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    USS Hornet Museum

    4.5 (432 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    JoAnn Y.

    Surprisingly you are able to see quite a lot on the self guided tour, including up to the flight deck. You are able to see a wide variety of aircraft up close, including the famed fighter from the movie Top Gun. It's worth the admission and the drive. There are a lot of narrow passage ways and stairs so wear sturdy comfortable walking shoes.

    Joey Y.

    Really cool experience. Not the most ideal for cosplay but worth the experience. Nothing really to complain about

    Fred T.

    Wow what is not to like? It checked off 3 #AvGeek items in one fell swoop. Aircraft museum on an Aircraft carrier? Check Docents with cool and interesting stories? Check The perfect platform to see the historic Martin Mars seaplane land one last time? Check It had been over a decade since I had visited this historic museum. And being perfectly candid I ventured in waiting for an historic seaplane to land in the bay in front of it. I was going to use the fantail as my perch. I had forgotten how cool this place is. Tons of aircraft that are well restored and the docents are fantastic with the knowledge of the ship and aircraft. Plus the links to the Cold War era space program are not to be missed

    Thomas B.

    Yesterday, March 29 was welcome home Vietnam veterans Day. It's a national day of remembrance of our Veterans. At least a couple times a year. We make a pilgrimage out and spend the day on the hornet. We always make sure to pack a picnic lunch in case the weather is favorable and enjoy all the sites and activities. We were not disappointed. The dose that there are five star. So helpful and so informative if it makes every bit of this experience worth it. I am a Vietnam veteran. And it was fun to go out there and see that the national holiday was an opportunity for me to put on my old uniform and rub elbows with brothers and arms. My wife and my daughter came with me and it was such a wonderful experience because we were able to share all these moments that we had to board the ship and the weather was amazing. Happy national welcome home Vietnam Veterans Day. See you there memorial Day. The museums and planes were awesome. Ty.

    Kai W.

    Fantastic piece of naval/space and American history everyone should have a chance to see. Tickets are only $25 for adults and admission is free for children 6 and under. If you are lucky and the weather is good you'll be able to see across the Bay to SF. There are self guided and docent guided tours spanning 3 decks of the ship, including the flight deck, main hanger deck, and the deck immediately below. Plenty to see with historical and more modern aircraft including the F18 and F14 as well as older planes such as the Avenger torpedo bomber and Wildcat. There's even a plane cockpit that you can hop into for pictures. Also lots to explore on all the decks with the medbay and quarters/galley. There are areas which are more exclusive, Be advised that getting to the Bridge requires a paid docent tour and is restricted to ages 4 and older. There's a small café serving drinks and hoy food items off the grill such as hotdogs/burgers and sandwiches. Highly recommend to stop by to check this place our. You can easily spend 2 hours here at the very minimum.

    Lizzy C.

    My boyfriend has always wanted to come here and while we were close for another event we decided to make the trip and check it out. He had spent his childhood wanting to go here and never got the opportunity to do so. We entered the ship and paid for the Weapons Tour on top of our entry fee. Our tour started roughly 10 minutes later. We were the only ones on this specific tour so we had the guide all to ourselves. He was very informative and knew alot about not only what was on board and how it was used/operated but he brought his own knowledge from his previous employment. I was wearing backless shoes - which I would NOT recommend for this museum as there is quite a bit of up and down stairs that are steep as this is a Naval ship. There was alot to see and many levels on the ship - however you cannot go lower than 2 deck unless you are on a guided tour. There is a small gift shop in the center of the main deck for souvenirs. This was a really cool experience and I learned quite a bit about the ship and how it operated and what weapons were onboard. I would recommend this especially if you have kids interested in boats/planes/history.

    Erich L.

    Fun place to go for an outing. We went with family and our 4 year old niece. You can see how an aircraft carrier works and some of the history of the ship. They have an f14 tomcat like on top gun.

    View of the flight deck.

    We did the VIP tour on a Tuesday. Absolutely worth it. Our tour guide, Ross, a Navy veteran, was knowledgeable, friendly, fun and comfortable to be around! His personal stories enriched our experience greatly! We chatted like old friends. Note: The Cafe & store are closed on Tuesday's. The USS Hornet is only open for the VIP tours.

    Main deck
    Michael B.

