USS LST Ship Memorial Reviews

4.7

1 of 66 Best Attractions in Evansville


Reviews

Informative Tour of a Piece of History

By Bluejay_13 |

We arrived just as a tour was starting...the guide, Charlie, was very informative. I was pleased with how much of the ship we were able to tour. How fortunate we are that this piece of history was saved and is available for tours.

Living naval history in the Ohio.

By Kathy L |

Evansvill boat yard produced these ships and other military items during wwII. This LST was made in Philadelphia. We visited on its "birthday" Oct 27. Our guide was a young former Marine who had been with the museum for only 6 months, but was knowledgeable and animated. He had already toured with the LST on it's annual voyage throughout the U.S.. So much history within its structure, dioramas and objects. One should visit to begin to understand what our men sacrificed for our country. And those visionaries that saved this ship from the scrap yard. What a story.

History lovers paradise!!! An LST that landed at Omaha Beach!!!

By Evelyn H |

Andrew was our tour guide, and he knew his facts. In one hour we had learned so much, he could answer every question, and was so kind and patient with us, he made us laugh a lot too.
Feelings welled up inside standing where the tanks lined up, and where the boys slept, and seeing bullet holes in the frame, and hearing how these survivors in their 70's went to Greece to rescue this LST so we could stand on it and remember the sacrifices made that changed the world. This was a highlight of our vacation, and we cant thank this wonderful city enough for preserving this treasure....WELL DONE!!!

History on the riverfront

By Jessica H |

This is a really exceptional piece of history! The tour costs $10 a person and lasts about an hour. Learn about history of ship where it was during world war 2 and Korea. Why LST boats were so vital to troops and for the supplying of equipment. The tour starts on the top deck and travels throughout the ship. Take time to appreciate the hard working Americans who helped build this ship and to people who restored the ship back to what it is now.

Great Historical Tour

By Derrick A |

Before I begin, i'd like to thank all of the veterans and volunteers who had made the restoration of this ship possible. Even though this floating/operable museam is headquartered in Evansville, IN, I want to thank you all for taking it out on cruises so that the rest of the country can see this piece of history. If not for your efforts in making these voyages, the public like would not get the opportunity to learn the great history that ships like this played in wining the wars. THANK YOU again.

The USS LST 325 was in the Bettendorf, IA Quad Cities recently. I had taken my wife and son to go see it. We waited about an hour and half to board it, but it was well worth the wait. Outside of a German U boat submarine in the Science and History museum in Chicago, i've never been abourd a navel vessel before. It was neat. This ship had a MASH jeep from the TV show MASH, along with items from this ship during the WWII era. It portrayed the historical facts of this ship. The volunteers were very knowledgable about the ship and its workings along with its history as well.

If this ship happens to come to your area, be sure to visit it. It is well worth it. If you happen to go to Evansville, IN, look them up and go see them there.

Again, Thank You to the volunteers who make the preservation of this ship possible.

Evansville riverfront

By lambo320 |

Linda and I recently visited the LST in our hometown Evansville In . it is manned by volunteers who love their jobs in telling you about the history of this Ship . It is well worth your time for a visit to this piece of history

Well Worth the Heat

By Ann E |

Excellent tour by Cory Burdette. Good pace and interesting. Lots of new display in this new location.

For children there is a solid short take on WW2. Lots of steps...

Great Tour

By Crissy K |

Chris was our tour guide and did a great job. Fascinating piece of history. We really enjoyed the tour and all the information. We had an overcast day with a breeze. It would be really hot on a typical August day.

Military discount!

By TennesseePostcard |

This is a very nice and inexpensive tour. The staff is very nice and professional and the guide is young, but knowledge! Admission is $10 and they offer a military discount to service members. The tour lasted about an hour. There is a small gift shop that sells toys, postcards, pictures, literature, shot glasses, shirts, patches, etc. There are restaurants nearby too. They really appreciate tourists so give this place a stop!

Very cool

By aviscard |

Amazing ship, fascinating history, and our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Would definitely like to visit again someday.

Awesome Living HISTORY !!

By ALA_Traveler52 |

We visited the LST325 yesterday when it was docked in Decatur Alabama. Part of their fund raising efforts the volunteer crew travel and stop at various cities along the river system. It is an awesome effort that this volunteer crew make to bring this ship to other communities. We met and talked with many of the volunteer crew including an 85 year old woman in the gift shop whose husband was also aboard and was the only WW2 veteran. He had been a sailor on another LST during WW2. It's amazing that they have saved this ship and now allow people to see what this kind of ship looks like and how it was used. As a veteran I was honored to be aboard for a self guided tour and to meet these volunteers. We spent over an hour walking through parts of the ship that sailors used every day from cargo areas, the deck, bunk areas, the enlisted and officers mess halls, the galley, guns, etc....too many to mention. We would like to visit again because I'm sure we didn't see everything. I rate this a 10 out of 10 on my scale and recommend visiting the LST325 if you get a chance. This is an excellent tour for kids and students to take.

Very Interesting Tour of WWII Era History!

By DarthDad07 |

We had the fortune to tour this ship when it came down from Evansville to Owensboro a few years ago. We have enjoyed touring many ships over the years, living at one time close to Norfolk, VA. One of our favorites, the Battleship Wisconsin is berthed at Nauticus there. While the LST is smaller than a Battleship, it still presented the same thrill, marveling at the quarters and ship design and imagining the sailors that lived and worked on the ship during an important time in history. I had goosebumps and admired the valor of the men that had such great commitment. The ship's home berth is in Evansville, but it does "tour", so be sure it's there before going for a visit. Definitely worth a trip!

Amazing piece of history

By Tjf4569 |

Came here over Memorial Day weekend. Very impressed with the set up. Very deep hearing how this boat landed on D Day. Well worth the trip.

LST 325 Memorial is a gem, absolute must...

By CWN |

If you have even the slightest interest in WWII, Korean Conflict, US Navy, US Army or Mechanized Infantry and you have a couple hours, you absolutely should partake of this historic gem.
This isn’t a static memorial. This ship is seaworthy, fully operational, and takes regular cruises. The museum is small, but the displays they have are well thought out and informative. The gift shop is adequate without being ostentatious. The service buildings and all dockside equipment and facilities are modern and spotless.
The tours begin on the hour and are excellent and extensive. There is walking and climbing non standard type stairs, but each such stair provides extremely sturdy handrails on both sides. Our guide was a young man named Corey, he was amiable, friendly, knowledgeable and humorous. It was delightful tour. The cost is $15 for adults, free for veterans, active duty military, and first responders with ID (Check the website for details).
Our tour lasted roughly 2:15. There were 8 in our group. Don’t know if there is a headcount limit. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire time there. You will not regret this tour.
A cautionary note; well communicated in the reception area, the deck and ship get plenty hot in bright sunshine on hot days, and we were told that it’s usually 20 degrees hotter below decks. So it may make sense to avoid during the heat of the Indiana summer, full disclosure here, at least you know.

Family history

By Kvltz |

My Dad served as a Jr. Navigation Officer on LST 42 during WWII.

Visiting Evansville for a music festival, I saw this tour as an attraction and made the time to get there.

A good decision. The tour guide served on this LST and our group was just 3 people. We had lots of opportunities to relate and discuss conditions when my father served.

I'm so glad I took this tour.

Neat ship and great staff

By lola0517 |

This was a great WWII naval ship tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and it was so neat to see a working ship. While it is retired, they do have staff that upkeep it and it does sail tours every year. I highly recommend this and it is worth the money.

Living History! Only historic Navy ship memorial that is mobile. WWII veteran.

By RReutter |

The pride of Evansville, IN LST 325 is the only Navy monument capable of independent movement. LST 325 is a faithful restoration of a working "workhorse of the sea" that carried US soldiers and Marines to war during WWII and Korea. The Memorial is also a tribute to the city's contribution to the war effort which saw 167 LSTs and 34 other ships of various types produced at the local shipyards making Evansville the highest producing of all the inland shipyards. In addition to guided tours there is a gift shop selling LST related items. LST 325 (while not produced in Evansville) has a storied history making landings in Sicily and Salerno in 1943 prior to the D-Day invasion in France, making 44 trips between England and the Normandy beaches between June 1944 and April 1945. LST 325 makes annual trips to other cities to share the storied history of this magnificent representative of America's ability to rise to meet any challenge.

Wonderful unique attraction with so much history and spirit!

By ThriftTravelKY |

On a whim while in Evansville without much direction decided to check out the USS LST Ship Memorial. This is one of the best historical attractions we have visited with the tours being led by spirited veterans whom some actually served on LST ships or in the Navy during their era. Note the proceeds for the tours go back into the preservation of the ship. Do not miss and opportunity to see the LST since it is so unique!

Great trip through history

By Steve M |

Our father was a pharmacist's mate first class on LST587. Saw Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Great to see their working and living conditions on LST325. Spartan at best. Would liked to have seen the sick bay but it was currently repurposed. Very well informed guide who was plenty patient with my questions, comments and photos. An extremely well restored Jeep M170 ambulance was in the tank deck and a deuce and a half on the main deck. A lot of attention to detail. Next time I'd like to get into the forward gun tubs and a little higher up in the superstructure. So far they're off limits.

This group has done an extremely good job of breathing life into one of the last LSTs. If you get a couple of hours stop by Evansville and take the tour. LST325 is a fantastic 70 year old snapshot of life aboard a Navy ship.

A Definite "MUST SEE" for any Veteran or Military Family

By W20REvaleriec |

Completely amazing story and brilliant that it still exists. Should not let this place disappear! Good for anyone interested in WW II history, naval history, Indiana history, or American history.

Reunion time

By William P |

Enjoyed the tour of the 325. The staff was excellent and knowledgeable. Ours was the 50th reunion of the recommissioning of LST 819 that was built in Evansville in 1944. Hope to come back for another reunion.

History buff

By solohikr |

These Volunteers that donate their time to preserve our history is fantastic. This LST shop actually landed on the beaches of D day. This represents what this country is founded upon. This is the greatest country in the world by far.
I'm glad to see history preserved so we don't forget it. A great tribute to all the men that gave their lives for us today.
The conditions that these sailors and soldiers had to contend with on a daily basis is unbelievable. It makes you really appreciate today. If you get a chance please go see this exhibit. Well worth it.

Great!

By mommy2cpboys |

My boys (16 and 12) both love history---and boats! The tour was interesting and informative. It was very warm inside the ship and on deck on a 85 degree day. Take a cold water with you! We really enjoyed the visit.

Great history

By SmokiesJunkie |

When we were in Evansville, my wife wanted to see this ship. Her dad served on an LST in World War II.. He had a lot of stories he used to tell and his favorite when wan they were in a typhoon. I'm sorry to say it made my wife a little sad since her dad died a few months ago. I am really glad to see that some of our history is still being preserved. I can't imagine being on these ships for months at a time. Our ancestors were brave rugged men.This is definitely worth seeing even if you are not a history buff. I would suggest going in the Spring or Fall as it was very hot when we were there.

Great Living History

By TripTiger |

Very interesting tour with lots of American Navy history stories. Our tour guide Tim was great and very knowledgeable. There are a lot of narrow stairs, so you need to be fairly mobile. Even going on a hot muggy day is good because you get a sense of the conditions the crew had to deal with every day.

Educational and awesome

By Charlie M |

Some interesting stories from a few of the original crew membes.. A lot of hard work goes into maintaining the ship. Better than a museum. Was very pleased.

Take a Trip to 1944

By JerryIndiana74 |

To visit one of the last boats that won WW2, is like stepping back in time to discover a piece of Evansville and the nation's history. The LST 325 is a well preserved landing craft maintained and guided by a dedicated group of volunteer enthusiasts. See where the brave sailors slept, ate, and fought as they lead up to V day off the coast of France. The story behind how the LST 325 survived an moved on to another life in the Greek Navy, discovered in moth balls, restored, reclaimed, and recrewed by some of the surviving American sailors to make the hazardous sail back to the Evansville port where it was built. Sit behind the 30 and 50 caliber guns to get a feel of what our boys went though!

Remembering our heroes

By Jan S |

Great tribute to the men & women of WWII 325 is in great condition. Enjoyed our tour and so so thankful she’s here in our city.

Living history of the Greatest Generation

By Weary Travellery |

We toured LST 325 as it visited up and down the Ohio River this summer. If you are a student of WWII, have kids and are looking for a Very different outing, or if you're looking for something completely different, LST 325 is for you.

The last surviving operational Landing Ship, Tank, that served in WWII (including during D-Day), this ship has been lovingly restored and is kept operational by a dedicated band of volunteers. These same men (and a few women) are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guides during your visit. Much of the ship has been restored to its original wartime appearance and it is a real revelation to see how wars were fought 80-odd years ago. You will have access to all the major areas of the ship and will be able to view some restricted areas (like the engine room) through viewing windows or ports.

Plan on spending at least an hour. Wear sturdy shoes, be prepared for steep Navy-style ladders, and bring water if it's a hot day because there is no AC in this warship. The self-paced tours are greatly enhanced by the volunteers at every stopping point.

The gift shop is your final stop on the tour. It has a lot of neat stuff (especially for kids) and this is one easy way to support this effort - it takes a lot of $$$$$ to keep the ole' girl up and running. Highly recommended is the book, Bringing Back a Hero, by Capt. Robert D. Jornlin, about the trials and tribulations of getting the LST 325 back to the USA from its then home in Greece.

This is a must-see attraction!

