Queen Mary is back in business after 2-plus years. Free tours fully booked

Cyclists and pigeons are seen in the foreground, with the Queen Mary ship in the distance.

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The Queen Mary is back in business.

Beginning Thursday, fans of the aging Long Beach tourist attraction will be able to tour sections of the vessel for the first time since March 2020, the city of Long Beach announced this week . To celebrate, the city is offering free guided tours for a limited time.

The hour-long tours include biographical lessons, including some haunted history, about the Queen Mary and access to select areas of its promenade deck, all led by a docent. Tours were full by Tuesday morning , according to the city’s website.

The hotel, restaurants, bar and other amenities will remain closed until plumbing and other repair work are completed in early 2023 , according to the city.

LONG BEACH, CALIF. - SEPT. 25, 2019. Four years after a marine survey warned that the Queen Mary’s state of decay was “approaching the point of no return,” new inspection reports revealed some areas of the ship are still suffering from deterioration. In a June report, an inspector wrote that his findings caused him to have “significant doubt about the maintenance and safety upkeep of the property.” (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Queen Mary to get $1 million more in repairs ahead of reopening in Long Beach

Millions of dollars have been poured into repairing the Queen Mary, which was closed due to the pandemic in 2020 and is expected to reopen this year.

Nov. 2, 2022

The occasion comes after the pandemic shuttered the converted British ocean liner to the public and a series of renovations, including critical structural repair work , delayed its reopening. Several studies have estimated the vessel needs hundreds of millions of dollars of upgrades to continue operating. A 2021 report called for $23 million in immediate repairs to prevent the ship from capsizing.

The city has previously said that about 75% of the process — largely plumbing, mechanical and other metalwork — should be completed by the end of the year. All internal repairs should be wrapped up in early 2023, allowing the city to work on aesthetic projects, like painting and flooring.

“The Queen Mary has been an icon of our Long Beach shoreline for 55 years,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “We remain dedicated in our efforts to preserve the ship’s history and structural safety. I look forward to welcoming the community back on board!”

Over the last 50 years, Long Beach has brought in several firms — including Walt Disney Co. — to try to convert the former ocean liner-turned-floating hotel into a profitable tourist attraction, with mixed results. Disney planned in 1990 to incorporate the ship into a $3-billion sea-themed amusement park but ditched the idea a few years later.

An angler in Long Beach Harbor fishes off the bow of the Queen Mary, which an organization called the Queen's Project wants to renovate and restore as a seaworthy luxury liner.

Long Beach had considered sinking the 86-year-old ship after taking control of the vessel last year from the previous lease operator, Eagle Hospitality Trust, which filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on lease agreements. But even scuttling or scrapping it brought an estimated $190-million price tag , officials learned.

Keeping the Queen Mary afloat has cost an estimated $6 million since the restoration project got underway earlier this year . But officials say the price tag is offset because the ship generates revenue through special events and filming opportunities, including a popular Halloween celebration .

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Long Beach, CA - February 17: Amid cool weather, people fish from a kayaks with a view of the historic RMS Queen Mary ocean liner, that is 1,019.4 feet long and 181 feet high at dusk Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 in Long Beach. The RMS Queen Mary was first put in service from 1936 and retired in 1967 as a ship museum and hotel, and is currently being refurbished. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

New rooms, tours, activities: Queen Mary is royal again, Long Beach says. But at a whopping cost

LONG BEACH, CALIF. - SEPT. 25, 2019. Four years after a marine survey warned that the Queen Mary’s state of decay was “approaching the point of no return,” new inspection reports revealed some areas of the ship are still suffering from deterioration. In a June report, an inspector wrote that his findings caused him to have “significant doubt about the maintenance and safety upkeep of the property.” (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Queen Mary, once a sinking white elephant, shows signs of remarkable revival

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queen mary tour california

Alexandra E. Petri covers trends and breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. She previously covered live news at the New York Times. A two-time reporting fellow with the International Women’s Media Foundation, she graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism and international studies.

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Queen Mary in Long Beach: The Complete Guide

queen mary tour california

TripSavvy / Christian Hundley 

Things to Do

Hotel queen mary, tips for your visit, the queen mary.

On your next trip to Long Beach, California, you should stop by the cruise ship that never moves—the Queen Mary.

Originally built in 1937, the ship had a long and fascinating 30-year career before making its 516th and final voyage to Long Beach, California, on Dec. 9, 1967.

Since then, the Queen Mary has been docked in the Long Beach harbor and converted into a hotel and tourist attraction, which some even believe to be haunted. Guides' voices echo in the now-empty engine room, where 27 boilers once generated 160,000 horsepower. In fact, the ship has been in Long Beach longer than it sailed the oceans and is now known as an icon for its home city.

Bigger, faster, and more powerful than its predecessor, the Titanic, the RMS Queen Mary had a long career with 1,001 successful Atlantic crossings. Built at the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde, Scotland, in 1937, the Queen Mary held the record for the fastest-ever North Atlantic crossing.

It carried the rich and famous across the Atlantic for three years in great luxury. During World War II, it carried troops. Afterward, the ship ferried war brides and children to the United States and Canada before returning to service as a transatlantic cruise ship.

In 1967, the ship's owner, Cunard, sold the Queen Mary for $3.45 million. After the boat's final voyage, it became permanently docked in Long Beach and has been there ever since.

It may not be as enormous as today's mega-cruise liners, but the Queen Mary is an elegant reminder of a bygone era. 

The least expensive way to see the ship is the self-guided tour which takes visitors over the 1,020-foot-long Queen Mary, from the engine room to the wheelhouse. Unfortunately, the tour route is poorly marked, and the big ship can be pretty intimidating when toured on your own. You may get more out of your experience if you take one of their guided tours. 

They offer several themed tours, which change from time to time. One of the most popular is Ghosts and Legends of the Queen Mary, which dramatizes paranormal and historical events aboard the ship. You can also take tours in the evening, including haunted explorations and midnight ghost tours led by paranormal experts. You can see a list of current tours on the Queen Mary website .

The Scorpion, a Foxtrot-class Russian submarine, is moored just below the Queen Mary's bow. A tour of the cramped quarters and military conditions (78 crew shared two showers and three toilets) provides an interesting contrast to the Queen Mary in size and luxury.

Events at the Queen Mary

Every Halloween, the Queen Mary is home to Dark Harbor , an intense Halloween experience that features haunted mazes, a 4D theater experience, and live monsters and entertainment.

