American Victory Ship & Museum

We had an incredible time aboard American Victory! We decided to stop here because our daughter is in NJROTC and our son has always been fascinated with ships. We were not disappointed with this stop! I will say, if you visit during the Florida summer, be prepared for the heat and humidity. Luckily, they have some cooling rooms around the ship you can duck into if you need to cool off a bit. While it may be a complaint from our perspective (the heat and humidity), it really makes you think back to what the men who served aboard this ship endured for months at a time. Ships back then did not have the comforts we enjoy today. That aspect made the experience that much more incredible for us. We loved all of the history packed into all of the exhibits around the ship. Being able to go up and down, around the decks, and through the rooms was really an experience. If you are looking for a floating reminder of how the "Greatest Generation" served in the Navy, this is it!

It was amazing to be able to board let alone walk through this piece of literal history. It was worth the money spent which honestly wasn’t a lot for my husband and myself. It wasn’t that busy which was very nice! Will definitely be bringing my father when he comes to town to visit

The SS American Victory is more than steel and rivets—she’s a living testament to courage and endurance. Born in June 1945, in the final heartbeat of World War II, she sailed into history with quiet strength. She served faithfully in three wars—World War II, Korea, and Vietnam—carrying ammunition, cargo, and the hopes of countless troops from Los Angeles to Southeast Asia. And when the battles ended, she brought them home. She weathered two typhoons and a hurricane, her hull groaning but never giving in. Each storm etched a story into her frame; each voyage, a chapter in the legacy of those who served aboard her. Today, she stands not just as a ship, but as a symbol of grit, grace, and the quiet heroism of those who kept her afloat. Absolutely worth visiting with family—to show our kids the beauty of our country’s history. Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸

Awesome day touring the American Victory Ship with the person who donated the Gunners Seat - Thom Davis from Shoreline Washington. I would recommend touring the American Victory Ship, along with the aquarium. The Ship is located right behind the aquarium with free parking which is a plus. Be prepared to climb stairs. P.S. they have AC rooms if it is a hot day in Florida.

The American Victory Ship in Tampa offers a unique and immersive experience that takes you back to World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. As one of the few fully operational WWII ships in the United States, it allows visitors to freely explore almost every corner—from the massive engine room to the bridge, crew quarters, and cargo holds. The ship has been beautifully preserved and is filled with original artifacts, informative displays, and photos that help you understand the crucial role these ships played in wartime logistics. Walking through the ship gives you a real sense of the harsh conditions and daily lives of the sailors who served. The ticket price is very reasonable, especially considering the depth of history and freedom to explore. You can take your time wandering through the various levels without being rushed, and the atmosphere is calm and respectful. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just curious, this ship offers a rare hands-on experience. It’s not just a museum—it’s a piece of living history, and it’s definitely worth a visit when in Tampa.

It was a really nice experience! It was a bit pricey for two adults $33. However, It was really fun to go up and down and see the medical rooms and captain 👨‍✈️ room. There were lots of historical items. I would recommend learning about a few stuff before going in because it can be overwhelming on a lot of new information. Definitely recommend if your interested or want kiddos to learn more about history.

It's amazing walking aboard this ship. History just feels alive when learning about what that ship and its crew did. These ships provided a lifeline to the troops that relied on them to get them their supplies. Is it a big battleship or aircraft carrier? No. But is it just as important to the war effort? Absolutely. I really wish we could go down into the engine room though because I could just imagine what that looks like down there. If you're in the area and want to learn about a great Navy ship, stop on by and give a donation on the way out!!