By Kenneth J |

Touring this ship was a peak experience and a great adventure. The ship is fully restored and operational and the tour guide was very knowledgeable and clearly proud of his ship. This ship is an important piece of US military history and is a great attraction for families. I highly recommend. The tour takes about an hour and costs only $10 but you should make reservations. Go see this!

A must see for history fans

By Kody |

A must see for history fans. The ship is very well maintained and the staff/crew were friendly and ready to tell the ships story.

Don’t miss this

By AlwaysTeaching |

Touring this ship was the highlight of our trip to Evansville. Knowledgeable, welcoming guide brought this piece of history to life.

Walk back through time

By Bruce G |

Each person, young and old, will receive a little sense of history from walking on deck and through the LST 325. The tour group size will depend on the amount of people arriving at the same time. Each tour begins roughly at the top of the hour and lasts depending on the amount questions being asked. It is highly recommended for history and military buffs and recommended for everyone to go visit.

Awesome Museum Ship

By Mike S |

I have heard about the LST ship for quite awhile and I finally made the trip to see it. Tom Tom took me directly to the entrance and the signs downtown also helped direct me. I entered paid my fee and caught up with the tour group that had just started. When going down the gangway I noted the heat - it had to be terrible to be working down there in the summer. We saw where the enlisted were bunked and then moved to the bottom deck where the vehicles would roll out of. Lots of thing to see and look at on this deck then we climbed up to see the galley stores and mess area. Went in the officers mess and saw where the officers would be bunked. made our way outside to see the guns that were mounted on the ship and you could sit in the seat of the director. Went past the wheelhouse and then moved down to the main deck. We went just about everywhere on the ship. Tour guide was young but knowledgeable. Just an amazing place kept running by devoted volunteers. Took about an hour to do the tour be prepared to climb stairs and go through some hot areas. Lift them feets or you're going to trip over the hatchway lips. I hear they will be moving soon to the downtown area but that is more like December 2019 before that will happen. Great time great place

What a Treasure!

By Tamara S |

We toured the USS LST Ship Memorial today and we were so moved. The "treasure" was not only in the ship itself and the stories we heard..but the tour guides themselves. There were only two of us and another gentleman joined our tour. We felt like it was a personal tour. We started off with one of the gentlemen who actually traveled to Greece to retrieve the vessel and then another took his place so he could have lunch. Both of these veterans were so informative and how we loved hearing the stories about the ship and WWII. This is an important part of history that we cannot forget. The ship is a working ship and travels up and down the rivers to ports for tours and to share history. It is $10 per adult for tour. This memorial is ran by volunteers and supported by the fees. I highly recommend a visit to this piece of history. It is well taken care of and many items are original. Such a great tour!

Incredible tour

By Jeff G |

This little gem in Evansvillr is an amazing tour of the history of the time of WWII. The ship itself is so much larger than I had envisioned. And to see what the sailors and soldiers went through was incredible. The tour guide was very knowledgable and provided a great tour. To see the conditions and what those men went through was very eye opening. and to learn that they were built in Evansville was amazing. Great place to visit and learn!

USS LST ship memorial

By mesmom2 |

the USS LST ship memorial was part of our father's day weekend outing. (dad really loved it.) this is an important slice of our history, with many fascinating and amazing facts. a must see for history buffs, though we think others will appreciate it too (we did!). be sure to pick the brains of the docents. they have an abundance of knowledge and information and are eager to share. [ ask about the anchor :) ] also, do pre-plan your trip. the LST is still a sea-worthy vessel and sometimes sails off-site to participate in other events.

Great museum

By douglask727 |

Like others said it is a must see. History is good for everyone. As you are onboard going through the tour, it really sinks in "freedom isn't free"
Crew could not be nicer, and this is the real thing. You can almost feel the battles this ship has been through.

Go see a piece of history

By Mike-Alf |

Had a good time. Guided tour of a piece of American history. Would highly recommend it. Hard to believe how much that ship can handle.

Surprisingly very interesting

By allpat321 |

My boys loved visiting the LST. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. I'm really glad that Evansville has this attraction.

Shrine fest

By elwin h w |

Had a blast incredible to see cant wait to go back again Must visit to appreciate. Going back again this year

Living history

By Ikest |

Location is a bit awkward to reach as it is not on a main road not hard to get to and parking is plentiful and just steps from the ships store and covered gangway to the ship. Hopefully they will be able to relocate to the riverfront downtown Evansville, making access much better.
My guide was very knowledgeable and answered questions in layman and nautical terms. I was introduced to several of the crew and they were helpful with questions. I am ex Navy so was able to make somewhat knowledgeable judgement of restoration. Restoration is excellent and ship is in very good shape.

WWII Buffs

By ggabuzda |

My wife and I both enjoyed the in-depth tour of LST and appreciated the knowledge that our guide had regarding the history and capabilities of the ship. Anyone with a memory of WWII will appreciate this tour.

Must see in Evansville

By Phil T |

Touring the USS LST 325 brings home the sacrifice and commitment made by the men and women of the military, and especially of those who fought in WWII. The tours start every hour at the top of the hour, but be sure to get there a little early and watch the video telling the story of how the ship was procured from Greece, restored, and brought back to the USA.

Awesome History Lesson

By mshipp57 |

The LST is an awesome ship and a Great piece of history. Everyone should visit for both the local connection and the World history. They have done a fantastic job of renovating this ship.

great history

By honestandfair20 |

the people who give tours are so knowledgeable. a bit pricey but given it goes to maintain the ship it balances out. they serve breakfast from the galley on veterans day to the vets!!! so the ship still functions!! great piece of live history!!

Great Tour

By GCI |

So cool to see this old ship. My father served on one during WWII so it was extra special for me. Tour Guide did a great job. Really, really enjoyed it

Authentic LST experience!

By Departure587755 |

My father-in-law served on an LST during WWII. This tour made his experience more real for us. Our guide was outstanding - very knowledgeable and descriptive. I highly recommend this tour!

Nice Tour

By Ricky M |

Very interesting history of this ship that was integral to d-day. Takes about an hour to go through so not too bad even with children. There are some steep steps, so may be a bit limited for access for some.

Remember History

By Valerie B |

I suppose as you grow older you start to realize what sacrifices many people have made for our country. This is a great example. Make sure you get Sargent Goodall as your guide or if you need to ask questions. Very knowledgeable and very passionate he serves as part of the on board crew. This LST is the only one still in operation. Very cool.
You get a great sense of what theses men dealt with. only $10 well worth the price.
they also have a bar with food. Didn't go to the bar but the place is huge.

Well worth the time to see

By MG396 |

The LST is an amazing ship that I'll bet most people didn't know existed! The tour is wonderful and it's fun seeing so many parts of the ship. Turns out my husband's step-father was evacuated during WWII on this VERY vessel which made it fun for us!

Fun and cool

By Kylie M |

It was fun and educational. The tour guides where vary informative. Thank you for the time we had with you.

History on the Water Aboard the LST-325

By Lynn L |

Many of us that watch World War II movies but how many of us understand the logistics of an invasion like D-Day. Visit the LST-325 Memorial in Evansville, Indiana and learn the interesting truth of this very important Navy vessel. This ship is one of the few remaining. The story of this particular ship as well as the important role the LST’s played in WWII is told by knowledgeable guides, like our guide Zach, just part of the experience when you visit this interesting exhibit. Highly recommend taking an hour to hour and a half out if your day to visit.

Wonderful history lesson

By SusanVC974 |

Surprised our 10 yr old history loving son with this tour. Very interesting. Tour guide had a lot of interesting facts and knowledge.

A piece of WW II history built on the banks of the Ohio right here in Evansville, Indiana

By jackreyn0lds |

Run by vets and historically one of the last working models of World War II. The veterans and guides are very knowledgeable of the history of the area and the role played by LST 325. A destination place soon to be moored in a newly updated facility on the Ohio River with hotel accommodations nearby along with restaurants and other attractions.

great to have this in Evansville

By Jan B |

Easy access. Very interesting. Some difficult stair climbing if one has trouble with that. Fair price.

A great piece of naval and Evansville history

By The-Randall-Clan |

A lot of fun. Be forewarned, only open on certain days. Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child. The tours start on the hour, so don't arrive more than 20 minutes before. Since the ship is still actively used, the tours are all guided, there is no time to look around on your own. The tours last right at an hour. We've been on the Battleship Texas in Houston TX, Aircraft Carrier Lexington in Corpus Christi TX and the Aircraft Carrier Midway in San Diego CA. I almost did skipped this ship thinking what could it have to offer compared to those. I was wrong. The ship had an incredible history with the United States Navy. It played an integral part of WWII and while there you could not help but to appreciate it's part in history as well as the other LSTs of the Navy. In addition, some great information on Evansville. Keep going and keep this ship going.

Awesome experience!

By Amber S |

David Coker was our tour guide and he was fantastic. So passionate and very knowledgeable. This was the entire reason for our visit to Evansville, and we surprised my dad with a tour. He loved it and we all had such a great time learning about this ship. Staff was so friendly and the tour lasted much longer than an hour as he was very thorough.

75th Anniversary of D-Day Tour

By Wanderer |

We visited the LST 325 during the D-Day weekend anniverary. It was moved to the Evansville Riverfront for a few days. There was deep mud but we were able to catch a ride from their side by side. I suggest going early in the day. We arrived just about 10 minutes after they opened. By the time we left the place was packed. For this weekend event, it was a self guided tour. We took about 2.5 hours to explore. The volunteers were knowledgeable, passionate and incredibly nice. We are planning to go back when we're in the area again. Be aware there are quite a bit of steps on this old ship. There are hand rails on all of the stairwells. Just take it slow and it'll be fine.

Great piece of history!

By Big_bro_1_usa |

The LAST working LST from WW II! Interesting ship, good docent who toured us around the ship; may be difficult for older people/vets as there is some climbing involved and tight spaces; makes you appreciate the sacrifices made during the war. Plenty of parking; can be hot inside the ship. Better than the other LST in Muskegon MI.

A Must-See for any WW II or Navy buff

By Mike S |

A wonderfully preserved piece of WW II and Naval history! Anyone interested in either topic cannot pass up this opportunity. Tour takes one hour and there are also interesting exhibits in the (small) museum at the shore. Can be a little stuffy below deck in the summer but its bearable. Only two sets of stairs (to go below from main/top deck and again back up)

LST 325

By Audrey M |

Took 1 hour tour of LST docked in Evansville. Interesting, well informed tour guide. History of its being brought back home from Greece by WW2 vets very interesting part of American history.

"Living" piece of WWII history

By emcq1 |

LST 325 is an incredible piece of WWII history. Well worth the visit and tour. Even my wife, who was itching to go antiquing, enjoyed the tour inside & out of the ship.

Tour was great

By Penny F |

Lots of history and the boat is still in working condition. The tour guide had lots of good tidbits and made history fun for kids. Thank you guys. Well done

Evansville’s Wartime Service

By teamsnardy |

Enjoy a tour on a boat built for WW2 just down the river in Evansville. Well restored, very thorough tour, enjoyed by all ages.

A trip back in history

By Clarence D |

I went here with my brother in law. He hadn't been here so it was an experience for him. They are doing a good job of restoration. The history was interesting.

Always a delight

By stephenf197 |

This memorial ship is well worth the visit. They are keeping everything as close to original condition as possible. You will have a tour guide. You need some agility to go up and down the interior stairs. Take your time and it will be fine. This is a working ship. The association was working on the ship for the week. They also had cooks in the galley to feed the crew. Well worth the tour fee.

Interesting

By Zakattak32 |

Grandfather served on a LST, so I wanted to see what it was like. This is the only one around still I think. Very interesting tour, guides very informative.

Great Piece of Local History

By Timothy K |

If you are an old WW2 history buff you must go check it out while in town. The guide we had was so knowledgeable and you could tell was passionate about the history of the ship.

Must-see LST!

By mcdh4561 |

I took a guided tour of the LST 325 on a work day as the crew began to re-install the 20 mm and 40 mm guns topside for the summer season. My dad served in the main engine room of an LST in the Pacific during WW2, and I got to see many of the parts of the ship that dad had mentioned. The tank deck below encompasses nearly 3/4 of the length of the ship,and these ships could carry 30 M-4 Sherman tanks and put them on the beach in less than 15 minutes under combat conditions. The port (left) side of the LST 325 remains just like it was in WW2, right down to the berthing racks for troops and the stainless steel wash basins in the latrines. The bridge remains virtually the same as it was in WW2. Anyone with an interest in WW2 amphibious landings must see this vessel.

Great shape for the age of this vessel

By Linda K |

This vessel is located in an area away from crowds. Parking is more than adequate. Nice to see this ship preserved for all generations to enjoy

Awesome ship!

By Zach C |

Very awesome ship! So close by and so worth the trip if you are a history buff! If you travel through Evansville, you need to visit it.

Stop and remember those that fought WWII

By DWp1888 |

Our tour guide was very knowledgable and was eager to hear my dad tell his experience as a soldier in WWII. Every thing was very well preserved and they explained some of the small things that were not exact? Not easy to get around in a wheel chair but that's to be expected. Still worth the trip.

Local history on a national stage

By emmyzoomzoom |

What a great tribute to the work done locally that had an impact nationally. It amazes me to see what kind of conditions our military survived in this era. How fortunate we have been to have access to this to help little ones know what their ancestors contributed. Definitely worth the visit.

