USS Wisconsin BB-64 image

USS Wisconsin BB-64

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Maritime museum

One of the Best Places To Visits in Norfolk


Address

1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

Website

nauticus.org

Contact

(757) 664-1000

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (5.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: ship (45) history (25) museum (20) tour (18) great (15) time (14) amazing (12) experience (11) visit (10) guided (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Corina M. 5 months ago on Google • 1238 reviews
    What a great experience for all ages. You visit the WWII Battleship after touring the naval history museum. There's a kid section in the museum that is informative and educational. They offer a guided tour (additional fee) or just walk the ship on your own. Cost of entrance to museum and battleship: $17.95/adult plus tax is $19.25. They did a wonderful job preserving this piece of history and documentation. They describe the ship and life aboard it quite accurately. Wear comfortable foot wear as the ship is huge and lots of walking. I highly recommend this visit as it details a part of the US military history!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Derek M. 1 year ago on Google
    This ship holds so many secrets. I am a lead investigator for Haunted Nights Paranormal Events and we booked a private paranormal investigation for the night. Had a sold out crowd and everyone had a blast. The curators were very informative about the history of the ship and showing us all of the history that took place on that ship. Little needs to be said that there was great paranormal activity and can't wait to go back. Thanks to the staff for keeping a beautiful ship beautiful.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Toolee M. 2 years ago on Google
    This museum is a good place to learn about various navy technologies. I enjoyed walking through the naval ship. You can buy a ticket prior to coming. One of my main complaints is the parking. You have to find your own parking spot. If you decide to come during the weekdays, you will have to pay the parking meter. You can have your pictures taken, and pay about $30 for one picture. Overall, I had a fun time learning a little more about the navy thanks to this museum.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 atina t. 1 year ago on Google
    A very informative self tour through a once operational battery ship. The teenagers loved it! There was a great indoor science center as well for young and old. Heads up: Getting down to the different levels isn't possible from what I saw if you are handicapped, too young, or unable to climb up and down steep ladders.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zachary W. 2 years ago on Google
    A fantastic experience - both the museum and the ship. Our volunteer tour guide (an army artillery captain) put on a great show and was extremely knowledgeable. After our tour because he saw my extreme interest he continued around the ship with me explaining various additional things beyond the tour and telling some wonderful stories. Strongly recommend to visitors of all ages.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shawn S. 9 months ago on Google
    If your a history Buff this is a must see while in Norfolk!! We did not do the guided tours this time but we did see the entire ship minus the pilot house and a lower deck! It is an amazing experience and well worth the price of admission. No guided you can spend all day here! We spent about 4 hours taking it all in. It was a workout for sure, lots of places to climb down to or up to! Take your time and enjoy the experience! Thinking 18-25 yr olds ram this ship is completely amazing! The greatest generation for sure, it really is a great experience! I hope you enjoy my many photos. The galley and mess hall was great, officers area was neat to see as well !
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brad H. 1 year ago on Google
    This was such an awesome experience! I’ve never been on a WWII Battleship before. The experience is two parts - naval history museum and the battleship. You can do guided tours or just walk the ship on your own. They’ve done a great job preserving this piece of history as well as describing the ship and life aboard it. I highly recommend this. Plus it’s a very affordable experience. All in all an excellent piece of military history!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Niera J. 2 months ago on Google • 140 reviews New
    Battleship that didn't sink and became a museum! We look through the ship first before heading over the museum to learn more of its history and all the other ships that used to roam the world. Always amazed me how people used to practically live in these things and operated them.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Redfalcong 2 years ago on Google
    Incredible museum. Came here through a scout trip and we slept in a building full of barracks, watched spiderman:nwh, bowled, played mini golf, and traversed inside and out of the most iconic battleships in history. All of this while staying in the largest military(might be navy, I'm not sure right now) base in the world, practically a whole city composed of military/navy/air force personnel. I loved learning about and exploring the USS. Wisconsin and about its cool history. If you EVER get the chance to go there, do not miss out on it, as you also get to drive by 20 or so more battleships and even an aircraft carrier at the docking base.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joaquin “EL JUACO” R. 2 years ago on Google
    I loved it. The history, the opportunity to be able to get up close, be able to see the different areas of the ship, and the volunteers! Many of them are retired military and have so much knowledge! I missed out this time but I'm definitely getting the guided tour! Can't wait to come back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 paul m. 4 months ago on Google • 155 reviews
    It was an amazing Christmas light display while also getting to be up close with some very cool history. This was tastefully done with some many beautiful lights and sections set up. Getting to go below deck was especially cool to see, especially with the Christmas theme carried out there as well. The train display was nice to see as well. A very good visit, especially with the family.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Phil Russell R. 4 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    There’s easy parking which is not too expensive across the road from the museum. Staff are friendly and the exhibits in the museum are very informative. The actual ship is an education in itself the history of USS Wisconsin from World War II to the modern day conflicts that It found itself in. how shipboard life was able and is very real once you go below decks you realise how cramped and confusing it is, also what an amazing piece of engineering that wasn’t designed on a computer rather with a slide rule!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Warren E. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a very informative attraction and display. I like the fact that they have tour guides to take you around and describe the workings of the boat. Behind the scenes is definitely the way to go and don't forget to go inside the gun to it. Never living on a ship this gives you a good perspective how daily life was.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jake 1 month ago on Google • 10 reviews New
    Well worth a visit for people of all ages. A large amount of the ship is open to explore at your own pace. As well as several exhibits throughout the museum building covering local and maritime history of America.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aaron A. 7 months ago on Google
    This was absolutely AMAZING!! As an Army veteran myself, I loved it! I did this tour with my wife. It is self guided, but a pay tour is available. We spent 3 hours touring every nook and crany of this vessel. The history of it is so much more than I imagined. This is a must see exhibit! Come early as this does take a while to tour completely, as there is an inside museum as well. We will definitely visit again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Francisco C. 10 months ago on Google
    What an amazing place to admire and honor the history of this majestic battleship! Once you walk inside its narrow corridors, you can smell the history that it carries within. The view from the proa and the sides are amazing. The size of the weapons is impressive. The museum also has areas for children to entertain themselves and to learn at the same time. If you are in Norfolk, this is a must for you.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Migz M. 2 years ago on Google
    I have been to many battleships ...all I have given 5 stars...so why I'm I giving this one 4? Here's why...I couldn't see it!!....hum....You have to pay extra on top of the entrance fee to see it!! Really? It's a beautiful ship, but NO American should be charged extra to see this majestic ship!!! This is a historic master piece and everyone should be able to see it....Im ok with the fee and all that ...I get it...but why should I have to pay extra to see the bridge...or the magazines..turrets or the crews quarters... you have to be part of the tour to see the inside and for that you have to pay EXTRA!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 bill a. 2 years ago on Google
    If you have never had the opportunity to visit an old WW2 era vessel this is a good one to start with. Very nicely maintained. Only problem would be the numerous ladders you need to climb up and down to see the various parts of the ship. The attached museum is a good one too.There are many veterans that work at the attraction to provide great history and information.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris H. 1 year ago on Google
    Only the outside and top two floors inside of the Wisconsin are open for tour at this time. However, that's enough to keep you busy. The battleship is a majestic ship, yet under its skin it is a weapon of mass destruction. The museum was very nice and I appreciated the fact I wasn't rushed out of the gift shop at closing. I recommend you wear good walking shoes!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dennis s. 1 year ago on Google
    You can tour above decks of this beautiful and massive ship as well as some of the spaces below for free, but it's well worth the extra money to take one of the guided tours. One goes to the Combat control areas and inside the Captain and admiral cabins, and the other takes you into the bowels of the ship to see the engineering spaces. We took the Combat control tour and our guide was informative and funny. He took the time to explain things in lay terms that everyone understood and gave everyone time to ask questions about anything. We saw the Combat Center with much of the original equipment from the Gulf War still there, and heard a tape of a scenario of the ship under attack and what they did to defend themselves. The ship is in great shape but you do have to be mobile enough to climb many steep stairs ladders) and step over thresholds.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Al M. 4 months ago on Google • 68 reviews
    The second year going and it got even better. Absolutely beautiful. They allow you into more of the lower deck which makes the event so much more interesting. They should consider offering tours of the ship’s interior all year round.

  • 5/5 J B. 2 months ago on Google • 44 reviews New
    In the are for a hockey tournament and decided to spend time seeing new things. My family and our friends enjoyed exploring the USS Wisconsin. Even told other families who went to visit the next day and enjoyed it just as much!

  • 5/5 Ilyas D. 2 months ago on Google • 30 reviews New
    Mind-blowing landmark. I was really pleased to hear the history of the ship as a part of the guided tour from the retired navy captain Jim. You can go around the ship and see how it was to be a seamen back in the days. Some free parking space with a time limit of 2 hours is available across the street, but they recommend to park in the garage.

  • 5/5 Jarrett L. 2 years ago on Google
    Kind of pricy per person but definitely worth it, especially only having 45mins to explore the ship. We had well than enough time to explore and take great pictures. Highly recommended for tourists. Great history lesson!

  • 4/5 Etienne B. 1 year ago on Google
    The spaces are well explained and interpreted and you're free to roam around. However additional paid tours are needed to visit the navigation tower and the engine rooms. The ship is beautiful from the dock at sunset. There's also a good view from the parking garage across the street.

  • 5/5 Tammy L. 2 years ago on Google
    So amazing! Its one thing to read and learn about this ship; but to be on it and imagine men working and living on this ship was a totally different experience! Great price and we were able to leave and come back same day. Employees were always cleaning and wearing masks. Hand sanitizer provided throughout the ship and museum.

  • 5/5 R R. 1 year ago on Google
    We decided to go to the ship on a whim on a Friday in December. The ship was super interesting. You can go two decks below, and see really cool stuff like sailors quarters, the kitchen, the med bay, the mess hall, all the cool stuff. The self-guided tour has plaques and short films to help you along and explain the history. It was a really cool way to spend a few hours

  • 5/5 Katie D. 8 months ago on Google
    My family and I loved exploring this ship and we highly recommend your family checks it out too! It is such a great learning experience for kids. Definitely visit the museum as well. Expect to spend most of the day here if you want to see everything.

  • 5/5 Phoenix H. 4 months ago on Google
    Winterfest on the Wisconsin was a blast! The decorations were well done. The walking paths were clear and there was plenty of space to walk around people as needed in most situations. We ordered tickets online and I would recommend that, as other guests trying to enter at the same time were told they were sold out. The interior was staffed with an animatronic elf crew for a festive touch. The battleship itself is very cool, but if you've seen the inside of a ship before you will find it very similar to others. The pictures with Santa were $50 which I feel is over the tip as Santa was volunteering. The "Christmas tree lighting with Santa" was anticlimactic the time we saw it, as Santa was held up with lap-sittin kids in the aforementioned pictures, so they turned it on without him in a quick swirl of lights and nothing else. The tree was still gorgeous, it just wasn't a good "event" I would recommend visiting the the ship during winterfest as the lights were amazing and magical

  • 4/5 Gary M. 4 months ago on Google
    Unique display to see Christmas lights on a former ship of war. Sort of like stuffing the mouth of a cannon with flowers. Display approachable regardless of the time of day.

  • 5/5 Kawaii K. 2 years ago on Google
    Went for the winter festival ~ lights were amazing. It was great seeing the battleship all dressed up for the holidays. The grinch was such a character (kudos) to the actor!

  • 5/5 Michelle D. 3 months ago on Google New
    Fantastic Christmas lights, shows and overall atmosphere. Lived going below deck to see historical setups in the sleeping berths, captain's quarters, etc. Animatronic elves were great too.

  • 5/5 Carolyn M. 2 months ago on Google New
    I’ve been there before for normal durations and the museum is great with lots of history to learn. The holiday lights for Winterfest are an amazing twist and a delight to see.

  • 5/5 M R. 1 year ago on Google
    What an amazing monument to the last of the Iowa class battleships. The Wisconsin has been excellently preserved and our tour guide had great insight into the ship’s history and some of the lesser know facts. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about our group’s visit. Keith, the operations manager, gave an amazing tour and was also on USS Wisconsin crew.

  • 5/5 Tristan D. 1 year ago on Google
    This was an awesome experience, to be on the same decks and in the same quarters that sailors were on in WW2, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. Everything was really well preserved and there was tons of information about the ship. You get a real sense for what life was like on there. The scale of everything on the ship is so impressive and mind bending and it is well worth the admission price. Very well done.


Call (757) 664-1000 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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