Battleship USS Iowa Museum Reviews

Very well kept ship, impressive to see how many people are working to keep this big beast in very good condition. Beautiful to be able to visit it.

Get the tour with Jeff. It was great, he knows everything about the ship. A fascinating historical trip.

This is truly a unique experience. Their tour guides are passionate and knowledgeable, the history is unmatched. This ship is an impressive feat of engineering and is a testament to the American Spirit. Absolutely worth the time and money spent.

The USS Battleship Iowa Museum,located at one the busiest seaports in the world-The Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro,California, is a terrific museum and battleship to visit and climb aboard!
The Battleship USS Iowa Museum is a maritime museum located at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States.
Family friendly with all current CDC protocols in place, The USS Iowa fights Covid like it fought all the enemies it faced on the 7 seven seas during its commisioned years!

USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the last class of U.S. Navy battleships to be built by the United States. The battleship was originally commissioned in 1943 and served during World War II, the Korean War, and through the Cold War. Iowa earned 11 battle stars during her career and hosted three U.S. Presidents, ultimately earning the nicknames Battleship of Presidents and Big Stick. Iowa was awarded to the Pacific Battleship Center on September 6, 2011 for display at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California – home to the United States Battle Fleet from 1919 to 1940.

Iowa opened in Los Angeles on July 4, 2012 to a crowd of over 1,500 supporters and veterans at Port of Los Angeles Berth 87.
The USS Iowa Museum offers daily tours, group programs, education visits, special events, filming, military ceremonies, and is in the process of starting an overnight program.

Daily tours include visits to see the largest guns on a U.S. Navy ship,officers ward room, President Roosevelt's cabin, armored bridge, missile decks, enlisted berthing, mess decks, helicopter deck, and other areas. The ship is located at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center and has over 2,100 parking spaces available.

Iowa has played various roles in films and television including NCIS: Los Angeles, American Warships, Bermuda Tentacles, and Dark Rising. Iowa is home to annual American-focused events including the City of Los Angeles Veterans Appreciation,a Memorial Day Celebration, and September 11 remembrance.

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#nauticalmuseums

The 2-hour self guided tour is wonderful! I have gone with my now deceased Father In Law who served on the Iowa's sister ship the Wisconsin in the Korean War and just last month I took my 9 year old grandson. Both visits were very memorable and totally worthwhile!!

I'm an engineer, so I bought a ticket to the engineers tour... and I totally geeked out on that one. From thinking about my dad's time in the Navy to what they had to do to power, steer, repair, and operate the ship. A totally fascinating tour by two awesome experienced sailors who had great insight as to what it was like.

Great visit and very knowledgeable volunteers! It was a great way to spend an afternoon touring a piece of history. Glad we visited!

on a cruise and docked very close-by so decidied to visit and so glad that we did.There is so much to see and everything is explained very clearly. Be warned though.........there are loads of very steep steps to negotiate. Great museum/shop at the end but was pricey. Would definitely recommend. There is a charge for this attraction.

Great experience, very informative would definitely go back. Ship is impressive to see and leaves a feeling of awe. Great for everyone not just history lovers

An amazing part of history. And very well organised.
A wonderful experience. Every child should see this and realise why we still live in a free world.

Saw the last of the Iowa Class Battleships. Saw previous New Jersey (Camden, NJ-across from Philadelphia), Wisconsin (Norfolk VA) and Missouri (Pearl Harbour HI) in previous years. This one was the best (except for the below deck gun tour on the New Jersey). In San Pedro (Port of LA near Long Beach) it was a little difficult to get to but found it using electronic means. Has guided tours but able to easily walk through the ship. Lots of climbing up and down ladders and stairs.

I had never been aboard a battleship before. The USS Iowa is a fascinating place to visit, situated in the busiest port in the US where you can see enormous container ships and cruise ships from the deck. It's easy to get there and park, and the volunteers are knowledgeable and friendly. The President's tour is very interesting and they have other tours too. I highly recommend it for all ages.

We all greatly enjoyed experiencing the Escape The Mothball Fleet escape room tour. Our guides, Della and William, did an outstanding job teaching us about some of the history of the Iowa as well as the process for moving the ship to the Port of Los Angeles. They also ensured that we did not fall down an open hatch or stumble into other hazards. There were certainly ample volunteers available to assist with questions for the general tour as well. If you are interested in walking through a page of American history, this tour is for you.

Love the Battlefield Iowa . Worth every dollar. Took about 2 hours . Get drinks and bathroom done before you get on the ship.

Wow!!!! My first time ever on a military ship. So much history and incredibly impressive war equipment.
Totally worth every penny!!!

We took the self guided tour and had a great time exploring the ship. Enjoyed a hotdog and beer at the end at Vicky’s, sitting on the deck and watching the harbor.

This was our second trip to the Iowa. The crew was AWSOME both times. The food was very good and there were numerous additions to the tour. The guides were very knowledgeable on the ship and the war.

We spent 2 hours looking at everything. Lot to see and read as well as videos about this battleship. Would of love to see the engine room but I hear that is a separate tour and I believe the person working at the front indicated it was a 3 hour guided tour and was only on certain days and cost $50.

While visiting LA on vacation, I decided to stopped for self-guided tour while traveling back to LA from Long Beach. I've previously visited the USS Missouri in Hawaii, USS New Jersey in Camden NJ, USS Wisconsin in Norfolk VA, so I wanted to complete the 4 Iowa-class battleship experience. There are both self-guided and guided tours. The self-guided tours are easy as you just follow the yellow arrows which will guide you through the ship. It is always amazing to see how the sailors, marines and offices lived and worked on the ship in the cramped spaces and at times dangerous working conditions. This was a mighty ship, too bad it is not in service any longer and obsolete in today's world.

It was great! Especially if you like the history side of things. Lots to see, read, watch videos and interact with the volunteers. They will have lots to tell you, just ask them.

There are a few steep stairs to negotiate, so where appropriate footwear, and no place to charge your phone, should you need to.

Also, the Trip Advisor ticket has a time slot, but the volunteer at the ticket booth says they no longer do that. So, go anytime for as long as you want.

Cheers gordon

Go on any of the paid tours well worth the time and money. Staff is top notch with real life experience and engaging discussions.

This is a fantastic deal for the money. The sheer amount of history you can tour, at your own pace, coupled with the percentage of the ship you can tour is huge. The ship itself is impressive, has been very well preserved, and I just love history.

Parking is easy, the location is fantastic and the tour really makes you appreciate the sacrifice so many men and women made for our country and the world itself. It was an honor to be able to walk her corridors and to see where so many heroes served. I would absolutely do this tour again.

I do think it would be cool if the main galley could be turned into a functional dining room. Would love to eat lunch inside the ship.

Very educational very fun I would recommend it to families that would be recommend it to people that are in school teachers faculty general public veterans

Large parking area available right in front of the access gang-plank. We bought passes on line, very easy. We went on a week day so no queue. Very well laid out tour with many helpful staff and volunteers. well laid out exhibitions in every part of the ship, so take your time and take in the immensity of this ships history. A must see attraction if in the area.

If you are into ships it’s a must see. The big guns, missile launchers, anti aircraft weapons on a 888 foot battleship with a helicopter on deck. Great volunteers.

What a fabulous and incredible piece of history and thank goodness it is being preserved by a group of incredible humans. We were greeted politely but enthusiastically when we arrived at the deck and given a brief rundown of the ship. We did the President’s Tour with Phillip who was an absolute font of information. I would highly recommend this tour as you get a real sense of this ships important place in history. The love and passion the volunteers have for this ship is, IMHO, made this more special than USS Missouri (we have visited the Missouri) which is better restored but the experience with the people here made this so special.
This place deserves the funding and support to preserve it as well.
Well deserved of the high rating and so glad we came!

All staff are friendly and knowledgeable - also - the self guided tour is well done and very well marked

It was our first time on the USS Iowa and upon arrival boy it was bigger than expected. Been wanting to come for years and finally today was the day. So we did the self your and it took us 2 hours because there is just so much detail to see and read as well as history. If you are into ships, and ww2 this is it. If you are a fan of the popular game world of warships well why dont you come on down you will love it. Will definitely come back someday…hopefully.

Excellent tour of an historic masterpiece. Walking in and around the same cabin that President Roosevelt used to transit to Europe for one of the famous conferences with the allied leaders in WWII was an awesome experience. We chose the group tour (10 or less) for $75 and Mark was our guide who was a treasure of information and made the ship and it's history come alive. I've done the self-guided tour of the ship before and this was my first guided experience. It was well worth the additional fee. You will enjoy your visit.

The fact that ANY battleships are preserved, let alone the Big Stick is incredible. The people who work on Iowa and her sisters are absolutely phenomenal. What an outstanding amount of work to care for some unique and iconic pieces of history.

When boarding the ship, the docents immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome. They answered all questions with clarity and enthusiasm. They were very knowledgeable. My favorite statement was "don't worry about touching anything. She's 80 years old and made of steel, you can't hurt her." Great! I felt very comfortable.

Exploring Iowa was a hands-on experience that felt like I got to see a peak into the life of a sailor. You could touch whatever you wanted, step through narrow doorways, and shimmy up tiny stairs/ladders. The self-guided tour was clearly laid out and easy to follow. The information provided on signs was concise and informative.

We also took the gun tour (of course, Iowa possesses the largest guns still afloat) and had the privilege of squeezing inside the gun turrets. The very knowledgeable tour guide took us through the path a projectile follows from its storage in the depths of the ship all the way up to when it leaves the barrel at an astonishingly high velocity. I HIGHLY recommend this tour. You do not get to go inside the guns otherwise.

The tour of Iowa is not for anyone with small children or who has mobility issues. She's a nearly completely intact WWII battleship, and is designed to only be traversed by young, able-bodied sailors. If you are able to climb ladders with ease, I cannot recommend visiting this beautiful specimen enough!

The guides were great, real war time veterans. The ship has been maintained well. Very nice gift shop. Some really cool technologies on display

My son and Ioved our visit. It was great to get to walk through the ship and learn all the history the ship had been part of.

I have two friends that I’ve known for 52 years and we have maintained a great friendship by getting together a few times a year.

Most recently, we got together at the Battleship Iowa and had a blast!!! The tour was limited to the outside portion of the Battleship due to COVID restrictions. It was still fun and we were able to explore every one of the decks!

Special thanks to all of the Sunday crew aboard the battleship. They were friendly and informative. We had the pleasure of talking with one of the staff at length. Pauli walked with us through the Battleship and shared some of his personal experiences with us. He served in the United States Navy and had been stationed aboard the Iowa. We found his stories fascinating!

I would highly recommend touring the Iowa, she was an amazing Battleship! God Bless America and our Military!!!

We did the self-guided tour, which took us about 3 hours and was well worth the time. From the huge 16-inch guns to modern missiles, every inch of this ship is crammed with history. As Iowa residents, we got free admission by showing our Iowa DLs, which was a bonus, but I would have gladly paid the listed admission price. Will hope to get one of the guided tours next time around.

We had a great Presidents Tour with Adam! Very knowledgeable! It was interesting to learn about the ship's history & exploring the various decks. Highly recommend if coming to the area.

On our visit I didn't thick it would be so interesting and educational. A visit is definetely worthwhile the time that is necessary to spend going through this historic ship!