Incredible History Experience

By Pat H |

I've toured the LST multiple times. You get a top to bottom, stern to bow tour of the ship. A great history lesson. You'll learn how the LST changed the course of WWII in Europe and you'll really understand it as you traverse the entire ship.

Worth the sweat

By BrownEyedCountryGirl |

We had a very knowledgeable guide and it was super interesting being able to walk thru a piece of American history. It was a 95 degree day and there is no air conditioning, so be prepared. Bring plenty of water and wear solid, sturdy shoes because the deck was so hot we could feel the heat thru our tennis shoes. But it was worth every drop of sweat and ended up feeling a little more authentic because of it.

Informative

By Tim O |

This site was not well advertised, I wouldn't have known about it if not for an obscure highway sign. I'm fortunate to have seen it when passing through this part of the country else I would have missed this great opportunity to visit this living monument.
You can gain a lot of insight on how WWII sailors lived and operated by visiting this ship. It will give you a deeper sense of appreciation for the what they went through and also appreciate the technology and comforts that we have now when we go to war (in Afghanistan and Iraq many of our vehicles and living quarters were air conditioned). It was almost 100 degrees when I visited and as the guide took us through the ship. The bunk areas were tight, the quarters cramped, and they had to endure these conditions for weeks at a time as they crossed the Atlantic and ferried troops and armored vehicles to hostile beaches. I'm highly impressed with what they went through. The tour was very informative and entertaining.
Prior to visiting you might want to research information on LSTs and how they influenced the development of WWII.

Great piece of history!

By 755missv |

I read about the LST 325 prior to taking the tour by googling it. I was pleasantly surprised at the role that Evansville played in building these during the war although this particular one was built in Philadelphia. This LST 325 had quite a journey both during and after WWII, and is still functional! There are plans to move it to the riverfront in downtown Evansville in the next year or so which should give it more visibility. Since my father was in the Navy during the war, the tour took on a special meaning for me. The tour took about 1-1/2 hours. By googling "LST 325 questions", our group, which consisted of several foreigners, was able to print off a quiz called, "Grades 4 - 8 Assignment Sheet - USS LST 325", which was very helpful. Highly recommended!

Amazing History Here!

By Robert F |

Made my Third visit and took an ex-Air Force friend... he was totally fascinated with the history of LSDs ... I've had a different guide each time and have learned some new tidbits each time. After I retire would like to put in enough volunteer hours in to become part of the ships company. Well worth the price of admission.

Great experience!

By bwright8616 |

What a great learning experience! They really put a lot of hard work into keeping the LST up and running!

Free weekend

By rrteacherCadet |

It was definitely worth taking the time to visit. Interesting history with tour guide that gives lots of information.

Hot and Historic !!!

By blizzard9700 |

Please beware if visiting in summer that these ships do not have air conditioning or much of any breeze below deck, still very well worth sweating it out if you like history and especially WWII era American Ingenuity!!!

Last Operational LST!

By Butch E |

This was a very interesting tour of the last operational LST. I really enjoy touring WWII navel vessels. I didn't realize that Evansville had a ship building yard during WWII and actually built LSTs. My brother and I had a private tour of the ship. Really neat. If you like WWII history, this ship is worth a visit. Make note that they only do tours on the hour.

Great Family outing.

By DKK |

A great tour by Zack. The ship is truly a floating museum with many artifacts from WW2. The fact that it is fully operational makes even more amazing. A fun and educational family outing.

awsome

By slicky1239 |

had lot of fun and learn about the D-Day. I would recomend this historical tour to anyone. Price is nothing for what they show you on the ship

Part of history

By journalmytrips |

We found the LST on the Ohio River near Evansville while on a road trip. We are interested in history and decided to take a tour. Volunteers conduct these tours so don't expect them to start right on time. Our tour lasted about an hour with a very informed guide. Be aware that there are some steep steps to climb or descend and in summer it can get very hot on the inside. Sweat was dripping off me. Interestingly, many of these ships were built with the expectation that few would survive but many did. All this reminded us of the expense of war.
There are picnic tables nearby if you want to sit while you wait for your tour to start. There is also a bathroom available but you need to ask for a key.

Well worth it

By Leigh K |

If you want something fun to do or want so see something interesting in the area, take this tour. If you’re not into history, and definitely if you are, a history buff, this is worth the time and effort. Our school group went to the LST and could not be more pleased. They were wonderful from the start. The parking lot is large and easy to access. If the weather is warm, you can stay outside in the outdoor waiting area that has benches and a snack-bar. Inside there is a small gift shop with a ticket booth and historic items covering the walls.

Our guide was John Davis Jr. and he was nothing short of phenomenal. Keeping students focused is a tough thing at any time. He did it with lots of things to touch and beautiful scenery of the river to boot. He took us through the history of the United States in WW2 and the amazing contribution of the Landing Ship Tank to our country. His anecdotes brought history alive and fascinated the students. That is what you want with any hands on experience. It truly was the best.

We were also there when they were doing the yearly volunteer restorations and that added an extra special facet to our tour. The students met a wonderful assortment of people from numerous professions who were volunteering to help with the intensive restorations that are needed on historic items. Everything from painting and welding to mechanical work was being done and with all of the people it seemed as if the ship were being readied for a new voyage. It was well worth it.

Great tour

By Sherry W |

Really enjoyed learning more about the lst. The tour guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. Great asset to Evansville

Intensive Tour

By LiketoeatCincinnati |

The guide did a wonderful job with the tour. He was very knowledgeable and did it in just under one hour. There is a lot a history here and well worth hearing. They have limited hours off season but more tours come spring.

Step back into time

By Evan H |

Did not take a tour as it was a hot day but stopped by the gift shop and looked in awe at the piece of history.

Trip too The USS LST-325

By Sandy G |

The trip was late fall,, weather was cool, tour was excellent of the ship, I was in the Navy from 63 - 69 , so enjoyed going aboard , remember many things . will be back too go aboard again , hopefully warmer weather . The Crew that bought the Ship back, did a excellent job !

History in Evansville

By Davidrcook |

Went on a tour with friends from Australia and had a great time learning about the history of the LST. They could not believe how many LST were made right here in Evansville. Looking forward to have the ship move to the river front.

Amazing ship to see!!

By iabart |

Very informative tour that gives you a piece of WW2 history. Amazing story of how it was found and restored by a very dedicated group of retired navy men. Our tour had people of all ages and they all seemed quite interested in the story.

Hard to find

By Jack M |

It's a little out of the way, the area is kind of depressed with old equipment and uncut grass. Wasn't sure If I could walk down to the ship or not as there was no one around.

Walk the Decks of History!!!!

By Will B |

I loved visiting LST-325! Here are my top takes with a longer review below. It's worth the very modest admission fee. You can walk through in under an hour, but I spent 2 hours which was nice and allowed time to talk to the volunteers. Take a camera or your cell phone. Plenty of cool photo ops! You'll explore the ship from the 3rd deck where tanks were stored to the top, flat deck. Walking shoes and sunscreen recommended. Take advantage of the $1 bottle of water (it helps keep the ship afloat). You exit through the gift shop, and Captain Jornlin who brought the ship back from Greece was there talking to people and selling his book. Enjoy!
LONG VERSION: From the beaches of Normandy to Sicily and Salerno, LST-325 has been there. It served the United States in some of most well-known engagements in World War II, helping keep men on the front lines supplied and capable beating a fierce enemy in the Atlantic Theater. Following WWII, it served the U.S. Navy in other capacities before being transferred to the Greek navy where it continued to serve. Then it came home.
All of that story comes to life on the ship, and as you walk the decks of history where so many brave men walked, you can touch and feel what life was like. See a hatch where patients on stretchers were loaded through. Look at original markings from when the ship was made. Take a seat in an anti-aircraft gunman's sighting seat. Walk through the officers' and enlisted sailors' quarters, and make sure to talk to volunteers who manage the museum and ship. You might even get to meet Capt. Jornlin who led the expedition to bring the ship back to the U.S.
Most of the equipment on the ship is original and still operational, even 7 decades later, including the original throttle!
If you get the opportunity, visit the ship whether in port in Evansville or out on its yearly voyage. It is worth every penny of the inexpensive admission fee and every second you take to explore. Enjoy!

Excellent opportunity to explore a ship frill WW II

By cliving |

Our guide, a volunteer and also a crewman, gave an excellent tour of all areas of the ship, with the history of LST 325 and its operation. Artifacts help to learn the duties of different officers, and photos of LST 325 during WW II helped our understanding. It’s worthwhile to allow time for the museum, housed in the building where you purchase your ticket ($15/person). Know that parking is across the street, behind the casino.

A Bit Hard To Find, But Well Worth The Effort

By JMCSTL |

Web mapping may place this attraction on Waterworks Road leading toward it, but if you follow the roadside signs & turn onto LST Drive into the Inland Marina you'll find your destination. The gravel lot is next to a long non-descript marina building; you'll need to walk through the covered patio area & down a ramp to enter the LST Memorial welcome center & gift shop. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes prior to your chosen tour time to watch the historical film about LST production & use during WW II; it will enhance your tour experience.

After paying for your tour (a very nice young lady - maybe the manager - was at the welcome window when we visited), you'll be instructed to continue down a long covered gang plank to board the ship & meet your tour guide. Our guide was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the history & construction details of LST 325. He led us on a leisurely and informative 1-hour tour topside & below decks, pointing out many unique features & using the static displays in the cargo area to illustrate his discussion points. None of the up & down ladders are particularly difficult to navigate, as long as you take them slowly & watch your head. There were lots of volunteers working on top of and inside the ship on the Sunday afternoon my wife & I visited, collecting materials destined for scrap from the ships many out-of-the-way spaces; so the below decks cargo space was a bit cluttered. But there was still plenty of room to walk the tour & focus on the guide's descriptions.

The history of U.S. LST production & wartime deployment is a fascinating story, and being able to tour a vessel that was part of all that was a very memorable experience. My wife & I highly recommend a visit for anyone - young or old - when they visit Evansville.

What a wonderful experience!!

By Tammy R |

Really enjoyed the tour!! Really an experience Everyone should have!! Will visit again...😁 Ship is 75 years old and still fully functional!!

Excellent

By Mr A |

Although we were there on a very cold day, our guide was very thorough, answered all our questions, and very very knowledgeable.

Fun and educational tour

By Sarah |

If world war memorabilia is your thing then look no further. Vets operate and lovingly care for LST and are eager to share their experience and expertise.

Impressive below the deck.

By steve v |

This is a glimpse of WWII below the deck. It puts an entire new light on what it must have felt like heading out to establish a beach head during WWII. Equipment with the men wondering what would be waiting on the beach when they were being bounced about below deck in rough waters.

Pride

By Indiana2025 |

was a very good tour. the guide was very entertaining. before I went I was thinking big deal. but during the tour I learned soo much about the ships story and a bit of pride knowing it was created in my home town. there were bullet holes made by germans. and you got to hold old casings. very good tour I recommend it. I was there a few years back. they have really fixed it up since then. they have t-shirts for sale and other items. it is next door to two bars and a gas station. cant wait til they move up closer to Evansville where the old casino boat currently is. would be nice if Evansville could keep the casino boat in town aswell.

Inspiring Educational WWII Ship

By Joanne C Sullivan |

Inspiring , educational, friendly&knowledgable volunteers that were mostly veterans. Ship was docked in Wheeling WV for several days. Everyone needs to see this last remaining LST ship.

Great piece of history.

By Aaron H |

The LST-325 is worthwhile to visit, it's an amazing piece of functional history.

We saw the 325 while it was on it's fall tour. As a fully functional ship they do have to restrict access to a lot of the ship. However you do get to walk through the front ramp doors into the cargo hold and then up onto the deck and through the galley the troop bunks. Several of the volunteers had great information about the different stations they were at.

The only downside was we went during the busiest time of day and felt a little rushed with all the other people trying to get through quicker than we wanted to. Probably only an issue on this particular day, but still a good time.

A treasure from the Second World War

By Steve B |

The Allied invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France during the Second World War war would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, without its large fleet of Landing Ship Tanks or LSTs. By the time I began seriously studying the Normandy invasion in the 1990s, I was quite disappointed that these incredible vessels had all been dismantled or sold off to other countries and disappeared. Not any more. In the late 1990s, dedicated veterans of these incredible vessels located several in a Greek Naval yard and managed to get one back to the United States. The LST 325 memorial opened in Evansville, Indiana, in the early 2000s.

It is the last operational LST in the world. This Veteran of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy is a one of America's most important historical artifacts. The hour and a half-long tour is conducted by passionate "crew members" who work on the vessels all year and take on tours up and down America's inland waterways in the fall. It is a great experience for history buffs, veterans, and anyone seeking to discover what is the best of American history. Highly recommended!!

Great Bit of History

By scrappy20 |

We love visiting historical places and this one does not disappoint. The tour gave a glimpse of what life was like onboard. So glad the ship was preserved.

LST ship

By alifkh |

I visited the attraction with my elderly parents and children. We had a wonderful tour guide who walked us through the entire ship. Told us interesting stories and many historical facts. Kept both the adults and children occupied and interested. Saw the jeep that was used in the filming of the MASH series on the ship. Was really impressed by the upkeep of the ship. It's the only operational World War II ship and existence I think.

LST memorial

By rickmK7543RO |

A must see for any war memorial enthusiasts. Most LST’s built for WW11 were built in Evansville, Ind. most were built for a one way trip but many went way beyond that. Decommissioned after WW11 then recommissioned for duty during the Korean War decommissioned and once again brought back one last time to serve during the Vietnam war. The 325 is the only working LST in the world today.

