Uss Wisconsin

USS Wisconsin BB-64: Complete Visitor Guide, Hours, Tickets, and Historical Highlights (Norfolk, VA)

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The USS Wisconsin (BB-64), berthed at the Nauticus Maritime Center in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, stands as a powerful symbol of American naval heritage and technological innovation. As one of the last and largest Iowa-class battleships constructed by the United States Navy, the “Big Wisky” offers visitors an immersive journey through pivotal moments in 20th-century history, spanning World War II, the Korean War, and Operation Desert Storm.

Today, the USS Wisconsin serves as a museum ship, featuring hands-on exhibits, guided tours, and educational programs for all ages. Its location places it at the heart of Norfolk’s cultural waterfront, alongside attractions like the Nauticus Maritime Museum and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. This guide provides a comprehensive overview, including historical context, practical visitor information, insider tips, and resources for an unforgettable experience aboard this legendary battleship.

For current visiting hours, ticket prices, and event updates, consult the official Nauticus website (Nauticus Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus.org), and see Visit Norfolk for local insights.

Tug boats assisting battleship USS Wisconsin BB 64 out to sea before sea trials on 8/30/1988

USS Wisconsin battleship firing 16-inch guns during firepower demonstration in Gulf of Mexico

USS Wisconsin battleship firing 5-inch/38-caliber gun at Iraqi shore target during Operation Desert Storm 1991

USS Wisconsin battleship firing 16-inch guns during Operation Desert Storm

USS Wisconsin battleship firing 16-inch gun during Operation Desert Storm 1991

View from bow stem of USS Wisconsin looking aft at 16-inch gun turrets and superstructure with USS Intrepid and USS Iowa in mothball fleet at Philadelphia

Close-up view of 15-inch/50 caliber gun on USS Wisconsin (BB 64) with USS Iowa (BB 61) visible in background both battleships in mothball fleet

View from portside bridge area of USS Wisconsin showing starboard amidships of USS Iowa with mounted 5-inch/38 caliber guns in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

USS Wisconsin BB 64 battleship under construction at Philadelphia Navy Yard January 1944

USS Wisconsin battleship under construction at Philadelphia Navy Yard in January 1944

USS Wisconsin BB-64 launching drone from catapult in 1945 US Navy photo

USS Wisconsin BB-64 crew checking control surface of drone before takeoff

USS Buck DD-761, USS Wisconsin BB-64, and USS Saint Paul CA-73 steaming in close formation off Korean coast on 22 February 1952

USS Wisconsin BB-64 battleship at anchor on May 30, 1944 during Atlantic shakedown

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) battleship underway with other warships in the western Pacific during World War II

Band concert under the after 16-inch guns of battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) at sea with Pacific Fleet, circa 1945

A BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack missile launching from USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Storm

Pioneer remotely piloted vehicle being recovered in a net near the stern of battleship USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Shield

A bow view of the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) leading the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LPH-10) and other vessels on patrol in the Gulf of Oman

Bow view of battleship USS Wisconsin with Mark 7 16-inch-50-caliber guns trained to port before fire power demonstration Gulf of Mexico

Close-up view of Mark 7 16-inch 50-caliber guns on the battleship USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Storm with a British BAe Nimrod aircraft flying overhead

Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) with UH-1N Iroquois helicopter hovering overhead in the Atlantic Ocean

A port view of the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) underway during Operation Desert Shield

Projectile being fired from Mark 7 16-inch-50-caliber gun at No. 2 turret on battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64 during gunnery exercises in Operation Desert Shield

Two Mark 7 16-inch-50-caliber gun turrets and superstructure aboard battleship USS Wisconsin during decommissioning ceremony

Wounded Republic of Korea soldier transferred by highline at sea from USS St. Paul to USS Wisconsin during Korean War

U.S. Navy Iowa-class battleships USS Iowa, USS Wisconsin, USS Missouri, USS New Jersey in line abreast formation, Virginia Capes 1954

Four Iowa-class battleships in line abreast formation on the sea, 1954

Aerial starboard side view of the Iowa class battleship Wisconsin BB-64 being towed past Norfolk Naval Base

U.S. Marine Corps CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter landing on USS Wisconsin battleship during 1991 Gulf War

Crewmen manning the rails as harbor tug Marinete maneuvers battleship USS Wisconsin into port at Naval Air Station Norfolk Virginia

U.S. Navy officer aboard battleship USS Wisconsin using a sextant during Operation Desert Shield in January 1991

USS Sacramento fast combat support ship replenishing battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin at sea during Operation Desert Shield 1991

Battleship USS Wisconsin departing pier with sailors and shipyard workers watching, destroyer USS John Hancock tied up at center in Pascagoula, MS, December 1 1989

Bow view of battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64 underway during Operation Desert Shield September 1990

Port beam view of battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64 underway during Operation Desert Shield September 1990

BGM-109 Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile launched from USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Storm

Sailors attaching lifting cables to a 16-inch projectile aboard USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Shield

Tug boat pushes the bow of battleship USS Wisconsin at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Bow view of battleship Wisconsin BB-64 underway during sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico

View of Lower Manhattan skyline from USS Wisconsin battleship in 1951

Mark 36 Mod 7 Super Rapid Bloom Off-board Countermeasures (SRBOC) chaff launchers maintained aboard USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Storm

USS Wisconsin BB-64 battleship at sea on January 20, 1952

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) battleship tied alongside the hulk of USS Oklahoma (BB-37) at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard with anti-torpedo netting visible

