Battleship USS Iowa Museum

The USS Iowa was launched in 1942, during World War II, and saw action in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. She also carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to vital talks with other Allied leaders in Tehran, and visitors will be able to see the special bathtub fitted in the President’s quarters for the journey. The USS Iowa was on active duty until 2006, with service in the Korean War, and participated in NATO exercises during the Cold War. The ship also hosted President Ronald Regan in 1986 and President George H.W. Bush in 1989, giving her the nickname The Battleship of Presidents. Visitors can learn all about her history and the daily lives of the crew members who served on her through exhibits on 5 levels and 3 decks.

The Full Steam Ahead tour costs $59.95, takes two hours and gets deep into the ship’s history and daily life on a ship in active service. Tours are led by staff or volunteers, several of whom served in the Navy, and some even served on the USS Iowa! The tour has a limited number of spaces, and it isn’t recommended for children under the age of 10. For those who really want to get the VIP experience, The Big Stick Experience costs $2,500 for up to 6 participants, takes 5 hours, includes lunch, special parking spots, a commemorative hat, and access to areas that may never be open to the public.

The Big Stick is one of the USS Iowa’s nicknames, derived from a quote attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt in 1900: 'speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far'. As the first in an impressive new class of battleship, the USS Iowa was considered the Big Stick of US foreign policy in the 1940s and 50s. It’s not the only ship in the US Navy to have the name, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (still in active service) is also nicknamed The Big Stick.

Children can enjoy a 30-minute special tour, led by the ship’s dog Vicky. The museum is designed to be an authentic experience, so the original low ceilings, hatches, ladders, and any uneven flooring have been retained throughout. As a result, strollers are restricted to the main deck exterior area. It’s recommended that very young children be carried in a front carrier, and adults are not allowed to carry children up or down the stairs and ladders without a carrier.

The self-guided tour takes about two hours, but if you stop and speak to the volunteers for more information and their own stories you can spend up to three hours on board.