Guided Tours

Battleship IOWA Guided Gun Tour and Self-Guided Experience

Name: Battleship IOWA Guided Gun Tour and Self-Guided Experience
Start: 2026-08-02T13:30:00
End: 2026-08-02T17:30:00
Location: South Harbor Boulevard 250

Duration

4 hrs

Guided tour

Includes a guided tour led by crew and a self-guided exploration of Battleship IOWA, with entry and onboard WIFI covered.
Step inside a real 16-inch gun turret—one of the most powerful naval gun systems ever built.
Explore five decks packed with interactive exhibits, a scavenger hunt, and rarely seen behind-the-scenes spaces.
Hear firsthand stories from a current crew member, bringing the ship’s WWII and Cold War legacy to life.
Get up close to the 5-inch gun house, handling room, magazine, and aft battery plot for a true insider’s view.

Exclusive access inside 16-inch gun turret
Guided Gun Tour (2.5 hours)
Self-Guided IOWA Experience (2 hours)
Entry/admission fee
WIFI

Parking fees
Food and drinks

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

The IOWA Experience + Crew-Led “Big Guns” Tour
Approx. 4.5-hour experience • Ages 10+ • Advance purchase required
Step into the boots of a battleship sailor in this exclusive behind-the-scenes journey aboard Battleship IOWA. Start with the IOWA Experience, a self-guided tour across five decks that showcases the ship’s presidential legacy, interactive exhibits, sailor stories, and a fun scavenger hunt led by Vicky the Dog.
NOTE: Please arrive earlier in the day to complete the self-guided IOWA Experience before your crew-led “Big Guns” Tour at 1:30 PM.
Then, go deeper with a 2.5-hour crew-led tour into rarely seen spaces—areas of the ship that powered her dominance during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Descend through hatches and climb through passageways as you explore:
The 5-inch gun house, where sailors loaded live rounds into dual-purpose naval guns
The 5-inch gun upper handling room, where ammunition was received from below
The 5-inch magazine, where hundreds of rounds were carefully stored
The aft battery plot, the critical fire control center used to aim and fire both the 5-inch and 16-inch guns
And the highlight: a walk inside one of the ship’s massive 16-inch gun turrets—among the most powerful naval gun systems still in existence today
Along the way, hear stories of courage, innovation, and daily life aboard from a member of our current crew who helps preserve this legendary ship.
Due to the physically demanding nature of this tour and access to confined spaces, it is limited to guests aged 10+ and not recommended for those with mobility limitations. Closed-toe shoes required.
Tour offered on Saturdays and Sundays only. Spaces are limited and advance reservation is required.
⚠️ Important Details
Closed-toe shoes required.
This experience is physically demanding and involves ladders, tight spaces, and grated decks.
Not recommended for guests under 10 or those with mobility limitations.
Offered on select days. Advance reservations are required due to limited space.

What to bring

Closed-toe shoes are required due to ladders and grated decking.

What's not allowed

Drones and automated photographic devices are not allowed; commercial photography requires prior consent.

Food and drinks are not permitted inside the experience.

Parking fees are not included and must be paid separately.

Accessibility

The tour is physically demanding and involves ladders, tight spaces, and standing for prolonged periods.

This experience is not recommended for guests under 10 years old or those with mobility limitations.

Additional information

Advance reservations are required as spaces are limited.

The tour is offered on Saturdays and Sundays only.

It is recommended to arrive earlier in the day to complete the self-guided tour before the guided tour begins at 1:30pm.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.