The ship also hosts seasonal and holiday celebrations, mystery murder dinner shows, a Scottish festival, and other events. You can find their upcoming events on their website .

The ship isn't just a tourist attraction, it doubles as a hotel as well. With authentic wood-paneling, original artwork from the 1930s, and time-appropriate styled decor, you can easily imagine yourself on a transatlantic journey along with Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and others. The ship includes 347 staterooms and suites, all of which come with standard amenities.

The smaller rooms are reasonably priced but can be a bit dark. For a taste of the luxury of a bygone era, splurge on a Deluxe Stateroom or a Royalty Suite.

  • The Queen Mary is open daily, and a reservation is not required for a regular tour.
  • There is an admission fee, as well as a parking fee.
  • Allow a few hours for a leisurely tour, as there's a lot to see.
  • Take a guided tour for a more efficient and educational experience.
  • Grab a map on your way in. Certain things, including elevator stops, are labeled in ship jargon, but the map makes things easy to understand.

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Travel | The Queen Mary is officially open for public…

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Travel | bay area, california both lose jobs in february as hiring surge halts, travel | the queen mary is officially open for public tours — sparking excitement about what’s to come, groups of about 30 people at a time gathered to get a glimpse inside the historic vessel for the first time in about three years on saturday, april 1..

queen mary tour california

Tour guide Paul Knox talks about engine room 2 on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, as visitors board the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Tour guide Paul Knox tells visitors about the aft steering...

Tour guide Paul Knox tells visitors about the aft steering area on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, as visitors tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach for the first time in about three years on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Visitors tour one of the engine rooms on Saturday, Apr....

Visitors tour one of the engine rooms on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

A youngster mans the aft steering wheel during a tour...

A youngster mans the aft steering wheel during a tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Visitors tour one of the engine rooms on Saturday, Apr....

Visitors who secured advance reservations tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Visitors who secured advance reservations tour the Queen Mary in...

Long Beach’s historic World War II-era ship, the Queen Mary, finally reopened for public tours on Saturday, April 1, after a three-year closure — marking the first event in what officials say will be a grand reopening slated to kick off in the coming weeks.

Groups of about 30 people each gathered on the ship’s Promenade Deck starting at about 11 a.m. on Saturday to partake in their choice of three different tours: The Glory Days Historical Tour, the Haunted Encounters Tour and the Steam & Steel Tour — each which take about an hour and are available until 6 p.m. daily.

For some, including Gail Hurst — a tourist from England — Saturday’s reopening offered a chance to experience the ship for the first time. Hurst and her husband decided to visit the Queen Mary on a whim, as their trip with Princess Cruise Line boarded just across the parking lot from the vessel.

“My mom and dad had their 40th wedding anniversary on it — so we got to see where they were for the first time,” Hurst said in an interview after disembarking from her tour of the ship. “It was fabulous. We plan (to visit again) if we ever come to America.”

The ship’s operators, Evolution Hospitality, initially announced that the ship would re-open to the public earlier this week.

Long Beach city officials and Evolution, which took over the ship’s day-to-day management last June, have been working to revitalize the vessel after it fell into massive disrepair under its previous operator, Urban Commons.

The Queen Mary initially closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 — but a 2021 city audit found that Urban Commons had not completed $23 million dollars worth of repairs, which the city had funded. Urban Commons forfeited its 66-year lease on the ship that same year, bringing the Queen Mary back under city control for the first time in nearly 40 years.

After the City Council approved the new management contract with Evolution last year, both found that several critical repairs needed to be completed before the Queen Mary could reopen to the public. Those included replacing the ship’s boilers, elevators and restrooms, repairing the plumbing, and upgrading parking.

Those fixes have been underway since last year — but are finally close to being finished, according to Steve Caloca, the Queen Mary’s managing director.

The installation of new boilers, heat exchangers, and a new emergency generator — which are necessary to have hot water on board and ensure the ship’s safety in the case of an emergency — should be complete within the next few days, Caloca said in a Saturday interview.

And other repairs — including aesthetic fixes all around the Queen Mary — are currently underway.

“All of the main hall floor is going to be redone,” Caloca siad. “The Promenade Deck, all of those those floors, have been restored to the original teak  — and we probably have just another 200 feet to go.”

But the ongoing nature of those repairs didn’t seem to bother 7-year-old Tristan Rodriguez — whose fascination with ships prompted his parents book a time slot on the Steam & Steel tour on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve been checking in on the refurbishment just because he (Tristan) got really interested and wanted to come and see this,” Tristan’s mom, Elianny Rodriguez, said. “We kept checking back and just waiting for it to reopen.”

The younger Rodriguez has been fascinated with all things engineering since he was just two-years-old, according to his mom. He’s gone so far as to create piece-by-piece replicas of famous ships — including the Queen Mary — in Minecraft from scratch, a skill he picked up by watching YouTube tutorials.

“We wanted to check out like the steam engine when (Tristan) saw the tour because we knew how much he was into them,” Rodriguez said, “And (we knew) it would teach us facts about certain ships that we weren’t even aware of so we could talk about it with him.”

He said he loves ships so much because “they float and they have lots of stuff deep” within them — and he likes learning how they work.

“The propellers push the ship and they also steer,” Tristan said, pointing out where the propellors are located on his model of the ship — shortly before letting out a yell of excitement and taking a brief run around the ship’s Observation Deck.

The Rodriguez’s, meanwhile, said they’re all excited to come back soon to visit the ship.

Evolution and the city, meanwhile, are planning to open up other parts of the ship — including the restaurants and bars — soon, though a date has yet to be confirmed. The Queen Mary Hotel, while not quite open yet, is currently accepting room reservations for stays starting in May.

“Thousands of people have already signed up to stay here or to experience a tour within days of reopening registration,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said on Saturday. “There’s a lot of progress, but there’s still a lot of work to do — in the weeks to come, there’ll be more and more things opened.

“But bottom line,” Richardson added, “The Queen Mary’s best days are ahead.”

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Queen Mary

No visit to Long Beach is complete without a stop at the Queen Mary , a retired ocean liner that offers visitors historical intrigue, award-winning restaurants, stunning views of the Long Beach skyline and even on-board accommodation. The Queen Mary celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2017—she first arrived in Long Beach on 9 December 1967.

Take a tour

While you can explore parts of the Queen Mary on your own, your visit will be enhanced by taking advantage of one of the ship’s many guided tours which provide the historical background and expert insights to make your visit more interesting. Choose from a range of guided tours, including The Glory Days Historical Tour or Haunted Encounters , which reveals why the Queen Mary was listed by Time magazine as one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America. The Queen Mary also offers combination tour tickets with another historic ship, the USS Iowa , as well as with other local attractions, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and Universal Studios Hollywood .

