Visiting Battleship IOWA: A Hands‑On Adventure for Families, History Fans, and Young Explorers

Docked along the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, Battleship IOWA is one of Southern California’s most engaging attractions. As the only battleship on the West Coast, IOWA offers a rare chance for the public to step aboard a floating piece of American history. The self-guided tour includes towering gun turrets, presidential stories, and a kid‑friendly scavenger hunt that turns the ship into an adventure.

Whether you’re road‑tripping through Southern California or looking for a memorable stop before a cruise, Battleship IOWA delivers a mix of education, exploration, and fun that fits perfectly with family travel. Our visit to Battleship IOWA was a pre-cruise boarding activity.

Here are a few things to help you get the most out of your visit to Battleship IOWA.

A Brief History of Battleship IOWA

Commissioned in 1943, the USS Iowa (BB‑61) served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War, earning 11 battle stars during her decades of service. She’s also known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” and has welcomed numerous American and foreign presidents, most notably President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his Atlantic crossing during WWII.

During that secret mission, Roosevelt’s closest companion was a small dog named Victory (nicknamed “Vicky”), the ship’s beloved mascot. Vicky slept at the foot of Roosevelt’s bed, roamed the passageways, and even received his own set of “orders.”

After her final decommissioning in 1990, IOWA faced an uncertain fate. For more than 20 years, the threat of the scrap yard loomed. But in 2012, she found a permanent home as a museum at Berth 87 in San Pedro.

What You’ll See on the Self‑Guided Tour

Battleship IOWA’s self‑guided “IOWA Experience” lets visitors explore at their own pace. There are interpretive signs, audio elements, and crew members stationed throughout the ship to answer questions.

When we first checked in with our tickets, the crew member said too many people rush through the tour and miss out on several things. They end up circling back through the one-way tour trying to find what they missed the first time. I encourage you to slow down, take your time, and enjoy learning about the ship by reading the signs scattered throughout.

Highlights of the self-guided tour include:

• 16‑Inch Gun Turrets. These massive guns could fire shells weighing up to 2,700 pounds. Standing beside them gives you a sense of the ship’s incredible power.
• The Captain’s Cabin & Roosevelt’s Bathtub. The only bathtub installed for a sitting U.S. president that still exists on a Navy warship is located in this area.
• Crew Quarters & Mess Areas. Peek into the tight bunks, workspaces, and daily‑life areas where thousands of sailors lived.
• The Armored Bridge. Step into the nerve center of the ship to be awed by the doors as thick as bank vaults and enjoy sweeping views of the LA Waterfront.
• Missile Decks & Cold War Upgrades. Explore how the ship evolved from WWII armament to modern missile systems.

Be prepared for steep staircases for getting up and down the decks of the ship. My wife has a slight fear of heights, so she needed to go up and down the stairs with nothing else in her hands. For your safety, I encourage you to follow the crew’s instructions and face the ladders as you descend between levels.

Every deck offers something different. History buffs get the details they crave, while kids love the hands‑on feel of climbing ladders, peeking into compartments, and exploring the ship’s maze‑like layout.

There are guided tour options as well, for an additional cost.

Lunch and Gift Options Onboard

If you’re hungry during your visit, you may be able to snag a lunch at Vicky’s Doghouse. They have gourmet hot dogs, along with wings, salads, and cold drinks. The Doghouse is open Tue-Thurs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fri-Sun from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays. Since our visit was a Monday afternoon, we weren’t able to take advantage of a delicious meal.

During your self-guided tour, one of the last stops along the tour is the gift shop. They have lots of options for people looking to bring home a little souvenir. We found patches, pins, apparel, toys, and much more.

Where’s Vicky? The Kids’ Scavenger Hunt

One of the most popular family activities on board is the Vicky the Dog Scavenger Hunt. Best part… it’s included with all general admission tickets. You’ll want to pick up the scavenger hunt card when you first arrive.

Kids follow Vicky’s pawprints throughout the ship, searching for clues, solving puzzles, and learning about life at sea. The scavenger hunt:

• Keeps kids (and some adults) engaged during the tour
• Helps them explore areas they might otherwise overlook
• Ends with a special prize designed by animator and Battleship IOWA crewmember Brent Noll (but the prizes are reserved for the kids… not the adults)

It’s simple, fun, and adds a playful layer to the experience, which is perfect for families traveling with younger explorers.

Parking at Battleship IOWA

Parking is easy and located right next to the ship along the LA Waterfront. However, it’s worth pointing out that Battleship IOWA shares the parking lot with the cruise ships. This may make it a little more challenging to find a parking spot. We didn’t have any issues finding one near the museum. Then we just kept the car there while we went on our two-night cruise to Ensenada.

• Paid parking lot directly in front of the entrance
• Short, stroller‑friendly walk to the ticket booth
• Additional waterfront parking available if the main lot fills
• Close proximity to restaurants, the promenade, and cruise terminal

Parking is free for the first hour, and then $2 for each additional hour. Because the ship sits at Berth 87, it’s also a convenient stop before or after a cruise.

The Battleship IOWA Museum blends history, adventure, and hands‑on exploration in a way that appeals to all ages. Whether you’re a military history fan or a family looking for a memorable Southern California outing, this floating museum is worth adding to your itinerary.

The Details

Address: 250 S. Harbor Blvd., Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA  90731

How long to spend: Plan on about 60-90 minutes for your tour.

Cost: General admission adult tickets (ages 12-61) are $29.95. Youth (3-11) tickets are $21.95 while seniors (62+) and military/veterans are $26.95. Children under 3 are free with accompanying adult. Other guided tours are available for additional costs.

Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Website: https://pacificbattleship.com/

Phone: (310) 971-4462

DISCLOSURE: I received two complimentary tickets to tour Battleship IOWA for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

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