USS Lexington Museum

USS Lexington Museum

USS Lexington Museum
4.7
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Visitors can tour the longest serving Essex Class aircraft carrier of World War II. The 16-deck "Blue Ghost" displays military artifacts and more than 20 aircraft. See all five tour routes, 3-D mega theater, Lockdown on the LEX Escape Rooms, mess deck eatery and flight simulator. National Historic Landmark located on North Beach. Elevator from the hangar deck to the flight deck. Welcome aboard! Labor Day - Memorial Day 9am - 5pm Memorial Day - Labor Day & Spring Break 9am - 6pm See admission at https://usslexington.com/visit/hours-admission/
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • smrgeog
    Vancouver, Canada2,528 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The visit to the USS Lexington was the reason I had visited Corpus Christi, I avoided the hassle of driving and parking there ($ 5) by taking an Uber. There is a lot of road construction in the area and it's a bit confusing if one is not completely familiar with the road and diversions on the ground. Being on an aircraft carrier, the museum is huge and almost all day to have a good look. There are lots of climbs up and down stairs as well as some ladders. Touring around the Lexington provides all sorts of insights in how an aircraft carrier works, how the crew lived, and life potentially under fire as well. There are lots of interactive exhibits and an opportunity to sit at the aircraft guns as well. Absolutely well worth the visit and was the highlight of my visit to Corpus.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 28, 2024
  • Denisse R
    46 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was an amazing site to visit. So much to take in. We went with 2 older teens and one young child. Things I wish I would have known beforehand - it is very hot inside the main level. There is wind and airflow from the gulf but it’s very hot. We struggled a while with this because we had already walked around so much right before this visit. The bathrooms are difficult to get to. I did see there was an elevator somewhere but this museum is probably not suitable for those with mobility issues. Lots of narrow steep stairs. I have never been on a ship and did not know what to expect. My young child struggled with the stairs and the narrow passages through the lower decks. Once you’re in the self guided tour it is difficult to get back up to the main level. I saw many younger toddlers and children crying and parents struggling. One older lady seemed anxious and said she needed to get out because she was claustrophobic. The lower decks do have AC but some entry ways do not. The upper decks did not have much airflow or AC. With all that being said, be prepared. I’m glad I didn’t know all this because I probably would have skipped out and missed this amazing experience. Just being on the ship made me more aware and thankful for every thing our country’s service men and women do. My older teen and husband were amazed. They stayed a couple hours longer while we waited at nearby shops.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 2, 2024
  • Thomas W
    Dallas, Texas11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had an excellent hard hat tour into the guts of the ship that requires a tour to visit (and with good reason - you need to be cautious and careful navigating the tight quarters and bulkhead hatches.). Ed, the guide, was very knowledgeable. A lot of steep ladders and tight quarters, but it gave me an appreciation of life aboard the ship in wartime. This particular carrier was involved in major actions in the latter half of the war and it is a national treasure. If the weather is not good for the beach, visiting the carrier is especially good because - except for the flight deck - everything to see is inside the ship.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written December 8, 2024
  • IrishChief
    446 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you enjoy this type of thing, it is wonderful to see and learn all about this ship and lots of other historical things. Plus seeing the inner workings of how life was on the ship was pretty amazing. We spent about 3-4 hours here, there’s a lot to cover but you can go at your own pace. It was not crowded and some areas we were on our own walking through. Of course we went on a weekday in February so I’ll sure that made a difference.
    Visited February 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 8, 2025
  • HoustontravelinDave
