USS Olympia (C-6) Museum
Preserved early 20th-century US Navy cruiser museum ship
Moored in Philadelphia, USS Olympia (C-6) is an early 20th-century protected cruiser preserved as a museum ship; visitors tour decks, engine rooms and exhibits on naval history.
USS Olympia (C-6) at a Glance#
Address: 211 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
Website: https://www.phillyseaport.org/
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm (check museum calendar for seasonal changes and closures)
Admission: Admission typically included with Independence Seaport Museum ticket (~$20 adults); ship access may be ticketed separately.
About USS Olympia (C-6)#
The USS Olympia (C-6) is a preserved US Navy protected cruiser and museum ship berthed at the Independence Seaport Museum on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Noted for her role as Commodore George Dewey’s flagship at the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay, the vessel is one of the few surviving 19th-century steel warships open to the public as a museum.
The ship displays original spaces including deck areas, officers’ quarters and sections illustrating her armament and engineering, and is presented with interpretive exhibits about her naval service.
Berthed at Penn’s Landing, the Olympia is part of Philadelphia’s waterfront museum complex and is accessible to visitors as a dry-docked museum ship.
- Historic significance: Famous as the flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay, the ship is preserved as a museum vessel on the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.
What to See#
- Main decks and quarters: The ship’s decks and living quarters are arranged in their original configuration so visitors can view the bridge, officer’s quarters and the gun deck.
- Armament and exhibits: The preserved forward armament and display installations illustrate the ship’s role as a late-19th-century protected cruiser and flagship.
How to Get to USS Olympia (C-6)#
USS Olympia is berthed at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. From 30th Street Station take SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line eastbound to 2nd Street or use RiverLink ferry services in season. The site is a short walk from the Old City and Independence Hall areas.
Tips for Visiting USS Olympia (C-6)#
- Check the Independence Seaport Museum website for combined ship-and-museum tickets and special events held aboard USS Olympia.
- Wear non-slip shoes when boarding; gangways and decks can be wet and uneven.
- Allow at least 60-90 minutes for the ship tour to read exhibits and see the officer's quarters and the aft deck displays.
Best Time to Visit USS Olympia (C-6)#
Spring through early fall is the most comfortable time to visit the museum ship and Penn's Landing activities.
Weather & Climate near USS Olympia (C-6)#
USS Olympia (C-6)'s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1126 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 5° | -4° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -3° - 7° | -2° | 71 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 1° - 12° | 3° | 99 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 91 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 31° | 25° | 113 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 30° | 24° | 110 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 26° | 21° | 99 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 20° | 14° | 77 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 14° | 6° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -2° - 8° | 0° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
