USS LEXINGTON

This is the museum not to be missed in Corpus Christi, provided you're not primly anti-US Army. Then again, it's so impressive that it's well worth the effort. It's a bit like an open-air American base. The centerpiece is theUSS Lexington, an aircraft carrier that entered service in 1943 and was retired in 1991, celebrating its 80th birthday in 2023. Its first sorties were during the Second World War. It has served more missions than any other similar vessel in the U.S. Navy. For a few dollars more, visitors can take the controls of an aircraft in the well-designed full-scale simulator. The museum is divided into six distinct sections, each of which provides a different insight into the workings of an aircraft carrier. There is, for example, a 3D projection cinema, with a session every hour, immersing you in three-story screens and breathtaking sound quality. It holds just under 200 people. You'll also see airplane carcasses recovered from the bottom of the sea, brought to the surface and then refurbished. They bear witness to a painful past, when the slightest piloting error could prove fatal. You can take guided or self-guided tours, using a handy mobile app that's easy to download. Available in English or Spanish. This establishment is a true marvel for aircraft and aviation enthusiasts!