8. USS Intrepid (CV-11)

The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museums is a New York City tourist hotspot. But before the (say how big) ship was a museum, it served as a one of 24 World War II Navy aircraft carriers known as the USS Intrepid (CV-11.) According to the Intrepid’s website, the ship’s construction began on December 1, 1941, six days before the Pearl Harbor attacks. The ship went through World War II, the Cold War and the Vietnam War during its 33 years in service. Within these three decades, the Intrepid carried Navy aircrafts and was part of major battles, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Okinawa.

In 1974, the Intrepid was decommissioned at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Subsequently, a philanthropist named Zachary Fisher lead a campaign for the ship not to be scrapped, and in 1982, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum was opened. In 1986, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open 365 days of the year and the specific times are listed here. Find out how to purchase tickets on the Intrepid Museum website.