Battleship Memorial Park

If you're interested in military history, or you are just fascinated with battleships and submarines, Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile is not far from your lodgings in Gulf Shores. It's only a one-hour drive away from our Orange Beach condos and Gulf Shores rentals which gives the beach vacationer plenty of time to plan a day trip to the park and still have hours of daylight to spare at the beach or in the pool.

The USS Alabama

The whole family will love exploring the USS Alabama, a 680 foot long battleship with 12 decks. The ship's batteries can fire shells as heavy as small cars. See what it was like to man the gigantic gun turrets, sleep in the bunks, or get locked in the brig, the ship's jail. The battleship has four propellers weighing over 18 tons each, and holds 7,000 tons of fuel oil. The USS Alabama was used for over three years during WWII with a crew that consisted of 2,500 men. The ship and crew participated in operations in the Atlantic as well as in the Pacific theater. The USS Alabama was nicknamed the "Lucky A" because not one man lost his life aboard this ship, and the ship suffered no damage from enemy fire.

The USS Drum

After exploring the battleship, climb inside the USS Drum, a submarine also used during WWII. Visitors can see what it was like to fight, live, and sleep in close quarters. During the war the Drum held a crew of 72, conducted 13 patrols, and sank 15 Japanese ships. After the war the Drum was used in Washington D.C. by the Naval Reserve and then moved to the inactive fleet in Norfolk, Virginia until 1969. The submarine was then donated to the Battleship Memorial Park and has rested their on display ever since.

Fighter Planes

Visitors can also see bomber and fighter planes from the Vietnam War, the Korean War, WWI, WWII, and Desert Strom. Planes include an A-12 Blackbird spy plane that was used by the CIA during the Cold War and a P-51 Mustang. P-51 Mustangs are long-range fighter planes that were used during WWII and the Korean War. There are also a couple of planes that were used by the Coast Guard on display.

Memorials

After exploring ships, planes, and the submarine, be sure to visit the Korean War and Vietnam War memorials and the rose garden located in the park to pay your respects.

Admission

The Battleship Memorial Park is open every day except Christmas and admission is $15 for adults and children over 12. Admission for children ages 6-11 is $6 and younger children get in free. There are discounts for senior citizens and AAA members. Active or retired military personnel get in for free with ID. Military dependents get a small discount. The park is open from 8am - 6pm, April through September and 8 am - 5 pm, October through March. Parking is available for $2. Take a trip out for an educational and exciting afternoon away from our Gulf Shores condos and Orange Beach rentals.

Battleship Memorial Park
2703 Battleship Parkway
Mobile, Al
251-433-2703