20 Historic Ships That You Can Still Visit

Ships are some of the most fascinating and majestic creations of mankind. Their size, stories, and place in history can keep travel fans and history buffs entertained for hours. If you want to see some of the most splendid, exciting, and historic ships, here are some that you really should consider visiting. 

Mayflower II, Massachusetts, USA

Arguably the most iconic ship in American history, The Mayflower carried pilgrims from England to what would become the United States in 1620. While the original ship is long gone, her replica, The Mayflower II sailed from England to the US in 1957 and was restored to her original glory in 2020.

HMS Victory, Portsmouth, England, UK

The HMS Victory was once the flagship of the British fleet. The ship was launched in 1765. In 1805, it led the the defeat of the French and Spanish forces at Trafalgar and eventually served in the War of American Independence. Still a commissioned warship, she belongs to the National Museum of the Navy and can be visited at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.

USS Wisconsin, Virginia, USA

One of the United States’ largest warships, built in 1941, the USS Wisconsin, saw action in both World War II and Korea. Now you can visit the ship and tour the outer deck, the galley, and the library. You can also schedule more in depth tours as well as overnight visits. The ship is docked in Norfolk, Virginia, home to the world’s largest naval base.

HMS Belfast, London, England, UK

A battle cruiser from the Second World War, the HMS Belfast was in service for more than 25 years and is the last remaining ship of her kind. She has been open to the public since 1971 and sits moored between the London Bridge and the Tower Bridge on the Thames River. You can explore her decks and check out the exhibits onboard as the ship is open daily.