Battleship USS Iowa Museum
Visit Los Angeles’ Battleship USS IOWA Museum for a fun family experience at the LA Waterfront. Battleship USS IOWA is a popular Los Angeles museum that provides a glimpse into the past through a unique experience aboard the only battleship museum on the West Coast.
Your adventure highlights life at sea for thousands of sailors over the past 70 years. Because there are numerous exhibits there are lots of opportunities for interaction. You can also follow a clever mascot dog named Victory on a popular scavenger hunt. Known as the Battleship of Presidents, USS IOWA is located at the LA Waterfront. The LA Waterfront is a former home to the US Navy Pacific Fleet and is rich in maritime history.
This famed battleship was ordered on July 1, 1939, commissioned on Feb. 22, 1943, and served our country for almost 50 years. She was designated the “World’s Greatest Naval Ship” because of her big guns, heavy armor, fast speed, longevity, and modernization flexibility. Furthermore, these features allowed her to keep pace with technology.
USS IOWA earned nine battle stars for World War II service and two for Korean War service. The ship also was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Also, the ship was a four-time recipient of the coveted Navy “E” Ribbon.
Pam Rice
03:14 19 May 22
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!read more
Kim Stuart
16:28 17 May 22
Oh wow, what a great ship to check out. I have been to three aircraft carriers in the past few years but this is the... first battleship I've toured since I was a kid on a school field trip.This does not disappoint!So much to see, lots of interactive displays in the below decks, tons of great information, and the friendliest staff and volunteers on just about any installation of this type that I have visited.It's very clear that everyone involved with the ship is incredibly proud of the program and that speaks volumes about the care and love they have for the ship.read more
Don Hartwick
02:53 13 Apr 22
A quick stop 2 hour tour of this magnificent battleship that plied the waters in service of the United States from... World War 2 to its final decommissioning in 2011 to become the floating museum it is today.The self guided tour takes you to nearly every quarter of the ship. There are other exhibits not associated with the Iowa aboard.Aside from various small bits aboard screwed down to avoid breakage by guests...the Iowa looks as though she could set sail with a hardy crew ready to helm the ship.Docents roam the deck ready with history and facts.The cost for 4 adults is a healthy $95 + change. There is of course discounts for students, seniors and veterans.Is it worth it?I say yes. The amount of history aboard alone is worth the cost of a few hours, the friendliness of the docents is more than worth the money and time.There is a gift shop at the end of the tour... The amount of goodies and curios will keep battle ship fans for another 30 minutes....read more
Lyman Dyer
01:04 12 Apr 22
USS Iowa is spectacularly maintained, with multiple below decks spaces converted to museum exhibits on the history of... naval warfare and the ship herself. The self guided tour covers the entire superstructure and multiple lower decks, with numerous informational placards and video displays. The staff are friendly and helpful. I cannot recommend visiting her enough, whether you be a naval history aficionado or a neophyte, you will have a good time and probably learn something.read more
Tyler Hodgson
00:27 03 Apr 22
It was okay, I don't know how people compare this to the USS Midway museum and say this museum is better. I was... expecting more. I read a number of reviews praising this one over the midway so I expected much more. It seemed very half finished and sparse throughout. I love to take my time when going and touring museums. There just wasn't much to read and discover. I did do a self guided tour maybe I will come back and do the professional tour.read more
Austin Miller
21:29 31 Mar 22
Self-guided tour, which I took in the morning to avoid large crowds. A very humbling and powerful testament to American... seapower. All of the gentlemen manning the Iowa whom I spoke with were very knowledgeable and passionate about her. I greatly look forward to other sections of the ship being renovated and opened up as part of the already expansive tour. Will definitely be back next time I'm in LA!read more
Mark Powers
04:08 14 Mar 22
Visited with two of my grandsons. We enjoyed our self-guided tour, watching several of the videos available and reading... the displays as we toured the ship. Iowa was the last of the four ships of her class to find a home, in this case ending up in San Pedro, California. Not far away is the SS Victory Lane, a merchant ship built during World War Two, also a museum ship. On Victory Lane one can see what it was like to live the dangerous life of a merchant seaman during WW2.read more
Alice Cook
01:38 28 Feb 22
The wait really sucks, so make sure you show up early or even better: get some tickets in advance. However, it is a... great museum and the general admission is free (hence the wait). The building itself is amazing to look at. There's a great Andy Warhol exhibition upstairs, make sure to check that out as well as the Infinity room. The place gets crowded, but it is a fun time.read more
Stan Arnold
17:04 11 Feb 22
The Iowa is history well preserved. Hosts are very friendly and knowledgeable. Self guided tour routes are well marked.... Would liked to have seen more placards describing what it was I was looking at as far as some inner rooms. Saw no mention of a medical facility. Having now seen both the Iowa and the Missouri, the Iowa has more detailed restoration. Very well done. A heart felt salute to all that served on her.read more
Gerardo R
01:46 06 Feb 22
I've been to a lot of museum ships, including Patriots Point and the Alabama. This is right up there with them. The... day I went some of the TV and music for the exhibits were down. I did sign up for the Gun tour and our tour guides Donald and Don were amazing. You could tell they loved the ship and were proud to preserve her and her legacy . This really should be a bigger attraction.read more
