Experience the Life of a Sailor Today!
Open Daily ⭐ Family Friendly ⭐ Minutes from Long BeachExperience the Surface Navy’s Life of a Sailor in a 2–3 hour immersive journey aboard historic Battleship IOWA – one of the most unique things to do in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area.
Experience the Surface Navy’s Life of a Sailor
Aboard Battleship IOWA — the Battleship of Presidents
Step aboard the legendary Battleship USS Iowa and experience the new National Museum of the Surface Navy’s Life of a Sailor in one of America’s most iconic naval settings.
Now open: Explore what life was like aboard a real Navy battleship through immersive exhibits, powerful stories, and hands-on experiences.
During your visit, you’ll:
- Explore 7 decks of a battleship that served in three wars, hosted five U.S. Presidents, and was home to tens of thousands of sailors — and Vicky the dog.
- Over 75 different exhibits and displays including the new immersive Surface Navy Museum exhibits.
- Stand on the navigation and signal bridges where missions were directed.
- Walk past massive 16-inch and 5-inch guns, Tomahawk missile systems, and historic ship spaces.
- Step onto the Captain’s and Admiral’s verandas, crew living areas, and mess decks.
- Hear real stories through videos, exhibits, and knowledgeable volunteers.
- Go deeper with a guided tour for behind-the-scenes access.
- For families, kids can follow Vicky the Dog on an interactive scavenger hunt that turns the ship into a fun, hands-on adventure.
This isn’t just a museum. It’s a 2–3 hour immersive experience aboard one of the most powerful battleships ever built, located along the LA Waterfront.
Perfect for families, visitors, veterans, history lovers, and anyone looking for something meaningful and memorable to do near Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Tours & Experiences
Self-Guided
General admission. Follow in the footsteps of the sailors who served aboard Battleship IOWA. Explore the ship from bow to stern, bridge to laundry, and experience the immersive National Museum of the Surface Navy’s Life of a Sailor journey. Along the way, young explorers can join the ship’s beloved mascot, Vicky, on a fun and interactive scavenger hunt, discovering special stops, hidden clues, and fascinating stories throughout the ship. It’s an adventure for all ages that brings the life, challenges, and camaraderie of a sailor to life.
Guided Tour (includes Self-Guided experience)
The IOWA Experience + Crew-Led Tour
Step into history with those who help preserve it.
Begin with The IOWA Experience, a self-guided adventure through five decks of historic spaces, exhibits, and interactive moments — including the fan-favorite Vicky the Dog Scavenger Hunt. Then, go deeper with a 90-minute crew-led tour that brings the ship’s legacy to life through the stories of those who served — and those who preserve it today.
Guided by a passionate crew member, you’ll enjoy a more in-depth, story-rich experience as you explore the ship’s remarkable journey—from her launch in 1943 through WWII, Korea, the Cold War, and her final decommissioning in 1990.
✅ What’s Included:
- Self-Guided Tour (~2 hours): Explore five decks at your own pace
- Crew-Led Tour (~1.5 hours): Hear the stories from our passionate crew member
- Family Features: Includes access to Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt
- Total Experience Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours including self-guided IOWA Experience.
- Accessibility: Accessible routes available upon request
Advance reservation required — space is limited daily
Admission directly supports the preservation of Battleship IOWA Museum
Guided President's Tour (includes Self-Guided Experience)
Walk in the Footsteps of Presidents on the Battleship of Presidents
It’s November 1943, and Battleship IOWA is on a covert mission. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his entire staff are aboard, headed for pivotal top-secret meetings with English Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Josef Stalin. What should be a routine Atlantic crossing nearly turns deadly for Roosevelt and leads to the “arrest” of the entire crew of a US destroyer.
What happened? Find out on our PRESIDENTS TOUR.
This exclusive guided glimpse into areas not accessible on the standard self-guided route features a visit to the famous Captain’s Cabin, home to the only bathtub still in existence on a Navy warship installed for a sitting U.S. president. Stand where history was made, hear epic tales of diplomacy, and marvel at an unforgettable snapshot of life aboard one of America’s most iconic ships.
