Cancel

Open app

Search

USS Orleck Naval Museum

4.5 (30 reviews)
Closed Closed

USS Orleck Naval Museum Photos

You might also consider

More like USS Orleck Naval Museum

Recommended Reviews - USS Orleck Naval Museum

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Steer
Jenita M.

You need to be physically active to fully experience this your or you'll just be on the lower level. You will be climbing ladders narrow spaces. I would recommend for mature teens and older. Perhaps there was an elevator. Very informative tour. Staff was friendly and you know they have worked there many years as the tour goes on. They were active military soldiers and one guy was actually assigned to the actual ship on my visit. A gift shop is located inside the ship before exiting. Two restrooms available at ticket booth. Take is the scent of Maxwell House Coffee across the street.

Pier entrance
Patti C.

Great nephew from Minnesota is visiting so wanted to do something different. Quiet day downtown so parking was no issue. All the volunteers were really great and shared good information and stories of the ships history. Fun for all ages, and educational as well.

Linda B.

Had a wonderful time exploring this ship which was in 3 wars including Dessert Storm. I felt so lucky to have experienced this ship and all of the nooks and crannies. Loved the history and friendly staff!

USS Orleck

Great to have the USS Orleck museum in our military town. We enjoyed the interactive displays. The docents were very knowledgeable about the ship and history. Well stocked souvenir store and museum, looking forward to the future renovations. This is a treasure to have in Jacksonville. There is a lot of stairs and ladders. Great date for history enthusiasts and families.

Crystal O.

My original listing for this museum managed to evaporate- I have been invested in this ship coming to Jacksonville thanks to my father-in-law for more than a decade! I watched her come into town, toasted with a couple of board members the morning she arrived & enjoyed festivities while docked in front of the Hyatt. I loved watching the the holiday boat parade from the bow with friends. I have roamed the ship with my grandson strapped to me. Explored with my father-i-l and hubby numerous times & John even signed up to become a docent! I recently enjoyed a bourbon and whiskey event aboard her. Now that she is at her permanent location, I am excited for the museum to have a full store & permanent bathrooms. And more excited for future events and offerings for group (scout) tours! Great volunteers & wonderful staff running things!

Catherine D.

This was super cool. Must do !!! To be on a real naval ship is absolutely amazing. Never did I think I would be in real naval ship. I mean the amount of space on there is incredible. I mean you got to go through a lot but I mean we probably only got to see 25% of it of go through 25% of it it is huge!!!!! I would go again. And the gentleman in the beginning explains the story of the Orleck. It is an amazing incredible story and then off on your own to explore this huge naval museum on a naval vessel.

Jacksonville Beach Mom S.

Great spot to take the kids! Be sure to do the scavenger hunt while you're there. It's lots of fun and very educational.

Sheila B.

Very cool that we have a battleship here in Jacksonville and it is on the water . It was commissioned after the end of World War II. And it fought in desert storm and a couple others. The tour includes the whole ship, and there are tour guides spread out with information on everything. They even do special tours for senior citizens. It's a smaller ship, not as big as the aircraft carriers. There's a lot of history and appreciation for our military service.

Michelle D.

I had the pleasure of touring the USS Orleck today. I'm thankful it was cloudy as it kept the temperature down which made the tour more pleasant. There were several volunteers on board providing a wealth of information! Throughout the tour I had to climb and descend narrow and steep stairs while holding on to a metal railing. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes. Adults pay $15. They offered military and senior citizen discounts. The ship was engaged in many battles and was even sold to Turkey, where it continued to be used as a battleship until it returned to the US and became a museum. It first returned to Texas, then went to Louisiana and now is docked in Jacksonville. We were able to see most areas of the ship, which was pretty cool! From the communications and sonar rooms, to the Captains quarters, mess hall and barbershop. It's like a mini city on water. I highly recommend checking out this historic vessel!

Leah A.

Great guided tour by Frank and really cool history lesson during the tour. Parking is free and there's a gift shop and AC restrooms for visitors. The entire staff was so pleasant and answered our questions regarding the USS Orleck. This is a must-see for anyone visiting downtown Jax and don't forget to purchase the cool photos at the end where they superimpose your initial photos with the backdrop of the ship. Only $33 for the photos and the tour is well worth the price of admission. Definitely go! :)

Chris B.

