Sitting along the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana, a historic military vessel offers one of the most extraordinary history experiences in the country. Many people pass by without realizing they are looking at a ship that took part in the D-Day landings during World War II.
Preserved in its wartime configuration, this massive landing ship provides a rare opportunity to walk the decks, explore the crew spaces, and see firsthand how sailors lived and worked during one of history’s most pivotal conflicts.
The scale of the vessel alone is impressive, but its historical significance is what truly sets it apart.
Visitors can step inside areas that are often inaccessible on other museum ships, creating a much more immersive experience. Whether you are fascinated by military history or simply enjoy exploring unique attractions, this floating landmark delivers a memorable glimpse into the past.
Come See the Only Navigable WWII LST Still Afloat
Out of all the Landing Ship, Tank vessels built during World War II, only one remains fully operational in the original WWII configuration. That ship is the USS LST-325, and it calls Evansville, Indiana home.
This is not a retired display piece bolted permanently to a concrete pad. This ship still moves under its own power.
The vessel periodically conducts river cruises along major U.S. waterways, allowing visitors in other cities to experience the ship underway. Watching a 328-foot WWII warship navigate a river is a sight that genuinely surprises people who stumble upon it.
There is nothing quite like seeing history in motion.
The ship was acquired from Greece in 2000 after serving in the Hellenic Navy for decades. A volunteer crew of retired American military veterans then sailed it across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in Mobile, Alabama on January 10, 2001.
It eventually found its permanent home in Evansville, where the city built a dedicated 3-million-dollar docking facility completed in 2005.
The fact that civilian volunteers keep this ship seaworthy and legally registered as an operational vessel is itself an incredible story. Their dedication preserves a piece of military engineering that would otherwise be lost to history forever.
Visiting means supporting that effort directly, and that alone makes the trip worthwhile for anyone who cares about preserving the past.
Plan to Explore the Radio Room and Its Space Connection
Not many WWII warships can claim a connection to outer space, but the USS LST-325 can. The ship’s radio room is equipped with both original WWII-era radios and modern communication gear.
That combination has allowed the crew to make contact with the International Space Station, bridging eight decades of technology in one small room.
Standing inside the radio room, you get a striking sense of how far communication technology has traveled since the 1940s. The original equipment looks almost sculptural compared to the sleek modern radios sitting nearby.
Yet both types of gear have been used to send and receive real signals from the same small space.
The radio room is just one of many detailed stops along the tour route. Artifacts and exhibits are spread throughout the ship, each one carefully preserved and contextualized.
Interactive displays help visitors of all ages understand how the crew operated the vessel during combat missions and long Atlantic crossings.
The ship also houses a M.A.S.H. jeep connected to the famous film, adding a pop culture layer to an already rich collection. Every corner of the LST-325 holds something unexpected.
You Can Walk the Same Deck That Touched Omaha Beach
Few things stop you in your tracks like standing on a deck that carried soldiers to Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. That is exactly what you get when you board the USS LST-325 at 610 NW Riverside Dr, Evansville, IN 47708.
The ship actually participated in the Normandy landings, making it a direct connection to one of history’s most defining moments.
Walking the main deck feels different from visiting any museum with glass cases and velvet ropes. The steel beneath your feet is original.
The equipment around you is real. Nothing here is a reproduction built for show.
The LST-325 also took part in the invasion of Gela, Sicily in July 1943, and the landings at Salerno, Italy. After D-Day, the ship made over 40 crossings of the English Channel transporting soldiers and vehicles.
That kind of operational history is almost impossible to find in a single vessel anywhere in the world today.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM, the ship welcomes visitors of all ages. Bring comfortable shoes because the deck is wide and the experience is immersive.
History does not get more hands-on than this.
Do Not Miss the Hour-Long Guided Tour Below Deck
Most visitors do not expect how much is packed inside this ship. The guided tour runs about one hour and covers the main deck, troop berthing areas, the tank deck, mess deck, galley, wheelhouse, officer quarters, and the captain’s cabin.
Each stop tells a different part of the story of life aboard an LST during wartime.
