Battleship Cove: The World’s Largest Collection of Naval Ships
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Battleship Cove is home to the largest collection of US naval ships in the world. This attraction is located in Fall River, Massachusetts along the Taunton River. The city is a great daytrip from either Boston or Providence, especially if you are into exploring historical sites.
Last week, we decided to take a tour of the cove on a rare free day. I am not a huge history and war buff, but we figured we might as well check it out while it was free. At first we were hesitant to go with the rainy weather, but then decided it would be less crowded and also a bit more exciting. The dark, cloudy, rainy weather really added to the atmosphere. We had a great time exploring the ships with the rain thundering down.
If you are seeking something else touristy to do besides the infamous Lizzie Borden house tour, this is a great add on activity. I recommend both tours if you are going to be in the area anyways. The scenery is beautiful and we learned a lot of new things during our self-guided exploration of the ships. If you are into history, you should be even more impressed than me. During your tour, you will have the unique opportunity to walk both inside and outside the ships at your own pace
USS Massachusetts
The largest ship, the USS Massachusetts (the crew called her “Big Mamie”) is one of the 8 remaining battleships in the US. The ship is so large that it is difficult to fit the entire length in a picture. This picture was taken at Fall River Heritage State Park. I recommend a stroll along the boardwalk (it’s about a mile long and super scenic) for the best views of the battleships.
A few pics from our self guided tour
We didn’t have to deal with any crowds (I guess not even the free admission could get people out of the house on a dreary day). We took advantage of taking as many photos as we wanted and took a lot of time touring everything.
Misty day views of the Taunton River. According to the National and Wilds Scenic Rivers system, this river is the only coastal river without a dam. The free flowing nature makes it a good fishing destination. It’s popular with fisherman all year round, with lots of opportunity to catch largemouth bass during the summer months.
I really love the views of the city from the boat. It’s so gorgeous and even more mysterious on an overcast day. Although this city gets a lot of flak, you have to admit the historical architecture and lovely setting on the river is really attractive.
More historical sights of interest
Destroyer U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr, DD 850, known as “Joey P” by crewmembers was built in April of 1945, launched in July 1945 and commissioned in December of the same year. Ships were built very rapidly during the last year of WWII.
The USS Lionfish SS-298 was built in December of 1942, launched in November of 1943, and commissioned in November of 1944. The original captain, Edward D. Spruance, was the son of WWII admiral, Raymond Spruance. It was named after the venomous lionfish, which is native to the Pacific. This fish is also one of the most invasive species of the Caribbean.
Hiddensee is Tarantul-class corvette. She was first launched at the Petrovsky Shipyard in Leningrad, Russia in 1984. She was commissioned by the East German Volksmarine as Rudolf Egelhofer, but was later transferred to the Germany Navy and renamed. In 1991, she was transferred, where she was used for research purposes until 1996. Unfortunately, the cove removed Hiddenssee in October of 2023.
Pictures from inside the ships via our self guided tour. You will get a sense of what it was like to serve on one of these ships during WWII. We had fun exploring the inside of the ships. It is crazy seeing the small and cramped living quarters. You have to watch your head at times because the ceilings are low.
For those who want to go into the history in more depth, you can sign up for a guided tour. Advance reservations required.
An old general store with bathroom essentials, snacks, and lots of cigarettes.
Bell UH-1 Huey Iroquois 66-00609, symbolic of the Vietnam War, is the most produced helicopter since WWII. More than 16,000 produced between 1559-1987. Plans are underway to restore her to her Vietnam combat appearance, leaving the wounds as is.
There are a number of displays and exhibits to read through during your visit. Here are a few pics we took during our tour. There is also a ship store where you can buy memorabilia items. They sell clothing, mugs, keychains, toys, hats, books prints, and even Christmas decor.
Remember Pearl Harbor Plaque
There is a pretty good view of the Borden Flats Lighthouse, established in 1881. It is still a working lighthouse maintained by the Coast Guard. They offer a popular Overnight Keepers Program where you can spend the night. It sells out fast so you will need to book in advance. This would be a pretty cool experience!
The Charles M. Braga Bridge provides a postcard worthy backdrop to the city. I love walking at the Fall River Heritage Park to take in the majestic view. The bridge carries Interstate 195 over the Taunton River, in between Fall River and Somerset. On an interesting side note, the bridge was named after a Fall River native who died during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Additional Details
Location: 5 Water Street Fall River, MA 02721
Hours: Open 7 days a week. Spring/Summer Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm. Fall/Winter Hours: 9:00am-4:30pm.
Admission Prices: Adults $25, Senior & Military Veteran $23 and $16, Kids (6-12) $15. Free admission for kids on their birthday. Pricing current as of summer 2025. Check the website for updates and special promotions.
Learn more about the cove’s history
What’s Nearby? Fall River Heritage State Park, WWII Memorial, Lizzie Borden Museum, Copicut Woods
Recommended Restaurant: Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grill