Very educational and a massive number of rooms and areas to explore. You can roam pretty much everywhere in the ship, so great option for physical/tactile education. By nature, the ship is very poorly ventilated so it's extremely inside. Like hotter than it is outside. They have several fans positioned throughout the ship and a "cool down room" that has air conditioning, but I would recommend bringing some sort of personal cooling devices and water if you really want to take your time to explore. We were so hot that we felt like we had to rush through and didn't get the full value of our entry ticket. Speaking of which, they offer lots of discounts (seniors, military, first responders, teachers, etc), but the standard ticket is $15 per person. With such a prime location (right next to the cruise ship terminal and the aquarium) and a relatively high ticket price for a self guided experience, I would have expected the ship to be maintained a bit better. Most of the military museums I've been to take a lot of pride in taking good care of the exhibits etc. This was not the case here. Lastly, this would be an extremely inaccessible activity for anyone with physical challenges. Lots of narrow spaces and steep stairways. Of course, that's no one's fault, just would advise that it is taken into consideration when planning your itinerary. Strollers and wheelchairs are not going to work well here.

Love the self paced tour. Great information and the history is unbelievable! Got a kudos from my kids and husband for picking the adventure!

Dead in the Water is such a great spooky season activity! Every year there is a different story and new scares on board. Visitors are sent through in small groups so everyone can experience the jump scares. There are a lot of tight spaces, steep stairs, and it is pretty dark inside so those with mobility issues may struggle getting through the attraction.

I have been wanting to come here since I moved to Florida! We took my parents today and it was awesome! The way they provided the videos in almost every room. They had an explanation of what room was, and what the heroes did on the ship! We will go back for sure!

This ship is a must see for any red-blooded American, born here or not. Kids need to see this ship. After reading reviews, I decided to schedule a tour with a volunteer docent. Jerry was our guide and he did a fine job. He is a former history teacher and his passion, even after a decade of volunteering, is palpable. From the nice young lady at the entrance, to the volunteer docents, everyone was great. To say there is nothing of historical significance, is ludicrous. To say this priceless piece of American history should be scuttled is, to be polite just very, very sad. I paid $15 each for my buddy and myself. The guided tour was an additional $25, which worked out to about $10/hr because Jerry was very generous with his time and patient in answering our questions. I need another Tshirt like a tooth ache, but when I saw that they were made here from 100% American cotton, I had to have it. America made 3500 of these successors to the Liberty ships In four years. This boat was made in 55 days from start to ready for carrying supplies to soldiers in combat. Only three Victory ships remain. This is a local treasure. Kids need to be taught and adults need to be reminded that Liberty comes at a cost.

What a cool experience this was. I have been on cruise ships, but never a ship like this and it was interesting. It was fun to walk all over the ship, up and down steps, in and out of doorways. We got to see some of the guns they used which looked so complicated. The chart room with a huge map was interesting and I have no idea how they followed the map. The engine room was probably my favorite. To know this ship was built in 55 days is mind boggling. This was a self tour, so we did it in less than an hour. Finding it was a little tricky as it's tucked behind the Florida Aquarium.

Super humid day for a trip to downtown Tampa on Wednesday 1/17/2024 and made it directly to the Channelside neighborhod. We'd promised the middle grandkid that we would make it to a military museum and he agreed to this one ... for this trip. Found parking in a nearby parking garage, paid $15.75 a day; I wish we'd been advised that there was free parking in front of the ship museum. Maybe it was advertised somewhere and I'd missed the notification regarding parking. There's a lot of walking, reading, opportunities for indoor and outdoor staring, looking and discussing. It was not crowded the day and time we visited. There are some very interesting exhibits - clothing, log books, travel iteniaries, pay slips and then the "head" (learned why bathrooms were called that), the bunk rooms, etc. Pointed out to the kids that the A/C was an open porthole or a rackety fan. The mattresses on the bunkbeds were thin (no topper like today's must have), and each person had one locker to store their personal goods ... almost all spaces were communal. Learned what the role was for the Merchant Marine corps and when the branch was founded. Very interesting.

