Page Updated: February 16, 2024

USS Intrepid

Navigation and Flag Bridges of USS Intrepid - New York NY

Scheduled to be scrapped after decommissioning and saved after a successful campaign, the Essex class aircraft carrier USS Intrepid has incredible history; including surviving multiple kamikaze attacks, launching fighter jets in the Vietnam War, and helping retrieve American astronauts from the sea.

Today, the USS Intrepid serves as the anchor for the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum at Pier 86 on the Hudson River.

I can count on zero fingers the number of times I’ve ever thought I’d be stepping onto an aircraft carrier. To see its size and walk its decks was a surreal experience. It lessened the sting of Audio Tours being down!

Flight Deck

The exhibits on the Flight Deck represent all five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Aircraft collections on deck include the F-14 Tomcat and UH-1A Huey, and a few aircraft from other countries.

Navigation & Flag Bridges

A million and one neat gadgets are compartmentalized around the Navigation Deck. Interpretive signs posted on the amount of wiring involved to run these gadgets would be a great addition to the museum. Maybe it tells you on the Audio Tour?!

Fo’c’sle

Don’t worry, we can’t say it either, but it means raised deck at the front of a ship.

This area points out sections like Ammo Handling, the Gun Tub and the Anchor Chain Room. Interpretive signs tell us that each of the ship’s anchors weighed about 15 tons and was attached to a thousand feet of chain. Sailor art decorates random surfaces around the deck and the museum works to preserve pieces that remain.

Hangar & Third Decks

The Hangar Deck is loaded with exhibits about USS Intrepid. There’s a G-Force simulator and several stations with short films pertinent to the history of the aircraft carrier. Kamikaze: Beyond the Fire is a great presentation that had our full attention.

The Third deck is the last of Intrepid’s 9 levels you can tour. This level holds the Crew’s Mess and the Galley Kitchen and also has a spot to grab snacks.

Space Shuttle Pavillion

Back on the flight deck, which contains nearly two dozen aircraft plus the Navigation Bridge, are the Aircraft Restoration Hangar and the Space Shuttle Pavilion.

The pavilion currently houses the Space Shuttle Enterprise. You can see it from above and below and get close enough to see its individually numbered heat tiles.

Cool stuff for space geeks!