It's really not that great, in my opinion. There's walkways everywhere so you can't touch anything and it's been turned into more of a tourist trap. The overall structure is really cool and there were some nice airplanes outside but I didn't feel like I learned anything. Also, the submarine is just a maze for you to get stuck behind slow walkers.
I appreciate the historical ties to it and the two short films I watched there were the best part. The one about their first kamikaze bombing had some cheesy dialogue but the actual footage and special effects were a nice touch. This is where I learned the most about this particular ship.
Definitely a good place to take kids, however, as there are a lot of interactive exhibits and rides to try out but not a place where you can learn much about the actual history. It's set up to take money. Of course, it's a destination in Manhattan so, what could I expect?
In the end, I really liked the set-up and location but, it needs better exhibits. Maybe when the space shuttle gets there.
I'll post some untitled pictures that I'm sure you guys can guess in 5 seconds or less.