USS Slater in Albany, NY | Tour a Historic WWII Destroyer Escort

Docked along the Hudson River in Albany, NY, USS Slater gives visitors the rare opportunity to step aboard an authentic World War II warship and experience what life was like for the sailors who served on destroyer escorts. This floating museum combines military history with an immersive experience unlike any other attraction in the Capital Region.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the ship’s remarkable preservation, while families, groups, and curious visitors can explore living quarters, battle stations, and restored compartments during guided tours. As the only remaining floating destroyer escort in the United States restored to its World War II configuration, the USS Slater Museum is a memorable stop for anyone spending time in the city..

Quick Facts

Address: 141 Broadway, Albany, NY 12202
Phone: (518) 431-1943
Season: Early spring through late November
Tour Lengths: 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the tour
Parking: Free lot adjacent to the ship

What Is USS Slater?

USS Slater (DE-766) is a Cannon-class destroyer escort built during World War II. Destroyer escorts played an essential role in protecting Allied convoys across the Atlantic Ocean while also serving in the Pacific Theater, guarding naval task forces and helping defend against enemy submarines and air attacks.

Of the 563 destroyer escorts built during the war, USS Slater is the only one still afloat in the United States. Even more remarkable, it has been carefully restored to reflect its appearance during World War II, giving visitors an authentic look at the type of ship thousands of sailors once called home.

Today, USS Slater serves as both a museum and memorial, preserving the stories of the men who served aboard destroyer escorts throughout the war.

Why Visit USS Slater?

Unlike many museums where history is viewed from behind glass, USS Slater invites visitors to walk through the ship and experience its narrow passageways, crew quarters, command spaces, and weapons firsthand.

Guided tours help bring the ship to life by sharing stories about daily routines, wartime missions, and the sailors who lived and worked aboard. Visitors can stand beside the ship's deck guns, see the bridge where officers directed operations, and explore many of the compartments that remained largely hidden from the public for decades.

The experience offers something for a wide range of visitors. Military history enthusiasts can appreciate the restoration work and original equipment, while families often enjoy exploring a real naval vessel together. Even visitors with little knowledge of World War II frequently leave with a greater appreciation for the ship's role in history.

USS Slater Tour Options

All USS Slater tours are guided, giving visitors added context about the ship, its equipment, and the sailors who served aboard destroyer escorts. Tours generally begin every 30 minutes during operating hours.

• Main Deck Tour (30 minutes): Explore the main deck without navigating the ship's steep interior stairs. Highlights include the 3-inch/50-caliber gun, Officer's Country, the galley, depth charges, the fantail, and the head.
• History Tour (1 hour): The most popular option, this tour covers much of the ship, including examples of its weaponry, a berthing compartment, the mess deck, galley, radio room, pilot house, and combat information center.
• Stem to Stern Tour (2 hours): Available for visitors ages 13 and older, this in-depth tour includes the History Tour route plus the engine room, collections space, and additional restored compartments.
• Engine Room Tour (30 minutes): Also limited to visitors ages 13 and older, this tour focuses on USS Slater's diesel-electric propulsion system and aft engine room compartments.
• Collections Tour (30 minutes): View artifacts connected to destroyer escorts, including items donated by sailors and their families.

For many first-time visitors, the History Tour offers the best overall introduction to USS Slater, balancing the ship's history with access to many of its most interesting spaces.

Planning Your Visit to USS Slater

USS Slater is typically open from early spring through late November, with seasonal hours that may vary. Checking the museum's website before your visit is recommended for the latest operating schedule and admission information.

Visitors will find a free parking lot adjacent to the ship, and tickets can be purchased online or upon arrival. Reservations are generally not required for groups of fewer than 10 people.

To make the most of your visit:

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
• Allow at least one hour for the History Tour.
• Arrive a few minutes before the next scheduled tour.
• Stop by the ship's store for books, apparel, souvenirs, and gifts.

Accessibility

The main deck is accessible via a ramp, allowing many visitors with mobility limitations to explore the exterior of the ship, including the deck guns and depth charges.

Accessing the bridge and most interior spaces requires climbing steep, narrow stairways that are typical aboard historic naval vessels. Visitors with accessibility concerns are encouraged to contact the museum before visiting to discuss available accommodations and tour options.

What Visitors Say About USS Slater

Visitors consistently point to knowledgeable, personable tour guides as a highlight of the experience.

K.M.P.'s Yelp review describes the tour guide as "very cool" with "a huge amount of information to give," and calls the tour a lot of fun, recommending it especially for WWII history buffs.

Andre C.'s Google review describes the tour as an amazing piece of history, with a guide he called "very knowledgeable and patient." He also suggests picking up a copy of Tin Can Sailors at the gift shop for added historical context. 

Karen D.'s Google review calls the tour guide amazing and notes that tour fees go directly toward sustaining the vessel, adding that history and Naval vessel enthusiasts should definitely stop by.

A Brief History of USS Slater

Commissioned during World War II, USS Slater served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, helping protect Allied ships during a pivotal period in world history. After the war, the vessel was placed out of active service before beginning a second career with the Hellenic Navy, where it served for several decades under the name Aetos.

In the early 1990s, the ship returned to the United States, and volunteers began an ambitious restoration project to return it to its World War II appearance. Since arriving in Albany in 1997, thousands of volunteer hours have helped preserve USS Slater as both a museum and a tribute to the sailors who served aboard destroyer escorts.

Today, the ship remains one of Albany's most distinctive historic attractions and an important reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II.

Things to Do Near USS Slater

A visit to USS Slater pairs well with several nearby Albany attractions.

Take a walk along the Corning Preserve and Hudson River waterfront, then cross the Hudson River Way pedestrian bridge for views of the city skyline and river. Downtown Albany is just minutes away, offering restaurants, breweries, shops, and entertainment.

History lovers may also want to visit the New York State Museum, tour the New York State Capitol, or spend time exploring Empire State Plaza. Combining a visit to USS Slater with these nearby attractions makes it easy to fill an afternoon or an entire day in Albany.

Frequently Asked Questions About USS Slater

Add USS Slater to Your Albany Itinerary

From its fascinating World War II history to its guided tours and carefully restored spaces, USS Slater offers a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Military history enthusiasts can explore one of the nation's most significant surviving naval vessels, while families and first-time visitors gain a unique perspective on life aboard a wartime ship.

If you're planning time in Albany, add USS Slater to your itinerary and pair your visit with nearby waterfront attractions, museums, restaurants, and downtown destinations for a well-rounded day in New York's Capital Region.

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