If you have watched Top Gun more than three times, Battleship or Under Siege another smattering of times and any other Navy-related movies you definitely have to check out the American Victory Ship museum when in the Tampa area! Docked in the Sparkman's Wharf area, this was an actual military cargo ship that delivered supplies to our troops between World War II and Vietnam. Per the informational signs they posted, this 455' x 62' ship was built in 55 days, and could steam at 17 knots. Besides carrying 500,000 cubic feet of cargo it carried about 3 different "pew pew sticks" for self defense. I was even able to sit in one of the mounts and pretend I was "Maverick" if he were a Surface Warfare Officer. Besides its current purpose as a museum, and as a haunted house during evenings in October she also hosts a history cruise around Tampa Bay one or two times a year. The ship also serves to train first responders, I was told. When I went, I was fortunate to talk to one of the real radiomen tour guides who narrated that part of the ship and some of the cold war espionage things they did. As someone into electronics & computers, this was my favorite! Otherwise since I took only a self guided tour, I have to hold off a fifth star. I wanted to see the engine room also, but was told I couldn't do this solo. Therefore, if you can finetune your plans and pick a specific time block I'd definitely recommend going on a full guided tour. I plan to do that next time I'm in the area.

Cool maritime museum to see. Self tour so take as king as you want . Cost is reasonable . Lots of good history about WWII SHIP AND MERCHANT marine service

The American Victory Ship & Museum is located near the Florida Aquarium and a cruise port. Parking at the aquarium is $6 however you may be lucky to park for free if you drive right up to this museum (we didn't know this and wished we had knew this to save some money). On January 12, 1944, the very first Victory Ship, named the United Victory was launched. This large vessel was built in only 55 days and is only 1 of 3 fully-functioning ships in the country. My husband and I came here on a Sunday afternoon, around 1:15 pm. The employee who checked us in was definitely rather quirky. Anyways, we ended up spending about 90 minutes here after going through the entire boat. Part of the self tour here will you lead you to the radio room, messy hall, crew cabins with some uniforms to view, you will see naval equipment, some weaponry and the engine room. This place is not wheel chair friendly. If you have difficulty getting into some narrow paths, then this place probably would not be the best for you. When we came a few weeks ago, there was still Christmas decorations up like an inflatable Snowman, stockings by a chimney and Christmas wreaths. This is a nice place to check out if you are in Tampa and do not have plans for an afternoon.

Well maintained ship by a volunteer crew. The museum is full of relics and information. Yes, it's hot inside but so is Tampa outside in the summertime. The view from the ship to other working functional yards is just across the water. If you're lucky you will get to see a ship or two float by. For $5 I get to watch the Holiday Boat Parade from the Victory. It's a beautiful evening~full moon and clear!

This was a fascinating addition to my trip. I've toured lots of old ships but never a WWII victory ship - and this one is fully functional and can still get underway. Very cool and more than worth the cheap price of admission ($12).

We arrived at 8am and had some coffee at a local shop and waited 2 hours to see the museum. Arrived at 10am it was not open we waited until 10:15 and left. The entrance had a chain "authorized personnel only" the exit had a bunch of Cruise ship employees lounging around on the steps etc. I recommend contacting the museum before making the drive. We were unable to see the museum. I will update the review if we are able next time we come

My boyfriend and I visited the American Victory ship and museum, which is 1 of only 4 fully functional ships from World War II. We visited here from 2 p.m to 4p.m. today and it was decorated for Christmas. It was amazing to step back in history and imagine the voyages the ship and crew went on. We saw so many areas of the ship. We could venture up multiple levels on the ship. We started at the entrance and viewed the museum first. There were old scuba suits, a propeller from a sunken German U boat, a German sailors uniform and much more! We got to climb up to the gun turrets, walk the narrow iron walkways in the engine room, see the captains quarters and office, go to the nap room, the helm, and even the communication room where the Morse code messages would arrive! If you are a history or marine lover this ship and museum is a must see!

Came here about a month ago here with my friend and we had a blast. If you're into ships, history or looking to explore around, look no further. Throughout the ship, there are mementos and images from before alongside with videos playing on old tvs showing how the ship uses to be ran by the crew back then. I was surprised at how much more enjoyable this museum was compared to other options in the area. Come check it out!

