Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum

Plan Your Visit

Explore, Honor, Remember!

Change in Hours for End of Season. General public touring ends 1 November. All tours and events from 1 November 2025 through 31 March 2026 by reservation.
Please call our business office at (989) 684-3946.

General Admission - Self Guided Experience

ADULT

1-Day Admission
$15.00
(Ages 18+)

YOUTH

1-Day Admission
$10.00
(Ages 5-16)

CHILDREN

1-Day Admission
FREE
(Ages 4 & Under)

MEMBER

1-Day Admission
$13.00
(Ages 18+)

VETERAN - FIRST RESPONDER - TEACHER - SENIOR

1-Day Admission
$13.00
(Ages 18+)
(Seniors 60+)

ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY - TIN CAN SAILORS - USS EDSON CREW

1-Day Admission
FREE
(Active Duty DoD ID Required)
(Tin Can Sailor Association Membership Card Required)

** Tickets may be purchased in-person at our Guest Services or online. **

General Admission - Self Guided Experience

ADULT

1-Day Admission
$15.00
(Ages 18+)

YOUTH

1-Day Admission
$10.00
(Ages 5-16)

CHILDREN

1-Day Admission
FREE
(Ages 4 & Under)

MEMBER

1-Day Admission
$13.00
(Ages 18+)

VETERAN - FIRST RESPONDER - TEACHER - SENIOR

1-Day Admission
$13.00
(Ages 18+)
(Seniors 60+)

ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY - TIN CAN SAILORS - USS EDSON CREW

1-Day Admission
FREE
(Active Duty DoD ID Required)
(Tin Can Sailor Association Membership Card Required)

Purchase Options

In-Person ==> Buy your ticket in our gift shop the day of your visit.
Online ==> Click the button above.

Guided Tour Admission

Looking for an enhanced experience aboard the historic USS EDSON? Let our knowledgeable and passionate guides take you on the ultimate tour!

With a guided tour, you’ll gain exclusive insights into the ship’s storied history, its role in naval operations, and the lives of the brave sailors who served aboard. Our guides bring the USS EDSON to life with fascinating stories, fun facts, and a deep dive into the ship’s inner workings, from the towering bridge to the engine room below deck.

Reserve your spot today and enjoy a fully guided tour that will make your trip unforgettable.

GUIDED TOUR

BY RESERVATION

** Please allow 3 days notice for Guided Tours Reservations **

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Mel K profile picture
Mel K
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Must experience! So educational! Bill provided us a custom tour of the ship and it was amazing! His knowledge of history and the Navy made the ship come alive, he also has an amazing sense of humor. I would highly recommend this experience to everyone. Thanks for the time and opportunity, and a special thanks to Bill!
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Miraan M profile picture
Miraan M
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Good one It was nice experience and fascinating history
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Michelle B profile picture
Michelle B
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Amazing tour The tour was amazing. Bill not only took us on a behind the scenes tour but explained what life was really like on the ship. I learned things I never knew. I would highly recommend if you're in the Bay City area.
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Ken C profile picture
Ken C
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Amazing ship Amazing piece of history. The tour was absolutely amazing. The smell of the engine room brought back so many memories. Bill made the tour come to life for us. God bless this ship and her crew.
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Sarah Orlando profile picture
Sarah Orlando
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Best tour possibly ever Normally tours are quite boring, but Eric made sure we had a very immersive experience. He took us through the entire ship and tailored his stories and tour to our specific interests. It felt much more like a dialogue with a friend than a tour which made it that much more memorable. We loved hearing the ghost stories, delving into the details of life on the ship, and interacting with the old machinery. Eric showed us his elaborate and beautiful knotwork which can be found throughout the ship. I’ve been on many tours and this was, by so so far, the best one I’ve ever been on. We’re so grateful we had the opportunity to attend and will definitely be back!
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DGoat profile picture
DGoat
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Good tour of Naval vessel Great Look at Navy Destroyer! You can climb and walk throughout the ship. Signs and information all over. Good for all ages, except toddlers. Good look at what life on ship in small living and working spaces
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Dean_Amy-2004 profile picture
Dean_Amy-2004
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Self guided tour A great self-guided tour with a pamphlet they provide. You have access to many areas in the ship including the bridge and engine areas. They did a great job with signage to explain the various areas…you don’t have to guess what something it or how it was used. Definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.
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maryhear profile picture
maryhear
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Forrest Sherman-class destroyer from the Vietnam War era The U.S.S. Edson is a decommissioned United States Navy destroyer berthed at Bay City, Michigan. The destroyer is in the same class as the one my husband served on from 1971-1973 (the U.S.S. Forrest Sherman, which has been scrapped). He enjoyed exploring the different areas of the ship but mentioned the layout was different from the one he served on. His theory was, even though the two ships were in the same class, the Edson was built after his ship and they made improvements based on feedback from the Sherman. The tour is self-guided and illustrates very well the conditions for our sailors stationed on destroyers. If you have never toured one, you may be amazed at the tight quarters. You will see the enlisted quarters, officers' quarters, common areas, and engine rooms on the main and lower decks. The upper deck had the bridge (which I did not visit for reasons below). The ladders between the decks were narrow and steep; I toured the main deck and the lower deck with my husband, but he ascended two more ladders to the deck with the bridge without me. Anyone with mobility or balance issues, or fear of heights might find this tour challenging.
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Adam H profile picture
Adam H
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Will be coming back! This is an absolutely amazing piece of history! The stories that go along with it make it that much more interesting. Bill was an excellent source of information, seeing as he served on the ship itself. If given the chance ask for bill as a tour guide!
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Pat4705 profile picture
Pat4705
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great historical attraction and lessons. The ship was very interesting. We were lucky to "tag along" with someone who had been on that ship, so we learned a lot. It was pretty easy to get around (we have hip & knee issues to consider). The ship was clean (no mustiness). There was a lot of information provided by placard. It is self guided, so you can make it a short trip or a little longer, depending on the time you have available. Overall, I'd go again.

Boarding Brief

Tickets may be purchased online or in-person at our Guest Services. Discounts available for U.S. Active Duty Military, Veterans, and members of the Tin Can Sailor Association. Discount pricing for Active Duty Military and members of the Tin Can Sailor Association must be purchased at Guest Services with valid identification or membership card.

March 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024
   Wednesday – Sunday: 10am to 4pm (no ticket sales after 3pm)

May 1, 2024 – September 15, 2024
   Sunday – Thursday: 9am to 5pm (no ticket sales after 4pm)
   Friday – Saturday: 9am to 6pm (no ticket sales after 5pm)

September 15, 2024 – October 31, 2024
   Wednesday – Sunday: 10am to 4pm (no ticket sales after 3pm)

November 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
   Closed to public touring. All tours and events by reservation only.

Hours of Operations

Ship Museum

Change in Hours for End of Season. General public touring ends 1 November. All tours and events from 1 November 2025 through 31 March 2026 by reservation.
Please call our business office at (989) 684-3946.


Tuesday – Sunday: 10am to 4pm (no ticket sales after 3pm)

Ship Store
Our Gift Shop will be open during the museum hours as posted.  Please stop in and purchase your tickets here before boarding the ship.

Closed
   Thanksgiving
   Christmas
   All of January and February 

Weather Closing
We reserve the right to close for weather and maintenance purposes…PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO INSURE WE ARE OPEN ONLY IF LOCAL NEWS SOURCES ARE ISSUING SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS.

Location
Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum
1680 Martin St.
Bay City Michigan 48706

To Find Us on Google Maps
Type in “USS Edson, Bay City, MI 48706″

GPS Coordinates
 If your equipment allows it, you may also enter the latitude and longitude coordinates 43.6139 N, 83.8689 W.

1. Allow at least 1 to 2 hours for your visit – there is a lot to see on the ship. If you are taking a guided tour, plan on a minimum of 2 hours.

2. Discounted Admission Tickets (such as Groupon, etc.) are valid only for general admission during regular hours. They cannot be used as payment for group tours or special events.

3. The tours are mostly self-guided. Occasionally, we may have volunteer tour guides available. You will receive a tour guide brochure at the admissions desk to help guide you through the ship.

4. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be going up and down ladders and doing a lot of walking. We recommend, for your safety: no heels, sandals, flip flops, or open-toed shoes.

5. Purses, backpacks, and diaper bags are not allowed on the ship. Camera bags and bags with medical supplies will be allowed with staff approval.

6. Children must be kept close to an adult at all times. It is a large ship with many passages and it is easy to get separated.

7. Cameras are welcome on board for personal use only. We do recommend that you use a neck or wrist strap while exploring the ship for your safety.

8. Talk to the volunteers around the grounds and aboard ship! They will be happy to answer your questions and are full of information on the restoration process. Many are veterans who will also be happy to share their own experiences in the service.

9. NO RUNNING

10. Visit the gift shop before you leave to purchase a souvenir or two.

11. Consider making a donation or purchasing a membership to help support the USS Edson and the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum.

12. Visit TripAdvisor.com and rate your visit.

Behaviors that are considered a safety hazard to oneself or to others will result in immediate removal from the ship. No refunds will be provided.

Price and programs subject to change without notice.

For Your Safety

1. Be very careful on all ladders and hold onto ladder rails with both hands.

2. Beware of low overheads and knee-knockers (door thresholds).

3. Do not run.

4. Do not touch controls or switches – this is a live ship!

5. Do not cross any chains, closed doors, or play with door handles.

Heed all restricted areas and enjoy exploring the USS EDSON.

1. Due to the historic nature of the ship, there is no wheelchair or stroller accessibility on the ship.

Please contact us at 989-684-3946 so that we can provide alternative accommodations.

2. Pets and other animals are not allowed on board. ADA certified Service Dogs are allowed but please note the deck of the ship can get very hot. Dogs will not be allowed to be carried up and down the ladders or in bags for safety reasons.

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