Battleship Iowa Museum Ticket
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Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
Flexible Tickets
USD 32
The Battleship USS Iowa is the only battleship museum on the West Coast — and it's a genuinely extraordinary experience. Known as the 'Battleship of Presidents' for hosting Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and other heads of state, this 887-foot, 45,000-ton WWII warship is now permanently docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, open year-round for self-guided exploration.
Your Standard Admission ticket gets you onto the ship, through the decks, into the officer quarters, across the massive gun turrets, and up to the navigation bridge — with the Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app adding a family-friendly layer to the whole experience. Book your Battleship Iowa tickets on Thrillark.
Your Standard Admission ticket gets you onto the ship, through the decks, into the officer quarters, across the massive gun turrets, and up to the navigation bridge — with the Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app adding a family-friendly layer to the whole experience. Book your Battleship Iowa tickets on Thrillark.
Key Highlights
- The only battleship museum on the West Coast — 887 feet of WWII naval history
- Known as the 'Battleship of Presidents' — hosted FDR's secret 1943 wartime voyage
- 16-inch gun turrets — the largest naval guns ever fitted on an American battleship
- President Roosevelt's private cabin and specially designed custom bathtub on board
- Navigation bridge, Combat Engagement Center, armored conning tower
- Crew living quarters, mess halls, medical bay — life at sea made tangible
- Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app — free family-friendly mission with your admission•
- Featured in NCIS: Los Angeles, American Warships, and other film/TV productions
About Battleship Iowa Museum Ticket
Most museums put history behind glass. At the Battleship Iowa, you're inside it. This Iowa-class battleship served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War — and exploring its 887-foot length is a genuinely immersive journey through America's 20th-century naval story.
What makes the Iowa exceptional even among battleship museums is its presidential connections. In 1943, FDR made a secret wartime voyage aboard the Iowa to meet Churchill and Stalin in Tehran. His specially fitted private cabin — including a custom porcelain bathtub designed to accommodate his disability — is still on board and open for viewing. During Ronald Reagan's military build-up in the 1980s, the Iowa was recommissioned and refitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles, adding another chapter to its storied service record.
The self-guided experience takes you across multiple decks, from the cavernous interior passageways and crew quarters to the open-air main deck with its iconic 16-inch gun turrets. The Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app — inspired by the real mascot dog who served aboard during FDR's wartime voyage — turns the visit into a family-friendly adventure. Download it before you arrive and follow Vicky through the ship. Book your tickets on Thrillark and explore one of LA's most underrated attractions.
What makes the Iowa exceptional even among battleship museums is its presidential connections. In 1943, FDR made a secret wartime voyage aboard the Iowa to meet Churchill and Stalin in Tehran. His specially fitted private cabin — including a custom porcelain bathtub designed to accommodate his disability — is still on board and open for viewing. During Ronald Reagan's military build-up in the 1980s, the Iowa was recommissioned and refitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles, adding another chapter to its storied service record.
The self-guided experience takes you across multiple decks, from the cavernous interior passageways and crew quarters to the open-air main deck with its iconic 16-inch gun turrets. The Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app — inspired by the real mascot dog who served aboard during FDR's wartime voyage — turns the visit into a family-friendly adventure. Download it before you arrive and follow Vicky through the ship. Book your tickets on Thrillark and explore one of LA's most underrated attractions.
Inclusions
- Admission to the Battleship Iowa Museum
- Audio Guide - Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish
Exclusions
- Guided speciality tours (Presidents Tour, Engineering Tour, Gun Tour) — available as upgrades
- Food and beverages
- Hotel transfers and transportation
- Parking — paid parking available near the ship
Insiders' Tips
Download the Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app before you arrive — it's free and significantly enriches the experience for families with children. Head to the main deck and the gun turrets first while energy is high. FDR's private cabin is a highlight most visitors mention specifically — don't miss it. Allow at least 2–3 hours for a thorough visit. The fantail at the stern of the ship offers some of the best views of the LA Harbor.
Additional Information
Opening Hours
Child Policy
Dress Code
Restrictions
Accessibility
- Open daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last boarding 4:00 PM)
- Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Child Policy
- Children under the age of 3 enjoy free entry
Dress Code
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
- Heels and flip-flops are not recommended due to the ship's deck surfaces and narrow passageways.
- Strollers cannot be taken aboard — baby carriers are recommended for infants.
Restrictions
- Pets are not allowed (service animals are welcome)
- No locker facility
- Outside food and drinks are not permitted
- Tripods are not allowed
Accessibility
- Limited wheelchair accessibility
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations accepted up to 24 hours before your travel date for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours or no-shows will not be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the USS Iowa called the 'Battleship of Presidents'?
The Iowa earned this nickname because it carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt on his secret wartime voyage to Tehran in 1943, and was later recommissioned by President Ronald Reagan during his 1980s naval build-up. FDR's private cabin and specially designed bathtub are still on board and accessible during your visit.
What is the Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt?
Vicky the Dog was the real mascot of the USS Iowa during FDR's 1943 voyage — a gift from President Roosevelt himself. The scavenger hunt app, available for free, lets visitors follow Vicky through the ship via a guided mission that makes the experience interactive and particularly engaging for families with children.
How long does a visit take?
Allow 2–3 hours for a self-guided visit of the main highlights. The ship is large — visitors who want to explore every accessible deck can easily spend 4+ hours.
Are guided tours available?
Yes — speciality guided tours, including the President's Tour, Engineering Tour (below decks), and Gun Tour, are available as upgrades on select days. These require advance booking and an additional fee.
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