    Houston, Texas104 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My brother and I (both veterans) made it onboard for the tour. There is so much to see and do be prepared to spend a few hours there. The volunteers and staff do an excellent job of telling the stories and answering questions. The information placards and videos help to fill in the blanks and answer questions you didn’t know you had. This vessel has so much history and such a decorated career that you will not be disappointed. Be prepared to climb some ladders if you really want to experience the tour.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 28, 2024
  • Me_n_my_rucksack
    Yorkshire, United Kingdom6,332 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We drove all the way from San Antonio to visit this as my interest is Military History and this was certainly worth the drive (even the really weird part through a kind of post apocalypse industrial wasteland near the coast !). What can one say - how can you not love visiting an aircraft Carrier ?!?! Highlight is the flight deck and some interesting aircraft - not least a F14 Tomcat which was in Top Gun 1 as well as a host of other aircraft, generally cold war vintage. There are numerous self guided tour routes around the ship - accessing numerous parts of the vessel. One aspect which other carriers one can visit are better than this one is in other historic ships one can enter many of the "cool" rooms (I am a radar engineer and the operation room is a cool room) but in this one many are cordoned off so you view through large perspex screens. I guess it helps preserve the equipment but its always great to actually get into operations / radar rooms. As some have written there are a lot of steps to get around - but thats part of the basic fact its a very large ship, although those who struggle with steep steps may struggle - as they would with any ship. On the upside this ship has far more welcoming warm chatty staff ! All in all we loved this ship - 3 hours very well spent.
    Visited March 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 17, 2025
  • MUFan-TRIP
    Cape Coral, Florida40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We decided to travel 3 hours to see the Lex the day before Thanksgiving. Great experience. We were concerned it might be crowded but it was practically empty. Lots to see. Extensive tour of the low levels including the sick bay and engine room. There is free parking on the lots a few block from the entrance ramp and it's an easy walk. Highly recommended.
    Visited November 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written November 28, 2024
  • Janice V
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place was majestic and so clean. The exhibits were perfectly organized. The views from the decks and around the carrier were so breath-taking. I was totally overwhelmed by them. The staff and the veteran volunteer, whom I luckily met, were kind and very welcoming. The entrance fee of $16 and the price of food were reasonable. The souvenirs were so interesting that I decided to buy a few. Another impressive part was the restroom. I had to climb down the stairs to get to it, which made me feel like I was one of the navy crew on board! However, there were a few areas, such as the library in one tiny cabin, that were not open. So, I didn’t have a chance to see what was inside and how it was organized. Also, the parking lot was a bit far from the carrier, but I was able to find a space in front of the Texas State Aquarium. Still, it’s a long walk. All and all, I can say that my 1st time on board was absolutely memorable!
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 17, 2024
  • andreaFrechen
    134 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    very interesting Museum! You can explore the ship and even try different interactive options. There is a movie about the meaning and importance of Navy and Airforce. They say that the most important thing is, to prevent wars. because if we will get a big war these days, they will be no family and place to return to, as everything will be completely destroyed worl wide. This was very impressive and so true! We recommend to spend a few hours in the different tours- it is worth it!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 14, 2024
  • margaretlea
    Katy, Texas53 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a really great place to visit. We stayed four hours. I would have liked to stay longer but we did 10 AM-2 PM here and 3-6 PM at the nearby Aquarium. If you have time, you could easily spend six hours or more here. We came back at night for the escape room on the ship. It was really cool, mostly because the setting was so awesome.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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TERRAvelista
London, UK18,460 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
We are big fans of places like this, weather located on the East or West coast or Gulf of Mexico.

