{"id":3268,"date":"2017-12-15T15:06:10","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T15:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/have-kids-will-travel.com\/?p=3268"},"modified":"2017-12-15T15:07:32","modified_gmt":"2017-12-15T15:07:32","slug":"uss-alabama-battleship-memorial-park-in-mobile-al","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/have-kids-will-travel.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/15\/uss-alabama-battleship-memorial-park-in-mobile-al\/","title":{"rendered":"USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL"},"content":{"rendered":"

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USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park<\/h3>\n

I was really surprised at how much my 8 & 10 year-olds enjoyed the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama. They had the best time exploring the USS Alabama, getting a real look at how the soldiers worked and lived onboard. Not only did we venture out to the top of the battleship, but we also saw the interior rooms and workings inside the ship. We saw where they ate, slept, and worked.<\/p>\n

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Above:\u00a0 Tanks and Artillery<\/p>\n

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The “Mighty A”<\/h3>\n

The walking tour is self-guided. Simply follow the brightly colored\/numbered arrows. You and your family can take as little or as much time as you would like on the tour.<\/p>\n

We really got to imagine what life and work were like in such close quarters aboard this ship. It was fascinating.<\/p>\n

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Above: An example of sleeping quarters on the USS Alabama.<\/p>\n

P.S. Those (Kindergarten\u00a0sleeping mat) mattresses were NOT comfortable!<\/p>\n

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We sat in a small theatre and watched a short 15-minute video about the history of the USS Alabama. We all enjoyed this video with first-hand accounts of life on the ship. I recommend taking the time to watch it. It is played on a loop, every 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

**There are a few sets of steep stairs, but there are handrails to hold on to. There are also low doorways and high door sills (my kids called the oval-shaped doorways “magic portals”) – so please be careful.<\/p>\n

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USS Drum Submarine<\/h3>\n

WWII submarine USS DRUM (SS-228) is located in the Mobile Bay. It is the oldest American submarine on public display.<\/p>\n

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I have to admit that the submarine was tight quarters and I had a hard time in there because I’m a little claustrophobic. I’m glad I toured it and it was very interesting, but I thought I\u00a0should let you know in case you’re the same way about tight spaces.<\/p>\n

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MEDAL OF HONOR AIRCRAFT PAVILION<\/h2>\n

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Above photo via<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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The Aircraft Collection includes:<\/p>\n