Self-guided tours for $19.95 for ages 12-61. The ship was amazing and the explanations on the placards and provided by staff are very informative. I thought the best part was that there is so much to see. It was easy to get to with plenty of parking availability.

The Flight Simulator (not really part of the Museum) was unimpressive and not worth the extra $6 ticket.

I loved visiting the battleship USS IOWA.

Free visit of about 1 hour where you can see the control room, bunks, canteen, missiles and guns.

It was really great!

Note: it is easy to park on the main street right next door.

Very reasonable price via Booking.

A bit complicated to get there by car because of various bridges and detours that you must not miss.
The battleship is amazing and huge.
Photographing it from the bow in full is almost impossible.
It pays just under $30 but for an enthusiast they are well spent.
It takes almost two hours to visit it calmly but to think that this battleship was already operational in the Pacific during the Second War is incredible.
Obviously it has undergone various modernizations but remains the charm of a ship of another time with impressive 406 mm guns.
The shop is a bit disappointing

Seeing this battleship was an amazing experience. The amount of history they have been able to preserve is amazing. This is definitely something I would do again and would recommend to others.

We took family from Tucson to visit the USS Iowa. We purchased the Presidential Tour. Our guide, Richard, was an expert in the facts and a fabulous storyteller. We had a great time and learned a lot. Our family has navy WWII veterans. The entire tour felt personal as well as educational. Thank you!!

The Battleship USS Iowa Museum is located in the harbor area of Los Angeles. This is an old disused warship that was in operation from 1940 - 1990. They have created a tour on the ship that you can do yourself. First you are guided through the officers' cabins and the officers' mess. They had a cozy corner with a TV and a small kitchen.
Then it goes over various bridges and gun stations down to the crew quarters. Fortunately, it doesn't go all the way to the top of the tower. From the “2nd floor” I felt slightly uneasy because of my fear of heights.
The team had triple bunk beds, locker walls, a shower and toilet area and two huge kitchens in several rooms. During the main meal period (which was only one hour long), up to 2,600 sailors were fed here. There was only a sparsely furnished lounge with tables for four that could accommodate perhaps 150 people.
In a documentary video, sailors said that most of them preferred to sleep outside rather than in their cabins. Because when the doors are closed, there was no fresh air. It was smelly and hot in there.
All the stairs were so steep that if you stood on them, you would essentially hit the next steps with your nose in front.
It was definitely interesting to see everything and really feel what it felt like to walk on a ship like that and how cramped everything was. Even though she was in the harbor, you still had the feeling that it was swaying a bit, and that wasn't even a swell.
A toilet truck is in front of the ship, usable and clean.

An amazing experience, If you are into history. Even if you have done time in the military, I suggest you pay a visit. If you have heard about battleships, and never seen one, this is one you will need to check out. Seeing old videos about a US battleship and seeing one up close, you can only imagine them at work. Great tour in my opinion.

This is the third time I have visited the battleship (twice with my sons, one with my GF). If you like military history there are so many things to see and learn that you could visit the ship 10 times and you will still be learning new things.
If your family and friends are not military buffs, the ship still attracts their attention. The size of the ship, the big guns, its organization and layout, how the sailors lived...it is just awesome. For them a 2 to 3 hour visit is worth it.

This was our second battleship tour as we had toured the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor so I shall compare the two. Both are part of the four vessels which compose the class of ships built late in the war. They are very large full of nooks and crannies on many decks. Be prepared to climb and descend ships ladders, walk very carefully and slowly so that you can look around. For the Iowa, one follows the yellow arrows. This ship also includes a special display about Robert Ballard locating the Titanic. The sites and sounds are interesting and help one understand life on such a very large ship. But do be prepared to climb ladders!

The flow of the tour was just perfect; slow for those who loved detail, and upbeat for those who had smaller children, or just needed key highlights of this great vessel.

I learned more about the history of this Naval Fleet in this tour than from my father who was also in the Navy 27 years!

I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to discover the rich history of our Naval Fleet, and how the USS Iowa, played a major role under President Regan to keep the Russians from seeking any military engagement with our country during his presidency.

We attended a History Tour for a field trip on October 30th 2024. Our high school students were very involved and interested in with tour and the information shared by the tour guide. For an additional cost, lunch was provided. Our students were able to eat the sandwiches in the cafeteria portion of the ship, this experience was the perfect ending to the tour!

You should visit this Museum. Great day showing respect to the Armed Forces. There are several Ship Museums but this is one of the best.

Amazing tour of American history. Nice walk about the ship. Wonderful stories of courage & valor. About 2 hours is plenty and worth the price of admission. Fun afternoon.

Great place to spend time with the family with beautiful views. The staff at USS Iowa are the friendly staff ever. Can’t beat the tons of history on this ship. and the cherry on top is the ship’s super cute mascot Vicky the dog!

If you have an Iowa driver’s license it’s free. Self guided tour and some videos in a couple of spots to sit down and learn the history. We had been on the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor and this is similar. Liked the story on how La wanted the boat and its move to LA. Also about how they painted the flag in 6 hours on the ship. Gift store at the end with some unique items that you don’t always see in a gift store- you can buy rations and a presidential quotes book.

Workers are very friendly and answer any questions you have. Parking is free for the first hour then $2 per hour.

The online checkout procedure was a bit awkward, had to call for directions. The staff was helpful guiding me through the menus, as if they have to do this several times each day.

The entire tour was great. It was something that I had wanted to see. It was great
fleet week was also there

This is an amazing ship to tour. We started our tour with lunch at Vicky's Dog House on the aft end of the ship. We had "The U-Boat". which is a very tasty Italian sausage with sauerkraut. When you tour the ship you will learn about Vicky!!
We decided to do the self guided tour. We downloaded the app for more information. The guides there can help you with this. We followed the arrows around the ship. I am a Navy veteran so the steep ladders (stairs) didn't bother me. I have seen most of the armament and have witnessed the 'Big Guns" being fired, but seeing these up close and personal was better. The tour has tons of information about the Iowa but other stories as well. I tool lots of pictures of the information signs around the ship so I could go back and read them later.
After we finished the self guided tour my wife stopped to ask a few of the volunteers a question. One of them was a guy who helped with the ongoing restoration projects. When he found out I was a veteran he personally took my wife and I to see some of the projects he was working on. To see the level of detail that is put in is amazing. To learn the history of the ship and seeing the cool things on USS Iowa was well worth the time spent there. It is also cool that there are people that care about this history and love to share that history with others.
We did this tour as a quick day tour as we were in San Pedro awaiting a cruise the next day. So if you are going out of the Port of Los Angeles, take the time to go here.

As a visitor to the USA over the years it’s been good to visit a few ships at various locations. This has been on the list for a while and the wait was worth it. Myself and my wife arrived as it opened. There were no queues, we purchased tickets on the deck and enjoyed the tour. Absolutely worth it. Love seeing these ships so well maintained and keeping history alive and interesting.

We did the private guided tour and our guide was great. A wealth of knowledge and very personable. It was money well spent and anyone who has any curiosity about military ships and what our guys had to endure in WWII should tour the Iowa.

A wonderful old battleship kept in being by groups of volunteers to preserve the memory of the service this ship and its crews gave to US war efforts over many decades.

I highly recommend the private tour when traveling with a small group. Paul made our experience memorable and enjoyable sharing the history of the Iowa infused with his own personal experiences in the Navy. We had a mixed ages group and he was able to entertain both young and old.

This ship is full of rich history. Took a self guided tour and learned so much. They are lovingly restoring her to her days of glory. There are men aboard to help you and are friendly and eager to share their stories.

I absolutely love this ship. It's a big plus to me that its not too "touristy". It feels like it's still a genuine warship that you get to go tour. The staff was enormously friendly and helpful; great people. I can't wait to go back.

Great place to see visiting Los Angeles to see part of history at every corner. Great for teenagers to learn a little history.

My third grade class enjoyed seeing the battleship and the STEM activities. The docents were engaging and everyone was very helpful. We will be going again next year.

It's a little bigger than the battleship Yamato. It was also used in the Gulf War, so it had missiles and rockets. You can also see President Roosevelt's cabin.

9 of us took this 45-minute tour, and everyone liked it a lot. The Presidents tour focuses on the 3 Presidents that came aboard the USS Iowa during her operations, with emphasis on FDR. The captain's quarters and CEC (weapons control center) were the 2 biggest highlights of this tour, we all thought.

We did a guided tour..Rich our tour guide was awesome. He was full of information and interesting history tidbits. Love the ship.

Took the approximately 3.5 hour guided tour + general admission. The engineering and Gun tours were only offered on the weekends. Our tour guide, retired USN Captain Donald McMackin did an excellent job walking us around to the different area of the ship. He was able to provide a lot of information drawing on his career experiences. He was friendly, knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. I highly recommend this tour if you have any interest in this historical ship. We would like to return in the future for one of the other tours.

We did the crew tour which was well worth the price. Very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. Highly recommend.

Our two teenagers were engaged the entire time. Be aware, there are a lot of stairs/ladders to climb on the tour.

amazing secret hotdog place on the back of the USS Iowa. Has a big screen, TV and beer too! Win/win/win. Dads happy and most importantly Mom is happy.

We booked on to the Gun tour which was well worth the expense to gain all the knowledge and access to different parts of the ship especially inside the gun house. Great day out

I came to this game because of fleet collection
This is a huge battleship with a very historic monument, showcasing a lot of artifacts and weapons

Well worth it. Fascinating look at a battleship and US Naval surface. Well done as a self guided tour. With vets onboard to help.

Bob Abelson was our tour guide. We paid the additional $75 for a personal guide. He was A+ Awesome. We have 6 kids ranging from 7 to 17. He was able to keep them interested and not distractive. Filled with personal, professional and prior service knowledge.

Highly recommended. We did the engineering tour in the morning and the gun tour after our lunch at Vicky's doghouse. The veterans and volunteers put their heart and soul into making sure you have a great experience and all your questions are answered. They keep the group sizes small so you can get the most out of the tours with no distractions. We really enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot.

We took the grandchildren to tour the Iowa. The grandson was excited to see a battleship! Surprisingly,so were the 2 teenage granddaughters.
We all were impressed with the size and great condition of the ship. We really enjoyed the explanations given by docents throughout the ship.

USS Iowa is the first of the four Iowa Class Battleships. It was built in WWII and has been much modernized for its long years of service. Iowa has nine big guns, plus arrays of more modern missile launchers.

The Battleship stands huge next to the convenient and inexpensive parking lot.

I was very impressed with the USS Iowa. It is preserved in excellent condition and lots of the ship is open for you to explore. A self guided app tour takes you to the guns, bridge, and crew spaces. There is also a kids version of the tour. There are rooms of exhibits on Iowa and other naval historic items of interest. All the volunteers and staff were welcoming and very helpful. Doug, a historian for USS Iowa, enthusiastically led us around parts of the ship, and had lots of great stories.

A U.S. Naval Surface Museum is being built in some of the spaces on USS Iowa. That should attract more visitors. Special events, such as movies, are shown under the guns. There are special guided tours offered on weekends.

Nine U.S. Battleships have been preserved as museum ships. USS Iowa is one of the best!

The ship is very well maintained and the tour guide was able to answer all questions.
the museum area is interesting and history is well researched

Amazing at you own pace tour. Loved the little stop points that had informational charts and loved the little sounds details like if it's still running chow hall scene great atmosphere. Would visit again.