This place was similarly organised to the other places we visited and deciding to visit the nearby Aquarium too, we parked the car in the Aquarium car park area and paid the 5 USD at the Aquarium ticket office - even the security guy was complaining this was expensive, I guess being from Europe where you pay double for one hour in a capital city, we found this to be very cheap bearing in mind how many hours we spent in this area, also eating at Pier 99 restaurant:

1. Just like the other tours, they allow you to go most of the decks from the engine area to the flight deck passing through all the room where the former sailors used to sleep/eat etc
2. Lots of info about the military war theatres this great ship has had an input
3. Lots of volunteers to help you and a dear old guy who until now was happy sitting in the very smelly engine room area!!! - loved this as my lungs could not.
4. English and Spanish tours by downloading the app on your phone, if you like listening to info as you tour around.

Lots of pelicans navigating yards above the top deck and circling over and over again - I found this fascinating

A very hot March day when I started burning up, hence not being able to go all the way to the top of the area we were allowed to access.
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jaxster
Lunenburg, MA100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
After driving to Corpus Christi for the day, our plan was to go to the Aquarium and then just take pictures of the USS Lexington but not your it. Unfortunately the aquarium was a busy and took only 40 mins so we chose to do the full tour and am so glad we did.
The ship is amazing. There is so much information throughout, with interactive visuals and sound clips it’s very intriguing.
The tour does require walking through multiple small spaces and up and down very steep stairwells.
The flight deck was super cool where you are able to see multiple aircrafts, walk into a gunner enclosure, and then up into the bridge. The sheer size of everything was crazy to see.
We were able to tour all areas, including the bunk room, kitchen, dental, captains quarters, etc. There is a 3D movie which depicts some of the operations of the ship and how the planes land and take off.

Whether you are a history buff or not, this is very enjoyable and informative!
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BernieDy
Houston, Texas64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
There's so much to see here. I have been to other museums, but none as big as an aircraft carrier. What a treat they were able to save the Lex and use it as a center for education for multiple generations of people.

When we visited, there was a lot of parking in the North Beach area for free that is a short walk away, or you can park closer to the Lex and with your admission fee (about $17) you'll get a token for the meters. There is a gangway you walk up to get to the Lex, and during some times of the day they have a shuttle which is very nice for those that struggle with walking or on hot days.

There are multiple decks of exhibits to see. The key must-sees are the several self guided tours where preset paths take you through the various parts of the boat. There is also a movie included with admission that is supposed to be pretty good but we didn't have time to see it.

Through the tours you'll see a lot about how carrier sailors lived during WWII, it is truly a city at sea, but a cramped one. There are also lots of navy exhibits not specific to the Lex. If you have a little extra money you can visit the flight simulator or the gift shop. The Lex crew will also take pictures of you that you can buy afterward.

If you have limited time, I'd recommend Tour 4, which goes through most of the lower deck crew quarters and gives you the best feel for the life of carrier sailors, and also Tour 1 (flight deck), where you can see lots of navy aircraft (though not all were the types that flew on the Lex during WWII). From the flight deck you can also take stairs up to the control tower. Tours 4 and 1 can easily eat up two hours, but I think they are the best parts if you can only hit the highlights. You'll get a bit of Tour 5 automatically as that's where admissions opens into.

If you have more time, other Tours 2 and 3 take you through officers and captain's quarters and the pilot ready rooms and a Pearl Harbor exhibit.

It's a great museum, well maintained, and a decent value. Frankly I thought the very industrial and military city of Corpus Christi didn't have much to offer for tourists but the Lex is in my opinion one of the best things to see. My only caution is that if you're claustrophobic, stick to Tours 1 and 5. You won't enjoy the other ones.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terri G
Rockwall, TX38 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
You definitely want to take this tour early in the morning. There are pockets of A/C, but much of the ship just has fans. We were on the ship 4 hours (!) and still didn't look/read all the displays on each deck. Going on 4th of July just felt like the best day of the year to visit Lady Lex. Every hour on the hour, the movie theatre plays a 40 minute feature documentary on history of sea warfare and the Lexington. This movie is fabulous. I didn't realize that the aircraft carriers nuclear energy is used to thrust the aircrafts off the ship in 3 seconds. And the "tail hook" catch stops the landing planes. The movie was a terrific tribute to the talented support teams and pilots. Be prepared for a lot of walking and climbing/descending the narrow ladders used by the sailors. There is a lot of stairs! It was a hot day and I was sweating. The flight deck tour was just too hot for me. You cannot bring food or drink on the Lex. But they do have a "Mess Hall" where you can purchase beverages and snacks. However, very difficult to carry a beverage and climb the many stairs between decks. Definitely don't miss the movie!