Your tour also includes full access to the IOWA Experience, where you can explore five decks of interactive exhibits, hear sailor stories, and participate in the family-friendly Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt.
Due to limited availability, advance reservations are required. Accessible routes are available upon request.
Guided Gun Tour (includes Self-Guided Experience)
Approx. 4.5-hour experience including Self-Guided tour • Ages 10+ • Advance purchase required
Step into the boots of a battleship sailor in this exclusive behind-the-scenes journey aboard Battleship IOWA. Start with the IOWA Experience, a self-guided tour across five decks that showcases the ship’s presidential legacy, interactive exhibits, sailor stories, and a fun scavenger hunt led by Vicky the Dog.
NOTE: Please arrive earlier in the day to complete the self-guided IOWA Experience before your crew-led “Big Guns” Tour at 1:30 PM.
Then, go deeper with a 2.5-hour crew-led tour into rarely seen spaces—areas of the ship that powered her dominance during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Descend through hatches and climb through passageways as you explore:
- The 5-inch gun house, where sailors loaded live rounds into dual-purpose naval guns
- The 5-inch gun upper handling room, where ammunition was received from below
- The 5-inch magazine, where hundreds of rounds were carefully stored
- The aft battery plot, the critical fire control center used to aim and fire both the 5-inch and 16-inch guns
- And the highlight: a walk inside one of the ship’s massive 16-inch gun turrets—among the most powerful naval gun systems still in existence today
Along the way, hear stories of courage, innovation, and daily life aboard from a member of our current crew who helps preserve this legendary ship.
Due to the physically demanding nature of this tour and access to confined spaces, it is limited to guests aged 10+ and not recommended for those with mobility limitations. Closed-toe shoes required.
Tour offered on Saturdays and Sundays only. Spaces are limited and advance reservation is required. Includes Self-Guided tour.
⚠️ Important Details
- Closed-toe shoes required.
- This experience is physically demanding and involves ladders, tight spaces, and grated decks.
- Not recommended for guests under 10 or those with mobility limitations.
- Offered on select days. Advance reservations are required due to limited space.
Guided Engineering Tour (includes Self-Guided Experience)
Explore the depths of the iconic warship and see the areas below deck that keep the ship moving! Battleship IOWA’s Engineering Tour takes you and your guests behind the scenes to explore the depths of the most innovative warship during WWII.
Ages 10+ • Advance purchase required
Includes:
- 🧑🏭 Crew-Led Engineering Tour (2.5 hours)
- 🚢 Self-Guided IOWA Experience (2 hours — completed after the Engineering Tour)
Get ready to explore the hidden heart of Battleship IOWA on this in-depth tour below deck. Designed for adventurers and history buffs, this experience grants you rare access to behind-the-scenes engineering spaces once essential to powering the most innovative battleship of WWII.
Your journey begins with the crew-led Engineering Tour, plunging you into the ship’s mechanical soul. Traverse areas normally closed to the public, including:
- ⚓ Anchor Windlass Room
- 🔧 Engine and Boiler Rooms
- 🔄 After-Steering Station
- 🧪 Oil and Water Testing Labs
- 🧭 Exclusive sailor-only passageways not seen by visitors since 1943
This immersive tour highlights how the ship’s eight boilers and four steam turbines generated 212,000 shaft horsepower—enough to power 650 Ford F-150 trucks—launching IOWA to a blistering 35 knots (40 mph), the fastest for any battleship ever built.
Your guide, a member of today’s dedicated crew, will share riveting stories of sailors’ service and ingenuity in maintaining this engineering marvel during peace and war.
Following the crew-led Engineering Tour, you’ll continue with the self-guided IOWA Experience—featuring historical exhibits, presidential stories, sailor life, and a scavenger hunt for kids across five decks.
⚠️ Important Details
- Closed-toe shoes required.
- This experience is physically demanding and involves ladders, tight spaces, and grated decks.
- Not recommended for guests under 10 or those with mobility limitations.
- Offered on select days. Advance reservations are required due to limited space.
Escape the Fleet Adventure Tour (includes Self-Guided Experience)
Part scavenger hunt, part real-life mission—100% adventure! Inspired by the true story of Battleship IOWA’s rescue, explore rarely seen areas as you race the clock to “save” the ship.