There aren't many battleships that are open to tour so we took advantage of this while we were in the area. It was well worth it!

I especially appreciated that we could tour so many decks and many indoor spaces on the ship. There were a lot of informative exhibits and videos along the tour route.

I came away with an appreciation of what it must have been like to serve on this ship.

Stop sending me reviews weeks before my visit! You should know when my tour date is; fire your marketing firm!

That's great experience for my kids especially particepainting korean war. I'm so honored and thank you for every Navy.

I saw this online and thought it would be an interesting excursion. I have a pre-teen who is interested in WWII and I knew would love this trip. We kept it a secret until we actually arrived and he was absolutely shocked. The people who work there were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We got to sleep in the racks, not the most comfortable beds around, but authentic. We had dinner and breakfast provided. There was an evening tour on the ship as well. One thing to keep in mind, this is not a hotel. There are no outlets in the racks. Bring a battery pack to charge phones and devices. I was going to bring mine and forgot. Also, it’s an evening tour so bring a flashlight with you. And make sure to bring close toe shoes, this is an aging warship. There are deck planks that are rotting and pulling up. They are working to replace them but it takes time and a lot of money. It was an excellent trip. Thanks to William, James, Jim, Brian, Mark and all the volunteers who made this possible. It was the second annual family night and I’ll be looking forward to another.

A great day for our family. Enjoyed the extra input and tour of Presidential quarters. Easy to get to and enjoyed walking to eat nearby afterwards.

Beautiful boat. It was good to see what our Great Uncles experience would have been like and other family members.

Today I had by far the best day of my holiday in America on board the USS Iowa. We are on a 16-day round trip through the west of the USA. As I have been interested in battleships since I was 10 years old, I persuaded my wife back in Germany to visit the USS Iowa on this trip and we booked a guided tour. After all, there is nothing remotely comparable in the whole of Europe. I think my wife was initially sceptical as to whether it would be as great a day for her as it was for me. But even arriving at the harbour in LA is an unforgettable experience when you see this huge, majestic ship up close for the first time. And when we showed our tickets on board, we were immediately greeted warmly and told that we would have a great guide in Don - and so it was. Don, you are the greatest guy I met on the whole trip! 

Instead of the 1.5 hours we had booked, Don guided us both through the huge ship for 3 hours ALONE. I have rarely had such a knowledgeable, entertaining and detailed tour of anything. Don really seems to know every screw and every detail. Even my wife, who is not really interested in ships, was blown away. To be shown and explained such a piece of history in such a hands-on way was fantastic! From the engine room to the bilge to a 5 inch gun turret, where I was even allowed to take a projectile from the loading device and sit in the gunner's seat - it was incredible!  No question was too abstruse, no request was turned down. Even my wife was never bored or fed up - quite the opposite! We both had an incredible amount of fun and can't thank Don enough for this fantastic day and incredible guide. Simply awesome, man, you made my day. Thanks a lot again, we really appreciate that, Don!!!!! Sven and Dominique from Stuttgart / Germany

Very interesting visit on a ship certainly old in view of new technologies. The Spartan living conditions of sailors are well measured. The view of port activity is also very surprising. Be careful if you have small children or a small dog that can't climb the stairs it's complicated because they are Meunier ladders. You can still smell the sickening smell of machinery as if the ship were still operating. Didactic and complete count one hour Thirty to two hours.

What an amazing way to witness history. I was able to stwp foot where my father once served this country. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to go see the ship in person

A very impressive battleship with history. The ship is well preserved and if Mann takes part in a guided tour you get a good impression of how it lived out of a battleship in the war. Very interesting.

I have toured the USS Yorktown in Charleston Harbor on two occasions. And I visited the USS Wisconsin at Norfolk Navy Yard. But I missed USS Missouri, which was moored at Pearl Harbor a few years after I saluted the USS Arizona Memorial. Now I'm on board the USS Iowa, the 887-foot-long battleship that is moored at 250 South Harbor Boulevard, at Berth 87, in the port of Los Angeles on the waterfront in San Pedro, 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Open daily from 10 to 4, this is considered one of the region's best outdoor museums for families and visitors of all ages. The Iowa was commissioned on February 22, 1943, served in World War 11, Korea and the Cold War, was decommissioned on October 26, 1990 and was opened as a museum ship in Los Angeles on July 4, 2012. It was the lead vessel in the last class of battleships in the world. Take the self-guided tour from the bridge to the captain's cabin to the massive 16-inch gun turrets to the sailors' quarters to the commisary to the wardroom to the kitchen to the four engineering rooms and the boiler room. See where FDR slept when the Iowa transported the president across the Atlantic Ocean to and from the Tehren Conference. See the bathtub installed for FDR's use on the journey to see Churchill and Stalin. See the actual table where FDR and his cabinet planned strategy moves during World War 11. Stop at the Ship's Store for apparel, souvenirs, videos, books, stickers, posters and mugs. See the exhibit Lost at Sea featuring the exploitations of Dr Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic. Along the way, have a snack at Vicky's Doghouse Cafe, Located on the ship's fantail, named after the ship's beloved mascot, it offers hot dogs sandwiches, salads, drinks and sweeping views of the harbor. I was delighted with a Chicago Piano, the cafe's version of a Chicago-style hot dog, with mustard, tomato, onions, sport pepper, pickle spear, relish and celery salt on a poppy-seed bun. Home, sweet home.

Friendly people and to visit the Iowa is to visit a key part of our history. The museum is super easy to get to and she’s right at the cruise port.

My son loves battleships and their history so we decided to travel and visit all of them starting with USS IOWA. The ship has been in Los Angeles (San Pedro) for 11 years and unfortunately not many people know about it. We booked the general pass plus added the Gun Tour to it. Just to do the general pass tour it took us over 2 hours and we’re still not done with it, we’ll have to return to finish it. The Gun Tour was spectacular, full of information and education for teenagers and adults. I don’t think small children would understand it and might get bored. Our tour took 3 hours 10 minutes but it was amazing, my family and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, patient, generous, and willing to help anyone with anything. I was sad and disappointed to see the lack of visitors on the ship, to me, in my humble opinion the USS IOWA is a better place to visit than many other places in Los Angeles. I would recommend for anyone and everyone to go visit her and spend quality time there. Our next ship will be the USS Texas, followed by the USS NEW JERSEY.

Visiting from the UK and decided to visit the Iowa Battleship Museum. Initially we booked a General Pass, but decided when there to upgrade to the guided Presidents Tour. Rich Abele a retired Captain. His knowledge was amazing and we were so pleased we decided to take the extra tour. Thank you everyone who made our day so special

Had a great time talking to the volunteers and walking round the ship, great taking in all the history would definitely recommend!

We had the personal engineering tour, in addition to the great general tour. The total condition the ship was kept in by the volunteers was amazing and absolute impressive. We had lots of fun by listening to the story`s and details of the ship. We finally ended up with a tour signifikant longer then expected with absolute passionate guides. We absolutely recommend to have guided tour to get a time travel.

My father was on this ship in WWII so I have been interested in it since I was about 10 years old so I was able to get a much better feel for the stories he told about the ship. It was a childs dream true. Fantastic.

Love WWII history and the USS Iowa does not disappoint the self-guided is worth it's a while and theres tons of little things to look at and talk about plus informational videos.

Great experience aboard a significant piece of floating military history.veey knowledgeable volunteers and plenty of exhibits and audio / visual aids plus an online tour app

I'm the field trip coordinator for our school and we recently had a field trip at the USS Iowa. Our docent tour guide was amazing and we all learned so many interesting facts. The tour took us over two hours and we could've explored some more - so definitely take your time and enjoy.

We boarded the Iowa a little after it opened, and when they asked, "Is this the first time you've been aboard with us?", my husband responded, "It's the first time since December of 1989." the staff member welcomed us with such delight, that several other staff came over to welcome us. They pulled out a special guest book for him to sign, and then the best tour I've ever been on ensued. Our guide was Rich A, a captain from another ship who was unbelievably knowledgeable and ever so personable, and his "shadow" William, who was training to be a tour guide. With the "private guided tour" we got to see so many parts of the ship that are not part of the general access ticket. Rich had so many stories to tell, and I loved how Rich and my husband could discuss things about the naval experience that I never dreamed of. I was especially interested to see the huge wall map that shows the tours of the USS Iowa throughout her 3 commissions. I would have liked to spend more time on the special exhibits of Dr. Robert Ballard, and the other additions. It was my husband's hope to be able to see the berth where he slept for 4 1/2 years, and the control room where he managed the guns that shot down incoming missiles. Although the control room was locked, Rich knew who to contact, and we got to see the room and hear his stories of service. Before we knew it, the ship was closed for the day, and I realized that we had spent 6 hours onboard! Time flew, and I felt that we had gained a friend.
I am hopeful that we will be able to return to the USS Iowa on April 19th, 2029 and be able to attend the memorial service for the men of Turret 2.

The experience was eye opening to the conditions and environment endured during the numerous encounters and daily living

If you have toured these ships before its pretty much the same. I was disappointed that they restricted access to the most interesting parts of the ship(gun turrets) unless you paid a huge premium. That seemed rather cheap to me.

The USS IOWA is located at the Port of Los Angeles. This sets a spectacular backdrop for people who are photography buffs! The ship itself is HUGE and the docents provide an excellent overview of the history of the USS IOWA. A few tips: 1) Go during a weekday when the crowds are not as bad 2) Wear shoes that won't slip and don't wear heals as the steps are very narrow with open metal grooves (there is a person who gives you this information prior to purchasing tickets, as well.) 3) If you are claustrophobic know that these are tight spaces and you will be above and below the water line on this ship. Much of the tour requires you to take very narrow stairs down and then back up again. 4) Wheelchair accessibility is available for the decks not the interior, that I could tell. But, I would contact the ship information center directly. 5) There are options for food- but they are limited. 6) The store is wonderful and helps to support the ship programs 7) The are scavenger hunt/ escape room options - but I didn't take them but was very intrigued! (A reason to come back again!)

Disappointed in the condition of the ship and the exhibits. Compared to other historic navy ships, it was obvious the Iowa does not have the money or resources that others have. The teak deck is in terrible shape and is being replaced with composite materials. The areas of the ship available for self-guided tours is very limited compared to the.Midway or Lexington

Awesome experience. Beside the uniqueness of the ship itself and it’s super rich history, the team of volunteer staff were fantastic. Don and Paul, themselves former Navy officers and servicemen, keenly helped us with facts and stories - totally beyond the call of duty of what their job description would be!
Oh, and Vickie’s Dog House hot-dog stand serves great dogs. I had my best Chicago style hot dog in the LA area hands down.

I’m a U.S. Navy Veteran and as such it was a an immensely satisfying experience. We were unable to visit the Iowa last time we visited Los Angeles. Last year we booked a Panama Canal cruise and found a great opportunity to visit the Iowa. We went a couple days early and stayed at a hotel nearby with free shuttle service to various places which included the Iowa. My cousin and her husband and my husband and I traveled together so they joined us. While I’m sure the general access pass is great, we booked a private tour. If you really want a more in depth deep dive into the history of the ship, crew, and mission then the private tour is the way to go. My husband indulges me on these types of tours and thankfully he hasn’t been disappointed, yet. Our very knowledgeable guide (so sorry I can’t recall his name) brought every aspect of the ship to life. One note: I’ve noticed some review comments about the size of the ship not being as large as they thought. One must keep in mind that it is not a ginormous cruise ship made for pleasure ship, but rather a ship of war. It is an impressively large and complex vessel built for one purpose only, to intimidate and destroy the enemy! On another note, our party had two big (not necessarily large men) and we really had no trouble getting in and around the ship. Again, the ship was not meant for comfort. Hence the designation battleship! All in all, despite the terrible weather, it was a fantastic experience that anyone interested in history would enjoy.

