The first thing that strikes you as you're walking up to it is how big it is. You enter via the hangar deck, which is a huge open area that stretches for quite a ways. They've put in displays of aircraft and equipment used at various points in the life of the Lexington as well as a food court, a flight simulator, a gift shop, and a theater (despite this, there is still considerable open area). However, my first taste of what the ship was really like was when I had to use the restroom. There are no restrooms on the hangar deck (at least that were marked). There are signs directing you downstairs to the facilities. The first thing you notice is that you have to go down a ladder which is very steep and has narrow rungs. Once you get down you have to follow the signs through several compartments to get there. On the way up I encountered a Boy Scout troop coming down and had to wait quite a while to get back up to the hangar deck (there is only one way in or out of that section).
Everything on the ship is accessed via small ladders and a confusing array of narrow winding passageways. Fortunately, the museum has marked the way to everything, but I could only imagine what it must have been like for a new sailor. I would have been lost for quite a while if I had to find my way around unaided.
Just the short time we spent moving around the ship gave me a new appreciation for the sailors who served on these ships during WW II. The living conditions must have been horrible, especially for people in some of the engineering spaces (like the boiler rooms).
If you happen to be in the Corpus Christi area, it would be worth the time and money to see the ship. However, I have to warn everyone that the tour is not intended for small children and people who have trouble getting around. There are no elevators (at least for people) on the ship. All movement between decks is done using ladders.
There are those who claim that the ship is haunted. I don't know about that, but the museum association offers live aboard opportunities for those who would like to spend the night aboard the ship (if you dare :) ). The Boy Scouts I mentioned above were moving into their quarters when I encountered them.