Ages 16+, 2–6 participants. Advance reservations required.
Includes:
- Escape the Fleet Adventure (1–2 hours)
- Self-guided Tour (2-hours)
Strap in for a high-stakes, history-inspired adventure game that blends the thrill of a scavenger hunt with the intensity of a real-life mission to save a battleship.
Inspired by the true story of how Battleship IOWA was rescued from the Navy’s reserve “ghost fleet” in 2011, this exclusive add-on experience puts you in the shoes of the crew who only had six weeks to find critical parts on a dark, sealed-up ship—or risk her being scrapped forever.
Your mission begins with a briefing. From there, your team of 2–6 participants will navigate tight passageways, climb ladders, search hundreds of compartments, and uncover clues hidden in rarely-seen parts of the ship—not accessible to the public on any other tour. You’ll race the clock to solve the puzzle and “save the ship.”
You’re not alone—our trained support crew is on hand for your safety—but they won’t help you solve anything. You’ll need teamwork, brains, and boldness to succeed.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
- 🚷 Ages 16+ only
- 👟 Closed-toe shoes required
- ⏳ Duration: 1–2 hours for Escape the Fleet plus Self-Guided tour.
- 🧭 Physically demanding; includes ladders and tight spaces
- 👥 Minimum 2 and maximum 6 participants per group
- 📝 Advance reservations required
“Absolutely Amazing – Battleship IOWA Museum” — Mario
“An excellent tour for the whole family!” — Larry H.
“Come for the dog, leave for the experience.” —142rachellek
“A Fascinating Look at American and World History” – Ben A.
“Must-See in LA – Incredibly Well Maintained!” – Sarah S.
“The Most Incredible Ship I’ve Ever Toured!” – Jim E.
“Great living history museum!” – James R.
“The perfect way to end our time on the USS Iowa museum”– Missy M.
“Never been so close to history.” – J.W.
Easy to Visit
- Minutes from Long Beach and Cruise Terminals
- Easy parking available
- Self-guided and guided experiences
EXPERIENCES
Go ahead. Make Dad’s day.
We’re throwing a party in his honor, but we’re doing it battleship-style – a good, old-fashioned
STEEL BEACH BARBECUE.
What’s that? Click the button below to find out, get all the details, and grab tickets.
Meet Victory “Vicky” the Dog
Mascot, Explorer, and Legend of the Seas
During World War II, amidst the steel decks and towering guns of the Battleship USS IOWA, one very special crewmember stole the hearts of sailors and presidents alike — a little dog named Victory, lovingly known as “Vicky.” A gift to the crew, Vicky quickly earned his place aboard, wandering the passageways, warming bunks, and even sleeping at the foot of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his secret wartime voyage in 1943. He became more than a mascot; he became part of the ship’s story — and was even awarded his own set of military “orders” and credentials.
Today, Vicky’s spirit lives on in a new mission: guiding young adventurers through the same decks he once roamed. The Vicky’s Scavenger Hunt turns the historic battleship into a floating playground of curiosity and discovery. Kids follow his pawprints from bow to stern, unlocking clues, solving mysteries, and learning about life at sea — all while earning a special prize designed by acclaimed animator and USS IOWA crewmember, Brent Noll.
It’s an adventure that bridges generations. Parents rediscover history through the eyes of their children, kids become curious explorers, and everyone walks away with a deeper connection to the ship and her stories. Whether you’re crawling through tight corridors or standing in awe on the main deck, you’ll come to see the IOWA not just as a warship, but as a home — one once shared with a small dog who made a big impact.
Come aboard, meet Vicky, and see the Battleship IOWA in a way few ever have — through the eyes of her most unexpected sailor.
USS IOWA (BB-61)
Only bathtub on a Navy warship in existence today that was installed for a sitting U.S. president
Only battleship to host 5 U.S. Presidents
Earned 11 battleship stars across WWII, Korean War, and the Cold War
Unmatched firepower with nine 16-inch and twelve 5-inch guns
Pioneered 1980s tech with Tomahawk missiles, Harpoons, and spotter drones
Innovated modern ship design — built bigger, faster, and stronger than ever before
