What is USS Alabama Memorial Park?
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USS Alabama Memorial Park is an Alabama state park that was established to honor and educate the public regarding conflicts the US has been involved in. In this memorial park, you can tour the USS Alabama battleship commisioned in 1942 along with various aircraft, and military devices.
Why should you visit?
This is an educational trip that will help connect each of us with the past of the United States. It also helps us see how far we have come. We can also appreciate the sacrifices the soldiers made living on these battleships and submarines for our freedom.
My children loved visiting the memorial park and seeing what battleships looked like back in 1942 and being able to connect to their great-grandfather who served in the Navy. They were also amazed at the small living quarters and tight spaces that the soldiers had to live in. This was definitely an eye-opening experience for myself and my family.
You can also tour the DRUM WWII submarine at the USS Alabama memorial park. This was another eye-opening experience. Even though the day was fairly cool the submarine was quite warm and the space to move was so small, of course, the kids had no problem but for adults, it was a little more of a challenge especially while carrying backpacks and cameras.
You can also view tanks, artillery, and aircraft while at the memorial park. The tanks and artillery were used in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Wars. The aircraft are mostly from WWII but there are also helicopters from the US presidency as well as a U Boat for you to examine.
Tips and recommendations when visiting
If you are sensitive to loud noises I would recommend some earplugs as they do perform mock anti-aircraft demonstrations that can become very loud but is really cool to see.
In addition, I recommend taking your time and holding onto the railings. Watch your children and elderly on the stairs especially when it is raining or the ground is wet. The stairs in the battleship are very narrow and steep and can be slippery when wet. So, I encourage you to hold railings, watch your step, and keep your kiddos close by.
If you are sensitive to heat I recommend you plan your trip either in the cooler winter months or take a misting fan to keep cool. Alabama weather is not all that different from Florida. It gets very warm and humid and being inside the submarine and battleship will feel even warmer.
This is a financial friendly trip that you can take your family on. Children under the age of 5 are free and anyone with a military ID are free as well. Ages 6-11 are only $6 adults are $15. Over the age of 55, then pay only $13 for admission. They also offer special discounts for military families and AAA members.
Check it out
Go check it out! The USS Alabama Memorial Park was a great weekend trip for us, the kids enjoyed seeing the battleships, submarines, aircraft, and tanks. I enjoyed that they are learning about our history and I was able to learn something too.
Share this great historical site with your family too!
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