The Norfolk Cruise Terminal is Norfolk’s downtown cruise embarkation building, and is the building referenced throughout this page.
The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is permanently moored alongside the Nauticus building, about a two-minute walk from where your cruise ship docks. She is one of the four Iowa-class battleships — the largest and most powerful battleships the U.S. Navy ever built — and one of only eight battleships preserved as museum ships anywhere in the world.
Quick facts
- Class: Iowa-class fast battleship
- Length: 887 feet, 3 inches
- Beam: 108 feet, 2 inches
- Displacement: 57,500 tons fully loaded
- Main battery: Nine 16-inch/50 caliber Mark 7 guns in three turrets
- Top speed: 33 knots
- Crew: approximately 2,800 during WWII service
- Commissioned: April 16, 1944
- Last decommissioned: September 30, 1991
Combat history
The Wisconsin saw service in three wars across nearly fifty years — an unusually long combat career for any single ship.
World War II: Commissioned in 1944, the Wisconsin joined the Pacific Fleet and screened carriers during operations in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. She bombarded the Japanese home islands in the final weeks of the war.
Korean War: Recommissioned in 1951, the Wisconsin provided gunfire support along the Korean coast. She was hit by a North Korean shore battery in March 1952 — the only Iowa-class battleship to take enemy fire during the Korean conflict.
Gulf War: After a long reserve period, the Wisconsin was modernized in the 1980s with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, then reactivated. She fired the opening Tomahawk salvos of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 and used her 16-inch guns in combat for the last time against Iraqi positions in Kuwait — the last time any U.S. battleship fired its main guns in anger.
Getting aboard from your cruise ship
Access to the Wisconsin is through the Nauticus museum building. Walk out of the cruise terminal, turn right along the waterfront, and the battleship is unmistakable — gray hull, hull number “64” painted near the bow. Buy a Nauticus general admission ticket (around $16-18 adult, less for kids and seniors) which includes the battleship.
From the Nauticus second floor, a covered ramp brings you directly onto the main deck near the aft 16-inch turret. No climbing required for the main deck.
What to look for on deck
- 16-inch gun turrets — stand directly beneath the muzzles. Each gun fires a 2,700-pound projectile up to 24 miles.
- The bow — walk all the way forward for the iconic shot looking back at downtown Norfolk past the anchor chains.
- Tomahawk armored box launchers — added in the 1980s modernization, visible amidships.
- 5-inch secondary battery — twin gun mounts along the sides.
- The bridge — visible from the deck but not always open to the public.
- Wood deck planking — original teak in many places, weathered but intact.
How long it takes
A self-guided walk of the main deck takes 30 to 45 minutes if you read the interpretive panels. Add 15 to 20 minutes if you take photos and pause to look at the harbor view. The full Nauticus + battleship experience runs 90 minutes to two hours.
Going below deck
Areas below the main deck — crew quarters, the wardroom, the captain’s cabin, gun turret interiors — require a separate “Topside Tour” with an extra fee and advance booking. These tours involve climbing steep Navy ladders (almost vertical, with handrails). If you have limited mobility or you’re short on time before your ship leaves, the main deck alone is satisfying.
Accessibility
The main deck is wheelchair accessible via the ramp from Nauticus. Below-deck areas are not. The deck has some raised hatch coamings and uneven planking that can catch wheels and toes — watch your step. Service animals are welcome. Check nauticus.org for the most current access information.
Practical tips
- The deck is fully exposed — bring sunscreen and a hat in summer, a jacket in winter.
- The dark gray deck gets very hot on July and August afternoons. Mornings are far more comfortable.
- Use restrooms inside Nauticus before boarding — there are none on the ship.
- Photography is allowed everywhere on the main deck.
- Buy Nauticus tickets online in advance to skip the line.
Hours
Access is tied to Nauticus hours — generally Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., closed Monday. Hours change seasonally and around holidays. Verify on nauticus.org before your visit, especially if your ship is in port on a Monday.
Related guides
- Nauticus Norfolk: cruise passenger guide — the museum building the battleship is part of.
- Chrysler Museum of Art for cruise passengers
- All Norfolk cruise port guides
Hours, admission prices, and access details change. Verify on nauticus.org before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to tour the Battleship Wisconsin?
A self-guided walk of the main deck and accessible interior areas typically takes around an hour, though naval-history enthusiasts can easily spend longer exploring the exhibits.
Is the Battleship Wisconsin a separate ticket?
No. Access to the Battleship Wisconsin is included with Nauticus admission, since the ship is part of the Nauticus complex on the downtown waterfront.
How close is the Battleship Wisconsin to the cruise terminal?
It is one of the closest attractions to the Norfolk Cruise Terminal, reachable on foot in just a few minutes along the waterfront.
Is the battleship suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
The main deck is largely accessible, but some interior areas of a historic warship involve ladders, steps, and narrow passages. Plan around the accessible areas if stairs are a concern.