Have a bite

Whether you are just visiting the Queen Mary for the day or staying overnight in one of the ship's staterooms, a meal aboard this Long Beach landmark is a must. Grab a classic cocktail (and an amazing view) at the Observation Bar or enjoy a bowl of chowder and a brew at the Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, a contemporary take on a traditional fish restaurant. End your weekend the right way by joining Long Beach locals for the Sunday Champagne Brunch with dozens of breakfast favourites and unique dishes from around the globe—including made-to-order omelettes and pancakes, Albondigas soup and carne asada tacos, and Asian-style ribs—or visit the carving station, which slices up perfectly prepared steaks and legs of lamb. (It’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveler named the Queen Mary one of the best brunches in the world !.) Want the full Queen Mary experience? Enjoy five-star fine dining at Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge for a gourmet menu, extensive wine list, and unmatched ambience and service.

Throughout the year, the Queen Mary hosts performances and events to complete your visit. From monthly events like Ships & Giggles Comedy Night held every second Monday and Local Band Hangout every third Thursday to the Barrel Series Tasting Dinners or the spooky Dark Harbor Halloween special, every month offers new opportunities to enjoy evening events aboard the ship.

Stay the night

For a truly unique experience, visitors can stay aboard the Queen Mary in one of the ship’s 346 original staterooms and suites. Choose a state room on one of the three decks (all above sea level) that may feature warm wood panelling, built-in Art Deco furniture or original artwork found on the ship—in fact, no two rooms are alike. Those looking for more space can opt for a suite with separate sleeping and living quarters, or a Family Stateroom, with two bedroom areas for added privacy, designed with families in mind.

Queen Mary qm_deluxestateroom_twintwin_m129

Spotlight: Long Beach

Water-based Activities in Long Beach vca_resource_visitlongbeach_256x180

Just half an hour from  Los Angeles , Long Beach is a beachfront gem you’ll want to add to your California itinerary. It offers beautiful beaches and marinas along with a busy dining and shopping scene that perfectly blends big city sophistication with beach town fun.

Tour the  Queen Mary , the legendary, permanently docked ocean liner, or relax with a drink in the ship’s Observation Bar—for truly unique accommodations, you can even stay overnight in one of the ship’s staterooms or suites. Visit the  Aquarium of the Pacific , Southern California’s largest aquarium and home to playful sea otters, Magellanic penguins, and a 350,000-gallon Tropical Reef Habitat, which holds thousands of colourful fish, coral, sea turtles, and sharks.

Looking for some retail therapy instead? Shop designer favourites at  Pike Outlets  or search for the perfect retro finds at the vintage boutiques along Long Beach’s  Fourth Street . Or try your hand at kite surfing on Long Beach’s Belmont Shores, one of the best places in the state for beginners to learn the sport thanks to the protective breakwater that blocks major waves.

Above all, enjoy eating your way through the city’s culinary delights from the classic waterfront  Parkers’ Lighthouse  in Shoreline Village to the modern  SteelCraft , an urban eatery in Bixby Knolls, to the rooftop  Sky Room , an Art Deco bar and dining room, 14 stories atop the Breakers Hotel in downtown Long Beach. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, a family reunion destination, or just a getaway with the kids, Long Beach has the food, fun, and sun for your next Southern California trip. 

–Kate Bayless

Dining in Long Beach

Dining in Long Beach

With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, Long Beach offers a diverse selection of dishes to satisfy any palate. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant that will be good for the kids, a romantic dinner with a view or the perfect spot for brunch, Long Beach offers visitors an array of flavours, venues and price ranges. 

Waterfront dining

With 11 miles of shoreline and more than two dozen waterfront restaurants, there are lots of ways to enjoy upmarket dining with a view in Long Beach. Head down to Shoreline Village for mesquite-wood-barbecued seafood, sushi, steaks and more at Parkers’ Lighthouse , and admire its award-winning, two-storey wine cellar. Or stop on the east bank of Alamitos Bay to enjoy the open kitchen and bayside views of the Boathouse on the Bay . Don’t want to break the bank for an ocean view? Grab breakfast or lunch at Plunge or lobster bisque and a cold brew at Belmont Brewing Company . After a long day of exploring, enjoy a walk down the Pine Avenue Pier and dine at Gladstone’s . Splurge on fine dining aboard the Queen Mary at Sir Winston's , or head 14 storeys above the city to The Sky Room atop the Breakers Hotel for a romantic dinner or a cocktail on the rooftop UP Lounge to catch the sunset. 

Child-friendly cuisine

Families with young children will find plenty of options to keep young visitors happy and, best of all, full. For delicious tortilla chips and salsa, and a range of Mexican favourites, head to Lola’s Mexican Cuisine in the Bixby area or on 4th Street for children's menus and high chairs. Or try brunch on the outdoor patio at Restauration on 4th Street, where there's room for kids to roam. Families will also enjoy child-friendly chains like Famous Dave’s BBQ and Bubba Gump Shrimp, both conveniently located near the Aquarium of the Pacific .

Second Street eats

Eating your way along Second Street is the perfect way to spend a Long Beach day. In between bites, you can browse boutiques, catch some live street corner music, people watch and soak up some Southern California culture. Start with a quick breakfast burrito from Sacho’s Tacos and a cuppa from Polly’s Gourmet Coffee , or enjoy a leisurely brunch of Surf & Turf Benedict or a Ratatouille Omelette at The Attic . At noon, call in at Tavern on 2 for craft beers and a bowl of their famous spicy chicken tortilla soup. Then finish off your Second Street eating extravaganza with homely Italian dishes at La Strada or a seasonally inspired dish from Saint & Second , including creative cocktails such as the Chipotle Pineapple Collins.

Creative cuisine

With a nod to the city’s shipping industry, try out SteelCraft , an urban outdoor restaurant in the Bixby Knolls area, or sample the innovative vegan eats at Seabirds Kitchen on 4th Street. Constructed out of 12-metre shipping containers, SteelCraft has restaurants offering artisan burgers, pizza, Hawaiian shaved ice, handmade chocolate, Japanese ramen, Steelhead Coffee, Smog City Brewery beers and even gourmet waffles.

Queen Mary vca_resource_visitlongbeach_256x180

Water-based Activities in Long Beach

Water-based Activities in Long Beach

With more than 11 miles of sandy shorelines and sparkling bays, Long Beach is the perfect place to enjoy time both in and on the water. From stand-up paddleboards to yachts, and harbour cruises to romantic gondola rides, Long Beach offers water-based activities for everyone.