spike spiegel
21:30 20 Jan 22
My 1st battleship experience was breathtaking and amazing.Step aboard and explore the innards of an amazing vessel,... with a ton of decorations and historical relevancy (Roosevelt himself commanded the fleet aboard this baby). Ever since I've grown quite a new found respect and admiration for these bad boys.Definitely recommend you checking out U.S.S. North Carolina in Wilmington. NC next!read more
Zan Lee
19:00 18 Jan 22
This has to be one of my favorite military museums that I’ve ever been to and I am from San Diego. The history of the... ship is extremely well documented so I won’t go into that but meeting some former engineers and sailors who actually served on the ship when it was in duty was a true pleasure and honor. That opportunity is quickly slipping away as time goes on. Parking is easier than easy and right in front of the ship and what I like most about it is you follow a set route through the ship that leads you through the entire thing up three levels and into the bowels of the ship. I was told that you can pay for extra tours of certain areas of the ship but those require reservations and are a different fee.Overall an amazing museum and some thing every American should visit. If you’re a fan of anything to do with engineering, sailing, military, engines, combat, or history you have to come here immediately. I would not suggest it for anyone who has mobility issues though because you will have to climb many sets of narrow stairs and also I am 6’3” and had to duck my head every time I was inside because the ceilings are pretty low so it is not designed for tall people either. 5/5!read more
Eric Kincl (Hobadee)
03:32 30 Dec 21
A great piece of history to visit. The sheer firepower this behemoth wielded is simply amazing and needs to be seen to... be believed.Since we visited on a weekday we weren't able to go on a gun turret tour, which I would have loved to see. If that sounds interesting to you, you will need to visit on a weekend. (Check their website for details on when the tours are offered.)read more
James James
23:36 10 Dec 21
It was fantastic.The self tour will take you approximately one and half-hour.The paths are well marked and easy to... follow. There are steep ladders when you go between decks. Unfortunately, because of the space, there are no handicap ramps for entry to the upper or lower decks.Fortunately, there is a handicap ramp going from shore to the main deck which still has alot for someone in a wheelchair to see, experience, and enjoy.The operation on this ship is well organized and the volunteers and employees are very helpful and ready to answer your question (s).There is a lot of history on this Americana icon.So if you have any extra change laying around and do not know what to do with it, Please think about donating it to the preservation of this true American treasure and keep alive the men who served on it during war.Being from Texas and a retired Army veteran, if you have an opportunity to visit the USS Iowa, do so. You all will enjoy it just as I did.God bless all of the Armed Forces of The United States of America.read more
Dmitrij Gorbacsov
04:10 06 Dec 21
Wonderful experience! A piece of old history open to anyone to explore. Only downside is the awful odor from old paint... and other not to healthy materials used back in the old days of ship building. But still we liked it a lot to wonder about the battleship on your own time.read more
Calvin Renfrow
20:26 05 Dec 21
Now I’ve been to a number of Museum ships (USS NJ, Battleship Cove, USS Olympia, USS Salem, USS Cassin Young and a few... others) in my time and she’s in the best condition I’ve seen a museum ship. Absolutely beautiful, the personnel on board were very friendly and willing to go above and beyond to get the best experience for the guests on board. Honestly everything is great. My only issue is that out of all the ships I’ve been on it’s honestly the one that doesn’t go down that much. I only ended up going only one deck below the main deck and that was it, cutting out the engines and a lot of the machinery. Beyond that which I need to point out are pretty minor, the experience was awesome and hope to come back again sometime later.read more
Lawrence Vasquez
22:33 24 Oct 21
An amazing piece of history in Los Angeles. I attended the Freedom of the Seas celebration and was very impressed by... the staff and the condition of the ship. The deck needs some work but the ships superstructure was freshly painted and ready to go to sea. It will be a fitting and powerful host for the Museum of the Surface Navy! A must visit in LA/Long Beach!read more
Nathaniel Bronson
21:28 22 Jun 21
It was amazing. Every person greeted us politely. Whenever an employee passed by they greet us. Tell us stories and... answer any question. Everything was labeled. Was overall a great experience, and completely worth 22 dollars!!!read more
Christoph R.
08:19 12 Apr 21
Fascinating weapon. It gave insight into the complexity of such ships. Unfortunately only the uppermost decks were... accessible. I would have been interested in other decks and machinery. All together the ship is a real beauty (if you can call a weapon like that).Talked to some veterans and they had some awestrucking stories to tell.read more
Jacob Nemec
04:42 16 Feb 21
Amazing museum experience, from the companion app to the helpful and friendly tour guides any question you can think of... will be answered. Additionally climbing up and down the levels of the ship is a truly unique experience. A great time for any LA natives or tourists who are looking for something new to do. Next time family or friends come to town I will bring them here. As I’m writing during corona times I should also add that it was very safe, it’s an open air tour with plenty of hand sanitizing stations and masks worn all around. Cannot recommend enough.read more
Bret Westerman
16:58 24 Nov 20
Took my son here and had a great time. I spent 30 years in the Navy and operated with the Iowa back in 85, so it was... cool to see it. They've done a nice job restoring many areas and it was worth the money to tour ship and help preserve it through donations.read more
