USS KIDD Veterans Museum
4.7(2.2K)google
4.5(39)yelp
History
Overview
USS Kidd (DD-661), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died on the bridge of his flagship USS Arizona during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Admiral Kidd was the first US flag officer to die during World War II and the first American admiral ever to be killed in action. A National Historic Landmark, she is now a museum ship, berthed on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeOctober to March is the best season to board, as the metal deck gets extremely hot during summer. The ideal daily time is late afternoon from 4:30 PM until sunset. You can enjoy the cool breeze from the Mississippi River and catch a stunning view of the sun setting behind the river and the adjacent bridge from the destroyer's deck.
Getting ThereLocated right next to the Old State Capitol on River Road by the Mississippi River. Driving visitors can park in public pay lots along River Road or LaSalle Street. If utilizing public transit, take the CATS Downtown Shuttle to the River Road station, step out onto the Mississippi River levee promenade, and walk south for 150 meters.
Travel Tips
- The ship's boarding gangway pitch varies wildly with Mississippi River water levels; it becomes exceptionally steep and slippery during low-water seasons.
- Ship interiors feature extremely narrow hatches, vertical ladders, and low head clearance; open-toed shoes, sandals, and high heels are strictly prohibited.
- Outdoor decks close instantly during thunderstorms due to high river winds and lightning strike hazards on the metallic superstructure.
Reviews
Positive
- This WWII destroyer is incredibly well-preserved; you can go below deck to explore sailors' bunks, the galley, and radio rooms, feeling instantly transported back to wartime.
- The onshore indoor museum features a vast collection of rare historical photos, uniforms, and wartime models, making it perfect for military buffs and families.
- The destroyer floats right on the Mississippi River; depending on water levels, it sits in the water or rests in a cradle on the mudflat, a fascinating engineering sight.
- The ticket covers both the indoor museum and full ship self-guided exploration, offering great value; many staff members are veterans whose tours are professional and moving.
Heads up
- The ship interior is extremely cramped and narrow with nearly vertical ladders, making it a nightmare for the elderly, pregnant women, or claustrophobic visitors.
- Because of the steel structure, the ship's lower decks lack A/C and get brutally hot and humid in summer, smelling faintly of engine oil; avoid July and August.
- The boarding walkways and steel decks lack sufficient anti-slip surfaces in some spots; they get very slippery on rainy days or during foggy mornings.
- Surrounding navigation signs are confusing; GPS often directs cars onto closed levee roads, and the lack of clear parking lot entrance signs causes circles.