My friends and I had such an awesome day touring this awesome battleship! We paid extra for the gun tour and HIGHLY recommend it. It is worth every penny! James was our friendly and extremely knowledgeable crew member who guided us through all of the guns and ammunition. We meandered down through 3 decks to see the ammunition bunkers, computer guidance systems from the 40's, some of the ships armor, and then climbed up into the 5" and 16" gun turrets for a close up view of history. It is a tight squeeze into the turrets but WOW! James helped us get a good feel for the action that took place inside these turrets. I will be certainly be going on the gun tour again.

Great place to visit. We did the self tour only and it was exceptional. You will be going up and down many ship stairways and in several places the walking area is a little uneven so wear your best, most comfortable, walking shoes and enjoy! The volunteers are most helpful and very willing to share information. If you have children with you, there is a "Find Vicky" card/game. The children seem to like it a lot. The gift shop is one of the best I have seen. All in all, it is worth your time to stop by and take the tour. Enjoy!!

Very interesting place to visit. Free admission if you have an Iowa Drivers License. We loved our couple hour visit walking around the ship.

We arrived at 10am. Parking was very easy. We weren’t sure of our schedule so did not reserve a tour. We explored the ship on our own. There is a nice introductory video and a few volunteers to ask about some aspects. Plus a nice food truck on deck with hot dogs. Pleasant place to eat lunch on the outside deck. We ended up spending nearly 3 hours on board.

The tour was pretty incredible. The staff was so knowledgeable, and it was so cool to finally see a ww2 ship in person after seeing so many videos. Highly recommend going to see the ship. I was blow away with how cool it was.

I returned to the Iowa after my last visit about ten years ago. Surprisingly, not much has changed. There are a few more little exhibits to see and there's running water now. But really it's the same as back then. I've lowered my last review (3 starts) to 2 stars.
There's a lot of work being done on the decks. Replacing old plywood with a poured decking that actually looks outstanding. This is the only real upgrade over the years.
My biggest problem is with the staff/volunteers. Like last trip, there was no one to talk to on the ship except the guys at the entrance and at the exit. I went to Midway about a year ago and talked to about twenty guys & gals (Docents) that answered lots of questions and really added to my tour. Not so much on Iowa. The audio tour was OK but lots of extra questions came up with no answers. I would rate the personal touch as one star.
Another issue: The overall appearance of the volunteers is dismal. I'm told they are called "Tour Guides". Other than an ID badge hanging around their neck, you can't tell who is a volunteer. Some of the them are wearing jeans and an Iowa shirt under their tattered hoodie. A few are wearing obviously brand new navy dungarees that look like they came right off the store mannequin. Some have more pins attached to their shirts and jackets than waitresses at Chili's. Overall not a very professional looking organization.
Again, it's a great place to visit if you like to look at the big guns (I do) and if you're into the history of battleships (I am) but I can see how most of the visitors will walk away thinking "It could have been so much more."
It might be ten years before I return. Maybe there's more to come.

Great tour by Dale and great ship to see. Unfortunately, they had a group of US Coast Guards that were grinding on the main deck making it almost impossible at times to hear the guided tour host. Keep in mind that we all paid for a guided tour - seemed strange that the work had to go on right in the middle of the day when tours were scheduled. Understand maintenance needs to be performed but not right in the middle of the day when tours are being conducted. Bad PR from our perspective. For this reason, I might caution someone older (like our group was) from going unless you got a "all's clear" message from the USS Iowa that they were not performing grinding and structure borne noise during your tour time slot.

Wow, wow, wow. Terrific access including the engines. Great volunteers for information. Good value for money. Beautifully maintained. Was well worth it.

My 11 and 15 year old had a blast. I highly recommend for families. It was a nice day and we all learned a lot.

My 95-year-old uncle wanted to tour the USS Iowa. He no longer has a lot of stamina, so I booked the tour on your website that had wheelchair accommodation. When we arrived we were told that the tour was not wheelchair accessible. I am glad to see that your website has been changed!! John was most accommodating and an EXCELLENT guide!! We all enjoyed the tour due to his knowledge and kindness!! My uncle thoroughly enjoyed being on the USS Iowa. Thanks so much!! Many thoughts and prayers for the safety of all who are on staff and volunteer during and after the wildfires! Much Aloha, Gail Kikawa McConnell

This landmark restored and maintained by volunteers shows the love and respect Americans have for their servicemen.
Snippets of history and films throughout the boat really brought home what the men who served had to do just to get alone on a day to day, let alone in combat!.

Well done people!

I wasn’t sure what to expect. It seems that the history books almost make it bigger than it really is. But it’s still a really impressive machine.

I am glad these artifacts are being preserved and understand the cost to maintaining, restoring and berthing these behemoth ships.

It would have been nice to see more of the ship, but even the main corridors and stairs were a little tight for a fit 40 year old such as myself.

Great tour with knowledgeable guides. Worth the money.
The dedication to preservation is amazing and the information posted around the shop makes for an informative self guided tour. .

Tully an amazing adventure ! A must see ! We took a ship's tour with a group of friends and it was excellent. The docents Della Rose and Allison made the tour interesting and informative. It was one of of best Saturday events to date. They had all the answers and made the day go by so very quickly! A++++
Thank You, PLH

Amazingly realistic experience Very quiet since after main Summer period simple parking process Incredible history well worth a visit

So interesting and historical tour with my family. I hope I can get back one day and visit the shop again!!! Strongly recomend a visit.

What an amazing tour! Our family did the guided tour and that was well-worth the extra fee. We were very luck to have Jeff as our tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We learned so much from him about the Iowa and its history. He patiently answered all our questions and spent extra time with us. Even our normally impatient 14-year-old was asking questions and (remarkably) was thoroughly engaged throughout the tour. The Iowa Battleship tour was a great way to spend a half day on our trip to L.A. Thank you again Jeff!

A worthwhile trip, especially on a beautiful day. The history of the ship is very interesting and the organization, run by volunteers, is very good.
Opposite there is a large establishment for just 2 dollars.

Excellent experience seeing the ship, thank you so much for the experience! Always wanted to see an Iowa class battleship and this was my chance!

This iconic piece of American history should be experienced by everyone.

The Iowa and her history are something that everyone should come and appreciate

We did the Escape the Mothball Fleet tour and had an amazing time. The 2 hour tour took us throughout the ship on a mission with challenges to find clues. Our guides Delia and Jeff (on his first day) were amazing providing support and adding facts and tidbits about the ship. They shared their passion for the USS Iowa that made the tour feel extremely special.

After our cruise returned to the San Pedro port we boarded the USS Iowa for a self-guided tour of the battleship. It is an amazing piece of history since the ship was in use for many years. As someone who feels we owe a debt of gratitude to all who served in any of our services, it was incredible to walk the floors of the Navy battleship and to think of all the men and women who lived and also died while on the Iowa. Seeing their living quarters as well as the armaments and their positions on the ship is eye opening. The ship doesn't seem all that big to have accomplished so much on the huge ocean it travelled while working to keep the world safe.

Our tour of the USS Iowa was amazing, informative, emotional, and historic. Larry, who formerly served on the USS Missouri for 12 years, gave us our tour. He had a genuine interest in making sure we had the best tour possible. His knowledge was second to none, and I think enjoys giving the tour as much as we enjoyed having the tour. The emotional part of the tour was the honor of meeting Mr. Lloyd Glick, World War 2 veteran who had turned 100 the week before our visit. He had served in the Pacific theatre of WW2 on the USS North Carolina. This is the third Iowa class battleship I have been on, and have one more, "The Big Mo" to complete my bucket list. It was also a great pleasure talking with many of the volunteers on the ship, who were also Veterans, and finding out some of their military backgrounds, and where they served. They all received challenge coins from the military/law enforcement motorcycle club I ride with, and were welcomed home, and thanked for their service. Great Day Great Tour!!!!!!!

A great way to view an old battleship and its history. You can walk around a great part of the ship, inside and on the deck. Lots of background info on how certain elements of the ship work.
They keep updating/renewing parts that are reeally really old (like parts of the wood deck dating back to the 40's)
So might be that if you visit and come back another time, you get to see diferent things/parts of the ship.
Parking was also super easy and for the time you are there not expensive at all.

We had a fantastic time altogether. Seeing the history and majesty of this ship. I have now visited 3 of 4 of the Iowa museum ships.

Good experience. We had a 50th USS Badger DE-1071 reunion, in Long Beach. Stationed in L.B. 69-73. Stationed on destroyers. So this visit was extra special for us
Sure would have liked to see inside her. Our 5 inch guns were quite small, compared to the 16 inchers. Haze Grey, & underway. Great time, Highly recommend.

Had a great time at the Iowa with my sons for Thanksgiving. Very informational, lots of history, inspiring, Loyd is the best - go on Saturday if you can to have a chance to meet a living legend. Wish we could have fired the guns :)

I can’t speak to the experience with the app-based self-guided tour because we got a guided deck tour. It was unbelievable and we’ll worth the cost. I am a history nerd (teacher), but my (older) kids really loved it too. The tour took about 2 1/2 hours and what we learned was (I’m assuming) well beyond what they could put an app. I’m sure the app is worthwhile, but we came from outside California and the chances of returning are extremely low so we considered it a one time visit and didn’t want to leave having felt we missed out.

Also did the main armament tour. Larry was our guide on the guided tour to start with and can't remember the other tour guides name but both tour guides were full of relevant information making the tour a great historical learning experience

The tour is self-guided, following arrows on the deck and moving from one information board to the next. The tour takes you around most of the upper and lower decks, past the gun turrets and other installations, and into some internal areas of the ship such as the galley and some of the officers’ quarters.
The tour is interesting and easy to follow, and we took about 2 hours for the tour. We were disappointed that the tour didn’t include the engine rooms nor any of the armoury areas.
The docents along the way were friendly and welcoming and informative.
The attraction is still in its infancy and I am sure they will expand the range of the ship covered byt eh tour, in the years to come. As it stands, its worth seeing but isn’t the day out that we’d thought. Perhaps we were spoiled by the USS Midway in San Diego.
Parking is cheap and right out the front.
We were looking forward to going to Vicky’s Dogs for lunch but it was closed that day for a ‘special event’, not that there was anyone around (I think they just had staff not turn up….).

This is where you can go and experience history live. I took my son and my ten-year-old grandson here and it was very meaningful to experience this part of our national heritage together. In fact, it got us talking about American history of World War II, what led up to it and then what happened in the war.
In addition to the general tour, which is self guided, we took the gun turret tour. The guide for this was excellent and we had a thorough experience of what this part of the ship’s mission was like.

We had the engineering tour down into the belly of the ship. It was really amazing , how many details we got to see. We got so deep into it, that we all lost our sense of time and way exceeded the intended time frame. We had so much fun with our enthusiastic guides, we definitely need to spend more time.

