See the Inside of the USS Yorktown CV-10, a WWII-Era Aircraft Carrier—Museum in the Water

Arriving at Patriots Point

Visitors to Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina, can tour the USS Yorktown CV-10, a World War II-era aircraft carrier turned museum. The full-day experience includes parking for just over $21 and an adult admission fee of $28. This ticket grants access not only to the Yorktown but also to the USS Laffey, a preserved destroyer, along with a Vietnam War memorial and other exhibits.

Many guests come back more than once, especially if they didn’t have time to explore everything on their first visit. Self-guided tours are encouraged, with signs throughout the ship marking different routes to explore.

Exploring Below Deck

The Yorktown’s lower decks include original spaces such as the ship’s chapel and library. The library features books from the time, including works by Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. Further inside, visitors find the torpedo elevator—once used to transport weapons up to the flight deck. Though the original equipment is no longer in use, the system and its cables are still on display.

The crew’s sleeping quarters are preserved, showing how sailors once lived in cramped, open bunks with no privacy. The ship also includes a vegetable prep area, laundry, and machine shop, all used to support a crew of 3,500.

Workspaces and Daily Life

A visit includes a look at the barbershop, post office, and even the dental ward, with old tools and equipment still in place. Nearby, the engineering spaces display the turbines used to move the massive ship. Signs explain how steam powered the vessel, with heat reaching up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit in some compartments.

Above Deck and Command Areas

The ready room, combat information center, and communication stations show how crews planned missions and shared intelligence. Visitors eventually reach the flight deck, offering a clear view of Charleston. Standing on the deck, you get a sense of the ship’s size and the scale of its operations during the war.

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