It's very cool to get to step into an old warship. If you like history, you're really gonna enjoy the experience. It's amazing how our military would operate "back in the day." Very cool stuff to be found on the ship, and the veterans onboard are very happy to explain how everything worked. Would recommend for anyone who enjoys history and wants to see what a warship was like back during Vietnam and Korea. Recommend good shoes for walking up and down ladders. Had an amazing time.

Linda V.

When you see an ad for a holiday market on board a decommissioned war naval ship...of course you say yes! The ship is a Naval Museum but rents itself out for events like this...small parties, business catered events, etc. they are still restoring area and would like to eventually offer over night opportunities for like scouts.....how cool would that be!?! Tours are Wed-Fri. , shorter hours on Sat for about $15-$20 a person. It certainly is an interesting piece of our country's history this was ship!

Such amazing and pleasant people that volunteer/work here. It was a great experience and definitely worth the $15 price. As they further renovate and develop the ship, I can't wait to come back! And.... FREE PARKING

Bridge

See all

2 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Jen S.
0
19
26

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sheila B.
30
31
112

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 2
Love this 8
Oh no 0
Photo of Leah A.
1357
1420
20688

3 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 9
Oh no 0
Photo of Chris B.
16
588
538

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

A fantastic experience, highly encourage a visit to experience the destroyer and the history surrounding it.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Absolutely amazing tour and ongoing project that I wanna volunteer as a welder to preserve.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jose G.
180
322
4786

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Jim W.

Jim W.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Vic R.
142
38
8

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Jim W.

Jim W.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tara G.
114
268
2336

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Judith R.
20
84
21

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 3
Love this 0
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Very interesting facts and experience and a wonderful tour through ship id recommend it to anyone

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - USS Orleck Naval Museum

Where is the best place to park to visit the Orleck?

Hi Tara, You may park in the old Jacksonville Landing even though the signs say "Permitted Parking Only" On the weekend, metered parking on the street is supposed to be free.… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - USS Orleck Naval Museum

l. What a unique and fun experience to party on a naval ship in beautiful downtown Jacksonvill

Mentioned in 2 reviews

Read more highlights

Verify this business for free

People searched for Museums 289 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Museum of Science & History - Flatulence

Museum of Science & History

3.7(170 reviews)
0.6 miSouthbank

Family went over memorial weekend. There were quite a few interactive exhibits that didn't work…read more The 3rd floor was closed down and the 2nd floor near the planetarium didn't make sense. You can tell the museum is closing down. The shows in the planetarium were great. They were very educational and entertaining. Other than that my other favorite part was the "Currents of Time." Seeing the evolution of the Jacksonville area. I definitely will check out the new location once it's done.

What a happy celebration day for the museum as they transition to a bigger and modern caliber for…read morethe city. I learned that the museum of science is expanding to a new home and it will take some years for the official move and space. Throughout my travels , looking for staples in the community that offer hands on learning, family friendly spaces, and a budgeted treat truly takes time to explore. Today I walked through showcases filled with history from the Victorian era; some relics were plants and photos from the 1970! I hadn't been inside a planetarium in a few years and you still appreciate the wonder when you hear children awe at the science and story telling in front of their eyes. All the staff were incredible , helping answer and questions they had- a major shout out to Vystar credit union as a volunteer partner making the day impactful for the masses. Go visit your museum- science centers- arts locations as we are continuously evolving in science and expanding our living history. Today was special!

Photos
Museum of Science & History
Museum of Science & History - Not my fav exhibit

Not my fav exhibit

Museum of Science & History - Winners from the Lego competition.