The Engineering Tour on Iowa is a fantastic experience! James is a great tour guide- incredibly knowledgable and he really enjoys talking about Iowa. I was fortunate to be on a tour with only 3 guests and when 2 of the guests had to leave James spent another couple of hours with me showing me whatever I wanted to see and answering all of my questions. It is an amazing experience to see where the sailors who made the ship run worked and lived. In today's high tech world, it is amazing to see how intricate old fashioned machinery could generate the enormous power needed to move Iowa at over 30 knots. I highly recommend this tour!

Great visit which catered for both my sons keen interest in battleships and the rest of us who had no knowledge before our trip.

Great ship. Interactive. Teen had a lot of fun as well as us parents. I would highly recommend stopping in to visit! Good price

We are a home education program and about 100 kids and parents attended a tour day with 4 of your amazing docents. Each group was so well taken care of and respected. Your docents were so knowledgable, kind and pretty good humored. They took time to answer all our questions, even the ones that are young children had thought up! Thank you for a wonderful and informative day. Thank you for all you do! We highly recommend this to everyone.

The battleship is an amazing piece of history. It was wonderful to explore so many parts of the ship on the self-guided tour. It was very evident the care that has been put into restoring and preserving the ship, and to see the many memorabilia exhibits throughout.

In retrospect, I would have booked a more elaborate tour to get even a better sense of the place in history that the Iowa had.

Great museum for the whole family. It's a fun friendly environment. I enjoyed this wonderful museum with my family and had much fun.

I went from LAX to USS Iowa by public transportations. The staffs are friendly and eager to help you. This battleship has many great history. I recommend you to visit there if you have any convenience chance.

A trip for work brought me to southern CA, and I was glad to be able to make the drive up the coast to see the Iowa. I am a former crew member and had the opportunity to tour the ship for the first time since I helped decommission her in 1990. The volunteers are doing an amazing job overall in her upkeep, considering it took a crew of 1,500 to do it in my day. It was nice to take my wife of 25 yrs to the spaces in which I spent my late teens/early 20's. Not many sailors have the opportunity to go aboard their ships 33 years later. I sincerely appreciate what Pacific Battleship Center and its many volunteers are preserving aboard the first in its class of the last American Battleships. Bravo Zulu.

I paid for myself and my friend and then we were not allowed a second pamphlet that tells you about the ship. One per group the parrot working the cash kept repeating. If we had paid separately we wouldn't be a group but any logic was wasted on the "gentleman" working there. My friend and I do not live together and wanted to both SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO take a pamphlet home.
My tour was ruined right from the get go. If I hadn't paid yet I would have left.
For $30 each you do not get much and a second piece of paper is not too much to ask for.
I've been on the USS Alabama, USS Intrepid and many submarines. All of those tours were not so ridiculously cheap as to not allow a group to have more than one pamphlet.
As for the tour, many areas of the ship are not restored or poorly restored. Most things are not accessible and it's very disappointing. You only tour 5% of the ship tops. If you want to go in a gun turret you have to pay more on top of the $39 admission fee.
THEY ARE ALSO REMOVING THE ORIGINAL WOOD DECK TO SELL AND REPLACING IT WITH COMPOSITE. The USS Intrepid in NYC is refinished with actual wood as it should be.
This tour is totally overpriced and not worth it compared to other naval marine vessels.

We visited the USS Iowa and very much enjoyed exploring the ship. There are a lot of steep ladders going between the decks, so it’s not a place I would recommend for people with mobility issues. Besides the various areas to see in the ship itself, there is a small museum near the gift shop.

We had a lot of fun at the viewing. The ship is impressive and full of details. Time flew by. The people there are super nice and friendly. It's worth a visit. I can only recommend it.

My husband was on the Coral Sea and assisted on the Iowa at one time so we had to come visit!!
What an incredible experience to be able to visit her!!
If you’re not able to do a lot of walking, probably avoid this but definitely give it a try!! You won’t regret it!!

We did the General Tour, with Battleship Larry. Larry was FANTASTIC!, what a wealth of knowledge and so engaging. He brought so much information and was very eager to share his personal experiences on the battleships. I only wish we didn't have a flight to catch, as I'd have loved to stayed all day and listen to his story's

A fantastic experience and certainly worth spending as much time as you can - definitely take a tour - it added so much more to the experience.

Thank you Larry !!!

Did the gun tour. Unbelievable cool. Eric and Dan the tour guides were so friendly and knowledgeable. The tour itself was incredible...being that close to the inner workings of the guns was mind blowing. So glad I didn't just do the regular tour.

My kids and I enjoyed touring the ship, inside and out. My son loves history and chose this museum for our family trip. It was so interesting to read/see the history of this ship.

It's so awesome and very wonderful too! Everyone was great and cool here too! I liked everything I got to see. This was my first time.

It was very educational. It was nice to see how it was back in the day. My dad was in the Navy on the battleship, so I really enjoyed seeing what it was like for him.

Amazing battleship, my specialization is in military history and this was an absolute dream! Especially the reconstructed turret after the original exploded!

I think I spent upwards of 4-hours truly taking my time walking throughout the ship and taking in its exhibits. Really enjoyed the friendliness of staff and volunteers along the way. If you’re into visiting warships (or maybe just ships for that matter) and would like to do so through the lens of world history, this is a MUST when you’re in the area.

This is a great place for history buffs and kids to learn about battleships. They frequently have retired Navy sailors onboard sharing their stories. It is very engaging couple of hours!

All of the different exhibits to showcase the technology of the era were very organized and informative. If you are interested in naval history, or just like big boats, this is the place for you!

We did the Engineering and Gun tours - both of which need to be scheduled well in advance. The tours are small group for a reason. You will go through all sorts of spaces well off the beaten path and NOT part of the general admission tour. These were incredibly informative and interesting. You will get a workout going up and down a variety of narrow and steep stairs. That shouldn't dissuade anyone as this is part of life on the ship. Another benefit to the small tour group limit is that you can ask nearly as many questions as you can think of. The docents had an accurate answer for each and every one that our group asked. You'll get something out of these tours even if you aren't a military/ship nut. At the least, you'll get to imagine how 70+ crew manned one turret or how they bunked in some pretty tight places. Truly a great tour experience!

Touring this battleship was an amazing experience. Seeing all of the different areas of it was eye opening. I had never been aboard a ship like this, since I was stationed on subs for my career. The only thing I would change would be to do the guided tour. We happened to cross paths the the guided tours in certain areas, and hearing the details and stories was incredible.

Went with 5 and 6 year old boys. There were volunteers (?) everywhere willing to tell stories and answer questions. They had a scavenger hunt for the kids to do throughout the ship. Nice gift shop at the end. Well worth a visit!

visited her in september 2018 while staying on board Queen Mary at long beach, enjoyed the visit hope to go again soon . My father served in the Royal navy in world war 2 and the sea as rubbered off on me.

This was an outstanding experience wether you are interested in history, engineering, or just to see Iowa in all her sleek beauty! Iowa’s volunteer workers are infectious with there enthusiasm toward her and the knowledge of the Iowa’s history. There are so many stories that these great volunteers are willing to share, it will leave you aw struck! If you are going on a Princess Cruise you will pass by the Iowa, it is worth going early to see, it is but a very short walk from the Iowa to checkin at the Princess Terminal.

I agreed to go along because my husband wanted to go very much.
Took a tour with a terrific guide (Adam), which made it a really interesting and memorable visit.

This was a great experience overall. I took my two boys - age 13 and 10 - and they enjoyed it as well. We did the engineering and gun tours which ended up being a lot of walking but it was a really unique experience and I'm very glad we had the opportunity to experience this great ship and piece of history together! I'd recommend it to anyone visiting the LA area, well-worth the money!

Words cannot describe the feeling of being in this most impressive ship. Being the grandson of a WW2 veteran, I love and appreciate all of our rich history! This ship is the very definition of history and I’m glad to see that she’s still afloat and open for all to enjoy and learn.

We arrived before opening as they don't open until 10 am but it was worth a wait. We were given a discount as we had our cruise cards with us. There was a film crew on board filming but that did not impinge on our tour of the ship. One of the guides chatted to us awhile when we first boarded but when we moved on another guide came over and he actually gave us a guided tour around the whole ship. There is a lot of printed information around the ship and you can pay extra fora guided tour we were just very lucky and of course early so very few people on the ship. This would be a good place for anyone interested in WWII history or battleships. Suitable for all ages who are interested however there are lots of narrow stairways and some are very steep so not suitable for all abilities. Takes an hour or more to complete a full tour.

Absolutely incredible. Words are inadequate to describe how great the tours were. I did the engineering tour as well as the gun turret tour, and it was worth every penny!!

The tour guides were absolutely awesome. Their knowledge about the ship and stories were riveting.

Do not leave SoCal without visiting the Iowa!

AWESOME!!!! My family had an amazing time so educational and interesting. Will definitely make the drive again with my family!!!!! THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THERE SERVICE!!!!! ❤️🇱🇷❤️🇱🇷❤️🇱🇷❤️ 🇱🇷

Excellent museum. I spent my whole day there. Visited spaces 3 levels/floors up/down, along the length of the ship. Guided tour includes what the crew did in each space/room you see, famous people who were on board, how guns were loaded, aimed, and fired, logistics involved, how it compared to other ships of its day, general description of engine/generators, propulsion, and steam systems, aircraft operations, ship defensive weapons, armor, and radar/detection. It was the cutting edge of technology when first commissioned. It is a working museum, restoration is actively occurring in the middle of a busy port, which makes the experience feel genuine, like you are on a ship in the fleet and not in a sterile museum. Restoration activities do not interfere with the tour. Gift shop and food truck on board. Volunteers (guided tours) make you feel welcome, answer questions, telling you more than what you can see just by looking around. This ship was active in 3 different wars/eras and it has a wide variety of stories to hear. Easy to move around the spaces. I am a a citizen of Iowa and a former U.S Marine who served on amphibious ships and loves battleships. Thank you, thank you!

This was mindbliwing! I learned so much about the history of WWII and the cold War- about life at sea and the role of a battleship and how it is built. A fascinating exposition of the real artifact - a MUST SEE !

The Battleship USS Iowa is located at the Los Angeles shipping port of San Pedro and is not far from LAX airport. Known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” it was outfitted with a bathtub when Franklin Roosevelt sailed to Tehran for a conference with fellow allies (Churchill and Stalin) to strategize and coordinate the allied effort against Nazi Germany, particularly planning a second front in Europe known as Operation Overlord – invasion of France. It was later used again during the Bush administration and also sailed into NY Harbor on Independence Day, 1986. Now docked as a floating museum, walking the decks, gangways and passageways below was exceedingly interesting. Battleships ruled the seas from the early 1900s thru WWII when they were eclipsed by aircraft carriers.

Preserved historic battleship a great addition to the area sites. Be prepared for lots of steps during this tour! Not mobility challenged friendly.

A ticket was $23.95 in 2022. The phone app provides a guided tour and there is wifi available in parts of the ship. This is worth seeing if you are interested in WWII history and have never been on a battleship before. It takes a couple of hours. I had previously seen the USS Alabama battleship museum, and this was a similar experience with a similar ship design. The USS Alabama was better since there are other exhibits in the area. Had I known how similar it was to the USS Alabama, I would have skipped this. I went during Fleet Week on Memorial Day weekend, and parts of the ship were closed off for private parties and it was crowded. The USS Iowa is located in a bad neighborhood and it is out of the way from other LA attractions. Getting here by bus took a long time. To navigate the metro and bus system, use the app named Transit, not the TAP app.

