From Submarines to Schooners, Hop Aboard These Top Maritime National Landmarks 

From watching the sunset on a tour aboard an 1914 steamboat in Louisville, Kentucky, to exploring a World War II battleship in Mobile, Alabama or a Pearl Harbor submarine in Philadelphia, here are 5 fun places you can explore important maritime landmarks across the country. 

U.S.S. Alabama | Mobile, Alabama 

In Mobile, Alabama, hop aboard the U.S.S. Alabama battleship and step into a vault of history. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, the 680-foot BB-60 war vessel shares quite a few stories. Known as the “Mighty A,” and once home to a 2,500-person crew, the ship earned a total of nine battle stars. In 1965, the ship was preserved in Mobile Bay as part of an enduring public memorial park. Through on-site artifacts, displays, exhibits, and more, learn about the ship’s significant World War II service, from 1942 to 1945. Active duty military get free admission. 

Book your stay at Best Western Plus Mobile Inn & Suites. 

Belle of Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky, is home to a last-remaining steamboat from the packet-boat era. Named a National Historic Landmark in 1989, the Belle of Louisiana’s period of significance ran from 1914 to 1962. In the Engine Room, see two examples of 450-horsepower piston engines that date to the 1890s. The 17.5-ton bright-red paddlewheel is the boat’s only means of propulsion. Be sure to listen for a melody from the Belle’s famed calliope, a steam-powered organ originally used for advertising purposes. Onboard meal options include picnic lunch cruises all the way up to a three-hour, elevated Admiral’s dinner, which includes a sunset tour and dancing on the upper deck.  

Book your stay at Best Western Premier Airport/Expo Center Hotel. 

U.S.S. Becuna | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  

In January 1944, the Submarina Becuna (SS-319) launched from Groton, Connecticut. In May that year, the 307-foot sub was commissioned and headed to Pearl Harbor, where its fascinating journey began. At the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, you can explore the submarine and learn more about her years of service during World War II and the Cold War, plus her time as an important naval training vessel.  

Book your stay at Independence Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection.

Elissa | Galveston, Texas 

In the late 1970s, members of the Galveston Historical Foundation began restoration work on an 1877 square-rigged, three-masted ship that had been salvaged from a shipyard in Greece. Today the famed tall ship Elissa, which attracts over 40,000 visitors annually, is one of three still-sailing vessels of her kind. Snag a “Ship to Shore” ticket to experience through immersive exhibits based on real-life stories of what life was like for immigrants arriving in Galveston in the 1880s. 

Book your stay at Best Western Plus Seawall Inn & Suites by the Beach. 

Christeen | Oyster Bay, New York 

Docked in Oyster Bay, New York, Christeen is a 138-year-old oyster sloop, the oldest working example in the country. The 38-foot vessel enjoyed her heyday between 1883-1940, serving primarily as an oyster dredge and cargo carrier. A resilient ship, she survived 16 hurricanes, other serious storms, and two sinkings. In 1991, the Christeen was designated as a National Historic Landmark, and thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, the sloop was fully restored in 1999. Today, the Christeen serves a floating classroom for the educational mission of The WaterFront Center and also offers private sails and public charters.  

Book your stay at WorldHotels Crafted Inn at Great Neck.