Posted: 1/13/2007 2:08:18 PM EDT
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So who has been, and whats it like? I saw a billboard with an aircraft carrier on I-95 somewhere in S.C. as I was headed to Florida. It looks cool on the internet, but I want a better description. Is it doable in one full day, or is two better? Its almost 300 miles from my house to there, so I would be planning a long weekend if its worth the trip. I have been to the Battleship North Carolina memorial and a comparison to that would be helpful too. Anything else in the area of Patriot's Point a must see? I wanna tour an aircraft carrier! Looks awesome! |
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It's in Charleston, so there's all of Charleston to see like Fort Sumpter, which is a ferry ride. We stayed aboard the Yorktown a couple of years ago as part of a Scouting trip. That was an interesting experience sleeping in the old crew's quarters. The ship is an older one, but the trip was special to us because my father-in-law served on a sister ship. You're pretty much free to roam the enitre ship including the engine room which was kinda spooky. The battle group includes a sub, a destroyer and Coast Guard Cutter. You can probably do it all in a long day, but there's much to see in Charleston so I'd make at least a weekend of it. Definitely worth a visit. Heck, I was even impressed with the giant cargo ships going in and out. http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/seedo_attractions.html?type=1&category=2&sub_category=12 |
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Make a long weekend of it, in the Charleston area. Patriots Point is in Mt. Pleasant, across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston and the original cargo port. You will get to travel over the big Ravenel suspension bridge. While there, also go see the aquarium, wander through the old market area and up and down King and Meeting Streets, then walk or Drive down to the old battery area at the very south end of East Bay St. Take the tour boat out to Fort Sumter, (Note correct spelling), go visit the old forts on Sullivans Island, and check out the beach while you are that close. Lots of stuff to do in the Charleston area. And, check the gun show calender. You might be able to time your visit when the gun show is at Ladsen, right off I26 near Charleston. |
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Patriots Point is great. How long it takes depends on how long you spend at each individual display . There are alot of them. You could spend a couple of days on the Yorktown alone if you wanted too. I was lucky enough to meet a man who had actually served on the Yorktown during the Fiftie's. I spent an hour just listening to him. There was some type of reunion in the area for members of the Yorktown that weekend and the gentleman that I met was talking to someone from either the History or Discovery Channel. Don't forget about the Friends of the Hunley tour just outside of downtown as well. |
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My wife & I toured the York Town a couple of years ago, on July 4. It gets very hot on board in the afternoons. There is a memorial room that that has AC, so you can browse there if you get hot. Go early in the morning, if you go in the summer. It's a wonderful tribute to or milpers. A must do. Be safe! Johnny C! |