Family-friendly beaches

Thanks to a protective breakwater built by the US Navy during the Second World War, Long Beach’s sandy shores are a great choice for families. Protected from major waves and without riptides, shorelines such as Alamitos Beach, Marine Park (aka Mother’s Beach) and Belmont Shore Beach provide plenty of space for sunbathing or sand-castle building and calm waters for families with small children to enjoy the beach without the worry of dangerous seas.

Water sports and tours

Always wanted to learn how to kite surf? The same breakwater that makes the shoreline safe for little ones also makes Long Beach’s Belmont Shores one of the best places for beginners to get the hang of the sport. Try out a 90-minute discovery lesson with SoCal Kitesurfing or jump into a three-hour group lesson with Captain Kirks.   Visitors can also rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, Aqua bikes, Duffy electric boats, and other watercraft at Rainbow Marina.

If being on the water is more your thing, a guided 45-minute harbour tour from Harbor Breeze Cruises will help you get your bearings and learn about the history and marine life of the Long Beach coast. Or choose one of their three-hour whale-watching tours . Look for grey whales between December and April, the mighty blue whales from June to October, and an endless supply of dolphins, sea lions and other marine life all year. Book online for the best deal. Looking for something even fancier? Charter a yacht through the Harbor Yacht Club or Pacific Sailing for a day or overnight trip to Catalina Island .

Also along the waterfront, sign up for the annual Aquarium of the Pacific 5K in October to run (or walk) past Rainbow Harbor and Queensway Bridge on a flat, scenic course. Bonus: All participants get a $5 voucher for admission to the aquarium.

Romantic getaway

For a little romance on your visit, take a Venetian gondola ride with Gondola Getaway . The one-hour gondola rides take groups of two to six passengers through the canals of Naples with views of million-dollar homes, luxurious yachts and the bridges that arch over the canals. Pack your own nibbles and wine to enjoy on the boat (they’ll provide glasses and an ice bucket!) or book a Brunch or Pizza Cruise . Larger groups visiting for weddings and other events can hire multiple boats at once or the larger 'Carolina' that holds up to 15 people. If you’re lucky, you might even be serenaded by your gondolier.

Getting around town

The Long Beach waterways are also a great way to get around the city without getting in your car. From Rainbow Harbor, visitors can hop on the Aquabus , a 49-passenger boat that travels between Rainbow Harbor, the Queen Mary, Hotel Maya and the Catalina Landing, or the AquaLink , a 79-passenger high-speed catamaran that travels between Rainbow Harbor, the Queen Mary, Vet’s Pier and Alamitos Bay.

Marine Park

Shopping in Long Beach

Named as one of the Most Walkable Neighbourhoods in America by WalkScore.com, Long Beach is ideal for strolling and shopping. With a variety of distinct shopping areas to explore, everyone from lovers of vintage and bargain hunters to outlet lovers and luxury shoppers can satisfy their itch to shop.

Lovers of all things vintage rejoice! Known as Retro Row , the growing retail area on 4th Street between Walnut and Junipero is a three-block collection of eclectic shops boasting kitschy collectibles, vintage clothes and retro finds. Visit Moxi Roller Skate Shop for lessons and sweet wheels; browse vinyls at Third Eye Records or vintage clothing at Meow ; find a souvenir at Songbird Boutique ; or just grab a drink at one of the area’s many pubs and coffee shops and enjoy the people-watching. 

Pike Outlets

Thanks to a $65 million update in 2015, Long Beach’s Pike Outlets offer even more shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy in a pedestrian-friendly setting. Located next to the Convention Center and Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pike Outlets satisfy shoppers with retailers including Restoration Hardware Outlet, H&M, Nike, Gap, Converse and Columbia Sportswear, among others. The outlets are even a great destination for an evening out in Long Beach: start with a wander along the waterfront, grab a pint at the Auld Dubliner Irish Pub and then enjoy a night of stand-up at the Laugh Factory . The outlets also host a range of events throughout the year, including the Urban Hive farmers' market on the fourth Friday of the month.

Second Street

Second Street and its 15 intersecting side streets make up the charming business district of Belmont Shore. Running parallel to the Pacific Ocean, Second Street offers shoppers a mile and a half of retail therapy opportunities. From well-known retailers such as Banana Republic and The Body Shop to boutique shops specialising in everything from swimming and surfing wear and accessories to the latest European clothing and jewellery designs, Second Street is a shopper’s paradise.

Fourth Street/Retro Row

Aquarium of the Pacific

Located along Long Beach ’s Rainbow Harbor , the Aquarium of the Pacific is Southern California’s largest aquarium and a must-do Long Beach activity for all ages. Home to more than 11,000 animal exhibits, the aquarium explores three distinct waters of the Pacific Ocean. 

Start in the Southern California/Baja Gallery where you’ll find the 536,000-litre, three-storey-high Honda Blue Cavern that features ocean inhabitants found off the coast of Catalina Island. You’ll also want to visit the Seal and Sea Lion Habitat and the Ray Touch Pool. Highlighting habitats in and around the Bering Strait, the Northern Pacific gallery features a collection of graceful jellies, four playful otters in the Sea Otter Exhibit, and the largest species of octopus in the world, the giant Pacific octopus, which can be more than 20 feet long.

Then head to the warmer waters of the Tropical Pacific Gallery and the largest exhibit in the aquarium—the 350,000 gallon Tropical Reef Habitat , which can be viewed from three locations and holds thousands of colourful fish, coral, sea turtles, and two kinds of sharks. Don’t forget to stop by the seahorse and sea dragon exhibit to see if you can find these camouflaged creatures hiding among the seaweed.

In addition to the three main galleries, the aquarium also features outdoor exhibits, including an interactive Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest aviary, the penguin habitat, and a horseshoe crab touch lab.

If you’re looking to dive in further, the aquarium offers many educational , exclusive, and behind-the-scenes experiences. You can get up close and personal with animals such as stingrays, sea lions, and penguins, or dive right into an exhibit (certification required). If your kids have dreamed of staying overnight next to a gigantic fish tank , you can do that too.

The latest addition to the aquarium is Pacific Visions , a wing that helps aquarium visitors better understand the challenges the ocean faces and the opportunities it holds. The expansion, sheathed in a striking blue-green biomorphic shell, includes a state-of-the-art interactive theater, a larger exhibit gallery with live animals, and an art gallery.

