American Victory Ship & Museum is a unique cargo boat museum in Tampa, Florida, housed on the well-maintained, highly authentic ship American Victory. American Victory served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars as well as World Wars I and II.
Long-term restoration and preservation efforts began in 1998, resulting in the ship’s rescue from a scrapyard and inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Opened to the public as a museum in 2003, the unusual exhibition space is also known as the American Victory Mariners Memorial or Mariners Museum, and it remains a favorite historical adventure for families from both near and far.
American Victory Ship & Museum in Tampa - one of the highlights of 15 Best Family Things to Do in Tampa (Read all about Tampa here)
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What are the highlights of the American Victory Ship & Museum in Tampa?
Appropriate for all ages, the American Victory Ship & Museum welcomes everyone to look through the exhibits at their own pace. The exhibits consist mainly of genuine wartime artifacts, weapons, restoration process photographs, and additional era-specific memorabilia. On the command deck, the ship has been equipped with modern VHF radio and radar, with a few other advancements elsewhere for easier access and use throughout the museum.
Rooms have also been brought as close to their original condition as possible and include a captain’s quarters, an electrician’s quarters, a radio room, an engine room usually only available to view from a catwalk, and a gallery cold storage.
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What else is good to know about the American Victory Ship & Museum in Tampa?
There is a fee for entry into the museum. The average time for a self-guided tour of the museum is 1 hour. The museum often hosts group and special events, which are sometimes themed for the season.
Located in the Channel District on Channelside Drive, the American Victory Ship & Museum is just a 1-minute walk from the educational and entertaining Florida Aquarium, with the Tampa Bay History Center also nearby. The Florida Aquarium is home to a vast variety of marine life, while the Tampa Bay History Center is another important interactive museum.
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American Victory Ship & Museum in Tampa
Location: 705 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday from noon to 5 pm
Phone: +1 813-228-8766