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) battleship underway at sea circa 1988-1991

Aerial view of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard with decommissioned ships including battleships Iowa and Wisconsin, aircraft carriers Forrestal and Saratoga, amphibious assault ships Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal, taken on 30 October 1995

Mark 7 16-inch-50-caliber battleship gun firing on USS Wisconsin during Persian Gulf desert shield operation

Guests observing Mark 7 16-inch-50-caliber guns being traversed and elevated on battleship USS Wisconsin BB-64

Pioneer remotely piloted vehicle on USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Shield

Historical Overview
Planning Your Visit
What to See & Do
FAQs
Conclusion & Next Steps
References & Official Links

Historical Overview

Origins and Construction

Commissioned in 1944, USS Wisconsin is one of four Iowa-class battleships representing the pinnacle of American battleship design. Built for speed and power, she measures 887 feet in length, boasts a 108-foot beam, and could exceed speeds of 30 knots. Designed to escort aircraft carrier groups and provide formidable gunfire support, the Wisconsin was equipped with nine 16-inch/50 caliber guns, among the largest ever mounted on a U.S. warship (museumships.us).

World War II Service

Shortly after commissioning, Wisconsin joined the Pacific fleet, playing a crucial role in the liberation of the Philippines and supporting assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Her massive artillery delivered devastating bombardments against enemy positions, and she earned five battle stars for her World War II service (americanheritage.com).

Cold War, Korea, and Desert Storm

Postwar, Wisconsin was reactivated for the Korean War, providing gunfire support for United Nations forces. She underwent extensive modernization in the 1980s, receiving Tomahawk and Harpoon missile launchers, advanced radar, and the Phalanx CIWS system. In Operation Desert Storm (1991), she fired Tomahawk missiles and provided gunfire support before being decommissioned later that year (navalhistoria.com).

Planning Your Visit

Location & Getting There

Address: Nauticus, 1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510
Parking: Ample parking is available at the Nauticus garage; the site is also accessible via public transportation, including The Tide light rail (Waterside station).

Visiting Hours

General Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Note: Hours may vary seasonally and during special events. Always check Nauticus.org for up-to-date information.

Ticket Prices

Adults (13–59): $15
Seniors (60+): $12
Military & Veterans: $12
Children (6–12): $10
Children under 6: Free
Family Pass (2 adults + 3 children): $50
Guided Tours: Add-on tickets ($5 per person) for specialized guided experiences such as the Command & Control and Engine Room tours.
Purchase: Available online (Nauticus.org) or at the Nauticus ticket office.

Accessibility

Efforts have been made to improve accessibility for all guests. The main deck and some interior areas are wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevators. However, the ship’s design means certain lower decks and guided tours (which may involve steep ladders and narrow passageways) are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Service animals are welcome; contact Nauticus in advance for specific accommodations (Visit Norfolk).

Guided Tours & Events

Self-Guided Exploration: Included with general admission; interpretive signage and docents available.
Specialized Guided Tours: “Command & Control” and “Engine Room” tours (approx. 90 minutes) provide access to exclusive areas and deeper historical context. Recommended for ages 8+.
Events: Annual ceremonies (e.g., Veterans Day, Navy Day), living history reenactments, educational workshops, and overnight youth encampments. See the Nauticus events calendar for schedules.

Visitor Tips

Footwear: Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Time Allocation: Plan 2–3 hours for a thorough visit.
Photography: Allowed throughout most areas; great photo ops on the bow and main deck.
Bags: Large bags and backpacks are discouraged.

What to See & Do

Ship Highlights

Main Deck: Admire the ship’s scale, 16-inch gun turrets, and panoramic waterfront views.
Officer’s Quarters: See the living spaces of the ship’s command staff, furnished with period décor.
Crew Quarters: Understand the daily life of sailors through immersive displays and audio stories.
Engine Room: Available via guided tour; explore turbines, boilers, and engineering marvels.
Combat Information Center (CIC): Gain insight into Cold War operations and naval tactics on specialized tours.

(Tourist Secrets)

Nauticus & Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Nauticus Maritime Center: Interactive science and maritime exhibits, plus a gift shop for souvenirs.
Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Displays naval uniforms, ship models, and regional maritime history (museumships.us).

Nearby Attractions

Chrysler Museum of Art: Renowned for diverse exhibits, including maritime art.
Historic Ghent: Charming neighborhood with shops and dining.
Virginia Zoo: Family-friendly, a short drive away.
Waterside District: Dining, shopping, and entertainment close to the waterfront.

(Visit Norfolk)

FAQs

Q: Are tickets available online?
A: Yes, via Nauticus.org.

Q: Are guided tours available and recommended?
A: Yes, two specialized guided tours are available for an extra fee and are highly recommended for deeper exploration.

Q: Is the ship suitable for children and families?
A: Absolutely. There are educational programs, scavenger hunts, and exhibits tailored for all ages.

Q: Is the USS Wisconsin wheelchair accessible?
A: Main deck and some interior areas are accessible; many lower and upper decks are not.

Q: How long should I plan for my visit?
A: Allocate 2–3 hours to fully explore the ship and adjacent museums.

Q: Is parking available?
A: Yes, at the Nauticus parking garage and nearby city lots.

Q: Are there seasonal events or special programs?
A: Yes, check the Nauticus events calendar for details.

Conclusion & Next Steps

A visit to the USS Wisconsin is both an educational and inspiring journey into America’s naval past. Whether you’re a history buff, a family, or simply curious, the battleship and its surrounding attractions offer a full day of discovery. For the best experience: