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Norfolk Visitor > Things to Do > Battleship Wisconsin

USS Wisconsin Tours

The USS Wisconsin is open for tours in Norfolk, Virginia. The Battleship Wisconsin BB-64 was one of the famous Iowa-class ships. It was commissioned on April 16, 1944 and reported for duty in the Pacific.

The USS Wisconsin helped neutralize Japanese sea, air and ground forces occupying the Philippine Islands. It also supported landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Battleship Wisconsin's World War II service ended transporting troops back to the US. The Battleship later saw action in the Korean War and during Operation Desert Storm.

Now docked next to Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, the battleship is open to the public. The history of the Battleship Wisconsin is displayed inside Nauticus.

Don't miss a tour of the USS Wisconsin . The main deck and sections of two upper decks are open for you to explore on a self-guided tour. Guided tours of the engine room and command & control areas are available.

Hours of operation are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (Memorial Day to Labor Day). The rest of the year it is closed on Monday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Saturday) and noon to 5:00 PM (Sunday).

Visit the Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB 64) in Norfolk, Virginia

As you look at a battleship, you immediately sense its power. Huge guns, a sleek profile and a superstructure bristling with equipment signal that this ship means business. Battleships dominated the seas from World War I to World War II and served with distinction in the US Navy all the way through Operation Desert Storm. USS Wisconsin (BB 64), the third of four Iowa-class battleships to be built, now rests in honorable deactivated status in Norfolk, Virginia , as part of the Nauticus ​museum complex.

History of the Battleship USS Wisconsin

The battleship USS Wisconsin was commissioned in 1944, three years after her keel was laid in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . USS Wisconsin supported operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II , earning five battle stars. The battleship was decommissioned in 1948. "Wisky" was brought back to life in 1951 to serve in the Korean War , earning another battle star during that conflict. Decommissioned in 1958, USS Wisconsin spent almost 30 years in mothballs before being refitted and recommissioned in 1988. USS Wisconsin served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, maintaining a significant presence in the Persian Gulf, providing critical support to the forces dedicated to liberating Kuwait and earning a Navy Unit Commendation. The mighty battleship proved too expensive to maintain in the face of post-Gulf War budget cuts, and USS Wisconsin was decommissioned once again in 1991.

After spending several years in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the battleship moved to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1996 and to Nauticus shortly thereafter, thanks in large part to the veterans who served on board and the people who developed the concept of a world-class maritime museum in Norfolk. "Wisky" is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the city of Norfolk, Virginia. 

Touring the Battleship USS Wisconsin at Nauticus

To see the battleship, you'll need to head to Nauticus on Waterside Drive in Norfolk, Virginia. This maritime museum includes hands-on exhibits covering the period from the late 1800's to the present day. You can design a ship, help uncover the remains of the Civil War-era USS Monitor with a robot arm and get acquainted with the sea creatures of the Hampton Roads area. Special exhibits focusing on maritime themes and battleships add to the Nauticus experience.

You can take a self-guided tour of two levels of the ship, including the main deck, officers' wardroom, galley, mess deck, chapel and sailors' berthing. Docents are available to answer any questions you might have about the battleship.

If you want to see the ship's bridges, the Captain's stateroom, Admiral's stateroom and Combat Engagement Center, you will need to buy a Gold ticket, which includes a guided tour of these spaces. Your tour will take you up and down ladders (narrow metal stairways) and into cramped areas of the ship; there is no elevator. If you are physically able to take this tour, you will find it quite interesting, as you will be seeing the places where combat decisions were made during the heat of battle.

Special guided tours, which cost extra, are offered three times daily. One of these tours takes you to the spaces included in the Gold ticket. The other takes you to the engine room.

USS Wisconsin's massive superstructure and 16-inch guns, which fired shells weighing 2,700 pounds each, dominate the main deck. The gun turrets could rotate so that all nine guns could fire a full broadside, with a range of up to 23 nautical miles.

As you stand on this meticulously-maintained teak deck, you'll begin to realize that this 887-foot ship was home to nearly two thousand sailors, all trained to work together to achieve a common goal. Sometimes away from home for months at a time, the sailors had "steel beach picnics" on the main deck's helicopter landing area, competed in athletic contests against other ships' crews and drilled, prepared and practiced for engagement with hostile forces. Today, officers and sailors who served aboard Wisky hold reunions in Norfolk every two years so they can share memories, swap sea stories and see their beloved battleship once again.

Tips for Visiting Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin

• Limited handicapped parking is available; call ahead for information. All other visitors will need to park in one of the public (pay) garages near the Nauticus complex. Tip: If a cruise ship is in port, no handicapped parking will be available.
• The museum is wheelchair-accessible, as is the main deck of USS Wisconsin. There are two elevators with second and third floor access.
• The Ship Experience Access Room (SEAR) was developed for visitors that want to experience the Battleship, but are unable to physically take the tour.
• The museum has a few wheelchairs available for visitor use on a first-come, first-served basis. Assisted listening devices are also available.
• Nauticus' Dockside Café serves burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads and Caribbean bowls. It is temporarily closed for renovations.
• The museum's Banana Pier Gift Shop sells souvenirs, books, apparel, toys and more.

Nauticus Address and Contact Information

One Waterside Drive

Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 664-1000

Nauticus' Battleship Wisconsin Website

Nauticus is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may be limited on other holidays. Call the museum for more information.

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Tickets & prices Uss Wisconsin Bb-64

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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Uss Wisconsin Bb-64 in Norfolk

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Uss Wisconsin Bb-64 in Norfolk . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Uss Wisconsin Bb-64 here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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You Can Tour An Authentic WWII Battleship, USS Wisconsin, In Norfolk, Virginia

A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.

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Did you realize that one of the largest battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy is located right here in Virginia? The Battleship Wisconsin, also known as the USS Wisconsin BB-64, is located in Norfolk as part of the maritime and science center known as Nauticus. Visit today and you’ll experience the ship’s history in World War II and the Gulf War. Visitors of all ages will find a tour of this battleship to be an unforgettable experience.

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Curious to learn more about the Battleship Wisconsin? You can visit the official website by clicking here . Have you ever visited this historic landmark before? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience!

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The Norfolk Harbor cruise aboard the Victory Rover is your front row seat to the naval fleet! See destroyers, submarines, and other vessels while taking in the sights of the harbor.

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The Victory Rover has cruised from Nauticus, Home of the Battleship Wisconsin, on the Downtown Norfolk waterfront since 2001. Guests enjoy plenty of comfortable seating, an air-conditioned enclosed deck, an open-air shaded upper deck, snack bar, and souvenir shop our our naval base cruise . Our Captain’s expert commentary is a big reason we are the #1 tour in Norfolk on TripAdvisor.

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An old Navy friend visited me and we decided to take this cruise.it was a great decision. The guide was unbelievably knowledgable, not only of the area but about all the ships we passed by as well. The surprising part for me was the fact that, even though I have lived here for many years, I was amazed by how much I learned about our area. I would recommend it to residents of this area and visitors alike.

I had been on one of their cruises two years ago so when I found out that they would be open on my next trip to Norfolk I booked a cruise. The cruise was excellent like before, the captain is knowledgable and does a good job of pointing out everything you see and some of the history of the area. I had no health concerns as the boat was clean and common touch areas were cleaned during the cruise. I highly recommend this cruise.

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The tour was information and entertainment nonstop from boarding to disembarking. As we traveled through the harbor the captain told us about history, ship building, commerce, and more about the US Naval fleet than I can describe. Clearly, the captain has a deep and comprehensive knowledge and is not reading from a script. Worth every penny.

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Victory Rover and Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket

The “Combo Ticket” offers discounted admission for both adults and children for Nauticus Museum, Battleship Wisconsin, and Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise. 

All admission tickets must be used on the same day. Select the “Book Your Cruise” button, select cruise dates, and the next pop-up window rates for adult and children packages will appear. Blackout dates and cruises can apply.

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Battleship Overnights

Come spend the night on the historic battleship Wisconsin ! Enjoy informal conversations with enlisted Navy volunteers and retired naval officers. Hear personal stories, ask questions, and see areas of the ship not open to the general public.

Visiting the area on a family vacation or are you local looking for something unique and fun to do with the kids? Stay aboard the historic battleship for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Explore areas of the ship not open to the public with naval experts, then sleep in the original berthing! See how our military lived and fought for our great country!

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and close the evening with activities and a movie. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom.

*We must have a minimum of 6 campers (1 family or group together) to proceed with the Family/Adult Overnight, and a maximum of 24 campers total for the evening. Children must be 4 years and up and always supervised. The Battleship is not baby-proof in any way. Dates depend on Battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

Do you have a youth group looking for something unique and fun to do? Enjoy a tour of the ship with enlisted Navy volunteers and retired Navy Officers. Hear personal stories, ask questions, and see areas of the ship not open to the public. Your group will have a team building activity geared for all ages and close the night with a movie.

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and close the evening with activities and a movie. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom. Your group will also receive free admission to Nauticus and the battleship the day of your Overnight.

*We must have a minimum of 25 campers and a maximum of 140 campers total for the evening. *Children must be 5 years and up and always supervised. *Dates depend on Battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

Are you a local or out-of-town business looking for something unique and fun with teambuilding exercises? Book your corporate retreat aboard the battleship!

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and a teambuilding activity. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom.

Add on: Dinner in the Officer’s Wardroom (dining room), alcohol may also be requested in advance. A/V equipment available upon request.

* We must have a minimum of 25 campers and a maximum of 140 campers total for the evening. *Children must be 5 years and up and always supervised. *Dates depend on battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

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