Sign up for the annual Aquarium of the Pacific 5K in October to run (or walk) past the aquarium and other Long Beach sites on a flat, scenic course. Bonus: All participants get a $5 voucher for admission to the aquarium.

Insider tip: Check out the Aquarium of the Pacific website for upcoming events, hours, ticket prices, and information on discounted tickets .

Queen Mary Aquarium of the Pacific

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#OnlyinLB: The Queen Mary

The historic RMS Queen Mary is the most iconic aspect of the Long Beach skyline. The 1930s-era Cunard ocean liner is permanently docked on the Long Beach waterfront as a floating hotel and attraction, and recently reopened after undergoing beautiful restoration work.. History buffs, Art Deco enthusiasts, fans of the paranormal, and lovers of all things nautical will have the hotel stay of their dreams on board Long Beach’s luxurious ocean liner. This summer, stay on the ship to experience the amazing history, setting, and amenities offered by the Queen.

ACCOMODATIONS

A stay on the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy) allows you to follow in the footsteps of Classic Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn, and historical figures like British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who signed the WWII D-Day Declaration on board. The suites and staterooms transport you to another time with vintage wood paneling and original artwork. Book two or more nights to receive waived valet parking, or stay five or more nights for 18 percent off and $40 nightly food and beverage credit. Plus, you can bring Fido—dogs under 25 pounds are welcome to join you on your stay.

TOURS AND EXHIBITS

Overnight stays include self-guided admission to the ship’s exhibits and discounts on day tours , like Haunted Encounters, which features the ship’s most notorious ghost stories and the chance to visit its paranormal hotspots. The Glory Days tour highlights the ship’s history , including its role as a troop transport during World War II. Before you go, download the ship’s map , which lists not only dining and shopping locations, but also must-see points of interest, like the engine room and ship model gallery.

ONBOARD DINING AND BARS

The Queen Mary offers several dining options on board, from casual to more formal settings. The Observation Bar is a time capsule of 1930s Art Deco with its original mural over the bar, period furniture, and distinct lack of television screens. Stop in for a drink at sunset, followed by a stroll on the newly restored Observation Deck outside. The Chelsea Chowder House and Bar is a tribute to the traditional British fish house. Grab a lobster roll or fish and chips with the family. For those visiting later this summer, the highly rated Royal Sunday Brunch in the Grand Salon is set to return in July.

TRANSPORTATION

During your stay, take advantage of free transit services to go ashore and visit downtown Long Beach for shopping and dining. Long Beach Transit’s free Passport buses stop at the Queen Mary every 30 minutes and make stops in downtown Long Beach and at The Pike Outlets , the Aquarium of the Pacific , and Shoreline Village .

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

With the Queen Mary as your home base, you can plan day trips to visit local attractions the whole family will enjoy. Across the water, visit Southern California’s largest aquarium and its 12,000 animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way). Continue the nautical theme of your stay and tour the USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd), a battleship docked in nearby San Pedro that served in World War II, Korea, and the Cold War. Or grab dinner at one of the many lively restaurants on Pine Avenue downtown. After painting the town, you’ll be glad to retire to your cozy stateroom to gaze at the city lights from the porthole.

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queen mary tour california

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queen mary tour california

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queen mary tour california

  • Hotel Rooms Choose from 200 original first class staterooms and suites Specials & Packages Packages & Special Offers Services & Amenities Modern amenities and world-class service Fitness Room Rejuvenate with our fitness options
  • Attractions Tours & Exhibits Get an up close and personal look at the Queen Mary with our exciting tours & exhibits Queen Mary Heritage Foundation Membership Experience everything the Queen Mary has to offer with a tour package
  • Dining Casual Dining Enjoy inspired meals and quick bites at our restaurants Sir Winston's Restaurant & Lounge Fine dining with stunning seaside views Bars Enjoy the 1930's classic sophistication of the Queen Mary bars Royal Sunday Brunch A local favorite, voted “Best Brunch” by OpenTable Groups & Experiences The Queen Mary offers several dining options for large groups or those seeking a unique dining experience
  • Meetings & Weddings Meetings Explore one of the most unique meeting and conference venues in Southern California Weddings The Queen Mary has been host to unforgettable weddings for over 70 years Socials The Queen Mary is the ideal location for any social occasion Event Spaces Over 80,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space across 14 Art Deco salons
  • History Timeline Re-live the Queen Mary’s rich history, from her ground-breaking construction to today Stats & Fun Facts Everything you ever wanted to know about the Queen Mary Design & Preservation Learn about the era of elegant Art Deco design and how the Queen Mary is maintained with preservation projects Press Releases Press Releases about the Queen Mary Amateur Radio Discover the on-board radio stations starting in the 1960s
  • Visit Hours & Parking Find open times for the Queen Mary and its dining and parking. On-Board Shopping An array of unique shops featuring souvenirs, one-of-a-kind treasures, clothing, memorabilia, historic documents, artwork and more Nearby Attractions The Queen Mary is a great central hub to all of Southern California’s most popular attractions Directions Your guide to getting to the Queen Mary
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Art Deco Staterooms

Enjoy a unique historic stateroom or suite aboard the Queen Mary. Unlike hotel rooms, these comfortable sleeping rooms will make you feel as if you’re traveling across the Atlantic in a period-true ship’s cabin.

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Discover What's New Happenings Calendar

From live music shows to signature ship-wide events, experience all of the exciting activities happening on the iconic Queen Mary all year round.

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A Trip Across Time The Whole Story

The Queen Mary’s creation and launch was nothing if not extraordinary and her story is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. From the time her construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland, the Queen Mary was destined to stand in a class all her own.

queen mary tour california

New rooms, tours, activities: Queen Mary is royal again, Long Beach says. But at a whopping cost

R epairs for the Queen Mary have cost the city of Long Beach more than $45 million over the last eight years, according to city records obtained by The Times, a hefty bill as the city looks to keep the historic ship on a fledgling path toward profitability.

Repairs have included more than $3 million for rust and hull repairs, and $3.35 million for bulkhead repairs and removing lifeboats.

More repairs — both essential and costly — to keep the 90-year-old ship operational are still expected, but city officials are optimistic the financial headwinds the ship has battled are easing. Last year, the Queen Mary generated more than $12.6 million in revenue , including more than $3 million in profits between June and October.

For the end of fiscal year 2024 — the first year the ship has been fully operational since it was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic — city officials expect the aging ocean liner to bring in a "modest profit" of $3.6 million.

