Things to do nearUSS Yorktown CV-10
The USS Yorktown CV-10 is a preserved World War II aircraft carrier in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, offering immersive naval history, flight deck views, and hands-on exhibits.
The USS Yorktown CV-10 has a storied history that stretches from its commissioning in 1943 through the final years of the Vietnam War. Named in honor of the USS Yorktown CV-5, which was lost at the Battle of Midway, this Essex-class carrier went on to distinguish herself in nearly every major Pacific theater campaign, earning eleven battle stars during World War II. After the war she served as a recovery vessel for the Apollo 8 mission, retrieving the astronauts who had orbited the moon. Today she sits at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, preserved as the centerpiece of one of the country's most comprehensive naval history collections.
Visitors can walk through multiple decks, exploring the combat information center, the engine rooms, the captain's quarters, and a hangar bay filled with restored aircraft representing different eras of naval aviation. The flight deck alone holds more than two dozen aircraft, including an F-14 Tomcat and an A-4 Skyhawk, giving a concrete sense of how carrier operations worked across the decades.
Alongside the ship, the Vietnam Experience exhibit recreates a firebase and river patrol environment with authentic equipment and firsthand accounts. There are no formal dining options aboard, but the surrounding Patriots Point grounds offer places to rest and take in sweeping views of the Charleston Harbor and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. For anyone drawn to American military history, the USS Yorktown CV-10 offers a rare chance to move through living history at a scale that is genuinely awe-inspiring.
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Tips for visiting USS Yorktown CV-10
Visit during a weekday morning to explore the flight deck and hangar bay before crowds arrive and the South Carolina heat peaks.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, as the ship's steep ladders and metal deck surfaces are uneven in places.
Try the nearby waterfront restaurants in Mount Pleasant for a post-visit meal with views of the carrier from the shore.
Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone's panoramic mode to capture the full length of the flight deck against the Charleston skyline.
Check the Patriots Point schedule before your visit, as the Vietnam Experience exhibit on the adjacent grounds is included with admission and deserves extra time.
Top tours & experiences near USS Yorktown CV-10
USS Yorktown Ghost Tour After Dark in Charleston
Explore eerie legends and restricted areas of the historic aircraft carrier after dark.
Sunset Cruise in Charleston Harbor
Cruise Charleston Harbor at sunset with BYOB, music, and landmark views
Cruise Charleston Harbor on a 90-Minute Tour
See 75+ Charleston landmarks on a narrated harbor cruise
Tour Boone Hall Plantation & Cruise Charleston Harbor
Visit Boone Hall Plantation, then use your Harbor Tour voucher when it suits you
Sunset Charleston Harbor Cruise
See Charleston Harbor landmarks and watch for dolphins on a family-friendly cruise
Private Daytime Sailing Charter in Charleston Harbor
Sail Charleston Harbor's landmark-lined waterfront aboard a private charter
Charleston Harbor Sunset Sail
Golden-hour harbor views, lively music, and drinks aboard a catamaran
Charleston Harbor Private Yacht Charter
Celebrate aboard a refurbished yacht with custom Charleston water routes
Sunset Catamaran Sail Past Fort Sumter in Charleston
Sail Charleston Harbor at sunset with views of Fort Sumter
Private Charleston Harbor History Cruise
See Charleston from the water with a native captain's local stories
Cruise Charleston Harbor & Take a Ghost Graveyard Tour
See Charleston by harbor cruise and after-dark graveyard walk
2-Hour Sunset Sail in Charleston Harbor
Sail the 84-foot Schooner Pride at sunset in Charleston Harbor
USS Yorktown Captain's Tour & Exclusive Access
Explore restricted areas of the famed aircraft carrier alongside an expert guide.
Charleston Guided Tour of Boone Hall Plantation
Explore Boone Hall's history, gardens, and Gullah culture from Charleston
Charleston Harbor Daytime Cruise
Relax on a small-group harbor cruise with shade, local commentary, and dolphin-spotting opportunities
Sail Charleston Harbor on a 90-Minute Dolphin Sail
Cruise Charleston Harbor on the 84-foot Schooner Pride and spot local wildlife
Charleston Harbor Dolphin Watching Cruise
Cruise historic harbor landmarks and watch for dolphins
Charleston Sunset Charter
Sail Charleston Harbor at sunset with your own drinks and snacks
Private Catamaran Event Charter in Charleston Harbor
Host your celebration aboard a 55-foot catamaran with Charleston Harbor views
Charleston USS Yorktown Museum Tour
Roundtrip harbor transport and admission to Patriot's Point Maritime Museum
Private Morning Dolphin Cruise in Charleston
Cruise Charleston Harbor privately with time for sightseeing, wildlife watching, and swimming
Charleston Harbor Ghost Cruise from Daniel Island
Explore Charleston’s haunted history from the water
Charleston Party Boat Cruise
Bring your own drinks for a shared adults-only harbor party with music, dancing and onboard amenities
Charleston Harbor Mimosa Brunch Sail
Pair light brunch bites with Charleston Harbor views on a relaxed Sunday sail