Was able to finally take a tour of this old maritime ship. Let me just say as I was going on the self guided tour, I thought to myself 'This is cool, I should shave done this long ago!' Access is pretty easy and the ship is ported behind Sparkman Warf so plenty of parking around. Historic headlines on preserved newspapers, lots of vintage time period items, ton of model ships, and even a mini U boat onboard (unexpected)! I love that it's self guided so you can go at your own pace, and plenty of reading material if you feel so inclined. I love touring the deck and the rooms. It was a little too warm still in September... but despite huge fans in a couple of places which did help some, thankfully here and there are AC cooled rooms that you can go in and take a needed 'cool' break. It was a nice way to spend a couple hours and take a feel back in history. I didn't think I'd be as interested as I was more accompanying others, but I'm definitely glad I went... and yes, I recommend :) Also... for those who are concerned about being claustrophobic and touring the decks, it's all pretty open. All doors where you are permitted in are opened and you see naturally lighted and electrically lighted ways down the halls, always an exit in view.

Visited the vessel for the first time on Thursday March 14th.... Was a very special day for my family and I want you to pay homage to my dad who passed away last week. He was a military officer and my husband that it would be a good idea to board the vessel and pay our respects to him there since we could not make it out of town to be with the other family members. I called ahead of time and Joeseph was very helpful and kind both over the phone and upon the day of our arrival. My family and I appreciated that is a very solemn day but very special for us and memorable and we thank you Joeseph!

The company Christmas party was held here and I was excited since I've never been to it before. There was a storm rolling in, so instead of putting the party out under the stars, they brought us inside. THat was a bit warm and crowded and I could smell the fog juice/ fog scent they used during the haunt, but that didn't seem to bother others. The ship itself is awesome. We had a docent give us some pointers on the guns on the deck, and show us the quarters for the sailors. I really do look forward to come back here. It isn't the easiest place to find, but it's a great place to visit! I'm coming back for sure!

This is real, tangible history, not just a photo in a book. Well worth the price of admission for all ages. Things to know: The interior space where you board and see the museum exhibits is out of any breeze, so it can be uncomfortably hot during the summer. The rest of the ship is open enough to explore with no issues. The ship is next to Florida Aquarium and a working cruise ship dock. The Saturday we went had a lot of people and auto traffic from both. The Victory ship was not busy at all, just the surrounding area. For the most part, auto drivers were courteous and stopped for pedestrians. Park across the street in the public parking garage. Facing the garages (your back to the ship) use the garage to your left of the roundabout. After you tour the ship, take the free trolley for a ride!

I got 2 free passes for this museum through Hillsborough County Public Library Discovery Pass program. Basically you use your library card to reserve a free admission or to a free pass to select local Museum and attractions. We were there on Friday afternoon in February. The weather was pleasant to walk around the outside deck. Moderate amounts of visitors made it easy to cruise every room and chamber. The view from the deck was spectacular- it reminded me how lucky we are living in a city by the water. This is a cargo ship compared to USS Wisconsin -the battle ship at Nautilus, Norfolk, VA which we toured last summer. It was not as fancy as battle ship. However, she got basically everything. For anyone never been in any Navel ship before, this is a good introductory ship.

A phenomenal piece of history located in Tampa. The admission is fair and all of it goes towards upkeep of the ship. It's a self-guided tour and a fascinating way to explore the ship. I feared I'd get lost, but there's really no way to get stuck, so you really don't know what you're going to find as you meander your way through the different levels and decks. I enjoyed the informational placards and the insight into what life was like on the ship. Because Gasparilla had just occurred, they still had some fun pirate decor and history on display. All in all, a neat exploration into a veritable Merchant Marine ship and its esteemed history. Note to visitors, this is not a wheelchair or stroller friendly site due to the nature of the ship.

