall. The restaurant offers drinks, snacks, and a full lunch menu with burgers, hot dogs, and other classic favorites.

On your way out, peruse the massive gift shop stocked with all sorts of memorabilia to remember your visit by.

Museum hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). General admission is $16.95 for ages 13 and up, $14.95 for seniors and military, and $11.95 for children 4-12. Ages three and under enjoy free admission, and extra fees apply for additional attractions. Visit the official website or Facebook page to learn more.

Have you ever been aboard the USS Lexington? If so, did you explore on your own or take a guided tour? What were some of the highlights of your trip? Let us know in the comments section, and check out our previous article for a Harry Potter-themed coffee shop to visit while you're in Corpus.

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With 200,000 Square Feet Of Exhibits, This Small Town Museum In Texas Is A True Hidden Gem

The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, is the largest history museum in the state, showcasing 14,000 years of regional history.

Canyon, Texas is a Panhandle town that's home to just under 15,000 people - and the largest history museum in Texas. The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is a 200,000-square-foot treasure trove of exhibits that showcase the region's history dating back 14,000 years. If you're a local history buff like me - or just enjoy learning more about our great state - this is the museum for you.

Tucked away in the small town of Canyon, home to the eponymous Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum is located on the campus of West Texas A&M University and is the largest history museum in the state.

With over 200,000 square feet of exhibits, including more than three million original artifacts, the museum details the history of the Panhandle-Plains region of Texas and the American Southwest as a whole dating back 14,000 years.

The museum features both permanent and special, limited-time exhibits that cover a wide range of topics.

Visitors will learn about the history of the petroleum industry, marvel at antique vehicles, view Native American art, and so much more.

Have you ever seen a bicycle from the 1800s? If not, you will when you visit the Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum!

Human history isn't all that is showcased at the museum. Paleontology enthusiasts will love the extensive collection of fossils, including this Allosaurus skeleton.

The exhibits are set up in such a way as to provide visitors with a fully immersive experience. You'll walk through entire rooms that are near-exact replicas of the offices of notable figures from the Panhandle-Plains region...

...and get the rare opportunity to step back in time when you enter Pioneer Town, a life-size Old West settlement complete with a livery, saloon, schoolhouse, pioneer cabin, and several other buildings.

All of the artifacts are truly one-of-a-kind - like President Theodore Roosevelt's very own double-barrel shotgun!

This collection of items was gifted to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society by Charles Goodnight, a Civil War-era Texas Ranger, in the 1920s. You'll see a leather ammunition pouch, powder horn, awl, pistol, and iron ladle.

Visit the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum website or Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Facebook page for more information, including current hours and entrance fees.

Have you ever visited the largest history museum in Texas? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience in the comments! Don't forget to check out our previous article to learn about Palo Duro Canyon , the nation's second-largest canyon. You have to see it in person while you're in town!

The World’s Largest Nutcracker Museum Is Right Here In Texas And You’ll Want To Plan Your Visit

Pape Pecan House in Seguin, Texas, features a unique nutcracker museum with over 8,000 nutcrackers and offers fresh pecans and souvenirs.

Are you ready to explore one of the most unique museums in Texas? One couple in Seguin is way ahead of the game because they own a nutcracker museum in Texas with over 8,000 nutcrackers! It's open year-round, so definitely stop by sometime to meet the eccentric pair, learn about their impressive collection, and even sample some fresh, delicious nuts at Pape Pecan House in Texas. It may just be the weirdest museum in Texas !

Texas produces over 50 million pounds of pecans each year, so it's only fitting that the world's largest nutcracker collection would be located here as well. This quirky Texas nutcracker museum is open year-round, which is perfect for pecan season!

Over the course of 50 years, entrepreneur Kenneth Pape amassed over 8,000 nutcrackers. You'll be absolutely blown away at how many different shapes, sizes, and designs they come in.

From movie characters to presidents, cowboys to animals, pretty much anything can be made into a nutcracker. You could spend hours perusing all the aisles and still not see them all.

I wonder what kind of nutcracker you'd need to break open the world's third-largest pecan? This monolith is conveniently displayed out front for family photo-ops.