Standing in the troop berthing area, you can picture hundreds of young soldiers crammed into tight bunks, waiting for the signal to hit the beach. The mess deck shows how thousands of meals were prepared in a space far smaller than most home kitchens.
These details make history feel personal in a way that textbooks simply cannot replicate.
Knowledgeable volunteers are stationed throughout the ship to answer questions and share details that go beyond the standard tour script. Many of them have deep connections to military history and bring genuine passion to every explanation.
Their enthusiasm is contagious and adds real texture to the experience.
The tour is suitable for most ages, though the steps between decks are steep and narrow, so wearing flat, sturdy shoes is strongly recommended. Children are welcome but should stay close to adults on the upper deck.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in before the tour begins and make the most of every moment aboard.
Make Time to Understand Evansville’s Deep WWII Roots
Evansville, Indiana has a connection to LST ships that most visitors do not know about before they arrive. During World War II, Evansville was one of the major manufacturing centers for LST vessels.
The city’s shipyards produced a significant number of these landing craft, sending them directly into the war effort.
The USS LST-325 was actually built in Philadelphia, but it is nearly identical in design to the ships built right here along the Indiana riverfront. Bringing the ship home to Evansville was not just a preservation move.
It was a homecoming of sorts, honoring the workers and the community that helped build the LST fleet that changed the course of the war.
When the ship arrived permanently in 2005, the city embraced it fully. The new docking facility cost three million dollars and was built to ensure the ship had a proper, long-term home.
That level of civic investment reflects how seriously Evansville takes its wartime legacy.
Visiting the LST-325 gives you a fuller picture of Indiana’s role in World War II beyond the battlefield. The industrial effort at home was just as critical as the military effort overseas.
This ship represents both sides of that story simultaneously, making it a uniquely layered historical experience that rewards curious visitors who take time to learn the full context.
Skip Nothing on the National Register of Historic Places List
In 2009, the USS LST-325 was officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
That designation places it in the same category as some of the most significant cultural and historical landmarks in the country. It is not an honorary title.
It reflects the ship’s genuine, documented importance to American history.
Being listed on the National Register means the ship has been formally evaluated and recognized for its architectural integrity, historical significance, and cultural value. Very few surviving WWII vessels have earned that recognition.
The LST-325 earned it because of its direct combat participation, its remarkable preservation, and its ongoing role as a living educational resource.
The designation also helps protect the ship for future generations. Preservation efforts tied to the National Register listing ensure that the vessel continues to be maintained to a high standard.
Every dollar spent on admission goes toward keeping that standard alive.
Visitors who understand what the National Register listing means tend to walk the ship with a different kind of appreciation. Knowing that historians, preservationists, and the federal government have all formally recognized this vessel adds gravity to the experience.
You are not just visiting a cool old ship. You are standing inside a nationally recognized piece of American heritage that survived both war and time.
That combination is genuinely rare and worth the trip from anywhere in Indiana or beyond.
Try Catching the Ship During One of Its River Cruises
One of the most unique things about the USS LST-325 is that it does not just sit still. The ship periodically leaves its home port in Evansville and travels along major U.S. rivers, stopping in various cities to offer tours to visitors who might never make it to Indiana.
Catching the ship during one of these cruises is an experience that feels almost surreal.
Seeing a 328-foot WWII warship glide past a modern city skyline is the kind of moment that makes people stop and stare. Past cruise stops have included cities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
Tickets for cruise visits are typically available only on-site, so checking the schedule at lstmemorial.org ahead of time is a smart move.
If you do visit during a cruise stop rather than at the home port, the experience is often self-guided, with knowledgeable staff stationed at key points throughout the ship.
The atmosphere during a river stop tends to feel festive and communal, with crowds of history lovers and curious locals mixing together on the docks.
Whether you catch the ship in Evansville or along the river somewhere else in the country, the experience leaves a lasting impression. The LST-325 is the kind of place people talk about long after they leave.
Planning your visit around a cruise date adds an extra layer of excitement to an already unforgettable piece of living American history.
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