Things to Do at USS Slater

Complete Guide to USS Slater in Albany

About USS Slater

Adults pay $10 USD ($8 for veterans, students, and seniors over 62) for self-guided tours available April through November, Wednesday through Sunday. This World War II destroyer escort survived Atlantic convoy duty and Pacific theater combat, making it the last floating example of its ship class worldwide. The engine room still smells faintly of oil and metal, while the cramped crew quarters demonstrate how 200 sailors lived in spaces smaller than most modern apartments. Sound echoes dramatically through the steel corridors, and touching the worn railings connects visitors directly to 1943 naval history. Visit weekday mornings when tour groups are smaller and you can explore at your own pace.

What to See & Do

Engine Room

Two massive diesel engines in a space barely wide enough to turn around in. The heat and noise these produced at full power would have been overwhelming. Look up - the overhead pipes and valves are a maze that engineers memorized by feel in the dark

Bridge and Combat Information Center

Original helm, radar screens, and navigation instruments. The bridge windows give you the same view the captain had while scanning for U-boats. It's smaller than you expect - life-or-death decisions happened in a room the size of a walk-in closet

Crew Quarters

Stacked bunks three high, 18 inches apart. Sailors slept in shifts, and the mattresses were thin canvas over metal frames. You can lie down on one (the guides let you). It takes about five seconds to appreciate why sailors counted the days until shore leave

Gun Mounts

3-inch/50 caliber guns fore and aft, 20mm Oerlikon cannons, and depth charge racks at the stern. The depth charges weigh 600 pounds each. The volunteers will walk you through how a sub attack unfolded - the sequence of detection, approach, and firing is more complex than any movie makes it look

Galley and Mess Deck

A kitchen the size of a studio apartment that fed 200+ men three times a day. The original stove and prep surfaces are intact. Imagine cooking in rough seas with everything bolted down and hot grease sloshing. The Navy ran on coffee and stew, and you can see exactly where both were made

Practical Information

Opening Hours

April through November: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. Last tour starts at 3pm. Closed December-March - the ship isn't heated and Albany winters would make the visit miserable. Bad weather days are a judgment call; check their website or call ahead

Tickets & Pricing

Adults $9, seniors and veterans $8, children 6-14 $7, under 6 free. Active military free. The entire operation runs on admission fees and donations - every dollar goes to keeping the last DE afloat

Best Time to Visit

May through September for the best weather. A steel ship on the river is cooler than land - bring a jacket even in summer. Weekday mornings are quietest; Saturday afternoons draw families

Suggested Duration

90 minutes covers the full ship. WWII history buffs should block 2-3 hours - the volunteer guides will keep talking as long as you keep asking questions

Getting There

The USS Slater sits right on Albany's waterfront, just south of downtown where you can't miss her massive gray hull from I-787. Take Exit 4. Follow Corning Preserve signs-parking is usually fine. The ship dominates the waterfront view from the highway, so you won't drive past wondering where it is. Easy spot. Amtrak drops you about a mile away at Albany station, but you'll want a taxi or rideshare to cover that distance unless you enjoy hauling luggage. The waterfront got a nice makeover recently. Pleasant river walk if weather cooperates.

Things to Do Nearby

New York State Museum
Large state museum with exhibits on New York history, natural history, and culture - good for a half-day visit

Empire State Plaza
Impressive government complex with distinctive 1960s architecture and occasional events and festivals

Albany Institute of History & Art
Regional museum focusing on the upper Hudson Valley's history and artistic heritage

Historic Cherry Hill
Well-preserved 18th-century mansion that offers a glimpse into colonial and early American life

Corning Preserve
Waterfront park perfect for walking or biking along the Hudson River with nice views of the surrounding area

Tips & Advice

Rubber-soled shoes are essential. Ship ladders are steep, metal, and slippery when wet. This isn't an accessibility-friendly site - narrow hatches, steep inclines, low overheads

Steel hull plus river breeze means 10-15 degrees cooler than the parking lot. Layers. Always

This ship exists because volunteers spend their weekends scraping rust and repainting steel. Drop something in the donation box on the way out. They've earned it

Ask your guide which compartment is their favorite and why. The veterans will have a story. The non-veterans will have a different one. Both are worth hearing