    For me, this was a must visit. I applaud the folks that are keeping history alive. I took my two sons with me and they enjoyed the visit as well. I do suggest to add on one of the guided tours. You learn so much more!!

    Elvia A.

    Everyone should experience this atleast once. Tickets online are $25 per person with a few discounts offered for students and seniors and military, and easy to book. This is self guided, but believe me there is something to learn at every corner, and if reading isn't really your thing, there are plenty of pictures, videos, and veteran volunteers walking around always willing to give some extra info. Please take advantage of the fact that they are walking around asking if you have questions, at first I didn't because I didn't want to bother them, but after a few hours, I started to ask small questions and the small "fun facts" they told us was quite interesting and wouldn't have known these things had we not talked to them. I encourage everyone to come and learn afew things, we spent about 3 hours, and lived every minute.

    USS Hornet at sunset w/SF in the background
    Yuri H.

    Everyone should see this. Very much a part of our nations history. Show casing the men and women existence and living quarters at sea serving our country.

    Outside of the ship
    Karyn E.

    Great museum for young and old alike. Wasn't very crowded. Unfortunately I don't think a wheel chair would be able to access and someone who needs assistance might find it challenging to get to various areas of the ship. Lots of stairs to get to other parts of the ship and even to the flight deck. So I'd recommend wearing comfortable shoes. I still highly recommend this activity to learn about history and hands on experiences. Many of the docents are veterans and have stories to share. There is a video presentation to watch and you can even sit inside of a cockpit of one of the planes. Not a huge place and it can occupy you for about 2-3 hours. Parking is on the dock. I really enjoyed it.

    Phil A.

    I don't know how you cannot give this Museum 5 Stars!!! They basically turned this whole Aircraft Carrier into a museum, and it's awesome!! Although you can't go everywhere on the ship, which is understandable, you can go to enough places on this huge ship that you feel like you've been everywhere!! Located in Alameda, It costs $25 for admission, well worth it!! Being ex military myself (U.S. Army) these types of places always make me recall my own military experiences as well. So you can go from the flight deck to the hanger and a few floors below. You will see the galley, meeting rooms, sleep quarters officers rooms, engine rooms, just a lot. There's also plaques throughout that explain things, videos also, lots of information!! You will also see plenty of different aircraft and spacecraft, different types of airplanes, helicopters and modules and capsules!! They also have guided tours, but I prefer my own self guided tour. The stairs down below are steep, so definitely watch your step!! But most of all, be prepared to spend a good amount of time here, because there is plenty to see!!

    So many fascinating facets

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    1 year ago

    A gem. Amazing history right here. Take the kids and don't miss this experience. Great space/ NAS artifacts too.

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    Did an overnight ghost tour, on the USS Hornet and it was so much fun. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable of the ship's history.

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    Ask the Community - USS Hornet Museum

    What is a good address to give UBER for pick up? I took a long time for them to find us.

    707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 gets you right there.

    Can you just walk through or do you need a tour?

    The Hornet is a walk through experience. There are some guides available, but on the whole you can explore on your own

    Do I need to buy tickets on line?

    No. You can buy them at the door if you'd like.

    Is it open now?

    Yes the ship is back up and running. Check website for hours

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - USS Hornet Museum

    We were able to tour three levels of the carrier (the flight deck, hangar, and the first deck thereunder).

    Mentioned in 83 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Amazing ambiance. Extreme fun. The machines are well maintained and some are older games but…read morefantastic to play. The place is very clean. The man that sit at the entrance is cordial and makes you feel welcomed as you walk through the door carrying an 18 month baby! Highly recommend. A fantastic time to spend as long as you want to.

    Alameda Historical Museum

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    This is a precious gem of a museum with delightful vignettes on Alameda history and an intriguing…read morepresentation of general historical pieces including Victorian fashion items. I particularly appreciated the inviting welcome and information provided. My personal favorite was the extensive display about Neptune Beach. Did you know that it was once the largest amusement part on the West Coast or that Johnny Weissmuller (AKA the original Tarzan and Olympic swimmer) won a swimming competition there? Note: its open hours are on the weekends only. And I also enjoyed how instead of charging for admission, they offer a clever and unique second hand store for purchases to support operation. I happily found and bought the classic "Operation" game for my granddaughter. I hope you get a chance to check out this treasure soon!

