Galveston Naval Museum, Galveston

The Galveston Naval Museum, located on Pelican Island in Galveston, is a fascinating destination that offers visitors a hands-on encounter with U.S. naval history. Open daily, the museum invites guests to explore two significant World War II vessels: the USS Cavalla and the USS Stewart. These historic ships provide an up-close experience of life at sea during one of the most pivotal times in American military history, making it an ideal spot for families, history buffs, and veterans alike.

The USS Cavalla is best known for its critical mission in avenging Pearl Harbor, where it successfully sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku. Visitors can walk through its compact corridors, torpedo rooms, and control spaces, gaining a sense of the intense conditions faced by its crew beneath the ocean’s surface. Just steps away, the USS Stewart-the only preserved Edsall-class destroyer escort in the United States-offers an equally compelling experience. This ship played a key role in protecting Allied convoys and combating enemy submarines, and its decks and crew quarters now serve as a vivid time capsule from the war era.

In addition to these iconic vessels, the museum features several unique naval artifacts, such as the sail of the USS Tautog (SSN-639), representing Cold War-era submarine innovation, and the conning tower of the USS Carp (SS-338), a remnant of World War II design. These exhibits help contextualize the evolution of submarine warfare and naval engineering. Together, the ships and artifacts of the Galveston Naval Museum offer a powerful, immersive journey into the courage, sacrifice, and ingenuity of those who served at sea.