2 Best Sights in San Francisco, California

A participant in the D-Day landing in Normandy during World War II, this Liberty Ship freighter is one of two such vessels still in working order. On board you can peek at the crew's living quarters and the officers' mess hall. The large display of the Normandy invasion, one of many exhibits on board, was a gift from France. To keep the 1943 ship in sailing shape, the steam engine—which appears in the film Titanic—is operated dockside a few times a year on special "steaming weekends." Most recently, the ship escaped damage from a major 2020 fire at its home dock, Pier 45. Visitors can explore the ship at the dock or enjoy one of the bay cruises that happen on select days throughout the year.

Get an intriguing, if mildly claustrophobic, glimpse into life on a submarine during World War II on this small, 80-person sub, which sank six Japanese warships and damaged four others. There's not much in the way of interpretive signs, so use the free audio tour to learn about what you're seeing.