Great Tour

By Robin V |

We have lived in the Evansviile area for a long time but have never been to the LST. I wish we had gone sooner. There is a tour that leaves at least every hour but if they have more volunteers they have them sooner. Our tour lasted about an hour and was lead by a very well informed volunteer that really seemed to talk like he really enjoyed the ship. We started on the front of the deck and then made our way through the sleeping quarters and then to the large haul of the ship. There are some great displays in the haul. We then toured the back of the ship and then made our way up the the rear of the deck. There are quite a few steps but it is easy to do.

Our tour group was about 20 people and it was relaxed. you could ask any questions. We had a member of our group that was 91 years old and had served on an LST during the end of WWII. It was a great tour and I may do it again with other members of my family.

I took my family to the LST when it was parked in Downtown Evansville for the D-Day Event.

By Randy Houghton |

I took my family to the LST when it was parked in Downtown Evansville for the D-Day Event. Everyone was friendly, and very informative. It was very interesting to see how things were for the sailors back then. I will be going back when it is moved to downtown Evansville at its new dock.

VERY INTERESTING HISTORY AFLOAT

By Michael S S |

My Father served in the US NAVY aboard an LST My wife and plus some took the tour quit impressive how much equipment and personnel they could carry. Remember that this is a plywood boat that was very decisive in winning WWII. they also were used in Vietnam . This is the last one operative. They serve ex military breakfast on those day's from yesteryear that need to be remembered. Come visit before she is gone and only a memory you will not be disappointed. PS I believe they also furnish a complete Thanksgiving dinner for our Veterans. MAY GOD BLESS

The LAST functional LST in the world.

By sandinmysandles |

The LST was integral to the liberation of Italy in WW-II and also transporting supplies, POWs and injured soldiers to/from the beaches of Normandy. LST 325 served well beyond what the planners expected, including providing supplies to the Arctic and decades of service in the Greek navy !

Our interpreter was very knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about this vessel, how it served the people on her and the ongoing work to maintain her. Great tour really !

A sleeper - military fans, don't miss this!

By Steve R |

The "crew" of this active ship is very helpful and informative. The tour guide we had had actually been active duty on an LST, so he is at home aboard a ship like this. (He also can operate out of the ship's radio station, which houses a ham shack as well, for amateur radio operators running HF. WW2LST.) I had never visited a ship like this - it's the only only one left. It is interesting, and if you like naval history you should see it. If you like military history, you should visit. If you like WWII history... you get the idea. A few politicians I could name ought to visit this. (That isn't bait, but my honest opinion.) Remember to wear safe shoes, as everything is steel on the walkways and ladders. I think you will enjoy this visit, and you might even like to sign on as a crew member, who knows. I might myself.

Photo trip with friend.

By Paul M |

Restored WWII LST (Landing Ship, Tank). Very, very interesting for anyone who served in the Navy and spent any time at sea. Excellent tour guide and well-maintained ship. See the video in the office/gift shop of the ship being refurbished and the Atlantic crossing to bring the ship back to U.S. Pretty amazing.

Amazing piece of history.

By checks01 |

Awesome. If you are unsure where to visit in Evansville. Take the time to see this ship. Guide was of course very informative and you can tell they really love this ship. Seeing this ship will remind us of why those men of WWII were the greatest generation.

Fun for the history buff

By SpringsTS |

As a history buff and former sailor, this sounded like a fun visit. A WWII landing ship, LST-325 was built in Evansville, which was pretty surprising considering how far it is from the ocean. The tour shows you most of the ship, with interesting displays down on the tank deck. Our tour guide was very good, and very informative, although he apologized for stumbling with his speech due to a medication change - he didn't need to, he did a great job! Tour takes about an hour, plus leave some time to see the informative video in the visitors center.

A pieces of history

By Matt S |

It's not too often that you can climb aboard a ship with this much history. Great tour. Very informative.

Interesting

By haileymarie00214 |

The museum is interesting but hard to keep attention up with small children and teenagers. Unless you are a history guroo this is not your thing.

Interesting tour

By Russ B |

Since we were in Evansville overnight, a friend recommended we visit this WWII vintage ship. There is a $10 admission charge but the guided tour of the ship is interesting and worth the money. This is a ship that was used to transport troops to land on beaches and was involved in the Normandy invasion.

A ship with an amazing story

By Marlene H |

A dedicated group of WWII vets made this retired ship seaworthy in order to sail her across the Atlantic to serve as a museum here in Evansville, IN. She has been restored to tell the story of these craft in battle, to teach about the "cornfield shipyard" in Evansville during WWII and still sails American rivers from time to time. Guides are knowledgeable and make history come alive as you make your way through the ship.

Historic Tour

By Abby |

Last year, my class took a field trip here, and I don't regret going. Historic stories of the ship, amazing tour guide. Great visit!

Ship-shape excellent condition!

By David W |

Visited LST 325 while she was docked in Pittsburgh over the Labor Day weekend (2015). She is in superb condition and the tour was a delight. The staff/crew were more than eager to explain anything and take the time with you to share details. The vessel does not have air conditioning (except in Officers Country) but they had plenty of floor fans moving the air around in other parts of the ship. There was a nice gift shop with souvenirs and books set up in the main hold forward. Definitely a GREAT tour which will take you about 35 minutes minimum. Highly recommend!

RE-Live World War II

By MARY SUSAN H |

The LST is a great venue to learn about the greatest generation. You are standing on the last surviving LST- Landing Ship Tank! These vessels crossed the channel from England and delivered our soldiers to Normandy on D Day. They were also used to transport tanks and men to the battlefields on the Islands of the Pacific ONE OF THE FEW PLACES YOU CAN VISIT IN THE UNITED STATES AND BE WERE OUR HEROS STOOD DURING WW II. This ship directly connects you to the life of the enlisted man during WW II. .

you will be treated great if you are a veteran and visit on Veteran's Day

By Chris S |

I have toured the LST on 3 occasions: once as a private tour as I know someone on the crew; another time with a small group; and another time on veteran's day. Each experience was a learning experience. Learned about those who lived and served on the ship and also about others who were transported to a war zone. Was treated to breakfast with many other veterans during the Veteran's Day program. If you are a veteran and haven't been on this special day you are in for a treat.

If you wish to join as a crew member this is possible. You can do so monetarily or via sweat equity. You can contact the LST in person, by phone or on their web site. I did have someone from the LST provide a presentation for our Knights of Columbus Assembly.

Would highly recommend a visit if you haven't yet, if you enjoy military history or if you are a veteran.

LST 325

By lloyd D |

Do not miss this attraction. The only Sea-Worthy LST in the world. Walk through the bowels of a WW II ship and experience how the brave men of that era lived and fought. Driving from St. Louis or from Louisville across 64? Take the extra couple of hours and visit the LST 325. You won't be disappointed. .

Wonderful Experience

By Heidi-ready-2-travel |

We were fortunate enough to have the last tour all to ourselves on a Friday afternoon.

We had a wonderful really personalized experience with her tour guide.

We toured the deck, the belly of the boat where all the equipment is stored, and the transport and living quarters.

Great experience.

History made alive

By SugarLandTexasMom |

It was a fantastic and fascinating history lesson brought to life by the tour guides. Each guide has been a part of the restoration.

walk through history

By Roger S |

A little tricky to figure out where to park and how to get in, but well worth it. fascinating to see the conditions and technology our servicemen had available to them. No better way than to be able to walk through it yourself. Guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. Great way to spend an hour learning something we never knew about Evansville

Great family adventure!

By aircitychick |

It was really cool to see a real military ship and listen to how it was used. A great family stop that will give a painless history lesson. I highly recommend to families and military buffs alike!

Tanks, but no tanks.

By Unavid |

The LST (Landing Ship Tank) 325 is a bit tricky to find but well worth the effort. While it no longer transports tanks, it is fully functional and goes on at least one major river cruise a year. The displays are a bit primitive but they serve to give you a sense of what it was like to be on board a ship like this in WWII. And since it participated in the beach landings on D-Day, it is a unique piece of history and an invaluable part of our military heritage. The tour lasts about an hour so you'll want to plan your day accordingly- Evansville has several worthwhile attractions and in nearby Henderson, KY is Audubon State Park with an excellent museum and beautiful hiking trails. If you're a military history buff or just want to gain a better appreciation of what the greatest generation went through, pay LST-325 a visit.

Cool adventure

By Robin W |

The ship visited Cincinnati. Worth the wait in line on a beautiful day. Very friendly informative tour. Loved it!

Awesome tour

By Kathleen H |

My husband is a veteran and absolutely loved the ship and the tour. Well worth the money. Very fascinating. Great for families.

A must for any WWII history buff

By matsinet |

You get the full tour of the LST, there were very few spots we didn't get to at least look into. The guide was knowledgable and professional. Lots of history in this ship to be shared.

Moving

By jamie k |

Everyone should visit the LST. It is a part of history that made us all free . Facinating that with limited technology they could build such a great ship

A must see

By carolscamaro1965 |

A must see for anyone who's a history person buff. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable abouwhip and easily answered any questions. I enjoyed it.

Good tour

By Jimi A |

The guide was very informative and just fun! Only takes about an hour but well worth it. The story of the ships journey from WW2 to Greece and then back to Evansville was fascinating.

Excellent value for $10 hour+ tour

By Dobes5 |

Who knew the last fully operational WWII LST (Landing Ship, Tank) was located in Evansville, IN! Tour guide Joshua took us up and down and all around this ship which was commissioned in 1943 and, run by a crew of mostly 17-18 years old and officers only in their early 20s, performed admirably in WWII, delivering tanks and other equipment and troops onto the shores of war, and then onward into the 21st century, where she was restored and traveled to Evansville to be used as a museum. Very interesting history lesson.

Very interesting history tour

By cevilla |

We took our oldest grandson along with us through this ship tour. I wasn't sure how he would respond being a teen. He loved it! I think we loved it more because we had no idea what a ship like this involved. The tour guide did such a great job of explaining things and we didn't feel rushed. It was a good history lesson. We plan to do this again!

Lest we forget ...

By PoppaP54 |

My wife and I, along with her mother, visited the LST-325 on a hot day in August. First lesson learned was that it is hot inside, and hydration is essential. Second lesson was that those with mobility concerns, or difficulty with stairs, will find this vessel a potentially-prohibitive challenge
Now, why visit ...because it is (at least in our eyes) a lesson, and vessel, with stories from history. Those fifty and older will likely get the most from the experience, but, hopefully, younger adults will view this experience as a window into a different time, and worth the nominal entrance fee, and hour or so to tour both the LST and the small museum / souvenir shop.
The LST is to be relocated to a more visible location in a year or so (once the casino river boat exits its current spot). Hopefully, this will aide its visibility and increase visitor numbers. Should you be in town for a convention, or parents weekend at college, find the time to take in LST-325, and learn its story.

Fascinating piece of our history

By Athena S |

What a great experience! Friendly staff, entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide. They've done a fantastic job of preserving this important part of our history. Plus it's in a beautiful setting right on the river, with a park next to it. Definitely worth seeing.

Historical experience

By gljaggers |

Loved this historical experience above this old WWII vessel. The tour guide was very friendly and informative. He had a genuine love for these ships that were build in the ship yard at Evansville.

Birthday trip

By Lisa C |

Was a very tour. To see the conditions that the sailors lived under was unbelievable. Our tour guide Josh was Young but very knowledgeable and he seemed to really care. My husband was in the Navy so when he wasn’t looking I took a quick shot of him when I caught him standing by these sailors. And as we was leaving the ship and we were passing through the captains quarters. I could still feel and hear the souls of LST 325 still sailing on.

Great Tour of American History...

By Ryan D |

My family and I recently toured this magnificent ship while it was docked in Dubuque, Iowa; and it was well worth the 45 minute wait in the rain. Visitors are allowed to tour the whole vessel, and learn about the ship, World War II, and much more. I highly recomend this tour!

Lots of history

By sbuck2013 |

Very interesting and lots of history on this old ship. If you are in the area you should definitely stop by and take the tour. My grandfather helped build these ships so it was even more special to me.

A walk back in time.

By PLD5758 |

This is an awesome piece of history. Very interesting and informative. It is something that everyone should see. You can really imagine how awful it must have been crossing the ocean during war time in this ship. Any WW2 vet or their descendants should visit the LST. Evansville is very proud of it's contribution to history.

Must do if you are a history buff

By Pola59 |

Finally made it! We took the tour which lasted about an hour. It was very informative & educational. I would carry on, but I don't want to spoil it for you... They also have a gift shop with reasonable prices & a restaurant/bar if you need a refreshment or snack.

April 2019 Visit

By Ted Doucette |

Wonderful piece of history, great way to pay tribute to those who served in World War II, this is a piece of history, made several trips to Normandy, giant ship, great tour guides, you get to see an actual Jeep used in the TV Show MASH. If you're a MASH fan you'll love this

An interesting piece of history

By David H |

If you have an interest in WW2 this is a good place to visit. Every picture you see of the Normandy invasion and other landings have a picture of a LST unloading tanks and trucks. This ship is definitely worth seeing.

WWII History Buffs and the Whole Family Will Love This Ship

By dbwbear |

The last operational ship of its type offers much for WWII, Naval and History buffs. The whole family will enjoy the tour by someone who actually sailed onboard this or other LSTs. Great gift shop and wonderful views along the Ohio river. Highly recommended.