Great overall experience. I was initially welcomed by a team of volunteers as it was opening time of the museum. I was made to feel very welcome and offered lots of advice for my visit to the museum and how to best see and use my time. I was then met by my tour guide Dale, as it was off season it was quieter than usual and just two of us on this particular guided tour. This then led to one of the most informative, and immersive experiences I’ve had at this type of museum. Dale was full of information, and most of all passion for the museum and what it represented. It was the best way to spend my last day in LA. I’d certainly revisit both on my own or with friends!

It’s was awesome I love it we had a great time great customer service great views great employee friendly staff

So interesting and you learn soooo much great experience kid friendly the workers are nice they have cool t shirts good prices

Came to get hot dogs at Vicky’s with my fiance. Had never been here and found a sign with an arrow pointing up that said to check in with security. I walked up the ramp to look for security, however, it’s actually to the side of the ramp. When I told Frank, the older gentleman working security that the sign was confusing, I was hushed and told not to be difficult. I was confused, and tried to explain I thought I was following the sign. He escalated to the point of threatening to not let me enter. I stopped talking, because I didn’t need a power hungry volunteer getting his rocks off over a hot dog. Absurd. Would never recommend anyone come here based on that staff interaction.

This visit with a friend and we we parked for 2 dolars per hour, no cash, credit card.
Sems that more areas have ben blocked of, no tub to se.

Deck covered in most areas because pine decking is roten. Stil ok just folow the yelow areaos to se. Great signage in most areas with god information
Spent 1.4 hours here, place to eat on fan tail but was closed on a Monday

Amazing day exploring a historic battleship and enjoying the LA waterfront. Such an impressive vessel, it’s an engineering marvel full of stories.

The crew/guides are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the ship.

If you are able to take a guided tour it is worth it 100%. The captains/presidents cabin is really cool. You can really feel the significance of that room when you step in. I also really love going down to the engine room, THAT is mind blowing to see.

Lunch at Vicky’s Doghouse, waterfront views of sailboats, tankers and cruise ships passing by. I even saw seals. Many people don’t know that Vicky’s Doghouse is open to the public and you do not need a museum ticket to eat there.

Great place to visit!

Lowkey cool gift shop😁 and the history was dope and the fact that you can explore a whole battleship is cool. My family really enjoyed it

In San Diego for decommissioning of the USS Cowpens CG-63. We drove up to tour the USS Iowa. We did the guided tour. The volunteers and staff were great. Battleship Larry gave us the tour, exceptional! Fantastic day

We had previously toured sister class ships Missouri and Wisconsin. We knew the next time we had a cruise out of LA that we wanted to tour the Iowa, and that opportunity finally arrived. We spent a good three hours exploring inside and outside the ship. Just did the regular admission tour. Well worth the visit.

If you have been on this type before, then you will have seen it all before. If not then you will have a great visit with lots to see, learn and enjoy.

Fun day trip, I recommend everybody to go to the Battleship USS Iowa Tour and museum-and experience what the history was like back then and what it means to us now .

The ship tour was awesome. The crew on the ship are helpful and nice. My sister and I were able to see an actual battle ship in person. Actually seeing a battle ship on tv or a movie doesn’t compare to seeing one in person. There is a diner called, “Vicky cafe”, didn’t get a chance to visit. Now I have another reason to come back. I would recommend this tour.

Very good experience. I took the 'Gun Tour' and our guide Donald was entertaining and extremely knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the fact that he got into the specifics of how the ship's systems operated. I asked a few extremely specific questions and Donald's answers were excellent. That being said, I felt like he kept things moving to the point where others in the group, who were probably not as interested in the details, seemed to be entertained throughout as well.

Trip advisor won't let me name the gun tour I was on. Very impressed with the gun tour yesterday. Lady that gave it knew a lot as did other volunteers I have met there. They are interested in the history and know all kinds of fascinating details.

My husband and I took the Presidents Tour aboard the battleship USS Iowa BB61 on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
We were privileged to have as our guide, "Battleship Larry" who was so knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the workings and stories of this impressive ship.
We are both WWII babies and it was amazing to see the technology that went into this ship a generation ago.

It is really an amazing experience to see the famous battleship USS Iowa :). The volunteers are really nice nice people and show us a lot about the history in World War II.

What a great and interesting self-tour of BB-61 with family members. I'm a Navy brat and WWII buff and this was a dream come to life to be able to wander around see a historic battle-wagon in person. We visited on a Sunday and got to spend only five hours on this first of her class museum before they closed.

It was very cool/neat to walk thru, over and under the superstructure, turrets, passageways and compartments. My family kept losing me as I would stop to read dang near every data plate on equipment, trace wires & conduits as well as push-pull or turn every knob or switch I ran across. I caused multiple backups and crowd-ins due to tight quarters but I didn't care as I was having a great time! I'll have to come back again to see all the stuff I missed or want to see again.

I'm a little sad at her overall condition but do realize she's over 80 years old and doesn't get the daily care she deserves as if she was on the active list.

Be prepared to climb a lot and watch your step on this highly recommended tour of U.S. history.

We truly enjoyed our trip to the Battleship Iowa. Spent a little over two hours touring and exploring the vessel in the areas allowed. I definitely recommend a visit to this ship. I will return for a third time.

A must-see in San Diego is the historic aircraft carrier “U.S. midway”. Every corner of its structure contains so much history, it is impossible not to enjoy it. Young children enjoy the simulators they have inside the as well as visiting the area of all planes and helicopters.

Excellent self guided tour of a heavily used ship. We were lucky enough to go on services day so there were lots of extra boats to view as well but even without that it is worth the quite high entry fee. Lots of information and helpful/knowledgeable guides.

Excellent tour, Any World War Two enthusiasts will appreciate this tour. If possible book a private tour or take the presidents or gun tours.

A fascinating and hands-on look at actual history. Not many of these behemoths were built. Incredible piece of work and such a capability. Tragic operational,end for a great ship, but so nice she’s now available for all to see and visit.

My grandson wanted to go back to see the ship so we did. Again, it is a ship. A big ship. We can walk around it, take a tour, but you have other things to do, I suggest you do that.

The history is sort of interesting. I learned it in the 4th grade. If you are not from the US, you may find it interesting.

The people are nice. The pricing is way too high.

My 12 year old son LOVED this boat and tour. the people were wonderful and helpful, and the boat is awesome.

Highly recommend touring the USS Iowa. It is a wonderful example of military history. We took the extra tour of the engineering section and gun section which I highly recommend you do. Even though it’s a long walk, it is well worth your time to relive the experiences of the crew of the Iowa. Our tour guides were very informative and helpful during the tour to make the experience pleasurable. I plan to return to take the top side experience to get another view of the ship.

We went on a weekday morning in late August and only a handful of other people were there. We were able to follow a set walking path and read the signs and items on the ship, but there were no tours or other volunteers throughout the ship due to the pandemic. My boys were still about to do the scavenger hunt though and we learned a lot. Was still a good experience!

The USS Iowa Battleship tour is a fascinating insight into the naval history of the US. Our grandchildren were as excited to tour the ship as we were.

Very interesting . The staff were very helpful. We left out NCL Cruise ship and had all day to wait for our flight home. So this was a very short walk away no need for a taxi. The staff on USS Iowa looked after our cases whilst we went round the ship. There’s a place on board where you can get something to eat and drink
Managed to get s taxi to the airport

I never recommend this general access tour for 29.90 you don’t have any access for better places they don’t let you inside for most of the places. Overpriced

The General Pass includes a self guided tour which is very worthy and interesting. It alone would be about 1 or two hours depending upon your own interest and how long you want to stop and read, etc. at each station around the ship. We added the Guided Presidential tour which provides a guide and access to additional sights on the ship. Our guide, Richard Abele (apologies if I misspelled name) was a 30+ year Navy Vet who reached the rank of Captain was a most informed and entertaining tour guide. He was assisted by Bob, another Navy Vet who I believe he said he served on the Carrier Hornet. This additional package added a little more than an hour to our day onboard Iowa, but I think it added so much more than I could have researched or read on my own in days of effort. We thank both of these men and all the staff on Iowa for a wonderful visit.

Wow!! Truly amazing! Take the Presidential tour!! Great way to spend the day and learn about history. Our tour guide Rich was outstanding!!

Our Family has now been on all 4 Iowa class battleships (Wisconsin, New Jersey, Missouri, Iowa). Each experience is unique, as each ship is unique. One thing is consistent, though, these battleships are impressive. The volunteers make the experience, and we appreciated the information and thoughtful commentary from our guide on the President's tour. We got a chance to go behind the ropes in a few sections, and it was great. If you are in the LA area, I highly recommend you take the time to visit this grand old ship. As a bonus, you get to drive through the harbor and see a modern, active seaport in operation. Also, there are plenty of restaurants within an easy drive for lunch or dinner.

Great half a day.
If you like history etc can't go wrong here. Parking next to the ship, all the volunteers are pationate, willing to chat. Some have even served on the old girl.

The visit to the Iowa was an experience to cherish, as it's place in US Naval history is very special. The ship is a great reminder of the sacrifices made by US Navy personnel in protecting our freedom and liberty. An amazing tribute to our brave and selfless members of the US military. Thank you all veterans and current members of the US Military!!

We were fascinated by the history and engineering of the ship. Didn’t expect much going in, but left blown away!

The Presidential Tour is amazing! Get access to off tour areas and insider info on FDR's trip to the Tehran conference with Churchill and Stalin. Dave, our tour guide, was incredible. He gave us so much info, was so friendly and answered all our questions (no matter how small). The tour is around 45 minutes. Plan to spend time before or after checking out the rest of the general access area.

Our 9-year-old grandson says this was the best experience ever! He is ready to come back and take a longer tour. The scavenger hunt engaged him immediately and the exhibits were very informative.

We had a great time. Two children 10 and 12, two parents and two grandparents took this wonderful self-tour. We saw much more of the ship than we had thought possible. There were volunteers on board that would answer questions. There was plenty of plaques throughout the ship to give information about the ship. By following the arrows it was very easy to take our time, look at the ship very carefully, take pictures, read and climb the levels above and below the main deck. (Narrow and steep stairs).
We took 2 hours to take the tour. We could have stayed longer, but the kids were ready to move on. We have lived in Los Angeles a very long time, and it was fun to have visit a place that was a new experience for both children and adults. Well down Battleship USS Iowa Museum!

We love a ship tour, and this one didn't disappoint. There was a friendly welcome and an easy tour to follow, with plenty of stops along the way and interesting details to take in. There's a scavenger hunt for kids and a spot for sodas/hot dogs. Decent, if a bit expensive, shop. Definitely worth two hours and a great stop if you are going to/from a cruise ship. They do have luggage storage if you need it!

While touring the USS Iowa, the words never forgotten kept coming to mind. We have lived through periods of war to live in peace, at the supreme costs of lives dedicated to freedom. May we never forget the cost of the freedom we experience today.

In terms of preserved warships I have seen this was at the bottom. Very little of ship is open to visitors on the general pass compared to what I have seen onboard other ships.