See all

Winners from the Lego competition.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

4.7(315 reviews)
1.7 miRiverside
$$

The museum was having a plant market right in front of the museum a few weeks ago and that's what…read moredrew me into coming here. The vendor I bought from told me that it was free that day to go into the museum and Gardens so my family and I decided to look at the beautiful garden to welcome spring. Sadly, we didn't have time to explore the inside of the museum, but that will be for next time. The garden is absolutely stunning and breathtaking with a plethora of colors and the river in the back it's just so pretty. I loved how you could just walk around and see the different parts of the garden and then stand by the river as well. They had super unique flowers. I especially loved the ones that looked like little red lanterns and I loved all the beautiful trees. I was so happy to come here and I loved that they had a little plant market that drew you in to come and actually check out the garden. I can't wait to go back and explore the museum and make a whole day out of it. You definitely need to add this to your list if you haven't gone yet.

Another museum on us weekend as a BOA cardholder, and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to check…read moreout Cummer Museum. I stopped by Saturday around 12p and parking was pretty much non existent due to the Farmer's Market nearby. I highly suggest the earlier you get to the museum the better. I did find parking at the River and Post lot. This museum is known for it's beautiful garden and that was the first thing I hit. Now since it was a lovely day, there were a lot of people here visiting. I was amazed by the beautiful courtyard but even more breathtaking garden. I see why this is a hot spot for wedding/engagement photos. The garden has the backdrop of the St. John's River and the beauty of the botanical garden is so peaceful. I would've hung out a bit longer if it was not so hot outside. Inside, there are some great exhibits on display like the feature Art in Bloom, Norman Studios (black movie posters collection) Italian to Egyptian art and artifacts, to the Tudor Room. This room is a chance to learn more about the Cummer family and their art collection. The museum also has a cafe and offer a children's learning area. I look forward to coming back for an event day at the museum but I highly recommend stopping by to this museum.

Photos
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens - The original Cummer room.

The original Cummer room.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens - Cummer Museum

See all

Cummer Museum

Sally Dark Rides - The new JOKER ride

Sally Dark Rides

4.8(5 reviews)
1.0 miLaVilla

I went on a free tour of Sally Dark Rides and left feeling like my mind was blown. First of all - I…read morehad no idea this was a huge warehouse in Downtown Jacksonville. Nor did I realize most of the dark rides across the whole world are created and developed here! It was amazing!! Our tour guide led us through the building while showing us all of the stages of creating an epic dark ride. This made me think about amusement parks in a whole different way. The tour was about an hour and was very informative. We asked lots of questions and met people from different departments along the way. Highly recommend booking a free tour and checking this out. It would be great for kids as well!

I need to start b my saying that this part of our trip to Florida was not planned! My 11 yo LOVES…read moreanimatronics, most especially, Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF). He originally wanted to visit a much smaller place in Orlando, which is a one man operation charging $375. It was a bit too far and too expensive for what it was so I decided to do my own research of places he would love, Sally Corporation became the place. I filled out the reservation form online and was told there were no spots available during our time in Florida. I couldn't take no for an answer. I emailed back explaining how much my son wants to be a Robotics Engineer and that we would wait as long as we needed to snag a spot. We got an email back the next day that two spots opened up!!! We made our way downtown and parked for free in the back. We entered to learn that the tour was also FREE...FREE! This facility is HUGE! They are arguably the largest producer of Dark Ride Amusements in the US and don't just make the robotic aspect of the animatronics, but they handle EVERY aspect of the creation and completion. From make up, costumes, design, voices, all of that! We were thrilled to see they had a...yep...FIVE NIGHTS OF FREDDY'S attraction! If you've ever been to he Ripley's in San Antonio, you will see one of their biggest sellers there, a ginormous T-Rex, that's their baby that sells for $90,000! The tour takes you to each department and you are truly immersed in their production. It is an working operation so you get to see the people behind the scenes at work, which was SO DAMN INSPIRING for my 11 yo who has told me for 4 TM years that this is what he wants to do in life. He got to see what his future could be like, which is absolutely priceless. The staff, facilities, location, displays, animatronics, all were 5 stars! Hands down a MUST when in Jacksonville! Come for a 10 or 11am tour and then take the FREE Skyway (Tram) to Hemming Park and Check our Sweet Peet's. Your kids will have the best day ever!

