Experiences

Presidents Tour

Step into the world famous USS IOWA Captain’s Cabin and be transported back to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic trip across the Atlantic on board the IOWA in 1943. This top secret mission was contrived to transport FDR across the Atlantic to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet General Secretary Stalin at the Tehran Conference.

This fully guided 45-minute experience will delve into FDR’s mission and tell the stories of his most trusted advisers and military leaders who accompanied him on that trip. You will learn about a close call involving an escort ship providing protection duties for the IOWA that could have changed the course of WWII, the modifications to IOWA required to accommodate FDR’s comfort and mobility, and actually see the bathtub built for the President that remains to this day as a commemoration of his time aboard.

We’ll also share details from visits by other U.S. Presidents who have been aboard:

• Ronald W. Reagan
• George H.W. Bush
• Donald J. Trump
• Joseph R. Biden

This tour must be booked in advance. Available on the half hour between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Tickets – $15 per person.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR:
1) Purchase General Access Pass in step 1.
2) After purchase, you will be given the option to add on a special tour. Choose “Presidents Tour.”

Guided Tour

For those wanting a more personalized tour experience while visiting the Battleship IOWA, we offer private guided tours. To book a private tour, all members of your group must first purchase the self-guided General Access Pass.

This exclusive add-on option takes you deeper into the story of the Battleship IOWA – from her initial active duty days in 1943 all the way up to her third decommissioning in October 1990. You will hear stories of the courage and service of those who served on board this iconic ship while being escorted by a member of today’s crew that is dedicated to preserving her for future generations.

Due to the limited number of reserved Private Guided Tours available each day you must book and reserve your tour time at least two days prior to your planned arrival date. We are able to customize this tour to accommodate a wheelchair accessible route.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR:
1) Purchase General Access Pass in Step 1.
2) After purchase, you will be given the option to add on a special tour. Choose “Guided Tour.”

Private guided tours are available daily at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 2:30 PM. Tickets are $75 for up to ten (10) guests.

Gun Tour

It’s time to bring out the BIG GUNS! We’ve opened one of our main turrets for guided behind-the-scenes tours… but the turret isn’t all you’ll see.

We’ll take you on an epic behind-the-scenes journey that weaves through levels of this historic Navy ship never before opened to the public – down hatches, up ladders, into the lives of battleship sailors throughout history, culminating in an awe-inspiring view of the mechanical marvel at the heart of our battleship: the 16-inch guns.

This tour is available Saturdays and Sundays from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, and on Wednesdays with at least two weeks’ advanced notice. Due to the limited number of Gun Tours available, tour times must be reserved prior to your planned arrival date.

Tickets are $50 per person, ages 10 and up, and are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date or time.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR:
1) Purchase General Access Pass in Step 1.
2) After purchase, you will be given the option to add on a special tour. Choose “Gun Tour.”

Engineering Tour

Explore the depths of of the most innovative warship of WWII and see the areas below deck that keep the ship moving.

During your guided tour you will see first-hand and hear stories about the anchor windless room, an engine room, a boiler room, after-steering, and several support facilities (like the oil and water testing lab). You will enjoy exclusive access to passageways that have been transited by thousands of sailors during both peace and wartime service, but off-limits to the general public since the ship went into commission in 1943.

Due to the confined spaces along this tour, it is limited in group size and availability. Guests are required to wear closed-toe footwear to traverse ladders and grated decking safely. The guest must be able to negotiate the ladders that will take them up and down to these unique spaces on board. This museum tour is not recommended for children under the age of 10 or those with physical conditions that may impair their ability to negotiate the stairs or stand for prolonged periods of time.

This tour is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and on Wednesdays with at least two weeks’ advanced notice. Due to the limited number of Gun Tours available, tour times must be reserved prior to your planned arrival date.

Tickets are $50 per person, ages 10 and up, and are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date or time.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR:
1) Purchase General Access Pass in Step 1.
2) After purchase, you will be given the option to add on a special tour. Choose “Engineering Tour.”