Several different flavors of pecans as well as kitschy souvenirs are available for sale in the shop. Stop by sometime at 5440 S. Hwy 123 Bypass

Seguin, TX 78155.

Take a tour of this odd museum:

Have you ever been to Pape Pecan House in Texas? Let us know the weirdest store or museum you've ever been to in the Lone Star State! While you're in the area, check out some other fun things to do in Seguin, Texas .

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This Charming Pumpkin Patch in Rhode Island Is a Must-Visit Day Trip This Fall

Pick pumpkins; go on a tractor ride, and escape a corn maze at this charming pumpkin patch in Foster, Rhode Island.

USS Lexington

2914 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas

The overwhelming size of the USS Lexington—a World War II–era US aircraft carrier—dominates the Corpus Cristi Bay. Once the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy, the ship is now a floating museum that has welcomed more than 8 million visitors since opening in 1992. “LEX,” as the ship is sometimes known, offers tours, artifacts, exhibits, and more inside her 16-story hull.

The USS Lexington offers guided tours and five self-guided tour routes, the most popular of which is the “Flight Deck,” which showcases naval history through the ship’s 20 historic National Museum of Naval Aviation aircraft.

Guided tours include ghost tours, a nighttime paranormal tour, and a hard hat tour that takes you to areas not ordinarily available to the public. A wide range of interactive experiences include an escape room, a flight simulator, a 3D theater, virtual battle stations, and even overnight stays.

Some experiences require separate tickets that may include museum admission, and some tours must be booked 2–3 days in advance to ensure the guides are available.

Members and children under 3 receive free admission.

The Mess Deck Café offers snacks, drinks, and a full lunch menu.

For any type of help on the ship, look for the volunteers in yellow shirts, some of whom may have served on the USS Lexington.

The USS Lexington’s size makes it hard to miss; it’s located across the ship channel from downtown Corpus Christi, Texas, and just steps from the Texas State Aquarium. Drivers should head to North Beach in Corpus Christi Bay towards 2914 N. Shoreline Drive. Paid parking is available all day, and parking is free for members of the museum. Buses 76 and 78 also service the USS Lexington from Corpus Christi.

The USS Lexington is open daily year-round, except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. Open hours are typically from 9am to 5pm but may be extended seasonally during the summer and spring break. The Mess Deck Café and 3D Mega Theater usually open later and close earlier than the rest of the museum.

The size of the USS Lexington can be intimidating, but the ship does tiny, too! Head down to the Lower Deck to visit the Scale Model Gallery of Warbirds and Warships. The small but exact copies of ships on display here are miniature works of art that represent thousands of volunteer hours. It is the largest publicly exhibited model collection in Texas, showcasing more than 440 models, and took five years to pull together.

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USS Lexington

Price & Hours

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Following its commission in 1943, the USS Lexington was a combat aircraft carrier with the 5th Fleet at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Now, the retired ship rests in Corpus Christi Bay and serves as a museum where visitors can learn about the ship as well as naval aviation and battle.

Exploring the ship is split into five different self-guided tour routes. Routes explore different areas of the ship including the flight deck, the hangar deck, crew quarters and the forecastle (the area where anchoring took place). Guided tours are also available and have different themes. Visitors can choose from paranormal tours, an experience that takes patrons to parts of the ship not available on the self-guided tours and a tour that explores the launch experience of a pilot on an aircraft carrier. The USS Lexington also hosts its own escape room and offers virtual battle stations and a flight simulator, among other attractions.

Past travelers overwhelmingly agreed that the USS Lexington is a must-do in Corpus Christi. Recent visitors valued the wealth of information the exhibits offer as well as the variety of attractions.

The ship welcomes patrons from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round. Tickets cost $16.95 for adults, $11.95 for children ages 4 through 12 and $14.95 for seniors and military service members. Children 3 and younger can visit for free. Guided tours and the flight simulator cost an additional fee. The escape room requires reservations and has an extra fee, but the fee includes admission to the museum. The USS Lexington is docked in the bay, just north of the Texas State Aquarium and about a mile south of North Beach . For more information, visit the ship's website .