Photos
Sally Dark Rides
Sally Dark Rides
Sally Dark Rides - Last display on the tour

See all

Last display on the tour

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Beautiful stained glass

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

4.3(6 reviews)
1.1 miDowntown

This is a little hidden treasure in Jacksonville. Did you know the Karpeles Manuscript Library…read moreMuseums encompass the world's largest private holdings of important original manuscript documents? It's true! And we have one right here! This is a little hidden treasure in Jacksonville. Did you know the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums encompass the world's largest private holdings of important original manuscript documents? It's true! And we have one right here! There is always a rotation exhibit with a wide variety of literature pertaining to art, religion, political history and so much more. I was surprised to learn Karpeles owns the original draft of the Bill of Rights of the United States. They also own a wide variety of things from Einstein's famous formula "E=Mc2" to the sheet music of "The Wedding March". Of course, all of these treasures are not right here in Jacksonville, you can go to their main website to see where all the locations are and that is: https://karpeles.com/ You may have driven by this building and wondered what it was or admired the old architecture. But since you never heard about it, perhaps you never went in...well, now you know! Looking for something to do? Put this on your list! As mentioned, there is always a rotation of exhibits and to view what is currently on exhibit, please go to their website: https://karpeles.weebly.com/ The admission is free, however, donations are more than appreciated. Every little bit helps to keep these exhibits available for all of us to enjoy. Lastly, there is ample free street parking around the building.

Karpeles Manuscript Museum is the largest privately owned organization for historically significant…read moredocuments and works. The organization owns many unique things such as the proclamation setting aside Thanksgiving Day by George Washington, Richard Wagner's original composition of the Wedding March and scientific papers written by Einstein. My particular exhibit was at the Jacksonville location. The current showing was of Samuel B Morse work in the telegraph. It had many personal letters, diagrams and government correspondence for using the Morse code. It also included the very first transmission sent. Everything was nicely displayed and explained. Exhibits rotate around museums. Sometimes there may be a exhibits by the same name but with different documents so be sure to check what the specific exhibit contains. Facebook is usually the best place to find the info. Eleven museums exist in the United States. Locations and hours vary by location. Admission is free to all. A fantastic way to dig deeper into history and scientific discoveries. A true treasure!!

Photos
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Interior

Interior

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Art

Art

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Exterior

See all

Exterior

Amelia Island Museum of History - Recreation of a jail cell

Amelia Island Museum of History

4.4(43 reviews)
26.3 mi

If you're a history lover and in the area, you can't miss the Amelia Island Museum of History -…read morewhich is housed in the old historic jail building. THe museum itself isn't the largest but you'll be very surprised at just how much has gone down on this small island on the edge of the Georgia/Florida state line. If it's any indication of just how tumultuous this area was - 7 distinct flags have flown over the island throughout written history. From natives to pirates to Spaniards and Confederates and everyone in between - there's a lot more to Amelia Island than just million dollar beach homes and waterside dining. Admission is $10 for adults. Make sure that you arrive with enough time to enjoy one of the complimentary docent tours. It's included with your museum admission so to not take advantage is a big missed opportunity. The tour we had lasted over 1 hour and in that time our guide covered essentially most things you would learn from reading the exhibit displays but with added insight. As an added bonus, there is a parking lot attached to the museum and plenty of street parking as well. I'd recommend starting your Amelia Island vacation with a trip to the museum so you can appreciate the historical footsteps you're walking in while on the island.

Worth a stop if you want to learn the history of beautiful Amelia island !…read more The Amelia Island Museum of History offers a well done look at the island's past, from the Timucua Indians to Spanish and French explorers and even pirates. The exhibits are interesting and well presented, with videos and displays that make the history come to life ! There is a docent led tour, which is included with admission. Tours run Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., and they add great context and storytelling to the exhibits. Fun extras: there's a pressed penny machine for collectors and a passport stamps if you're tracking your travels. There's also a nicely stocked gift shop . Plan to spend at least 30 minutes here, though history lovers could easily stay longer depending on how much reading you want to do. Plenty of parking makes the visit even easier.

Photos
Amelia Island Museum of History
Amelia Island Museum of History - Outside view of the old County Jailhouse

Outside view of the old County Jailhouse

Amelia Island Museum of History

See all

USS Orleck Naval Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...