So far I've visited the North Carolina (which I am intimately familiar with, being from that state), walked the main deck of Wisconsin, and toured Alabama. I guess my only other options are Missouri, Texas, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
I guess what I'm looking for is: quality of preservation, and quality of information.
I've visited North Carolina several dozen times over the years, and they seem to keep changing things around to make it new. Since I've been there, they've lowered the rifles on the #3 Turret, trained the 5/38's in different directions, and added a ton of information to read. They detail the daily life of the crew, added interviews of former crew members, etc. You could really spend an entire day on North Carolina and not read everything there. Plus I hear they offer a behind the scenes tour every once and a while. I bet they'll offer river cruises soon, JK.
Wisconsin is nice, because of the set up with the Nauticus complex (and its free). But when I was there in 2005, you couldn't go inside. Just walk the main deck. There was some information to read, but 30 minutes and you were pretty much done.
Alabama, for me, was somewhat of a let down. There was a handout you followed, and it was easy to lose your way, or miss information. I did learn a little bit about BB life and operations that I didn't from NC (like spare tube storage for the 40mm). But if Alabama were show-and-tell, it was all show and no tell.
As for condition... Wisky had to be in the best shape. NC really showed her age my last visit in 2008, after coming home from Iraq. Lots rust, and a lot of work needing to be done. Part of the starboard side of the ship was sectioned off, because of construction work... I only hope they're overhauling it. Finally Alabama seemed to be really bad. There was a ton of rust everywhere, and to me it seemed like nothing was really cared for. I think she needs a lot of restoration work.
So I'm planning a trip this fall, with that, which should way should I be looking?
I guess what I'm looking for is: quality of preservation, and quality of information.
I've visited North Carolina several dozen times over the years, and they seem to keep changing things around to make it new. Since I've been there, they've lowered the rifles on the #3 Turret, trained the 5/38's in different directions, and added a ton of information to read. They detail the daily life of the crew, added interviews of former crew members, etc. You could really spend an entire day on North Carolina and not read everything there. Plus I hear they offer a behind the scenes tour every once and a while. I bet they'll offer river cruises soon, JK.
Wisconsin is nice, because of the set up with the Nauticus complex (and its free). But when I was there in 2005, you couldn't go inside. Just walk the main deck. There was some information to read, but 30 minutes and you were pretty much done.
Alabama, for me, was somewhat of a let down. There was a handout you followed, and it was easy to lose your way, or miss information. I did learn a little bit about BB life and operations that I didn't from NC (like spare tube storage for the 40mm). But if Alabama were show-and-tell, it was all show and no tell.
As for condition... Wisky had to be in the best shape. NC really showed her age my last visit in 2008, after coming home from Iraq. Lots rust, and a lot of work needing to be done. Part of the starboard side of the ship was sectioned off, because of construction work... I only hope they're overhauling it. Finally Alabama seemed to be really bad. There was a ton of rust everywhere, and to me it seemed like nothing was really cared for. I think she needs a lot of restoration work.
So I'm planning a trip this fall, with that, which should way should I be looking?
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