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More Best Things To Do in Corpus Christi

#1 Padre Island National Seashore

This barrier island stretches along the Texas coast for 113 miles, though it's split into two islands. While its southern section, South Padre Island, is a well-known spring break destination, Padre Island offers a calmer seaside getaway near Corpus Christi. In particular, travelers rave about the island's national seashore, a 70-mile stretch of land protected by the National Park Service, for its pristine beaches, calm atmosphere and space to spread out.

At the national seashore, travelers can build sandcastles on the beach, windsurf on Laguna Madre (a small body of water that is saltier than the ocean) or hop on a four-wheeler and cruise down the sands. If you time your trip for a summer visit, you may even be able to catch a sea turtle hatchling release. Remember that these releases have no set schedule as the baby turtles will hatch when they like. And if you're looking to save on accommodations, you can do so here by camping on the beach. Just know that camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

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USS LEXINGTON Museum On The Bay

All of this describes the USS Lexington, a World War II era Essex class aircraft carrier in Corpus Christi. Step aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay and you’ll be inside of an American legend.

Every hallway you walk down, set of stairs you climb, and deck you visit reveals the lives and stories of heroism of those who served on the Blue Ghost.

USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay Tour Routes

There are five areas totaling more than 100,000 square feet across 11 decks aboard the USS Lexington to explore, and you can do so on either a self-guided or a guided tour. While guides can be arranged in advance for a small fee, volunteers in yellow shirts--many of whom once served aboard the Lexington --can answer any questions you may have. Regular tour areas include:

Flight Deck

The USS Lexington’s landing strip showcases 20 aircraft, including classic warbirds such as the SBD-3 Dauntless and modern fighters like the Blue Angels FA-18 Hornet. You’ll also get an up-close look at the ship’s anti-aircraft guns and the impressive five-inch guns inside of 60-ton turrets that could fire a 55-pound projectile more than nine miles.

Foc’sle

Short for “forecastle” (or upper deck), the foc’sle features anchor machinery, officers’ quarters, and the multimedia Pearl Harbor exhibit. This state-of-the-art display includes a film about the infamous attack brought to life through 8,000-watt speakers and transducers that rumble along with the film’s corresponding explosions. There is also a display detailing the making of the 2001 film Pearl Harbor , which was filmed in part on the USS Lexington.

Gallery Deck

Step into the Gallery Deck to see where the aircraft carrier’s commanders made strategic decisions. Highlights include the captain’s cabin, the Combat Information Center, the library, ready rooms, and the CVE/CVL Exhibit.

Lower Decks

The lower decks is where many sailors slept, ate, and lived. Stroll through the chapel, crew’s galley, dental clinic, engine room, and sick bay, and a POW Exhibit. The lower decks also contain two special displays: the POW Exhibit and the Scale Model Gallery, the largest publicly exhibited model collection in Texas. More than 440 scale model masterpieces depicting ships and aircraft from all over the world, from 1940 to the present, are part of the collection that took more than 120 volunteers thousands of hours of work to complete. 

Hangar Deck

Get it on some of the action on the Hangar Deck. Soar through the skies like an F-18 fighter pilot in the Flight Simulator and then watch riveting films related to naval aviation in the MEGA Theater.

In addition to the public tours, the museum offers special behind-the-scenes looks at the workings of the USS Lexington through the Hard Hat Tour, taking you through more than 15 areas of the ship including the bomb elevator, scullery, secondary conn, and ordnance shop. The Flight Operations Tour reveals the ins and outs of being a naval aviator, from briefing procedures through launch, flight, and recovery. The museum is available for overnight youth camp-outs and private functions, as well. 

Don’t pass up a chance to witness a marvel of engineering and site of countless stories of heroism and bravery at the USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi!

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Introducing

An Escape Room Exclusively on USS Lexington Museum

• The Flight Deck

Experience our most popular self-guided tour.

3-d mega theater, experience all the action in 3d, free with admission, pearl harbor, relive every second in this ground-rumbling display of light and sound..

• Flight Simulator

Get a jolt to the nerves behind the controls of a war plane.

Scale model collection, five years in the making and over 440 pieces on display, see the largest publicly exhibited model collection in texas..

Adults (18 +) - $20.95 Seniors (60 +) - $17.95 Military - $15.95 Youth (13-17) - $17.95 Children (4-12) - $14.95 Parking - $5.00

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