I love anything related to WWII and it's history. I was over the moon excited to visit the American Victory ship and museum, but was a little let down. This ship is BIG....and old with stories (tall) of history to see. Yes it was in the waters of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam wars. However, This was a cargo ship to replace the losses caused by German subs in WWII. As you meander around ducking in and out of certain areas, be mindful of the low overhead and the steps in the doorways. It is dark in many areas making things hard to see, read, or even comprehend. It is VERY hot in some rooms, and colder in others??? The engine room was closed off, and you could only view a part of it from above on a grated walkway. The views are fascinating as you ascend and descend the stairwell to various parts of the ship; which lends your imagination to "what was it like back then?" The big guns on the deck are amazing, but I wonder...where they used? This ship seems to be more of a cargo hold now, and there is storage throughout the entire ship, which a little disappointing, as I know they didn't have stacks of white plastic chairs during WWII. Some of the walkways are crumbling, and really not safe to walk on, but how else do you get around. The Captains quarters were nice and kept in good condition, as well as the radio room. The kitchen wasn't quite as big as I would imagine for such a big ship, but then again, I believe that not many sailors were housed here at a time. The infirmary was interesting, and the rooms were mostly 2 bunks in a room...cramped. As I stated, the Engine room was off limits but could be viewed from the floor above on a grated walkway, but it was so dark you could barely see anything. I walked away from this ship still wondering, and not fully satisfied with what I saw. I think I expected more of a story and more history having to do with WWII as it is advertised this way. They did have 1 propeller that was from a German boat. The admissions guy was nice enough, and the shop was small and really didn't have much. Admission was 10.00 an adult, 5.00 for Vets. I am glad I went to satisfy my desire, but would not go again. I wish they would do some MUCH needed up keep.

THANK YOU so much for availing the SS American Victory to public view. There are only a handful of such ships remaining, and Tampa is lucky to have one. The legion of volunteers who keep this project going are incredible. I very much look forward to returning for one of their cruises. The historical placards are useful. I wish there were more as they seem few and far between. Often I'll be curious as to what I'm looking at and hoping for some guidance. There's a lot to ingest.

Very cool to visit while in Florida. It's nice to walk through and see how life used to be on the ship. Self guided tour, but the gentleman working the front was knowledgeable and was available for any questions.

So worth it! We walked around the ship for several hours just taking it all in at our own pace. It was a great historical experience!

I love anything that has to do with history. I come to Tampa for last 3 years and always seem to miss going. Finally made it here today. WOW it was like taking a large leap back in time and sometimes you can imagine yourself being on this massive ship for years as the sailors did. It wasn't very crowed and you walk around as you please. Witch is nice, because you can take your time no rush and take a lot of pictures. It's very well maintained for being how old it is. Go see it while you still can you will not be dissatisfied. Watch we're you're walking there's old ropes and high steps and lifted floors on deck. Please go it's a must see for war history nerds or anyone

It blends in amongst it's surroundings. Camouflaged more by accident then intent. If you were walking around Channel Side you would be hard pressed to locate it amongst the new buildings. Which is rather amazing when you consider that it is a ship. The USS Victory is a seaworthy museum. Which sounds very strange until you limb aboard the old ship. You enter into the main hold from a gang plank on the starboard side of the vessel. And thus I have exhausted all of my seagoing terminology in one sentence. Alas I will never be able to describe this ship as one who had actually lived aboard her, but I shall endeavor to do the old girl proud. She sits at permanent anchor behind the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Rising three stories above the water. At a length of four hundred and fifty five feet the ship is just slightly longer then a football field. She has been lovingly looked after by a crew of caretakers for the last twelve years. Working on keeping the boat in good working order. Which is no small task. Walking aboard the ship you are greeted first by a mannequin dressed like the ships captain. You have the choice between guided or self guided tours. My group chose to amble around at our own pace. Which is to say we walked around with no real plan. We moved from exhibit to exhibit based on what one of us thought was neat. So I am sure that we missed half of what was there to be seen. Standing on the main deck of the ship you can almost imagine what it was to be one of the original crew. All you would have to do is stand amidships and close your eyes and you will be transported to the south pacific. The sea breeze, the salt spray, the adventure. It must have been an amazing time. Well a terrifying time more like. The entire world at war the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. No wonder they have made so many World War II movies.

