Since we're heading to the beach Thursday, we'd thought about stopping by the battleship in Mobile. Realistically, how long should a family of 4 (with a 7yo and 5yo) plan on spending checking it out. I think there are other exhibits too, besides the ship itself. Don't want to rush through it, but also don't want to spend all day there. They open at 8am and we'd be there basically when they open or shortly thereafter, if it counts.

Couple of hours at least, ship and submarine. And its really hot on that ship this time of year.

My son said the submarine was better. Said it had AC.

probably 3 hours or so - have spent the night on it twice and its worth seeing. Do the ship and sub before it gets too hot - the enclosed museum has air conditioning and there is a snack bar/gift shop. Outdoor area has several military exhibits that kids will like ( tanks, helicopters, bombers, artillery etc).

I haven't been in a long time so I couldn't tell ya. I remember when I was with the Royal Rangers we spent the night on the ship about 27 years ago, it was pretty neat, kinda spooky but a cool experience....

Unless it looks like it's going to be bad beach weather most of the day Thursday, we'll probably skip it this time. Might make a weekend trip down there in the fall/winter (when hotels are cheaper) and do the USS Alabama and go spend a day in Pensacola at the Naval Air Museum. I've always wanted to see it too, just hate to take a whole day away from the beach to do it. Might be a fun Fall/Winter weekend trip.

The hold down below is a mold factory from what I remember. My sons' scout troop spend the night on it. I had to go above deck and find a couch to sleep on. I couldn't breathe the air down in the hold where the crew bunk beds were.

Submarine is cool. So are the planes.

I'd probably wait for cooler weather, it's been purty rough down here lately. I couldn't imagine walking around in that ship with this heat...

Gomer, y’all stay at Mayer state park. They have nice new cabins on the water plus it’s right down the causeway from battleship park and by all the good restaurants. Also check out 5 rivers right across the road. The kids will really enjoy it.

FIFY

I can’t believe I misspelled that as much as I am there.

RV hookups?

The USS Drum was quite the killer in WWII.

Cool....I'll check it out

5 rivers is cool. And free. Then go eat at one of the Causeway restaurants.

3-4 hours. Then drive down the Causeway towards Spanish Fort and you can eat at Oyster House or Ed's Shed. If you want mudbugs R7R just across the road from it.

This. The battleship is a much better trip to make in cooler weather.

Eight years ago during an assignment at the port I would stay at the hotel by the battleship park. It was a Travel Lodge then and a cheap hotel. Fifty dollars a night so it worked on state travel per diem. I don’t know if they remodeled it or what but now that want twice that amount. No thanks!

And yes Meaher State Park has RV hook ups. It’s a small state park but nice and clean and close to everything in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

Spent the night on that joker about 10yrs ago with the scouts. It’s an impressive vessel.

Couple of hours....know where the toilets are located!!! It’s a great experience.

Spent the night there a few years ago. Those bunks are the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever been in.

We went a few months back. My first trip there in years and the wife and 8yr olds first times to ever go. We spent less than 3 hours total at the park. The ship was the majority of that time, but below decks lost his (8yr old) interest fairly quickly. He loved crawling around all of the guns up top though. The Drumm takes about 30 minutes tops. Its small, neat, but just not a lot to see. The museum with the planes we went through very quickly. I doubt you will spend any more time than that with a 5 and 7 yr old.

Perfect. Thanks