Floating by the shore on the Corpus Christi Bay, USS Lexington is a vintage aircraft carrier built during World War II for the United States Navy. Originally, the ship was called Cabot but later renamed to USS Lexington in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington. As the fifth ship that bore the name, Lexington was commissioned in February 1943 and served extensively during World War II (WWII).


After WWII, she was modernized and her second career took off as an attack carrier (CVA), then as an antisubmarine carrier (CVS) and later as a training carrier (CVT) which made her spending almost three decades in east coast of United States. Bearing the famous nicknames of 'The Blue Ghost' or 'Lady Lex', Lexington was decommissioned in 1991 and retired as a museum ship based in Corpus Christi.



Today, USS Lexington is one of the most popular attractions in Corpus Christi. The sight of this giant aircraft carrier from Harbor Bridge or Bayfront is indeed an eye magnet!

Lady Lex was our first destination as soon as we arrived at Corpus Christi last spring. Stepping foot on the ship was as if going back in time. In fact, she is a veteran so do not expect a state-of-the-art carrier or sophisticated technology as part of her functional organs. On contrary, appreciate how she operated and served during her prime time back then.




Classified by 5 main sections, visitors can spend almost a full day here according to the self-guided tour routes. One of the most interesting sections is Flight Deck (Tour 1). Ascending several steep flight of staircase will lead one to a huge and spacious open deck. Or in the layman term, an airport that was used to launch and recover the air crafts. Apart from casting around the air crafts displayed, the view of horizon, Harbor Bridge and the beautiful shoreline of Corpus Christi are mesmerizing. Do not miss the Captain Bridge and Captain's cabin to visualize how critical and important of this role. Returning to Hanger Deck will take one to use a non-functioning escalator whereby interesting facts are shared with a few as below.

- USS Lexington's flight deck could park more than 1,000 automobiles
- USS Lexington has more sleeping space than the largest hotel in the world
- USS Lexington can produce enough electric to supply a city of 150,000 people
- We could play three football games or 14 basketball games concurrently on USS Lexington's flight deck
Amazing! That's not all about it. Proceed to Foc'sle Tour, Gallery Deck, Lower Decks or hang around at the Hangar Deck and engage with interesting simulators or catch a movie in the theater. If you are looking for something to tuck in, head to Mess Deck Cafe.




Give yourself at least 4 to 6 hours if you wish to visit each section thoroughly. After all, learning is an adventure!

Address:
2914 North Shoreline Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX 78402
Phone: (361) 888 4873

Direction:

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