Fun Tour

By Peppermint321 |

My daughter wanted to take her dad to the LST for Fathers Day her boyfriend joined us. We were really impressed with the tour and tour guide. What an awesome piece of history right in our backyard. Everyone should check it out at least once.

Well Worth the Time!

By tchrmom777 |

It is actually hard to put into words how we felt upon the visit to the memorial. Our generation has never experienced what this generation experienced...indeed they were "the greatest". It was beyond interesting and the two gentlemen who were our tour guides (one left for lunch due to the hours served and the other took over) were so knowledgeable. They were tour volunteers who had served in some capacity during WWII. We were unaware of the purpose of these ships and came away humbled by how these service men and women have preserved our freedom. We paid a small fee, and it is for the upkeep of the ship. It was well worth the time to visit. As a former teacher, I think it is very important to educate our younger generations with this information. While we were there we came upon a class on a field trip. They too were mesmerized by the sights and stories. A simply remarkable tour and one that will stay with us for a very long time!

Worth a Look

By HansLudwig2014 |

While visiting great friends in Evansville...and learning & appreciating the wonderful town & culture of this part of Indiana, we visited the USS LST 325 Memorial.
The tour guide/interpreter did a nice job (via rote presentation) showing us all over the ship and explaining history and applications of this Landing Ship Tank.
Interestingly this ship which saw WWII action , served in both the European & Pacific Theatre... reactivated for Korea and Vietnam... and this particular one later commissioned/utilized by Greece.
Was disappointed that Military Retired not provided discount.
But was glad to take the tour ...for fun, to learn and to appreciate. Was worth a look.

A wonderful memorial ship

By stephenf197 |

As we traveled back thru Evansville we stopped and visited the LST 325. This ship is in private hands (learn the wonderful story) and is slowly being restored by a group of volunteers. This is a labor of love that has been going on for a number of years. The ship makes a long 30+ day cruise at the end of each summer to several locations along river system. This is a great chance to see living history as this is the last functional LST from WWII.

Web site needs to provide accurate information!!!

By Doug1553 |

Web site needs updating!!! Planned a visit for September and drove from NH to Indiana with other stops along the way. When we got to Evansville the ship wasn’t there it was up in Ohio. I understand their need to move the ship, but the site should have been updated to let people know, and the schedule for when it is in Evansville as well as other places should be part of the site. I was extremely disappointed by the inability to visit.

Part of Evansville's History

By Ronald O |

I took my son to see the LST not long ago. I really wasn't sure what to expect. We were both blown away. Our guide was retired Navy and had served on an LST (not this particular one). He was informative and explained many of the fascinating nuances of this great ship. These were manufactured in Evansville. Upon completion, they would travel down the Ohio River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico where they would go out to war. A real part of our national history. A must see!

Piece of history

By Scott W |

Take the kids, take your parents. It’s worth the price. Go when the weather is nice. No a/c so it’s hot in the summer. Take a camera

Great for the History buff

By cyndy55 |

We had a very knowledgeable guide who made our tour very interesting. Very well preserved ship. Great to learn a part of Evansville, IN contribution to the war effort.

Workhorse of WWII

By See the world |

We have visited the LST several times. Each time we gain a new glimpse into the landings and troop life of WWII. We have taken children as young as four (maintained her interest even in the heat of summer) through teens (maintained their interest even in the heat of summer) up to older adults . The tour moves at a reasonable pace to keep even youngsters engaged, while providing enough 'meat' to pique the interest of teens and adults. The tour guides are knowledgeable and pleasant, normally able to answer detailed questions while offering interesting tidbits suitable for all ages. It took us about 1.5 hours to complete our trip. Recommend jackets in the cooler days as it is located on the Ohio River and the breezes can quickly chill you. Limited winter hours.

School Group approved!

By Amhackert |

Took a 6th grade group of students and they LOVED it! Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable. Highly recommend for any school age children to attend!

naval ship

By barb19492017 |

As a daughter of a WWII navy veteran this was very interesting and impressive. It is amazing that our veterans fought for this country while at sea on ships such as this.
\

Great Family experience

By RoadGalBB |

We visited USS LST 325 when she was docked in Cincinnati, OH. Great experience for all generations of families.

Amazing the crew lives on the ship for the month she travels the Ohio River. Her crew was nice and mostly veterans. We thank them for their service.

Look for her to dock in your port to enjoy a piece of time in history.

Great history

By lid535535 |

We were I town for a concert which just happened to be on Veterans Day. We wanted to see the ship so we went and they were having a free breakfast with Veterans that we didn't know about but graciously accepted. How amazing to eat with all of these amazing men and women on a WWII war ship ON Veterans day! The ship was fascinating. The tour guide was actually on a LST in Vietnam and knew that type of ship inside and out! Tours were $10. It's all volunteers well worth the money. On the river so bring a jacket in fall!

How can you not go see this?

By Michael M |

I took the LST Tour with my adult family and we all found it well worth our while. Our guide, a Navy vet and very knowledgeable, coupled with the fantastic history made this tour great. I would recommend taking the tour when the temperatures are moderate, or at least not on an extremely hot day. Also wear comfortable shoes.

Amazing Tour Guide

By michd61 |

We took our 90 year old father on the tour. He and all of us loved it- the history, the well kept ship was amazing. The tour guide was so informative and nice. Wear comfy, closed shoes- stairs get narrow.

great piece of history

By KellieF1990 |

Very unique one of a kind piece of history also the staff is very friendly and helpful. The only thing I hate is I seen they are raising prices next year

Great Historical Site

By OldDocI |

This is a fascinating look at our past; these vessels were the workhorses of the war effort for the Navy. They also were made in Evansville. We took a group of elementary students to the ship and they were kept interested by the stories of the guides. The men who lead the tours are enthusiastic about the history of the ship and want the share this information with visitors.
It is a little hard to find in its current location, but that will soon be corrected when it gets to move to a more prominent location on the Ohio River.

Living History museum

By jim c |

The last sea-worthy LST in existence. If you are a history or WWII buff, you have to see this. They usually make a summer voyage up or down the Ohio, sometimes further, stopping at various cites. On these trips, people wait for hours to take the guided tour. Come to Evansville and you won't have to wait more than a few minutes for your guide.

Wonderful experience!

By TJS057 |

We visited the LST 325 the 1st wk of May 2023. Loved the tour! Great tour guide. Lots of interesting stories & information. Our tour guide clearly loves his job: He was enthusiastic & was able to answer all our questions. He introduced us to one of the volunteers (a Vietnam Veteran) who shared a couple of his own interesting stories about LST's. I highly recommend this gem to anyone interested in WW2 history & the important role LST's played in the war.

Great Place for History Buffs!

By Mona W |

History buffs don't want to miss a visit to the LST! A great adventure for individuals, school groups, and families, be sure to plan your visit!!

LST stands for Landing Ship, Tank. These ships were designed in 1942 to land battle ready tanks, vehicles, soldiers, and supplies directly onto enemy beaches. Over 1,000 of these ships were built for World War II. Many more were built for the Korean and Vietnam Wars for their ability to navigate inland waterways.

USS LST 325 participated in several operations, most notable was D-Day at Omaha Beach, Normandy. She was there for Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily in 1943. She sailed as support for the invasion of Salerno, Italy later that year. This ship has seen 70 years of history and survived as the last fully-operational WWII LST.

Great 👍🏻 History

By George |

Talked about touring last year and missed out. Was able to go yesterday and had a wonderful time. A lot of pics taken of some wonderful historic scenery.
Just knowing that you participated and was able to see and walk through this ship 🚢 was awesome 👏🏻!
Definitely gives a person a lot of respect ✊🏻 for what our loved ones went through fighting for our country.
Will go back for sure and take a tour of the other sights on the way to the ship 🚢. Museums and other beautiful places.

LST's built in Evansville during WWll

By Badger12745 |

A floating history lesson. Went there for their Veterans Day breakfast. Sponsored by Browning Funeral Home, all veterans eat free. We got a tour of the place and could feel the history. Highly recommend.

A great look at modern history.

By handicappedtravel |

I only went to the LST Memorial as the weather was awful, but I'm so glad I made the trip. My friend and I were the only ones on the tour, and we were taken around by a guide who went through the missions the boat went on. As I have a big interest in modern history, especially the WWII era, it was extremely interesting. It is always hard to imagine what people were going through on D-Day, and this was one of the ships used on that day of days.

History with a lot of detail provided

By NSF4040 |

First, you need to follow the signs for the LST because it is located in an out of the way location from Evansville. Understand that they plan on moving the boat closer to the Casino which should increase traffic/visitation. Our tour lasted an hour and forty minutes. 100 minutes. Well worth the price of admission. Our guide gave a detailed tour of items both above and below deck. There is lot of walking and steep steps on this tour and the boat does not have A/C below deck. If you like WWII history this should be on your schedule to visit if in the area. If you go and it is hot, wear a hat and bring water, you will need both.

Interactive tour for grandson

By Suze F |

So many times, things in museums are not to be touched. Not so with the LST. My grandson, 8, was wide-eyed with wonder as he toured the ship. To my total surprise, the tour guide noticed his intense interest and asked him if he'd like to try on the head set....would he like to touch and pick up the ammunition. The youngest in the tour group. he looked at her like he had misheard. But she assured him it was okay to touch and to feel how heavy the ammo rounds really were. A huge smile broke out on his face, and he has done little more than talk about that day and how much he wants to tour again with his dad. Both share a love of history...especially turned on that day in an 8-year-old boy.

Visited when they visited-Great!!!

By WVHighlander |

The ship visited our town in September and since many ships from D-day left from the town where my husband grew up in England we decided to check it out. It turned out to be a fascinating and informative tour. The volunteers were ever so helpful. We both highly recommend it.
Be prepared, there are stairs and some areas that are tricky but we saw people from 2 to 80s climbing around and enjoying the experience.

Outstanding Visit & Tour

By rodbybronze |

Took our friends from PA, who's father was on a similar LSI in the war and who had contributed a scale replica model that is on board this ship. The one hour tour was fantastic, our guide very good and a Navy veteran herself. The ship has been restored to its former self of 75 years ago. There are numerous displays as well. This is an outstanding piece of history that has been lovingly restored by a special group of Americans. Whatever you do, do not miss this opportunity while in Evansville.

Disappointed

By tommarcella |

We arrived 10 min. before their opening time and were told to wait 10 min. and then they would start around 10:15 a.m. We waited 10 min. and went in, paid for our tour and were told the tour would start shortly. After a while they turned the video on about the ship so we watched that for a while. We were the only ones there for the tour at that time. We saw crew go out to put some sort of canopy up on the ship and that was about 10:25 a.m. We had an other things to visit and see that day so we really wanted to get in and out so we could go on with our day. Why they waited so long to do what they needed to do, I have no idea! A man & two kids came in during this time and were going to go on it as well. We heard them tell them it wouldn't be till 11 a.m. or so. If you say tours start at 10:15, then start the tour at 10:15--not 11 or after. We thought this was ridiculous to wait all that time so we got our money back and left. The counter person didn't apologize for the long wait or explain anything at all. Just refunded the cost and let us walk out without a word. Disappointed.

not my thing

By misspoppins4 |

hard to see inside due to my wheelchair. stayed on deck. husband and kids loved it. location was adequate. important people see the size of ships for real.,

S. Schmitt

By Shelia S |

What a wonderful thing for Evansville to have .
This was an awesome piece of history to share with my family enjoyed it very much thank you Evansville

The Art of History!

By Emily Y |

Being able to walk around throughout the LST is an amazing experience for all ages! The guides are great and full of history! Any questions you have will always be answered with an amazing story!

Fun Interactive Piece of History

By JWSV |

The LST 325 is a functioning piece of American history that everyone should see given the chance. The boat tours are led by a knowledgeable volunteer group who keep the conversation friendly and make everyone feel welcome to speak up with questions. The gift shop has a few collectibles and other odds and ends.

The tour itself is a roughly one hour walking tour of the boat starting on the deck and then venturing below and ending back where you started. You snake your way through narrow stairways and some low ceilings. Because of the constraints inherent in a ship from the 1930's and 40's, this tour is not handicap accessible. People who have trouble walking or standing for any period of time may also find this tour difficult. As far as children are concerned young children may not be advisable since they may get bored. Finally the tour is not climate controlled so in the high heat of summer and the super chills of winter the interior of the ship may be equally as hot or cold.

Although it is not in the center of downtown Evansville anyone with a functioning GPS will not have any problem finding the location. Although on an interesting note you do cross into Kentucky for all of 30 seconds on your way from downtown to the ship.

imformative

By Debbie M |

really enjoyed our tour. It was very informative. I am not a history person but i really enjoyed it.

LST

By Marilyn D |

My visit to the LST was a wonderful experience. Our guide was very informative. He was knowledgeable with each question that was asked. The tour began on the top deck and finished in the hull. I certainly learned a lot about World War 2. I would recommend not to go during the hottest part of the day.

A great piece of local history

By jeremy m |

I try to make it to the LST at least three times a year. The kids love it especially since their great grandfather use to build LSTs. The tour guides are very friendly and make it enjoyable for even the youngest of children. Do yourself a favor and visit this workhorse from WWII.

Definitely worth the time

By treasureseekermth633 |

We enjoy history and appreciate greatly the military service so this was a great addition to our Evansville visit. The tour was led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer. The ship (don't call it a boat!) is fully functional with the exception of a few guns. The volunteers are working with a limited budget to keep this ship running and to make displays to show it's interesting history and usage.