"From an operating perspective, the Queen Mary can now support operating expenses with regular operating revenue," city officials said in a statement. "All revenue generated is being invested directly back to the ship and vicinity."

But the records from the city, first reported by the Long Beach Business Journal , have offered a glimpse into the significant costs that have come with the city's effort to keep and preserve the iconic vessel.

At one time, the Queen Mary was dubbed the world's fastest and most luxurious cruise ship . Among its celebrity and royal guests were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor, who paid extra for her poodle. It also transported soldiers to the European front during World War II.

After Long Beach bought the Queen Mary from the Cunard Line shipping company in 1967, various firms were brought in to manage the vessel and develop adjacent property.

In 2021, the city took over the Queen Mary amid worries that it was not being maintained. City officials at the time were aware the ocean liner was in dire need of repairs.

One study in 2017 estimated it could need up to $289 million in repairs and renovations, and court documents showed about $23 million in repairs were needed to keep the once majestic ship from capsizing.

In addition to the needed repairs, city officials point out that between 2007 and 2019, before Long Beach took over, private operators had reported more than $31 million in losses.

Since 2021, city officials said they'd completed at least 25 major projects on the ship.

Most of the $45 million that has been spent on the ship, city officials said, has come from revenue from the Queen Mary or related subleases.

In 2017, about $23 million came from a Queen Mary reserve fund and bond issue from the Queen Mary's Carnival sublease.

A $12-million agreement with the Port of Long Beach, which transferred control of about 14 acres of city property to the port to lease to third parties, and split revenue with the city, has also helped pay for some of the repairs.

Since the Queen Mary reported seeing a profit last year , city officials have touted the ship and what they say has been an economic success.

Since October, city officials say more than 118,000 people have visited the vessel, and the ship is once again becoming the center of the city's plans.

"The Queen Mary is thriving once again," Steve Caloca, general manager for the contracted operator, Evolution Hospitality, said in a statement. "From new Art Deco floors and staircases in the Main Hall, to the restored Observation Bar overlooking our beautiful city of Long Beach, there is so much to do when visiting the Queen."

Hotel capacity on the ship has been expanded to 200 rooms, and onboard activities have expanded to 22 guest tours, exhibits and other activities.

This year, city officials said, hotel room renovations, elevator upgrades, repair of the ship's third smokestack and an expansion of the Sun Deck, which is used for special events such as weddings, are planned.

The Queen Mary also is meant to play a crucial role in plans the city has for the nearby area.

Officials are looking to develop 43 acres of space next to the ship into "a world-class entertainment and mixed-use development venue."

"The return of live music, special events and music festivals at the Queen Mary and adjacent Harry Bridges Memorial Park has further highlighted the importance of live music and entertainment to the future success of the ship," city officials said in a statement. "This waterfront space, with expansive views of the Long Beach shoreline and downtown, collectively represents one of the city's most unique future development opportunities."

And although the ship continues to need repairs, city officials said its condition might not be as dire as was once believed.

The study that estimated up to $289 million in needed repairs included $215 million to $261 million for hull repairs, city officials said in a statement. A more recent hull and tank study suggested the cost could be "considerably less."

"We envision an even brighter future for the Queen Mary and adjacent land with plans for future development that will further elevate its status as a premier tourist destination," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

New rooms, tours, activities: Queen Mary is royal again, Long Beach says. But at a whopping cost

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Glory Days tour is not what it used to... - The Queen Mary

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Glory Days tour is not what it used to be!

I took this tour years ago and it was MUCH better so I had higher expectations. The tour used to include the steam room and seeing a mock cabin. Now the Glory Days tour just shows you a few areas and then you have the option to walk the ship on your own. Was interesting information but I would much rather see more of the ship and hear fewer statistics to make the most of the hour tour. Had us standing around in the salon way too long. Now you have to buy a separate tour to go downstairs?? Disappointing. Wouldn’t do it again. Also while the guide was pretty good, he needed a mic of some sort. Was very hard to hear in a large group setting.

For history buffs - ships in particular - this is a great resource. My teenage son is up on famous ships and this one in particular. Was closed for several years - the virus - and then the City needed to decide on it's future. The Council decided to invest $30M or so to bring it back from a very deteriorated condition. Still on-going some areas remain off limits. Enough open to get a real feel for what it was like in the era of ocean travel. Paul led the Steam tour of the engines etc. Absolutely fascinating - the systems from the 30's and the tour is very involved. Paul had a great depth of the technology and history. Colorful stories. The Churchill exhibit on your own is superb. Staff was OK. Not crowded on a Saturday afternoon. Need reservations for the tours. One of a kind and worth supporting to keep it 'afloat'.

I booked a Family Stateroom King and Twin Bed and ended up with a Queen size bed and no twin bed. In order to "fix the issue", they dropped off a metal twin bed with a super thin mattress. It was a total disaster for my three grandchildren, never again will we stay there. The charges are over rated, between the Occupancy Taxes (which the owner does nor pay to the City of Long Beach), Assessments, and fees, it is well over USD$55.00. I do not recommend spending the night there, not if you are taking the kiddos.

queen mary tour california

The stay was well worth the money. It is not a modern well appointed resort. This is an opportunity to stay on a living piece of history. Take the tours. Take as many as you can afford. They are all different and you’ll learn so much about athe RMS Queen Mary’s history. The staff shows it’s love and care for this magnificent oceanliner. Yes, the City of Long Beach can do better to do this historical landmark more justice and respect. But it is still a treat to explore, learn and experience. I wish The RMS Queen Mary a brighter future as they reopen more rooms to the public. I will definitely stay again and enjoy the tours and the ship’s memories.

Visited the USS Iowa in the morning and decided to visit the Queen Mary again because it was near by. Glad we did. It is such a beautiful ship and they now have a large area about Winston Churchill. The Queen Mary is now a hotel so fun just to wander around this huge ship. Be sure to have a drink in the beautiful bar.

queen mary tour california

I booked a deluxe king harbor view room. King bed, sitting room, table and chairs, harbor view. Sweet photos of the room type. They put us in a basic king room. No extras, small room. The manager stated that they had no control over which room we got and that the rooms pictured under the description were just "advertisment" and didn't represent what room you got. Her only suggestion was that she could waive our parking fee, 30 a day, or cancel the reservation. I booked this trip and we flew from Florida to California to do this for our 22nd anniversary. We did stay, the ship is interesting, but we felt cheated out of the whole expected experience. Just pay to visit the ship, don't waste your money getting bait and switched like we did.

News | Queen Mary is officially turning a profit, Long…

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News | Queen Mary is officially turning a profit, Long Beach officials say; more upgrades coming

Kristy Hutchings

The Queen Mary is finally rebounding after years of mismanagement, financial issues, infrastructure concerns — and a nearly three-year pandemic-induced closure — according to a recent report from Long Beach city officials.

And it is poised to actually turn a profit this fiscal year.

“The iconic Queen Mary continues to capture the hearts of so many people from around the world,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a news release this week. “We’re thrilled to share the remarkable achievements made since its reopening.”

The historic World War II-era ship initially closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

But it was also in disrepair — and badly in need of some major fixes.

The operator at the time, Urban Commons, was supposed to oversee those repairs; it received city money to do so.

A 2021 city audit, though, found that Urban Commons had not completed the $23 million dollars in repairs the city funded.

A later report revealed that Urban Commons actually did use about 80% of that funding — though not for the infrastructure projects the money was intended to cover, which prompted the ship’s continued closure.

Urban Commons forfeited its 66-year lease on the ship that same year — and also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure the company — bringing the Queen Mary back under city control for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Before Long Beach regained control of the ship in 2021 , private operators reported losses totaling more than $31 million from 2007 to 2019, according to the Wednesday, March 13, city news release.

But with the city’s newly seized control of the Queen Mary, the ship’s future is finally starting to look brighter, the release said — with an anticipated profit of $3.6 million for the 2024 fiscal year.

It’s been a long road to this point, though.

Once Long Beach regained control of the ship and hired a new management company, Evolution Hospitality , to oversee the ship’s operation, both parties took on the herculean task of completing myriad critical infrastructure and safety projects aboard the vessel.

The first critical milestone on the Queen Mary’s journey to recovery came in April 2021, when Long Beach removed 20 deteriorated lifeboats from the ship. Those had been worsening the vessel’s structural integrity by overloading it with nearly 100 tons of excess weight.

Around 25 other projects and improvements have been completed since then, the city’s recent report said, such as making aesthetic upgrades throughout the ship, conducting HVAC repairs, installing new bilge pumps and controls and patching the roof.

In December 2022, the Queen Mary welcomed a small group of passengers aboard for the first time since its 2020 closure ; a broader public reopening took place in early 2023.

City officials and the ship’s operators have taken a slow, phased approach to the Queen Mary’s reopening.

Overnight stays at the Queen Mary Hotel were brought back online about a month after the ship welcomed passengers back on board. That was followed by the ship’s beloved Observation Bar reopening, several tours starting up again and Sunday Brunch  returning.

The ship and its surrounding property, including the Harry Bridges Memorial Park, have also begun hosting special events again, including New Year’s Eve and Independence Day celebrations last year.

Since October, the city’s news release said, the Queen Mary has welcomed more than 118,000 guests, and the adjacent park hosted three weeklong music festivals last year that drew in around 20,000 to 30,000 visitors.

Boots In The Park will make its Long Beach debut...

Boots In The Park will make its Long Beach debut at the Queen Mary Festival Grounds on March 23. (Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)

Boots In The Park will make its Long Beach debut...

Boots In The Park will make its Long Beach debut at the Queen Mary Festival Grounds on March 23. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Guests heading to the Queen Mary or Aquarium of the...

Guests heading to the Queen Mary or Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for parties will be able to see the fireworks coming from the waterfront. (Photo by Geronimo Quitoriano, Contributing Photographer)

Insomniac Events trance music two-day festival will take place at...

Insomniac Events trance music two-day festival will take place at the Queen Mary Waterfront on Nov.17-18. (Photo courtesy of Insomniac Events)

Insomniac’s Day Trip Festival returned this year at the Queen...

Insomniac’s Day Trip Festival returned this year at the Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach on June 24-25. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Soon to be festival-goers approach the entrance to Insomniac Events’...

Soon to be festival-goers approach the entrance to Insomniac Events’ Day Trip Festival at The Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Fans of electronic music walk towards the entrance of Insomniac...

Fans of electronic music walk towards the entrance of Insomniac Events’ Day Trip Festival at The Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Insomniac Events’ Day Trip Festival at The Queen Mary Waterfront...

Insomniac Events’ Day Trip Festival at The Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

And there could be more to come.

“We envision an even brighter future for the Queen Mary and adjacent land,” Richardson said in his statement, “with plans for future development that will further elevate its status as a premier tourist destination.”

It cost Long Beach about $45 million to get the ship in proper order to reopen, the city’s news release said. That money was spent on ensuring the Queen Mary’s structural integrity; preservation and restoration projects; guest amenities and attractions; and other upgrades.

“Most of the $45 million was supported by revenue generated from the Queen Mary or its related subleases,” the news release said, “which are also now under direct city control or from the creation of new revenue opportunities.”

Another critical portion of that funding, the city added, came from a land-exchange partnership with the Port of Long Beach, which the City Council OK’d last year.

Under that deal, the city freed up 13.9 acres of land within the port’s jurisdiction and leased it to POLB for a $12 million advance and half of any revenue created from future land leases. That helped fund a good chunk of the ship’s reopening, the city said.

The Queen Mary’s financial recovery, though, has also been slow, largely because of the high up-front costs of  reopening the ship.

“The Queen Mary ended the year at a loss of just over $7M,” a more in-depth report about the ship’s operation, released in January, said. “This loss, and the associated reopening expenses, were primarily offset by the city/port partnership revenue advance.”

But revenue continued increasing, the news release said, and toward the end of the 2023 fiscal year, the Queen Mary was reporting net-positive numbers — about $300,000 in revenue on a monthly basis.

“From an operating perspective, the Queen Mary can now support operating expenses with regular operating revenue,” the news release said. “All generated revenue is being invested back into the ship and vicinity.”

With a baseline of stability restored aboard the Queen Mary, Long Beach is now looking toward taking advantage of the ship’s future potential.

There are several preservation, refurbishment and expansion projects on the docket for 2024. Those include hotel room renovations, elevator upgrades and repairing the Queen Mary’s third smokestack, the release said.

The city and the ship’s operators are also planning to extensively remodel and repair a large portion of the ship’s Sun Deck this year. The Sun Deck is a popular spot for special events and weddings.

“(That project) is expected to increase revenue generation immediately upon completion,” the news release said.

Additional renovations are planned to facilitate the return of the Queen Mary’s “Ghosts and Legends” tour, the city said, and Long Beach staffers are working to identify and fund other art and historic restorations on board.

But the city also wants to leverage the 43-acre property surrounding the Queen Mary, the news release said, in hopes of developing it into a “world class entertainment and mixed-use development space.”

