Explore off-limits areas on a guided USS Yorktown VIP access tour
2 hours
Admission, guided VIP tour
Get early access to the USS Yorktown with a guided VIP tour through areas not available on standard visits. Learn how sailors and airmen lived and worked as you explore key spaces across the ship.
This tour is not handicapped accessible.
Minimum 4 required. If the minimum is not met, you will be contacted 24 hours in advance to reschedule or receive a refund.
Product ID: 4BWXPA
Check in at the front ticket window with your confirmation email by 11am on the morning of your scheduled tour.
After you check in, meet your tour guide at the information desk in the hangar bay aboard the USS Yorktown. Look for your Bulldog Tours guide.
Yes. After the 1.5-hour guided Admiral’s VIP access tour, you can continue exploring on your own.
40 Patriots Point Rd Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Step aboard the USS Yorktown CV-10 and feel the scale of mid-century naval power beneath your feet. Moored along the Cooper River at Patriots Point, this Essex-class carrier earned the nickname The Fighting Lady through some of the Pacific War's most pivotal campaigns. Walking her flight deck, you stand where pilots launched into combat, and the USS Yorktown CV-10 makes that history tangible in a way no textbook can.
Travelers consistently rave about the tour guides here, and for good reason. Names like Clara, Drew, Gordon, and especially Dave come up repeatedly, with reviewers praising their storytelling abilities, deep knowledge of Charleston's history, and genuine enthusiasm for what they do. The guides seem to strike that perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, making the city's past come alive without feeling overly rehearsed or dramatic. Several people specifically mention how knowledgeable their guides were, and it's clear these aren't just people reading from a script. They know their stuff and genuinely enjoy sharing it. The variety of tours gets attention too, from ghost walks to cemetery tours to the City Jail experience. One reviewer did note that while the content at the Provost Dungeon was solid, the delivery felt a bit contrived and the mannequins could use an upgrade (though they emphasized this wasn't a reflection on the tour company itself). That same person also warned that the jail tour includes some violent history and graphic details, so it might not be suitable for young kids or anyone easily disturbed. The office staff also earned praise for being friendly and efficient, making the check-in process smooth. Overall, these tours seem like an excellent way to explore Charleston's darker history with guides who are clearly passionate about what they do.
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