    Pardee Home Museum

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    Great little museum. Lots of models and displays about Naval Aviation, especially at Alameda NAS…read more I was pleasantly surprised by the huge Battleship Yamato and USS Enterprise CV-65 models. There's also a small area about PanAm flying boats that used to fly out of Alameda. Upstairs there's a model train layout with a couple operating trains. There's also a static train layout. They hope to get a couple other train layouts done. If you're in the area I think it's worth the visit. I hope to drop by again.

    Life was meant for good friends and great adventures. There are friends, there is family, and then…read morethere are friends that become family. Alameda Naval Air Museum and I are beloved old friends who became family and a great adventure. Alameda Naval Air Museum is the friend who walked in when friend NAS (Naval Air Station) Alameda was forced to walk out. I've been visiting this museum on a regular basis because of the emotions and passion it brings up in me each time I visit, a moment of poignance and earnestness on a public stage --and because it always has something new. I remember well all the prosperity, commerce, pride, and connections NAS Alameda brought to the Alameda Island. Hello, old friend. I've come to walk with you again. We drove past the groovy A-7 Corsair mounted in the median towards the lagoon and there it is again. I see it all again with the old familiar feelings of patriotism. For years Alameda Naval Air Museum is housed in the former Military Air Travel Terminal & Waiting Room for NAS Alameda. Here again I so enjoy the 50-year history beginning in 1942 of NAS Alameda in defense of America, the units that Served there, their missions during WWII as the 'Gateway To The Pacific', the Sailors and Marines that Served there, and the wonderful Art Deco design of the enlisted barracks, mess hall, headquarters, and more buildings. During WWII, 45,000 people were stationed at NAS Alameda. The town of Alameda -- Spanish for tree-lined path -- then had only 25,000 people. Fact: Alameda is located on part of what once was the site of one of the largest coastal oak forests in the world. The museum has a lot of cool stuff about born in Alameda in 1896, Medal of Honor recipient, WWII US Army General James Doolittle. Museum's now open Saturday from 1000 - 1500, 10:00am to 3:00pm, and open by appointment for group tours of 10 or more during the week. Crow's Nest is available any day of the week for events. Archive and research hours are available by appointment Wednesdays 1200 - 1600, noon to 4:00pm. Admission is $10.00 --free for under age twelve, and Active Duty or retired military with military ID ( https://wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/military-id-poster-2020.pdf ), and for organized youth groups by appointment. Has free parking and is wheelchair accessible. At 1000, 10am, upon presentation of my US Department of Defense id with my former rank on it, I was welcomed in at no charge by a smiling volunteer. They can always use more volunteers I tell my young cousin who was driving us that day. My young cousin just smiled and prepared himself for during the next five hours as I always tour here the full five hours it's open of my regular gently prodding to him to enlist in the US Armed Forces. Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements. There's usually something new here each time I visit. That's because the museum is always accepting old things, photos, artifacts, home movies, stories, and anything from Naval Air Station Alameda 50-years of Service in defense of the United States. When it comes to business, amateurs practice until they get it right while professionals such as this business practice until they can't get it wrong. Alameda Naval Air Museum is a rainbow in the Dick Cheney rain upon the San Francisco Bay Area. You see, NAS Alameda was a victim of Republican Dick Cheney's 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission along with nearly all of the major military bases in the Bay Area (Including Mare Island, Treasure Island and Concord NWS, as well as 2 hours south the closure of Fort Ord Army Base. I betcha the day is soon coming when we'll need all these military bases back. China isn't the only reason. I remember well the loss and sorrow I and most on Alameda Island and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area felt at the closure of NAS Alameda. The financial devastation, social connections devastation and community identity devastation was immediate, far-reaching and long-lasting. I remember often seeing the U.S.S Enterprise docked at NAS Alameda. Each time brought tears to my eyes; the ship was so magnificent. It was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier when commissioned in 1961. Big E called the Alameda Naval Air Station home from 1965 until 1989. Today, while I'm at Alameda Naval Air Museum, U.S.S. Enterprise and so very much more, are remembered publicly by this oh-so-cool museum to a shining, outstanding, wonderful, and extraordinary 50-year-moment in America's history. Oh gosh. Here I go crying again - over this darn museum.

    USS Hornet Museum - museums - Updated June 2026

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