Tours begin on the hour. Our tour had almost twice the size of a normal group so that made some of the narrow passages a challenge in communicating and effective movement.

Yes, take this tour.
To bump up to a five rating, for this price, the tours should be more frequent or keep to smaller groups and there should be displays you can wander through on your own (instead of a small gift shop with the History Channel video playing).

Very historic and interesting

By RobertSuzanne |

The guided tour was excellent and our very knowledgeable tour guide told us many stories about the ship and its crew throughout the years. He easily answered all of our questions. The ship is very well maintained and actually sails once a year to other ports, so everything on it works like it did in the 1940’s when it was built. It’s amazing to be able to walk on a ship that was actually at Omaha Beach on D-Day.

Gave Me Goosebumps!

By Suzanne S |

We stumbled upon this as we drove around downtown Evansville after the Taco Fest. It was definitely the best part of our trip! Our tour guide, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable and funny. He tied together pieces of World War II and related it to our present. His stories of the past made us proud of our heritage! It was also wonderful to see how painstakingly they have preserved this part of our military history.

Great experience at new location

By JSD47630 |

Freshly moved to its new home at the Downtown riverfront (where casino used to be) this is a great, informative exhibit

Amazing trip

By Lily💚💙💜 |

My class took a trip here and it was wonderful I recommend everyone to go her great peice of history

Awesome place

By Reed Barnes |

Fun time, very historic ship, was a fun adventure and had a great time, great place to go on the river if your visiting Evansville

Was granted the privilege of seeing this vessel while it was on tour.

By Caore |

I had the privilege of touring this beauty while it was out of it's normal Evansville port. The crew were very knowledgeable and caring to the history and the visitors. At one point, my family was fortunate enough to visit an area not normally seen by visitors when one of the crew took time with a veteran in my family after a lengthy conversation about missions.
I would definitely go see this living history vessel again should I get the chance, as I am sure I missed some area, as there was so much to see and hands on displays to interact with.

Great bit of History

By Joseph F |

I enjoyed the tour of the LST. To be able to walk through a military ship that was at D-Day, and served our troops throughout the war is incredible. You need to see this.

History

By Anita L |

A lot of history and the kids loved it they even have certain days reenact all the soldiers and gun had a tour they explain every detail of the ship how it work The crew on the job and how many people the ship helt sounds boring went to get on there start the tour very interesting if you love history please take time to take the tour

LST 325 is the Last Operational Landing Ship Tank from WWII and you can tour it!

By Missy M |

If you are interested in history then you will love this tour. It only cost $10 for adults, which helps with the preservation of this amazing piece of history. I was amazed at how our servicemen had to live and went through while on one of these ships. This ship participated in several operations, D-Day at Omaha Beach, Normandy was one of them. Thanks to all who helped preserve this for our enjoyment!

Neat look at an overlooked class of ships.

By OPMaster1978 |

Toured the LST Memorial yesterday. It's pretty rare to find a World War II era ship as well preserved as this one: it's still fully functional and visits other cities outside its' home port of Evansville. The tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. An enjoyable experience for those interested in history. The story of how a group of veterans actually sailed this ship back from overseas in order to make it a museum vessel is inspiring.

Amazing glimpse of history

By Venita C |

The guide shared details learned from actually helping crew the ship, plus gave an excellent history of the importance of these ships during both WWII and later. This tour was well worth it...would enjoy touring it again if passing back through the area.

A Step Into WWII

By Flybymight |

Totally great! The Vets are refurbishing this last LST purchased from Greece or Turkey. Made in Evansville ( I think) these crafts helped win the war.

Go in cooler season. Believe me.

Great with Kids

By Malinda U |

We decided to visit the LST because we thought it would be cool to see a WWII navy vessel. We were correct - it was very exciting, especially for our kids, to see the vessel in person. The kids loved the admiral's quarters and the WWWII munitions. Our tour guide was informative and knew many stories of the boat's history. There are many steep stairs - wear sturdy shoes.

Things to Do in Evansville

By Koko A |

This is a great tour and very informative about the ships that were in wars that were built in Evansville. Tour was very well presented and guide was great

Great tribute

By KevStal |

This is rare look at a ship instrumental in WWII. The tour guide (Chris) did a factual, revenant, and funny tour of this classic ship. THe tour was on deck, vehicle staging and quarters. Don't pass as opportunity to sit in the gunseat. The admission was well worth it. Evansville should be proud.

One of a kind

By JEP_10 |

Everyone should take the opportunity to visit the LST in Evansville. Well maintained with knowledgeable guides, everyone in your party will get something out of this tour. If you have past military in your party, all the better. Chances are, your guides will be past military, too.

A Very real piece of history!

By lynne p |

This boat is amazing in the fact it's been maintained, restored and actually RUNS, yes sails! This thing is huge, and holds over 20 LARGE vehicles in it's lower cargo hold (tanks, jeeps, etc.) plus several up on deck. The guides are male volunteers, some vets. It's $10 and well worth it. Small gift shop inside check in and then walk the ramp to the dock and board boat. Tour was over an hour and chock full of info from guide plus plenty to see re: war and boat artifacts. We saw the galley, bunks, communications room, etc. The way it was portrayed visually and hearing wise from guide made you feel like you were actually there. My father was a WWII Marine Vet and from what the guide said it's very possible my dad sailed on one of these boats to Iwo Jima (sp?) during the war. Only so many thousand were made of these boats in Evansville and this is last working one. The crew members that volunteer so many hours actually get to go on a trip for 4 weeks annually, this year PA, and they dock there. How awesome! I was choked up and emotional when our guide Dave Coker told us all about the ship. He was really proud of this vessel and proud to be a part of it! Definitely go see!

Blast from the past

By Shelbs21 |

What a sight to see. Our tour guide was Chris Donahue (I apologize if I spelt his name wrong) phenomenal!! He knew his stuff and made sure everyone could hear him and enjoyed the trip. I really enjoyed that he made sure we knew the history of the LST 325. The tour was about a hour long. And worth every penny ($10 an adult)
It is cool to see a ship in Indiana and know that this one is still functional from WWII!!

Quite the surprise when in Evansville!

By Connie Z |

For some reason, when we were traveling to Evansville, I remembered my Grandfather saying that there was a ship there just like his in WWII. So...I went to tripadvisor and bingo! We decided to go and am VERY glad we did. Looking at the gift shop and the memorabilia was fantastic. They weren't busy that Saturday so we had our own private tour. Walking thru the ship and learning the history behind this ship was outstanding. What these guys have done is unreal! I have so much respect and gratitude for the past and current crew! Thank you for sparking some great memories from my Grandfather.

LST 325 worth the visit

By CMSgt-Ret |

This is the last operational WWII LST, and was actually used during the DDay Operation June 6 1944. The historical value plus the story of the people who returned this ship from Greece to Evansville is interesting and valuable. A real piece of history.

Fascinating

By jamie k |

I've toured several times. It's an important pies of history that is well preserved. The tour guides do an excellent job of describing .

Very interesting!

By loves_snowflakes |

It was Memorial Day weekend and we thought this would be a great place to visit. Our guide was really knowledgeable and you could tell he loved giving tours and sharing information with us. Since it was the holiday, we got a 30 minute FREE tour but we would have gladly paid the admission fee for a longer tour. It was really interesting to hear that this ship had used at D-Day and is still a working ship. Following the tour we purchased the book "Bringing Back a Hero" which tells the story of how the boat was returned to the US from Greece. It was really informative and added to what we had learned on our tour.

A unique and historical naval memorial in the heartland

By David G |

Very intersting and unique memorial of a restored and fully functional WWII LST craft. Visited the site on a Saturday morning in Fwebruary, first tour of the day at 10:00, no waiting and limited crowd. Volunteer tour guide did an excellent presentation. Our visit was particularly meaningful as my wife's father served on this type of vessel in WWII in the Pacific theatre.

Great visit to the last sailing lst

By Virgil J |

Please don`t miss touring this great American warship. Evansville is very lucky to have this great attraction.

Glad this historical ship was saved

By Beverly L |

Interesting tour of ship. Guide very knowledgeable. Gave many interesting and fun facts. Many steps and stairs, so not handicap accessible. We were told ship could be very hot inside. Cloudy rainy day when we went so temperature was pleasant. Small museum with interesting artifacts. Parking across street in casino parking. Enter casino to access crosswalk over street to safely get to ship. Very glad we took time to visit.

Diamond in the rough!

By S R |

My husband and I decided to do a one day trip somewhere...…..so we chose the LST …..There are really no words to describe the feelings you get going on the ship...The blood, sweat and tears that each of the men that served on the ship gave to our freedom can be felt as you walk through on the tour. Our tour guide Kenneth was an amazing man! He was very knowledgeable, we highly recommend it.

By Yaiko828 |

I do not know how to rate, it closed when I got there. It closed at 4, if you need to see around, you'd probably arrive before 3, it's the last tour begins.

Fasinating Walk Through History

By D D |

We went on the first tour on March 4, 2017. The ship was easy to find and we enjoyed watching the barges come up the river while we waited for the tour to open. Our guide was great, he was very knowledgeable and friendly. It was a nice way to spend the morning.

Very EDUCATIONAL!!

By Gary A |

Was pleasantly Surprised by this Historic Memorial. Tour by Actual Crew Member was Very educational. A MUST to visit while in Evansville!!

LST has moved now.

By SandyF47715 |

They had guides that were in their eighties and nineties that to run up-and-down the ladders on the ship like they were in their 20's. Great history lessons and stories from the volunteer guides!

Timeless

By Bill C |

This is the place to take your family to. The history of this ship is fascinating and how we came to acquire it even more. If you have a family member who served in World War 2 this will take them back. The ship's crew were very kind and informed.

Great Evansville Stop for the History Buff

By Rach S |

My husband is a WWII buff. He has been to several WWII aircraft carriers and submarines. This was his first visit to an LST. The museum was a little rinky dink, but had some interesting items like a highline lift chair and morse code machine. The tour and exploration of the actual LST boat was the real "wow" factor. The tour guide (last name Donahue) was incredibly knowledgeable and easy to understand. He did a great job explaining the history of LSTs, what this specific boat did, and why things were designed the way they were. The boat is a true piece of history, complete with bullet holes, original racks (AKA the bunks), and the original door that opened onto Omaha Beach to let men and vehicles out. As the tour guide said, that door was most likely the last thing many men saw before their death. I'm glad we visited. We found it really cool.

Great ship and memorial

By bevcakes04 |

Visited this since husband was in military and found it very interesting. Well kept ship. Would recommend a visit!

Walk through history

By thomasj4444 |

I could write a detailed description of the tour, but all I really need to say is that this ship was on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. An honor to be able to walk thru a bit of history.

A piece of our past

By rann1953 |

Toured the LST 325 this morning. This is a very informative and interesting tour. Gives you a great feel for how men and cargo were moved into and out of the battlefields. You also get a real sense of the personal sacrifices the men made to keep these machines running. Cramped, hot quarters were the norm but these men got the job done. Definitely recommend for history buffs and families! Very warm in the ship, lots of ladders and cramped passages but most folks should do just fine. Our tour guide was Kaelyn, a Navy vet with a great sense of humor and tons of interesting information!

Tour of ship

By Sally L |

My husband and I recently took a tour of the ship when it was docked in Clarksville Tennessee. The experience was awesome. It was organized informative and a wonderful experience. The crew were friendly and answered all questions. We got to meet the captain. It's a piece of History that we often take for granted. The tour was educational and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We will definitely go again when it comes to our area. There was a large crowd of people but it was very organized and the lines moved in a timely manner. There were several items available to purchase including a book written by the captain. He was there greeting the public and signing the books. We are blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to experience part of our history that our brave men and women fought for our freedom. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to tour this ship when possible.

Too late for tour

By Janet U |

We were able to view the exterior from the dock. Wonderfully informative brochure available on the dock

Local History

By Karen P |

Who knew that in years past that Evansville had a ship building history, though makes total sense. The USS LST Ship is a great way to learn about the area’s history and history of the ship you are able to get a personal guided tour of. Last’s about an hour long, but as you walk through the ship and listen to the guide, it goes by quickly. It’s a nominal fee and worth the stop. I only wish the guide had a mobile microphone so people on the tour farther back could hear the tour guide too.

Historical visit

By Jack S |

Wonderful historical piece of equipment that everyone should see. See what our fathers and grandfathers used during the war.
It's great that this piece has been saved and put on display!

Wonderful part of our history. A must see!

By 709juiles |

What an amazing bit of history for all to see and learn from. I’m a WWII history buff and I learned a lot! Thanks to all volunteers who have keep this ship in such wonderful shape and this part of our history alive! We traveled 2 hours to see her and it was well worth it. Everyone—-Go!

wonderful piece of history

By Vesole |

I served on LST 821 and when I saw how close the 325 was to North Al I had to make the trip. Lots of fond memories of my time on board. The tour guide was knowledgeable and had interesting facts about this particular ship. To walk the deck of a ship that was at Normandy in 1944 what a privilege. Lots of interesting exhibits on the tank deck and officers country was just as I remember. Interestingly the chief engineer of the LST 325 is in the same stateroom I shared with the DCA so many years ago, I was the Engineering officer.

If you love history, the Navy or are just curious to see a ship of the amphibious Navy of WWII and the brown water navy of Viet Nam you really need to make the visit. Do wear good walking shoes as there are many levels and heals will not do well ladies

Well Worth the Visit!