The 4 tours are self-guided. However, there are group tours but they are only offered 2 days per week.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dlc398
Michigan94 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
We had a wonderful time visiting the USS Lexington Museum! It was $16.95 per adult, however, there are discounts for Children 4-12, Veterans, Seniors, and groups. We spend several hours touring the different levels and watching a very well-made and informative short film on naval history. They offer self-guided or guided tours. There are a nice gift shop and place to get snacks and drinks. Beautiful views of the bay and surrounding areas. I would recommend allowing yourself at least half the day to tour. Also, keep in mind that there are very strong winds on the upper deck. You should also consider you are on a real ship, which includes climbing up and down ship ladders and through narrow doorways. There is an elevator for those who need this accommodation. We also had the pleasure of being around several veterans during our visit. They offered up some priceless insights and memories of their time servicing our country. Truly, grateful for those who served as well as those committed to preserving our past.
Written March 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

G Y
Manila, Philippines4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Most reviews advise you to allot 4 hours for the tour and this is quite accurate. The place is so big that you need all the time to be able to appreciate it. You need the strength to walk around a lot and there are lots of stairs with narrow steps. There are 5 main spots to visit, and as advised, we visited the Lower Deck first then the Flight Deck. The Lower Deck shows the interior of the ship and the operations of the crew. It is a long walk winding up and down the ship, some spots are hot while other spots have air conditioning. The Flight Deck is very cool, it shows several planes used in wars before. Since this is above the ship, it gets very hot with the sun. You will learn a lot from this trip.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anarayan
Arlington, TX158 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
Very interesting and organized tour which was a little over $20 per adult which was a little pricey. I was surprised there was a $15 entrance fee for military. Street metered parking is very cheap through the app. I paid about $1.50 for 2 hours and there are several lots around the area that charge $5 for all day parking.
Written March 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

melwashere81
Cleveland, TX3,441 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
If you love history you have to stop here. I've been to several ships and this one is by far the best. Its well organized with 5 different self guided tours to take and they even have a 3D theater that is included with admission! We spent several hours going through the ship and learning about all the history. There are even videos throughout to watch and several interactive sections. We had so much fun! If you have mobility issues be aware much of the ship requires going up and down steep staircases. There is an elevator to the flight deck but it wasn't working when we went.

Parking in front of the ship is very limited and is metered unless you have handicapped plates then there are 2 free parking spots. You can walk up the ramp to the entrance or wait for the shuttle bus to take you....its free.

They do take a picture of your group that you can purchase at the photo shop. This is taken when you take the tour to the lower deck. Word of advice.....do this first! We took all the other tours first so by the time we got our picture taken we were sweaty and disheveled. One big plus is every single tour brings you back to the hanger deck so its impossible to get lost.

Be sure to stop at the gift shop before heading out. They have a lot of souvenirs to buy including newspapers from the 1940s wartime which are pretty cool. I'll definitely come back again one day but next time NOT during the summer. It was hot, humid, and super crowded. So if you don't like crowds come during the week and arrive at opening time....
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julia E
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
If you are planning a visit to this museum, free up the whole day for this! it is incredibly interesting, a lot of information, a lot of interactive rooms, a film studio where you can watch a movie about this boat . Well, the museum itself is 4 huge floors!!! we are delighted! Here you will see the real life of sailors at that time on this ship. Immerse yourself in that era as much as possible! and of course you will see unique military aircraft!
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel with Robin Smith
Saxton, PA119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
Learned a lot of history on this extensive tour. Many exhibits and excellent tour guides. Amazing to walk through a ship that was part of World War II and more and learn about the people who worked on the ship, their living conditions, and more. Well worth the time. You can easily spend half a day at this museum.

Didn't eat on the ship. But spent extensive time touring.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi

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