Patriots Point, Military and maritime museum in Mount Pleasant, United States.
Patriots Point is a military and maritime museum in Mount Pleasant with extensive collections of military vessels displayed in Charleston Harbor. The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and destroyer USS Laffey are among the main attractions and can be explored by visitors.
The USS Yorktown CV-10 was constructed in Newport News in 1943 and served in Pacific operations during World War II. The ship became the museum's centerpiece in 1975 and has shaped the region's historical memory ever since.
The Medal of Honor Museum aboard USS Yorktown honors American military personnel who received the highest recognition for valor from the Civil War through modern conflicts.
Access to the ships involves stairs and narrow passages, so visitors should be reasonably mobile. The best time to visit is early in the day or on weekdays to avoid crowds.
The Vietnam Experience Exhibit spans multiple acres and features holographic Marine officers alongside recreated military bases from the 1968 Tet Offensive era. This immersive installation gives visitors a window into daily life during this pivotal historical period.
Location: Mount Pleasant
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours: March-September: Monday-Sunday 09:00-18:30; October-February: Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00, Saturday-Sunday 9:00-17:00
Website: https://patriotspoint.org
GPS coordinates: 32.79050,-79.90559
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00
The historic ships of the United States Navy are a direct testament to the country’s naval development throughout the 20th century. These warships, converted into museums accessible to the public, allow visitors to learn about life onboard and the technologies used during major global conflicts. The collections include Iowa-class battleships such as the USS New Jersey in Camden and the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, destroyers like the USS Laffey in Mount Pleasant, as well as World War II submarines like the USS Cod in Cleveland and the USS Lionfish in Fall River. Visitors can walk the combat decks, examine original weapon systems, and explore preserved interior spaces. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point also displays vintage military aircraft, while the Naval Submarine Museum at Keyport features diving equipment and historical torpedoes. These sites, spread across oceans, provide a tangible view of the US Navy's role during Pacific conflicts, the Korean War, and more recent operations, showcasing nearly 80 years of maritime military history.
South Carolina combines American history with coastal landscapes and urban parks. Charleston preserves colonial architecture from the 18th century, including the Nathaniel Russell House and Drayton Hall. Plantations such as Magnolia, Middleton Place, and Boone Hall show the agricultural past and the history of slavery, while the Old Slave Mart Museum and McLeod Plantation document this difficult era. Fort Sumter marks the beginning of the Civil War. The city offers historic churches, Rainbow Row with its colorful townhouses, and the Charleston City Market. The coastal region includes beaches on Hilton Head Island, Folly Beach, and Sullivan's Island, along with state parks like Hunting Island and Huntington Beach. Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet combines sculpture with native plants. Myrtle Beach offers the SkyWheel and Broadway at the Beach. Inland, the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, Falls Park in Greenville with waterfalls on the Reedy River, and the Angel Oak, a centuries-old tree near Charleston. The South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston Tea Garden round out the options.
USS Yorktown
283 m
USS Laffey
223 m
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Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
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