World's Only Public Offshore Oil Rig Is in Louisiana

MORGAN CITY, La. - If you've ever wondered what life is really like on an offshore oil rig, you don't have to imagine it because Louisiana is home to the world's only oil rig that's open for public tours.

Located in Morgan City, Louisiana, visitors can climb aboard the Mr. Charlie, the world's only offshore drilling rig that's open to the general public. It's one of Louisiana's most unique attractions and offers a hands-on look at the oil industry.

Get our free mobile app

A One-Of-A-Kind Louisiana Attraction

The Rig Museum, officially known as the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition, sits along the Atchafalaya River in Morgan City.

The museum's biggest attraction is the Mr. Charlie, a retired offshore drilling rig that is considered one of the pioneers of offshore oil exploration. Today, it's a National Historic Landmark and the only offshore drilling rig in the world that welcomes the public for guided tours.

What You'll See On The Tour

Unlike a traditional museum where everything stays behind glass, this experience lets visitors walk through the actual rig.

According to shreveporttimes.com, during the guided tour you'll explore areas where crews lived and worked, including:

The drilling floor
Crew living quarters
Control rooms
Equipment used during offshore drilling
Historic exhibits detailing the evolution of offshore oil production

Tour guides, many with firsthand oil industry experience, share stories about working offshore and explain how drilling operations helped transform the Gulf Coast into a global energy leader.

The Story Behind Mr. Charlie

Built in the early 1950s, Mr. Charlie became one of the first transportable offshore drilling rigs.

From rigmuseum.com -

Beginning in 1954, the rig drilled hundreds of wells in the Gulf of Mexico for major oil companies before retiring in 1986. During its decades of service, it helped revolutionize offshore drilling technology and paved the way for the massive deepwater platforms operating today.

The Rig Museum isn't only about drilling.

Visitors also learn about Louisiana's role in offshore energy, the engineering behind offshore platforms, underwater diving and remotely operated vehicles, the daily life of offshore workers, and much more.

Planning Your Visit

The museum is located at 111 First Street in Morgan City.

Guided tours are typically offered Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., weather permitting. Most tours last around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on questions from visitors.

Whether you're fascinated by engineering, Louisiana history, or simply looking for an unusual weekend adventure, stepping aboard the Mr. Charlie offers a rare chance to experience a piece of Gulf Coast history that's unlike anything else in the world.

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students, children 5 and under are free, and senior citizens $10.

You can learn more about Mr. Charlie and the tours over at rigmuseum.com.

9 Louisiana School Field Trips Acadiana Still Remembers

For a lot of us who grew up in Acadiana, there was one day on the school calendar that always stood out...the annual field trip.

It didn't matter if you were headed to a museum, a nature trail, or...anywhere at all really. Climbing onto a school bus with your friends meant you were in for an adventure, and those memories have a way of sticking with you.

We asked you on Facebook to share the school field trips you remember most, and the responses were packed with nostalgia. Some places are still welcoming students today, while other places are sadly no longer in operation.

One destination, however, caught nearly everyone by surprise.

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott

Source: Louisiana Is Home to the World’s Only Public Oil Rig Tour