Something we've wanted to do for years, we had a fantastic guided tour on this impressive battleship, Captain Rich Abele was so informative and passionate. Wether or not you're a military buff you'll appreciate the history of this ship and the powerful presence it provided during it's service.

The experience was interesting, definitely historical. It was amazing to actually see how big the ship really was.
The staff that worked their are great, personable and knowledgeable, which made it a great even more enjoyable.
You can get great photos as well.

if you happen to be in San Pedro, California (Los Angeles Harbor), and have some time on your hands, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) Museum. The days of these great ships doing battle on the high seas and faraway lands has gone into the history books. But, you can walk the decks and the interiors of this WWII era battlewagon and almost hear the voices of the sailors who rode with her to war. It is one thing to look at pictures of these great ships, but quite another to walk the same teak decks that FDR walked upon; to view the crew quarters and mess areas; and try to get a feel for what it was like to be stationed on such a vessel in harrowing times. All the more impressive is that the ship/museum is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are veterans. Show your support, and take the tour. You will not be disappointed.

This well preserved battleship is a vivid and tangible reminder of the firepower and devastation our Navy could unleash. Her presence brought respect and caution to friends and foes. She represents the last marriage of overwhelming gunfire with the 21st century age of missiles and electronics. A must see for anyone interested in American History, American industrial might and the importance of geopolitical presence.

I visited this ship in July 2022, so take my comments accordingly. (apparently the site only allows you to list options from the past year so I had to put August 2022 to post) I love World War II history and warships, so an Iowa-class battleship is a real treat.

I visited the ship solo and walked through on my own. There was great access to the superstructure area, and the delineated walking-path from bow to stern offered detailed access. There was clear viewing from the bow of the forward 16-inch guns, a great start to the tour.

Any preserved warship should have museum areas below-deck with displays and big, detailed ship models. Iowa did, and notables including models of the Hood and the Bismarck. There were also some other great models like the Iowa and Yamato side by side. There was good access to functional rooms below decks, like kitchens, damage control, and crew quarters. As with any warship, there are lots of stairs, so plan accordingly.

The gift store was located, appropriately, near the end of the tour near the stern. At the end, you could sit out on the rear deck and get refreshments. The deck offers a good view up and down the harbor channel; a huge pink container ship sailed by while I was there.

Parking was easy and ample. The site was a short drive from a highway, so easy to get to.

I highly recommend visiting USS Iowa!

Had a great time on the engineering tour! Being a BT2 while in the Navy going down into the Boiler Room and seeing the Oil Shack was a treat for me! I got out in 1978 and the experience was well worth it. Staff was knowledgeable and answered all questions asked. Helped that I was born in IOWA

Unique opportunity to see what it was like to be a crew member on board a battlecruiser. In addition, the ship has an enormous history that is told on board through an exhibition.
Kudos to the many volunteers who contribute to keeping this monument accessible

We had private group tour of the Battleship Iowa, and it was an unforgettable experience! The knowledgeable docents provided incredible insights into the ship's rich history, making every moment fascinating.

We explored areas that we had not expected, including the command center.
Our guide was enthusiastic and answered all our questions, enhancing our understanding of naval history.
Walking through the massive battleship was awe-inspiring; the scale and detail are breathtaking.

Highly recommend a tour for history buffs and families alike!

The Hornet in Alameda is better done much more spaces open to all visitors. You should send your people too the Hornet to see how it should be done.

I loved the knowledge of the veterans on the ship. They knew everything about the ship and the helicopters on the ship. Great gift stor

We did the Mothball Fleet Escape Room. Della was our guide, she was unbelievably fun and friendly. We got to talk with one of the tour guides Adam. Super nice and knowledgeable. It was an amazing experience and encourage all to literally experience history.

I recommend that if you visit the USS Iowa that you also visit the RMS Queen Mary 15 minutes to the South. The reason is so that those who haven't been aboard a ship can see the incredible difference between a cruise ship and a naval warship. Though the design and purpose of cruise ships have changed between Queen Mary's decommissioning and now, naval ship design and purpose hasn't changed much at all. The main difference between navy ships today and navy ships of USS Iowa's era is the tech incorporated into their designs.

This was my second time visiting the Iowa and fifth time overall stepping foot aboard a U.S. Navy battleship. To visit a battleship is to visit a massive, impressive, and lethal step in naval ship engineering. The history that the Iowa, and ships like her, helped shape speaks volumes. Not only can you learn the historic events that shaped our world, but ships like the Iowa allow you to see, feel, and smell (yes smell. Navy ships have a unique smell) the very instruments that had a part to play in the outcome of said events. Also, if you have a chance to get a photo with or on the 16 inch guns of turret one I recommend it.

What a fantastic way to spend the day. We signed up for the engineering tour and the tour guides were fantastic - so engaging and being able to see and learn how a battleship operates was fascinating. It really made me appreciate the men and women who do that job. What a treat that it’s right here in California too which meant I didn’t have to travel far to experience a little bit of history. I highly recommend this experience and the hot dogs they serve at the little cafe are delicious

Nice self guided tour that did not include the engine room or inside the big gun turrets. Most of the ship is in original condition.

This is definitely a must see historical (actual) ship museum. Its like also stepping back into time and imagining, what they had see and went thru. You will not be bored at all, there was also numbers of kid(s) there with thee parent(s) or grandparent(s) or whomever they were. The awesomeness of this battleship...Wow...Its like, if it was called back into duty, its like, it would be ready to fight another battle.

For the entrance fee I would have expected more.A few more exhibits instead of photos and a lower entrance fee.But since it seems to be the only battleship on the west coast they can probably charge the price.Who like me has been to several such pawns notices the difference.

Impressive, didactically not quite as perfect as USS Midway but somehow more authentic. The guided tours have to be booked very long in advance because they are subject to very strict rules, but they are certainly worth it. As with Midway, Iowa captivates by the veterans who can tell you about many things. You can see about a tenth of the ship , so you'll be busy for a good two hours. I served on Iowa and all I can say is, Wanting to see more would be extremely exhausting because it gets very tightly warm and stuffy. So it's a good compromise. The shop is great stocked. Parking right in front, $2 an hour.

Nice to go at our own pace. Have never been on a battleship ; very interesting! Loved Vicki’s Gourmet Hotdogs! Would recommend!

I love Vicky ❤️ i loved it my favourite part is looking for vicky my second favourite part is looking at the guns 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Great tour, very informative and interesting. Would recommend to anyone interested in naval history or as a great day out.

Such an excellent tour! I’m not a big military history buff and I loved it. Our guide, Philip, was so knowledgeable and his respect and excitement for the history and craft was evident and contagious.

I recommend taking the earlier tour or bringing a water bottle you can attach to your body since you’ll need your hands for the steep stairs and it was getting hot on the ship by 11:30am.

Grateful for this eye opening experience. I’d go again.

We did the engineering tour and the regular tour. The guides were great and we got to see the engine room and the boiler room. Very interesting and unique access.

The staff of volunteers were all very knowledgeable, personable and welcoming on the Iowa. It was great to see the mural in the officers mess as my dad was a WW II pilot in SE Asia and cross-crossed the path of the Iowa.

We brought our girl scout troop to stay overnight at the USS Iowa. It was fantastic! They are so organized from the very start. As soon as you reach out to them, they provide clear information with everything you need to know and everything you need to complete. The forms and instructions were straightforward and easy. If you are a troop leader, this was easy to plan. :-) The event was just the same. Very well organized and very informative. The tour was really cool and our girls enjoyed learning all that the volunteers had to teach them. I appreciate an experience that we would normally never have if it weren't for the volunteers and staff of the USS Iowa. It was simply amazing! Oh...and our girls are 8 years old...and handled sleeping overnight at the USS Iowa just fine! THANK YOU!!!

We came and stayed overnight as part of the education program with a non-profit. The dinner situation started out rough but it all worked out in the end as a great experience and trip for everyone. Mario was in charge and definitely made it right. Although the night tour was cut short and running late. The next day on Sunday made it all worth while to see areas I have NEVER see before as this was my 3rd overnight stay with the same organization.

My wife and I took our special-needs son to see the Iowa. Really enjoyed the visit. Son is in wheelchair most of time but can walk with help. Staff very helpful and we were able to see most areas of the ship. Father was in the Navy at very end of WWII. Had been meaning to visit the Iowa for a long time. Very happy we did. It's a glimpse into different times of our history.

Very interesting if you take your time. Met a veteran who served on the USS Iowa. So glad I came today. If you are from Iowa like us you get on free.

My family and I were able to tour battleship Iowa. Great staff and very knowledgeable about the history of the Iowa and battleships. I’ve been to several, and this is another great example of preserved history.

Request and pay for a private tour with “Battleship Larry”, who served on battleships for years and has countless personal stories and can give details that you won’t otherwise get. Everyone in our group was thrilled with the tour and it was money well spent. This would be a great gift for someone who loves history. Not ideal for elderly unless they can do steep and narrow steps. Highly recommend.

The ship was very awesome sauce especially the inside. My favorite part of the whole ship was the kitchen area. It really did feel like I was in the ship as if it was still up and running,

Great tour, wish I had more time on the main self guided tour was my only regret. If you do both the engineering and gun tour, be aware that this will leave you only scraps of time from 10 to 10:30, maybe 12:30 to 1:30 (if you don't eat) and 4:15 to 5 to do the self guided tour. Regardless, it was fantastic, excellent guides, got to go in 5" and 16" turrets, it was phenomenal!

Such a great experience. Being aboard a bonafide floating historical monument, taking in the informational displays and placards throughout, my imagination was ignited in envisioning the ship in full swing operation. I was left with empathy for all those who served aboard, and feelings of humility and great pride. A national treasure.

I took my hubby here when we were on vacation as he's a fan of these things. From my perspective I liked the history. The staff are excellent and its very informative. We just did the self tour and that was fine for us, the one thing I will say is there is a lot of up and down ladder things and I am old and fat and could do it so its not bad but if you have any minor trouble getting around this will be hard I think even when they are pretty short. But overall, very informative and you even see things like the kitchen and get a sense of the job of just feeding all the sailors and you see their living quarters and such. If this is your thing its a worthwhile stop.

We took a self-guided tour of the ship. I would recommend downloading the Battleship Iowa app to your phone. At each tour stop, there is information for you to read, or you can listen to a recorded version. Keep in mind that some of the ladders are fairly steep.

We also took the President's tour which was very interesting. Dave was our guide, and he shared many interesting facts about President Roosevelt's trip aboard the Iowa.

And if you are interested, the Iowa team has some great background videos on YouTube.

We had an excellent time aboard the USS Iowa. We did the Gun Tour which was over 2.5 hours & was fabulous. So much to see! Very much enjoyed our visit. Our tour guide did an great job on the Gun Tour & was very knowledgeable about the history of the ship & the mechanics.

Beautiful experience, the ship is in very good condition and also thanks to the videos that are shown you can understand how you lived on this glorious warship

We did the overnight tour with our Cub Scout Pack and it was an incredible learning experience for our scouts. The kids got show respect by learning how to fold the flag. We ate and slept where the enlisted ate and slept. We learned a great deal about modern weaponry.

FANTASTIC. I did the self guided general tour plus the gun tour. General tour was very good. There is a lot to see. The gun tour cost extra but was super worth it. Gun tour went to several places below decks not gunny plus everything on 5 and 16 inch guns including inside turrets. Guide was superb.

What a great time we had on our visit to the Battleship Iowa. We went with a total party of 4 people. we opted for the guided tour. We booked this in advance online. Our guide David made this so much more enjoyable. It felt like we had a historian friend taking us through the ship it was incredibly interesting. Thank you David for showing us your love of this great ship and her history.

Very well done. Self guided tour was easy to follow and the placards and videos explained each area well. Highly recommend a visit.

We did the engineering tour during our visit. Definitely worth the cost…allows you access to parts of the ship (including ‘Broadway’) you can’t see otherwise. Tour guides Jim and Don were incredibly knowledgeable. We can’t thank them enough for all the info they shared. Would do again!

I wanted to visit the ship my Dad was on during WWll. It was a great experience and the tour guides were very friendly and informative.

Very impressive to be on this battleship. At the entrance a veteran received us and we learned a lot already through a short conversation. You enter another world history. Scary, sad and fascinating... the feelings are mixed by the ship's management. Absolutely worth a visit!

A great opportunity to review or teach impoortant history to younger Americans. Thank God all 4 Iowa class Battleships are now preserved. Some great docents on board, most retired Navy. plenty of information on her missions in WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. it is an eye opening experience. Remember, she was designed in the late 30's with out CAD/CAM, just guys with sliderules, protractors, pencils and God given brains.
Plan at elast 2.5- 3 hours. take the extended tour option, well worth the 10 bucks. you could easily spend 4 hours if you are into history of the US. BTW, Great exhibits from Robert Ballard in the below decks museum.

The battleship USS Iowa is preserved for all to see in Long Beach (San Pedro). It is docked right next to the cruise terminal there. She was commissioned in 1943 and was very influential in WWII. It is fascinating to see what our brave "boys" had to live in while they were fighting for our country almost 80 years ago! The informative docents on board are mostly retired Navy guys who are more than willing to give you the history involved along with a lot of personal anecdotes that they had lived. Wonderful!

My eighth grade class recently participated in the overnight field trip "Camp Battleship," and they had a wonderful time. They learned so much from the guides and they really enjoyed the whole overnight experience. We have been studying WWII and this really gave them a better sense of perspective about life onboard a battleship. I would particularly like to recognize David Demoss, Dale Chitwood,and Don Crowell for their outstanding work with the students. Thank you again and we hope to come back next year.

Overall 9.4/10

Went around 4 o’clock. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours if you want to watch all the videos. We completed the tour in about an hour. There is a lot of walking and up and downstairs. But it is really cool and totally worth the experience. If you’re an Iowa resident, it is actually free for you to enter.

Lots of history, that was enhanced by the WWII veterans who told their stories and explained what life was like onboard.

I love history hence I decide to visit USS Iowa as part of short road trip with my wife.

We took self-guided tour and would recommend to download Battleship Iowa app. Beware that that some of the ladders are fairly steep.

Take note that you be doing a lot of walking so come prepare with comfortable attire and bring extra water.

An interesting tour with a great guide. Whitouth a guide it would not have been the same thing. Our guide new what he was talking about. Thank you Ed.
- Iron Soldiers!

My 9 year-old grandsons and 7 year old granddaughter couldn't stop raving about the experience! Mr. Sloe, our guide, was informative and friendly, and kept the kids engaged throughout our tour. My grandchildren and I were enthralled with our first-hand experience with history!

The visit is really desirable. Very interesting, you can visit the whole ship! It takes about an hour to do it. Parking is available for 2 dollars/hour on site.

One of the best preserved battleship displays in the world. This is 7 of 8 for me and the presentation, detail, photos, and volunteers made this an exceptional experience.

For all those interested in military technology, this disused battleship converted into a museum is a must.
Unlike the USS Hornet in San Francisco, the signage in the ship is very well done here - it makes exploring by directional arrows in which to go easy to explore many parts of the ship.
You can estimate a good 2-3 hours as the length of stay.

We pre-booked the Presidents room tour and we were the only two participants. We received lots of information about the history of the ship and the presidential visits. Our guided was happy to answer questions about the ship and her sister ships. The Iowa and the Missouri are almost identical. The guide’s information saved us from making a trip to the Missouri in Hawaii.

Staff was very friendly and helpful. Very knowledgeable about the ship and a day in the life of crew members. The ship/museum was very well taken care of. The staff seemed to be proud of their job; they didn't treat it like a job. I highly recommend anyone going to visit.

Volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable, paid for the additional "Presidential Tour". Very interesting, our guide was great 👍

Meeting the men who served on the ship. We took the self tour and learned so much about the history of the ship and the people who served on her

Very nice experience my grandson loved it .they made it easy for kids to follow along and learn a little bit of history and the functions of each level

Similar to the USS Missouri at Pearl, but with missiles added. Tour was very interesting with videos and several guides to provide information at many points of interest on the ship. It also has a nice gift shop. Looking forward to returning when the Museum of the Surface Navy is added.

If you’re into warships or naval history, this place is an absolute must! The ship is impressive and full of fascinating details. It’s a great experience if you’ve got about an hour and a half to two hours to explore

Our Scout Troop stayed the night the night before we took a ferry out for summer camp. The tour guides tell the best stories and showed us around this historic battleship. Really neat to see how our Naval and Marine heroes lived and worked. Glad to have places like this to tour and enjoy.

+ + Parking is easy, close and cheap.

- Lots of the ship's bowels are off limits; you can see the galley/mess area, a memorabilia section and the gift shop down there, but not much else below decks. You zig-zag through the upper sections of the ship but can't even step into any of the turrets; you can stick your phone in and snap a couple but kind of a letdown.

- The docents I asked a question to did not know the answer to my question, which was fine, but one of them was a little unhinged and had to be settled down from his rant by the other one. I know they're volunteers but sheesh.

- - - The souvenir penny machine is a scam: it doesn't take quarters, so charges a dollar (if you have a dollar on you) or will let you pay by card...it charges 4 DOLLARS to pay for a penny this way. But don't worry, they provide the penny :|

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Overall, no surprise that this wasn't as interesting a tour as seeing the Missouri back in the 90s; lots more of the ship was off-limits. And I'm sure the Iowa is a lot more open to walking/viewing than the USS Texas (which cost something like 3x or 4x as much to see), but still, not a great stop. Go to the maritime museum (just down the road) instead, or better yet, go see any number of beautiful coastal attractions. You're in LA, after all!

One of the biggest battle ship in the world (Japanese Yamato is a little bit bigger but not so powerful than IOWA)! Highly recommend to visit. IOWA has a really battle experience in WW II. You may know everything about ship history, operating, life on the ship. There is available phone app where you can find some special details about each part of a tour. Wi-fi is available aboard :)

It’s nice to have the inside exhibits back open again! It is known as the Battleship of Presidents for being visited by three of them. It has a nice collection of museum exhibits that highlights the long and honored service of this ship! Check out the various guns and missiles on the deck too! It also boasts nice views of the surrounding harbor. Definitely worth a visit or more!

Do not miss! We loved seeing the battleship and the displays are very well done and interesting! We love exploring history. Also had a nice meal at Vicky’s Dog House.

Our trip to the USS Iowa was very informative. Our tour guide was knowledgable and kept the interest of my two teen boys, which is difficult to do. They said it was their favorite tour yet and we have been to all sorts of tours at different locations.

On a recent cruise stop in Los Angeles, California, we visited the Battleship Museum USS Iowa. We pre-purchased tickets online, but could have bought them onsite as others did. We also pre-loaded the “Iowa” app. Not necessary, as the self-led tour was easy to follow & there were volunteers on-board (who had served on the USS Iowa) to answer questions, but it enhanced our experience. The displays & videos were top-notch, all professionally done. We visited the gift shop on the way out & used the free wifi (best off-ship, all-trip). The only “nice to add” would be a small cafe where we could buy coffee & snacks. The battleship was a short walk (less than 1/2 mi.) from the cruise-ship. Would definitely visit again & recommend Battleship USS Iowa to others.

If you like historical military hardware, you've got to see the USS Iowa in California. The self-guided tour is very informative, with lots of information to read about the ship, its weapons, and its crew.

This ship has seen a lot. We went on Monday morning, it was pretty quiet, lots of time to explore. Appreciate the volunteers sharing their knowledge and experiences. Totally worth supporting a piece of history.

The big guns tour is worth the full price! The two tour guides on my trip were excellent in explaining the glory of Iowa's past. The walk through Iowa's corridors and main guns is unlike anything else, but do note that it will not be entirely comfortable - you will need to climb and traverse narrow spaces often.

Overall, the tour is very worth it.

Beautiful ship. You can do a self-guided tour by following the arrows. It's nice to see the ship and it's still in good condition.

Very ordinary battleship, not much open inside, basically just walk from the bottom to the top of the tower and back down again

My patriotism levels skyrocketed, and it was a good experience. I would definitely come back here again with my kids. Cya Iowa!

The ship is well presented and maintained. Lots of knowledgable volunteers. Check schedule for guided tours. Have a Vicky Dog.

It was a very exciting experience for all of us. This battleship has fought for the US for many years, yet standing proud. The Groupon discount makes us pay less which makes it more attractive.

I would definitely recommend learning about Vicky! The activity to “find Vicky” gave our journey through the ship purpose and added an extra layer of fun!

What an amazing experience to be on this floating piece of history. Before coming, I would suggest you visit the Battleship Iowa Facebook page or similar and watch some of the YouTube videos about the history of the ship. Once you step foot on here, you realize the significance of this ship in our nations history. I really appreciated the homage to the 47 soldiers killed in 1989 enter two. Something I learned while here. When you realize you’re on hollowed ground not only for its historical significance but for those sailors that were killed during the explosion in turret 2.

This is a very worthwhile experience. Enjoy yourselves, but remember those who served.

Had a great time at the USS Iowa today! The ship began its service in the middle of WWII and served through the end of the Cold War. Super interesting to see, and the experience was well executed.

My family's visit to the USS Iowa was fun and interesting for everyone. The presence of personnel who served on her and shared their experiences and knowledge of her enhanced the visit beyond what the ship herself had to offer. The food from Vicky's Doghouse was delicious and filling.

Outstanding Museum and tour, we really enjoyed our time on the Iowa. Our two tour guides were excellent and funny. Retired MR1 US Navy.

Just being able to walk aboard and browse around is awesome enough, veterans who served onboard the Iowa guide the tours and have great stories to tell.

The best part were the volunteers (some of which were veterans) providing more insights and answering questions. We spent around two hours on a self-guided tour.

Well-made exhibit all in all!

Be aware of many narrow and steep stairs you have to take up and down.

My son has been obsessed with the USS Iowa for several years and for his 13th birthday I booked a private tour with the general admission for the two of us and it was wonderful. Our guide was Retired Navy Captain and he gave a fantastic and insightful tour.
Worth the trip and the money! It was a day he’ll never forget!

It is definitely worrh a visit, the museum is a lot of information, I liked that they put arrows to better guide how you walk on this bmajestic battleship , truly an engineering marvel, both me and my husband enjoyed that you walk through many of its spaces and especially the admiral bridge . I enjoyed Vicky

It was mind blowing. The mega size of the ship was jaw dropping. What really caught my attention was the thick armor used to build the ship. I spent close to an hour and half going round the ship, they even have an app that you can use to learn about the history and about the different sections, weapons of the ship and their functions.