My 12 year old son and I were looking for something cool to do in Tampa and we found this. It was a lot of fun just freely walking around an old victory ship. The museum setups are interesting and it was fun to see war memorabilia. The rooms around the ship were put together to resemble WW2 times and there was a lot to explore. The staff was super friendly! We got a fun set of dog tags custom engraved for $10 and my son loves them. We found a deal for the museum 2 for $12 on Groupon. Overall it was a great time!

A very interesting ship museum, much better bang for your museum buck than the art museum or the aquarium. I especially recommend this for military history buffs and maritime history fans. This is a big treat for anyone who has been on the U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. The heroic Milwaukee Mayor Carl Zeidler perished on one of these ships during WWII. It's a well preserved (it's floating and supposedly could still sail on its own, many of the heads still function) and well stocked with original equipment and period artifacts. Your admission fee allows for access over almost the entire ship, so you could easily spend an hour in here. Much of the work here was, is done by volunteers, there are some mistakes. One display has a collection of plaques from other Victory Ships, including the S.S. Southwestern. Unfortunately, the label and explanation instead describes the S.S. Northwestern (named after the university, and the weekend we visited there were thousands of alumni in town for the Outback Bowl). I think a more detailed explanation and description of German U-Boat versus Allied Shipping warfare might give visitors under the age of 80 a better sense of the extreme courage service on these ships required. As an added plus, the deck provides for a wonderful view of the Port of Tampa, I've never really had such a good look at cruise ships from the outside. They play WWII era big band dance music, it's a really nice touch. You need to dress for the occasion, we went on a cool sunny day (for Tampa) so we were comfortable, but on a more typical muggy hot day, it would be very uncomfortable below decks. On the other hand, that might be a little educational as well. Right off the Number 7 TECO Streetcar Station stop, it could be marked better. If you're facing the Aquarium, walk around to the left circling towards the water, kind of across from the Exploding Chicken.

Unique tour through a part of history. It would have been nice to actually tour the engine room instead of just looking from above. Too bad more money is not spent in up keep. So much to do on a big ship. Worth the visit.!

This ship/museum was really cool. The idea is pretty simple: you pay a few bucks, they hand you a brochure, and.... go! You have the whole thing to yourself. Listen to some nostalgic WWII music while you follow the arrows on the floor and learn about how the SS American Victory functioned (it served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam) and what life was like for the crew. We had fun exploring and taking some cool photos. It's pretty easy to get lost, but that was the fun part. We felt like we were the only ones there! Like previous reviewers said, however, the ship is HOT! There's no air conditioning or air flow. I don't know what other situation in Tampa leaves you actually relieved when you finally step foot outside in the 90 degree heat. I liked that the ship was so hands on. Certain things were roped off, but for the most part, you could walk everywhere, touch everything, and get the full experience. I recommend coming here if you're in Channelside visiting the aquarium or grabbing a bite to eat. One problem however is that the road leading to the entrance can be blocked while cruise ships are boarding, since the Victory is located right along where the ships park. There is another entrance through the aquarium, but it's kind of hidden off the beaten path, and I'm not sure if they will let you use it if you're not an aquarium visitor. I would the Victory Ship if you're into American history (always good to learn more and appreciate REAL pieces of history!) or just looking for somewhere new to explore in the Channelside area.

My husband and I made a random stop on the way home from Sarasota in Tampa and checked out the ship/museum. We really enjoyed it and I would absolutely recommend it if you are in the area

This was much more interesting than I thought. We had the ship mostly to ourselves so it was fun exploring the ship and all of the rooms. My husband loved it too.

We visited this ship during the Family Fun Fest that was hosted on July 4th. My son had a blast. The ticket prices were very reasonable and it was a family friendly event. We had an opportunity to tour the ship and see how our navy heroes live throughout the year on the ships. There was free face painting for the kids which turned out adorable. They also gave the kids glow sticks and american flags to get them in the celebratory spirit. As night fell, we made our way to the top of the ship and saw multiple firework shows all over Tampa. It was an amazing event.

I visited today with my family. My little boys had a blast and my wife and I learned some history. There is a lot of history from the walls so you really can't do there expecting it to look "new". The one thing I would mention is that some of the stairs are pretty steep so just be careful if you have kids. There was also a docent who gave some history. Total cost was $40 for five of us with a little extra for a donation which is not required but a few dollars to help keep this history alive is worth it.

This ship is hidden behind the Florida Aquarium. We brought my 5 year old son here, he loved it! You have access to many parts of the ship and everything is very well kept. Engine room, bridge, cabins, mess hall, walk in freezers, storage rooms, etc. It is pretty easy to get lost amongst the various levels, hallways and stairs. Watch your head and step too- lots of uneven spots! (duh, it's a WWII ship!) It even smells like and old ship. My son's favorite part was to sit at the big gun up on deck. A carnival ship was boarding in front of us at the time. He pretended it was a bad guy and "shot" it. The museum would be nicer with the addition of some historic plaques throughout. We saw a few, but not many. Possible even an audio tour throughout. We really didn't see any staff, other than the kid who took our money. And speaking of money, to tour the ship is EXPENSIVE! $10 for adults, $5 for kids... and the "tour" is you wandering around! Still, I guess it goes to a good cause- maintaining the ship. I sure would NOT recommend visiting in the summer as the ship has no AC and is very stuffy and warm, especially below deck.

This is definitely not your typical museum and that makes it very special. I am yet to attend during regular hours and explore the ship during daylight; but I recently attend the holloween event "Chamber of Terror" and was pleasantly surprised. It"s a little tricky to get there and there were not many signs but if you follow the back road towards the bay you will eventually get there. Not too many parking spots so channelside parking may be your best option. The costumes, scenery and overall scary effect was present. Unfortunately I was hit by one of the characters unintentionally so hopefully they got it down to a path now.

Most of the areas were too dark and subsequently unsafe to walk through. We were unsure of where we could walk that we ended up just leaving after about ten minutes. We saw a couple of other families with children, who seemed just as confused. The ticket girl seemed like she was angry and wouldnt take my bogo coupon. I just wanted my money back by the end, but I didnt bother because I figured it was a 20 dollar (two tickets worth) donation to the vessels restoration at least.

Visited as part of a fund-raiser/party, but able to wander for a self-guided tour. Very interesting to see all parts...crewquarters, hold, kitchen, rigging, etc. Multilple explanatory signs with artifacts, mainly showing history and actiities of Victory ships in WWIi and merchant marine activities in this area. Worth a visit.

An incredible piece of history in our very own Channelside district. I also found this 50% off 4 Admissions deal on DealChicken https://www.dealchicken.com/tampa-bay-fl/10063

My husband loves history. Since we were at the Florida Aquarium, I thought it would be fun to tour the USS Victory. We thought the tour would be either free, donation, or really cheap. I think it cost $16 for us to tour the ship. It was my first time touring ship and I found the vessel to be interesting. I enjoyed touring the inside more than the outside. We had to make our tour short because it was very hot inside the ship. We were sweating like crazy. Overall, it was a fascinating piece of history to see.

This was a fun excursion. I'm not the biggest history buff by any means but found the place very information. Found it fun to explore the different rooms and see how things were set up back during this age. Roughly spent around 1-2 hours roaming around. It was nice to know that it was a non-profit organization.

A fun ship to tour. I have toured the Midway in San Diego and this ship though definitely not in the caliber of ships, has a lot of stuff you can touch and feel.

Great side trip and a terrific history lesson Alex the young volunteer was very helpful Highly recommend the museum we combined it with the Aquarium

After reading some of the the other reviews you would think that I am writing about a completely different American Victory ship! This "museum" is not worth the price of admission. In fact, its not worth the $2 I spent on parking while I was on my "self guided tour". There is literally nothing worthwhile to see on this ship. I was hoping it had at least some historical significance, but sadly even their website shows what little significance its made through its existence. The ship is worth driving by, and possibly even getting out of your car to take a photo of the docked "military vessel", but keep your cash in your wallet. With any luck, they will sail this old hag out to sea and create an artificial reef, or scrap it for all of the metal.