Battleship IOWA Museum To Reopen Outdoor Tours In San Pedro

SAN PEDRO, CA — For shut-ins, who could use some fresh air and a memorable, outdoor experience, this latest facility opening could be the perfect fit.

After weeks of COVID-19-related closures, the Battleship IOWA Museum in San Pedro will reopen to the public Saturday, May 30, for outdoor tours — in compliance with public health guidelines and with limited capacity, according to museum operators.

Visitors can choose between reserved passes for a self-guided, outdoor tour with free use of a mobile app or a physically distanced, private guided outdoor tour of the USS Iowa.

"Opening our outdoor decks for visitation now is a major step in our continued transition as a community-driven national museum," said Jonathan Williams, the museum's president and CEO."We are honored to be back in the fight and provide our community the opportunity to enjoy fresh air walking the decks of the IOWA on the waterfront of the Port of Los Angeles."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Battleship IOWA is flying a special flag from the halyard of the ship "until all Americans are able to return to a life free from fear of this virus," the organization said. Designed by San Pedro resident and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, George Palaziol, the flag honors essential workers and all Americans with images that represent freedom, liberty, life, strength and prosperity.

During the region's shelter-in-place orders, the WWII battleship, commissioned in 1943 and the only such vessel on the West Coast, served the community with virtual education and veterans resource services, while also providing meeting space aboard the ship to the USNS MERCY shore- side support team.

For the tours, families can book up to six guests per reservation time, and attendees must adhere to public health guidelines posted on the website, organizers said. Due to limited capacity, tour reservations must be purchased and reserved for specific time slots in advance online or via a mobile device at this link.

Revenue generated from tours and donations support the Pacific Battleship Center, the non-profit that operates the Battleship IOWA. Read more here on the battleship and organization.

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