By lzsrgh |

If you're traveling thru southern Indiana (like on you're way to Vincennes to see the George Rogers Clark Memorial and the Red Skelton museum) you must stop and see this. Fantastic story about these ships and their impact on WWII. Hourly guided tours by vets who serviced. A working ship brought back from Greece that travels the mid-west.

We plan to go back when they do the re-creation of an actual landing against the German in Evansville next summer.

Living history

By John K |

A very interesting tour of a restored, operational LST. The tour is guided by volunteers who are informative, they explain all about the operation and mission of these ships. I was surprised by how large the vessel is. They explain that all maintenance, operation, and management of the museum are performed by volunteers. The only disappointment was that we couldn't see the mechanical spaces as that was not allowed.

Flood of memories

By 662ralphr |

I took my father who traveled into battle on an LST similar. As we walked through the ship he had floods of Memories. It was an experience to see history alive and hear the stories from the period.

Great History on the Ohio River

By ColinPK |

I was passing through Evansville and stopped here on the Ohio river. The ship is an interesting piece of WWII history. There are interesting displays and artifacts, and the guides are fantastic! Plus, you get to hang out and gaze upon the Ohio!

"Walking in the footsteps of our father"

By 83154 |

So wonderful that this piece of history has been saved! This ship has quite an interesting history. My brother and I made a trip to Evansville to see the LST 325 again after visiting it when it was "on tour" in Madison, IN in 2013. What are the odds that we would be on the VERY SAME SHIP that our father was on (for only 3 days out of his Army career) in World War II ?!?!? Even more of a coincidence is the fact that it was 69 years later, to the day! What an experience! My bother was so emotional, he was sobbing. I cannot describe what this experience meant to him. I only wish that we could have taken our dad with us, but I'm hoping he was "watching" us and knew we were there. My brother was the only one that ever wanted to really listen to his war stories, and my dad would be have been very pleased to know that we were there.

Great tour for the whole family

By C8964TAkarend |

Great way for our kids to get some appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who serve. Both boys as well as Mom and Dad enjoyed. Tour guide was great. Well worth the modest admission fee.

Living History--Still Making America Proud

By Missie |

A working LST! The tour guides love this boat! They are veterans and volunteers that bring history to life. Stepping aboard helps bring the sacrifice of American soldiers home to the average Americans heart! A must do!

Nice WW II memorial

By Tommy599 |

Walked across the street skywalk from the Bally’s Tower Hotel (part of the Bally’s casino) to the USS Landin Ship Tank (LST) memorial museum. LST 325 is one of 1,050 LST’s built for WW II (some were even used in the Vietnam War).

LST 325 is 328 ft long and 50 ft wide. AND COULD LAND 20 Sherman Tanks right up on the beach. She is flat bottomed and has a top speed of 11 knots (about 12.7 MPH). LST 325 served in the invasion of Sicily and Normandy. Although not built in Evansville Indiana, 167 of her sister LST ships were built right here in Evansville on the Ohio River. LST 325 is fully operational and does several sails each year (for promotional visits and in support of WW II reenactments), up and down the Mississippi from LaCross Wisconsin to Texas. She is currently getting ready to sail down to Texas for another routine 10 year drydocking (hull inspection/repainting). There is only one other LST (393) open for tours and she is on Lake Michigan at Muskegon Michigan. LST 393 museum ship is currently in need of very expensive drydocking repairs, and her fate is still up in the air.

LST 325 here in Evansville has about 1,500 active members that on & off support the upkeep of the ship, with about 50 of those that are hardcore members/workers. The tour (guided) cost $15 PP and was very well done.

LST 325 Tour

By troyadler |

The LST 325 is an amazing place to visit. Full of history and nice people, many of whom are veterans, who guide you through the ship and tell you stories that make you feel like you are transported back in time. Wonderful experience!

A MUST SEE IF IN EVANSVILLE

By Jill S |

A very interesting tour with a knowledgeable guide. Learned a lot about this very special WWII ship! Only one of its kind in the US that is still in working order and travels to various destinations. Evansville is its home dock.

A must see!

By Ginny W |

And when it moves to river front in place of the nasty casino it will be great!!! Evansville is so fortunate to have this piece of history on our riverfront!

Another Reason To Visit Evansville

By nabenom |

There's at least a day's worth of stuff to see here! We had to split or day into two halves, but we're glad we got this visit stuffed into one side.
How does it get to be docked at Evansville you ask? Me too. I didn't see a really good explanation for that, so you'll have to look it up. This is a pretty darn cool memorial though, consider it still travels. Just got back from Cincinnati.
It's also the last operational ship of its class. The ship that won the war according to Churchill.
Don't miss this!

Great place to visit

By melligo2 |

This was our favorite part of our visit. Our tour guide was so full of information. The LST has an amazing past. It landed on Normandy during D-day. It is still in operation. Our tour guide served on an LST during Vietnam so he knew things about the boat. I highly recommend visiting. Our kids 8 & 10 enjoyed it also.

Unique Navy Memorial Museum

By MotownMarshallFans |

Traveled from WV to Indiana for multiple purposes, this being one of the majors. Dad served in the Amphibious Navy on an Landing Ship Tank during World War II; thus our interest in visiting, We certainly were not disappointed as our hour-long tour aboard this ship to be amazing! While much restoration has been done and ongoing maintenance necessary, the condition of this LST that has been in constant use by the US Navy and Greek Navy since 1942, is much the same as it has been since the War.
The information provided by volunteers, many of whom had served on this type of ship in their lives, was spot on with stories Dad had shared with us during his life. We toured the living quarters where 120 crewmen and another 120 Soldiers or Marines lived in very limited space. The most unique part of this Memorial is that it is one-of-a-kind and the only Landing Ship Tank existing in operating condition in the U.S.A. A "must-visit" opportunity for anyone interested in or even curious about Naval History. Convenient to all the attractions of the river, casino, race track, hotels, restaurants, etc. of Evansville.

Interesting Part of History

By Sherri P |

This was a very interesting tour that gave you a look into the lives of the soldiers who invaded on D Day.

Unique Piece of Naval History

By interceptpubs |

You wouldn't normally think for Evansville as a big shipbuilding center, but during WWII it produced scores of LST landing craft to support allied amphibious landings around the globe. It's fitting therefore that the LST memorial is based here. LST-325 participated in the Normandy landings and has the bullet holes to prove it. For a nominal fee, you get a guided tour by an veteran docent. Would have given them a five star review except for the 30 minute wait while they waited for more people to show up to fill up the tour - so take some friends or family or prepare to wait for a while

Wonderful experience!

By Katibug53 |

It was a great spur of the moment tour our tour guide, Zack was great. He was very knowledgeable about the shop as well as events that happened during WWII. This was a very moving experience especially if you know of someone that was in the Navy and may have been on this ship. Highly recommend the tour!

The Last Seaworthy WW2 LST in the World!

By Don M |

Parking is a little weird (it’s across the street by the casino, but clearly marked for the museum—you can take the covered elevated crosswalk from Bally’s), but we were impressed by the volunteer navy that keeps the LST-325 ship shape. It’s not ideal for the elderly with limited mobility, but other than that, the whole ship museum is a great tribute to Evansville’s WW2 efforts, and the tour guides are great at what they do. Highly recommend!

Great Historical tour

By Tig938 |

Great to see a working WWII ship. The tour last about an hour and it's an hour well spent. Very knowledgeable tour guide.

Awesome experience!

By Homecroft56 |

My dad served in the US Navy in the Pacific during WW2. He often spoke of serving on a LST ship. I've always wondered what one might look like. What a blessing to actually board this ship and walk the entire length and examine every section of the ship. We found this on tour while it was docked at Dubuque, Iowa. They had a crew of 40 volunteers - mostly retired Navy - on board to answer any question you might have. Amazingly I sat down beside a volunteer wearing a WW2 veteran hat. Turns out he is 97 and was career Navy serving in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. He was a wealth of knowledge, having served on a LST, just like my dad. What an amazing experience! Churchill said this was the ship that won the war - go see it!

A Must See

By Hunter H |

My son loves military history, so being able to get onto a war ship really made his day. It was super hot when we went but the guides didn't let that get in their way. Very proud of their ship and you can tell. Worth the money to take a tour

If You Like History, You'll Love This Ship

By Christopher S |

This is actually from my experience from early 2011... The tour guide was really knowledgeable. He spent a lot of time answering my questions and a lot of time making sure my kids were not losing interest. It's cool learning about the battles this ship was in. Also, don't forget to ask about the table in the current breakroom. The history of that table is kinda creepy... :-)

This is a pice of Evansville history worth seeing

By sandi19592015 |

Many people in this region had mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and other relatives who built these ships in Evansville. It will be moved later this year closer to the main Evansville river front. It is currently anchored at Marina Pointe near the Evansville riverfront. It is a fascinating tour and an amazing vessel.

Must Do

By EECCCCL |

This a rare chance to see a ship up close. This is a MUST DO !! Don't miss your chance. Enjoy history up close and personal.

LST

By Laura C |

Authentic WW II TRANSPORT ship. See with your own eyes that the War was not a movie, this gorgeous lady was built in Evansville, Indiana, and took our soldiers to Europe to win the war.
I especially like the re-enactment performed at various times of the year. Evansville was an important hub (ammunition, airlplane parts, and LST transport boats for the War effort, in a time when the United State's greatest generation of our history went to war with heart and soul,constructing every component with the idea that only the finest effort for our soldiers-our brothers, sisters, family- making our country the pride of the world.
It is good to remember that sometimes lately, it has become easy to forget-and no one wants to forget the sacrifices of so many young people. Then and now. An absolute must to see this monument to the love Evansville has for the United States.

NAVAL HISTORY AT ITS BEST

By Charles B |

The ship is an authentic piece of World War II history. The tour is well laid out and the crew members we talked to were courteous and informative, Granddaughter enjoyed it.

An Outstanding Trip To the Past

By JamesPeter2105 |

Excellent tour of the LST from a member of the restoration team. The history lesson was really well done, well explained. The history was awesome. I had no expectations of seeing just about everything on the LST, but the tour was really complete!

Fascinating - don't miss!

By Orland0Traveller |

We really enjoyed our tour, and our volunteer tour guide was very informative and personable - 1.5 hours went by quickly!

Great for Vets

By Nodnarb |

Took a family member from the armed services and learned more from the guide and my uncles conversation than all of history class. Cheap admission too.

very nice right on the river

By dino2mom |

Our guide was young and did a good job but seemed a bit nervous. The ship itself was very interesting. It's right across the street from the casino.

Fun LST tour.

By Andy H |

Fun trip for everyone. My kids and I really enjoyed the visit. The LST is a lot bigger than I expected. Great WW2, and local history. Staff were friendly, and knowledgeable. It’s is a must do if in the Evansville area.

Living history

By MFrench369 |

I took my 97 year old WWII veteran grandfather to tour the ship while it was on tour in Bettendorf, IA. He was not only thrilled to tour the ship, but grateful of the “thank yous”, appreciations, and dedication shown among the crew. For me, I was in such awe of being in the midst of so much living history with crew of Veterans and other guests for Grandpa to share experiences with. A definate must see and experience!

Insane level of awesome

By Rich |

Holy cow, where do I start? The ship is bigger than I expected. The crew is eager to help and full of information. They are tuned in to their ship. They fire the rear AA gun every so often - I think using compressed propane. It's still kinda loud and really opens the mind to how loud an engagement must have been in WWII. The sleeping quarters were so very tightly packed. It had to have been miserable being active duty on this boat. It was hot the day we visited but they had water for sale. It should be on everyone's list of things to do. Bring your teenage son or daughter and let them see history first hand.

Historic Landmark With Good Tour Guides

By perry1127 |

As I have a degree in history, landmarks such as this are automatically interesting for me. However, visiting the LST helped me learn much more about WWII and how the troops moved about. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I would recommend this to anyone who has any interest in historical items.

A great memorial to visit

By robert-charmaine |

This memorial his the last operating LST still operating. The tour guide was excellent and knew the story of the boat as well as its activities during ww2. aAs a veteran, I would recommend it highly as it brings to light the things that happened to keep our country free.

Richard T

By Richard K |

What better way to spend a few hours than touring an authentic WWII LST (Lansing ship tank).

Churchill said the landing craft carried by the LST “won the war “. See what it was like on this ship, one of the last surviving!

Tour when it’s not so hot!

A live ship to tour

By Shadi W |

The ship while tucked away from downtown Evansville and located in marina point is still a sight to see. This is the only LST ship that still sails and does a voyage once a year to places such as Cincy, Louisville, Pittsburgh. I took my dad to it when he visited and he enjoyed his trip as well I did for my 3rd time. You learn something new every time you go. This is a museum with active controls (i.e. don't touch that red button :) ) If you haven't been there I recommend you take time and visit.
There is a talk LST will be docked in downtown Evansville once Tropicana Casino boat move in-land, if this is the case it will be a truly great addition with easier access

Ship Memorial

By Gary S |

A good place to see with family and friends, the Ship is interesting to look at and see how some men fought for our Country. Have a great time.

Great history lesson

By Kelly H |

Enjoyed our tour and tour guide was very knowledgeable, as he has spent time on an LST himself. Surprised at how much we learned about the ship and WWII. Definitely a must see if you are in the area.

A look back in history

By b0ttletree |

I served on a LST when I was in the Navy years ago. It was a great trip back in time. What surprised me is the small areas we lived in. The guide was very knowledgeable, because at the end of the tour there were no questions. Great job guys!

Amazing History

By kmc11_11 |

We missed LST-325 when we were in Indiana this summer, so glad to catch it this Labor Day weekend as they were docked in Pittsburgh.

Lots of folks in town for football games, the RibFest, Labor Day parade, concerts, etc. so lines were a little long, but the ship is worth the wait. Amazing to see the creativity of the Allies in building these ship and their contribution to the war effort. A great history lesson for by children about the what was need to win the war, and how our communities mobilized to provide it.

A big salute to the folks who have contributed a great deal of work and devotion to restore, maintain, and keep this ship sailing.

Check their website for when they will be back in Evansville, they will be in Cincinnati Sept. 12-18. Worth the visit.

Great tour

By Barbara M |

Loads of history and the excellent efforts of naval personnel who ensured the LST 35 "came home". Nothing but admiration for the men who made this possible and those that continue to keep the LST in great shape. What passion they have.

They say the tour is around an hour, but John who conducted our tour was truly passionate about telling us as much of the history as he could on the tour which lasted nearly two hours.

Well worth the admission of $10 to learn and hear so much of how the vessel was found in Greece before heading to Evansville.

Well worth the visit if you are Evansville and it is a drive to get to this vessel.

Learn all about LST history

By pinkmoongirl |

Great tour! I had a very enthusiastic tour guide, John, who answered every question patiently and shard so much history and love of this boat to us! I want to come back with my cub scouts!

Amazing relic of WWII

By dlwagn |

Took a Sunday 12 noon tour as soon as they were open. Had a 97yo WWII LST Navy vet on tour with us! Toured to top deck, and then went below decks to where 20 Sherman tanks could have been for a beachfront assault! It was docked riverside, and was longer than a football field! Had a very enthusiastic guide talk with us for 90 mintes! Well worth the $10 admission fee. A brief movie shows where it was found in Greece and then brought stateside. Might be uncomfortable below decks on a hot summer day when it can get to 100*F.

Interesting & Unique Historical Tour

By EAL17 |

My family saw this ship when it was in Chattanooga. Note: When this ship is not at it's usual port, waits can be quite long! We planned ahead and got there first thing on a Saturday morning. Our wait wasn't terribly long, but by the time we had toured the entire ship, a quite long line had formed outside. We enjoyed the tour quite a bit. The price was reasonable. There were displays to see once inside the main hold while waiting to enter the rest of the ship. The tour was set up to route you through along a certain pre-designated route, which is quite normal for a tour like this. Every so often a crew member was positioned. Although crew members were often friendly and quite knowledgeable, it seems their primary purpose was to keep tourists moving, moving, moving. This would be my primary complaint. The tour felt quite rushed and often there wasn't much time allowed for viewing. It also seemed like quite a bit of the ship was roped off and unavailable for viewing. I'm guessing that this was due to the nature of the ship being out of it's normal port so as to deal with the vast crowds coming to see the ship. I would be interested to view the ship in it's normal port of Evansville, Indiana. Of course, the gift shop wasn't as rushed, but there was still a line. Overall I'd say it was a good learning experience on a unique item of historical significance. A good family outing.

Incredible experience

By Millhouse118 |

Such an eye opening experience. Our tour guide was great and the other groups I seen looked like they were enjoying themselves so I don't think you can go wrong. My wife even got involved and she isn't particularly interested in this type of thing. Highly recommend this if you're in the area.

Amazing Experience

By Logan B |

We went not expecting a whole bunch, but our tour guide let us sit down on old AA guns, hold and put on old war helmets and much more! He was a fun and interactive guy and was in his 20's but really knew so much about the ship and the journey that it has had.

He even took our picture for us at the end of the trip on the ship! This ship has an incredible war story and even after the war struggled to survive. Visit this attraction and help out the veterans that are still aboard this mighty vessel.

Very interesting

By Erann |

This is a very extensive tour and very little was unavailable to view. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Told this was the last of its kind to hit the beach in Normandy.

Unique exhibit with great personal appeal.

By Sskyking |

You may never have another opportunity to see one of these! Of all of the WWII vessels that have been preserved for display, to my knowledge no other LST has been, and this one is fully operational! A naval memorial on a river? In the mid-west? It often shocks people to learn, that LSTs were actually built in shipyards located along the Wabash and Ohio rivers. This was because of the combination of navigable waterways and proximity to coal and steel. My father actually worked at the Evansville Ship Yard, so after all of these years, I finally got to walk the deck of an LST similar to those my father helped build. Location is convenient, staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and the tour if comparatively easy after having walked and climbed through battleships, destroyers and aircraft carriers, along with crawling through a submarine! These ships were critical to the winning of WWII and it's a shame they are not more accessible to those who wish to tour them.

A piece of History down by the river

By 289generh |

How cool is it to walk into a working piece of history. Very intact part of D-day you can volunteer to work when it goes out on a voyage. Very lovingly maintained by volunteers. Probably means more since I also visited Normandy. A must see if you love history

This is a working boat from WW 2

By The C |

We toured the entire boat with a vet. He was stationed on this boat when it was in the Navy.They sail it up the river in the summertime.

Side Trip

By Becky B |

Took the morning and drive here. The tour was educational. Our tour guide and former army was riddled with stories. The tour was an hour long. Parts of the ship were very warm. We took the tour with 10 camp kids. I think if it had been mostly adults the tour would have been a bit different.

Great presentation of history!

By WilhelmGGW |

We've toured more than a few historic wartime ships in American harbors, and this was the most interesting of all! Our tour guide (Charlie) was extremely knowledgable and interesting. The operation and utility of the LST design, the history of this LST-325, its tours and plans for the future - the man was a gold mine of information! There's also an interesting video to view in the gift shop, and quite interesting displays set up to see in the cargo bay of the ship.

Excellent history lesson!

By Tom B |

This was an exceptional experience for me personally for two reasons. First, to be standing on the deck where men who fought at Normandy stood was surreal. Second, my Dad served aboard LST 704 and was wounded in Leyte. To see the conditions these men lived and fought in was truly moving! Thank you Too Tall for the fantastic tour of this magnificent piece of history!

Great Experience

By curtiso353 |

The tour of the LST was great. I had no idea the role of this type of craft during the war. The role that Evansville played in the construction of the craft is amazing. Recommend the visit if you have a couple of hours. Very educational!

By JanelleLeGrant |

The guide gave a great tour of ship, filled with history. It was interesting which is why I went on it twice

Outstanding piece of history, in a beautiful setting

By CRHawn |

My interest was due to my father's naval service aboard LST375. I found the LST325 floating museum while researching his ship. My wife and I traveled from Ohio and were part of the first tour of the day. The ship is beautifully restored and maintained. It contains lots of props and additional things to see are be told about. Our tour guide was a Vietnam era vet who had used an LST as home base while operating PBR's in Vietnam. He did a great job as a guide and told lots of interesting stories about the ship class and LST325 itself. We were lucky that it wasn't very hot that day. I understand it can be a bit stifling below decks. Tour took about 1 hour. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interested in this kind of history. Afterward there is a great outdoor riverside bar right next to the LST where we spent another hour or so just watching barge/boat traffic on the river.

Amazing

By Bobbi M |

What an awesome walk through time. It’s still fully functional, but stepping foot on something that sailors were on during world war 2, feeling that nostalgic feeling of a different era. Amazing. Our guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. I went with my mom, aunt, and cousin. Took a lot of pics, asked some questions, and explored the little gift shop. A must see!

Immerse yourself!

By CudBeWors |

This fully operational attraction is a testimony to the dedication of countless volunteers. Largely restored, the 70 year-old vessel is the centerpiece of a focused effort to convey the wartime experience of those who built, crewed and were transported by her. The history of this particular boat is well documented.
While many such floating relics frequently become the dumping place for military items with little real connection, that is, refreshingly, not the case here. Everything you experince is authentic to LSTs only.
Visits begin at the impressive on-shore facility where visitors may wander through displays/gift shop and watch non-stop videos while awaiting their scheduled departure time.
Escorted tours are conducted by knowledgable guides who readily seeking answers that they may not know from other volunteers.
Great effort has been made to accomodate handicapped guests. But, it is wise to remember that this vessel was originally designed for use by agile young men. Access to the main deck is easy for wheel chairs. But, ladders and steep stairs to other levels can be limiting.
This attraction is suitable for a one-time visit. However, repeat visits should not prove disappointing. Each of the volunteers is eager to expand your LST adventure.
The experience for children will be greatly enhanced with a little pre-arrival on-line research.

On Indiana?

By dcwoodsy2 |

This was a very interesting tour. I wish it was handicapped accessible. I would love to take my parents.

A wonderful piece of living history!

By Robert B |

I am a huge fan of military museums. While small compared to many I have visited, it makes up for it in the heart and devotion of the people who made and continue to make, it possible. The story of 28 veterans average age of 72, sailing this vessel from Greece to the US is nothing short of remarkable. Our guide, an LST vet from the Vietnam era, clearly owns the ship's story. She still sails and participated in the Shrinerfest last weekend.

Great place to visit

By TheoBva |

We were looking for something to on a family visit and Evansville halfway between. We loved it..it is a great piece of history,with a fascinating history and knowledgeable tour guide. There is no substitute for seeing the holes from German aircraft fire,or the bow doors. So glad this piece of history perserved. They are moving downtown next year, I hope they have great success.

Great tour and history

By Mark W |

What a wonderful place to visit and experience the rich history associated with the LST. Well worth the price of admission!

Exploring

By Tamra McNerney |

Uss Lst is an awesome idea for learning about history.Alot of family's abd veterans visit daily. Attendance is expected to rise as soon as it is moved to it's permanent home. On Evansville's waterfront.

Step back in time

By Courtney N |

Wonderful history lesson! This was a unique experience that everyone should go to! Very budget friendly and the guides are wonderful!

History of an LST

By Ray F |

Landing Ship Tanks were a valuable vessel used in WW2 & were heavily relied on with the D-Day landings & the retaking of islands in the Pacific. Many were built in shipyards along the Ohio River. This ship is one of the few remaining; she was acquired from the Greek Navy & bought back to America to be restored. As well as being a museum ship, this vessel is still operation & conducts cruises in the area. Guided tours leave from the Visitors Centre/shop where there is a small display about this vessel. The guide was very informative, leading us aboard, then down into the tank deck where there were numerous displays including ship parts, uniforms, military paraphernalia, photos & vehicles. The tour then weaves through the anchor chain area, accommodation spaces, galley & mess decks, officer country & then up to the bridge. Parts of the ship are off bounds as it is still an operational ship. The ship still has its armament from its Greek service, plus the tie down points on its vehicle deck. It can get warm below decks so it is advisable to take a bottle of water with you. It was a valuable insight into a class of non-glorious ships.

Great Memorial

By John P |

The USS LST is a great memorial to the veterans. As a veteran I am greatly appreciative of the ship. I have visited the ship several times. It is a great place to visit and since many of them were built in Evansville. If you are coming to Evansville it is a must see.

Memorable

By Kathleen E |

Took grandkids on tour and everyone enjoyed it. The guides are very informative and the ship is memorable as Evansville built LSTs.

History Made Possible by Veterans

By LynnLLS |

We visited while the 325 was on tour in Bettendorf, IA. Great experience - well organized and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. After following the voyage from Greece so many years ago, was very impressed by how well this ship has been restored. So much attention to detail. The entire effort is privately funded - no government money. They "pay as they go" to fix or add things. If the LST 325 is ever within a few hours drive, make the trip. Well worth the effort!

Neat piece of history

By kayrene2 |

Took 8 & 10 year old boys plus grandparents and everyone had a good time. Not overbearing in history talk for the younger ones and the ship is in great shape. A nice floating museum that is still in working order. Our tour guide was really good.

Great experience

By TinaH45 |

My hubby has taken me on MANY ships. I can truly say this was a great, historic boat to tour. Zach was our tour guide and was incredibly knowledge.

Most interesting to military/navy buffs

By James M |

We’d discovered this online as something to do in Evansville. So we drove about a mile beyond the visitor’s center “Pagoda” on a sunny, hot day. The main feature of the area seemed to be an outdoor-seating bar (Longfellow’s ?) that was well attended. You can get close enough from there to see the ship and gauge the size. We missed a tour that had just left, and were content to wander the ticketing/gift shop area where a historic video was playing. From that and the exhibits we learned that during WWII Evansville became the largest inland producer of LSTs in the nation, and produced 167 of these important ships. Any more than that (and the tour) would probably be most interesting to military/navy buffs.

A big slice of history

By stephenf197 |

I have completed a week as part of the crew do restoration and repair work on this wonderful ship. I was part of the galley crew that made three meals a day for the on board work crew. This ship has original engines. The vision of the association to find this ship and sail it back to America is being supported by the skilled hands that volunteer time and skill to keep the LST in good repair. Plan to spend several hours with this ship.

Great old ship right on the river!

By Elaine F |

The memorial was closed when we went. Will reopen April 1 but we were able to see if from the parking lot. Girl at the shop told us to go to the Evansville Museum and see the model/ cutaway there to get an idea of what it looked like inside. The exhibit that it is in also has some great history of the shipyards in Evansville where it was made the history of its service. We were told that it is going to move up river to by the casino. That will probably be a better home for hit because now it is way up the river and not in the downtown area. Glad we got to see what we did! It has quite an interesting history.
Even though it's not open now, they had some paper brochures outside that you could take and read. When in season, they girl said that there are tours every hour on the hour and that the tour is about an hour long.