SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Want to see what it was like, aboard a battleship during World War II? USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park visitors can experience just that.

Visitors can explore the 42,500-ton USS Alabama — BB-60 — that once carried nearly 2,500 crewmembers and officers during World War II.

Guests can witness first hand what it was like to live on the 80-million pound ship for 37 months. Rooms such as the engineer’s office, bakery, barber shop, mess area, tailor shop and the aviation office, among many others, resemble the 1942 setting.

The park usually brings in 300,000 visitors annually, according to  Bill Tunnell, executive director at the park.

Most visitors are from out of state, Tunnell said; however, with the large increase in gasoline prices — currently, they’re hovering just under $4 a gallon — more apparently are staying closer to home and visiting local attractions.

“We go to Florida from Texas each year,” Jessica Lewis, visitor from Dallas, said. “This is our halfway mark so we always stop in to break up the 18-hour trip. Our kids love it.”

“It’s a real personal experience here at the Battleship,” Tunnell said. “The ship comes alive with noise when you walk in and people see things they had never seen before.”

“We hope people walk away knowing others’ sacrifices for us to be here.”

While at the park visitors can also view Drum, SS-228, the oldest surviving submarine from World War II. The 311-foot submarine earned 12 battle stars during the war.

The ship’s kitchen never slept, according to Tunnell. Cooks prepared 7,500 meals daily — more than 2.5 million meals a year. A reported 320 gallons of coffee were made aboard each morning of the 37 months the ship was used during World War II.

Visitors can see 22 planes displayed from the past seven decades. A secret spy plane that once traveled five times the speed of sound, which is 3,000 miles per hour, is also displayed.

While at the park they can dine in the café or bring a meal. A picnic area is onsite, overlooking Mobile Bay.

The ship was commissioned Aug. 16, 1942, and will celebrate its 66th anniversary this month.

Admission into the park is $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 6 to 11 and children under 6 are admitted free.

Battleship Park is open daily, except for Christmas. April through September hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. through March.

Parking is $2 per car and $25 per semi. For additional information call 251-433-2703. an witness first hand what it was like to live on the 80-million pound ship for 37 months. Rooms such as the engineer’s office, bakery, barber shop, mess area, tailor shop and the aviation office, among many others, resemble the 1942 setting.