The city is planning to demolish the vacant “English village” adjacent to the ship this year, the news release, alongside other unused structures on the site.

“City staff are in the process of developing plans for a temporary amphitheater with the goal of providing a temporary, unique waterfront concert venue to meet the current demand of concert promoters in the region,” the news release said, which will “stimulate the tourist economy and provide additional revenue generation.”

A city team is planning to undertake a formal study to determine development opportunities on the property, which could include a permanent amphitheater, a marina and an improved cruise terminal — though those upgrades are likely years down the line.

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  1. The Queen Mary Historic Ship Tour, Long Beach, CA

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  2. Queen Mary in Long Beach: What You Need to Know

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  3. Guide to the Queen Mary Ship in Long Beach, CA

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  4. THE QUEEN MARY

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  5. Queen Mary Reviews and Tips (Long Beach, CA)

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  6. Best Things to Do in Long Beach, California

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VIDEO

  1. Queen mary tour! (updated to part 15)

  2. A Visit to the Queen Mary and Long Beach

  3. Tour of my cool suite aboard The Queen Mary

  4. Haunted Queen Mary at Night and Late Afternoon

  5. RMS Queen Mary Tour

  6. The Queen Mary

COMMENTS

  1. Queen Mary Tours & Exhibits near Long Beach

    Explore the Queen Mary with a tour. We offer everything from historical tours to ghost hunts. Learn about the history of the ship and the city of Long Beach. | Gallery ... Meetings Explore one of the most unique meeting and conference venues in Southern California. Weddings The Queen Mary has been host to unforgettable weddings for over 70 years.

  2. Things To Do in Long Beach

    Onboard Shopping. An array of unique shops featuring souvenirs, one-of-a-kind treasures, clothing, memorabilia, historic documents, artwork, and more. Plan your visit to the Queen Mary and learn about all the things we have to offer. We have something for everyone, from history aficionados to ghost hunters.

  3. Queen Mary is back in business. Free tours fully booked

    California. Queen Mary is back in business after 2-plus years. Free tours fully booked. The Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach in May 2021. The tourist attraction will reopen Thursday for the ...

  4. Queen Mary

    At 1,019 feet long and 81,000 tons, the Queen Mary was one of the largest and most elegant ships of the early 20th century. The ocean liner made 1,001 crossings between New York and England beginning in 1936. Now permanently stationed in Long Beach, the Queen Mary is not just a floating museum—the ship also offers top-notch dining, dazzling ...

  5. The Queen Mary, Los Angeles

    Once the flagship of the Cunard White Star Line, the elegant ocean liner RMS Queen Mary sailed between Southampton, England, Cherbourg, France, and New York City from 1936 to 1967. Now permanently moored in the city of Long Beach, California, the Queen Mary is a floating hotel, restaurant, special events venue, and tourist attraction.

  6. The RMS Queen Mary Long Beach California

    In 1967, the Queen Mary completed her final voyage from Southampton, docking in Long Beach, California, where she remains permanently moored. In the years since, the nearly one-century-old ocean liner has been transformed into a historic hotel and one of Long Beach's top attractions, welcoming visitors to explore its storied halls and learn of the ship's history through tours and onboard ...

  7. The Queen Mary (Mar 2024)

    4 to 6 hours. Paper ticket. Offered in: English. Entrance to the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Great family-friendly attraction to visit in the Los Angeles area! Learn about the Queen Mary's past through an interactive and historical exhibit. Explore an authentic Cold War-era Russian submarine.

  8. Queen Mary in Long Beach: The Complete Guide

    The Queen Mary. Address. 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA90802, USA. Phone +1 562-435-3510. Web Visit website. On your next trip to Long Beach, California, you should stop by the cruise ship that never moves—the Queen Mary. Originally built in 1937, the ship had a long and fascinating 30-year career before making its 516th and final voyage to ...

  9. The Queen Mary is officially open for public tours

    Tour guide Paul Knox tells visitors about the aft steering area on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, as visitors tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach for the first time in about three years on Saturday, Apr. 1 ...

  10. Tickets

    Tours & Exhibits Get an up close and personal look at the Queen Mary with our exciting tours & exhibits. ... Nearby Attractions The Queen Mary is a great central hub to all of Southern California's most popular attractions. Directions Your guide to getting to the Queen Mary. Happenings Calendar. Book Now. Room. Tour. Hotel. Rooms;

  11. Queen Mary

    No visit to Long Beach is complete without a stop at the Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner that offers visitors historical intrigue, award-winning restaurants, stunning views of the Long Beach skyline and even on-board accommodation. The Queen Mary celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2017—she first arrived in Long Beach on 9 December 1967.Take a tour

  12. The Queen Mary

    per adult (price varies by group size) Private Helicopter Tour of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. 1. Adventure Tours. from. $249.00. per adult (price varies by group size) Jet Ski Rentals in Long Beach, California. On the Water.

  13. The Queen Mary

    With the Queen Mary as your home base, you can plan day trips to visit local attractions the whole family will enjoy. Across the water, visit Southern California's largest aquarium and its 12,000 animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way). Continue the nautical theme of your stay and tour the USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd), a battleship docked in nearby San Pedro that served in ...

  14. Iconic Southern California cruise ship Queen Mary reopens for tours

    Long Beach's iconic Queen Mary has officially reopened for tours for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The famous cruise ship began offering limited tour sa…

  15. The Queen Mary Tour

    I stayed on The Queen Mary before going on a cruise out of Long Beach, California. This video tour of Queen Mary shows most of the public spaces as well as ...

  16. The Queen Mary

    3.8. The historic Queen Mary is open once again! Home to a 343-room Art Deco Hotel, where guests relive the excitement of the golden age of steam shop Atlantic crossings of the 1930's without ever leaving port. Permanently docked, the Queen Mary is an upscale hotel and a must-see attraction in Long Beach, CA. Offering historical, paranormal and ...

  17. Long Beach Hotel

    Tours & Exhibits Get an up close and personal look at the Queen Mary with our exciting tours & exhibits. ... Nearby Attractions The Queen Mary is a great central hub to all of Southern California's most popular attractions. Directions Your guide to getting to the Queen Mary. Happenings Calendar. Book Now. Room. Tour. Hotel. Rooms;

  18. THE QUEEN MARY

    1315 reviews and 2819 photos of The Queen Mary "After 1,001 trans-Atlantic crossings, starting with her maiden voyage in 1936, this luxurious ocean liner - the epitome of an elegant era before cruise ships became gaudy floating cities of behemoth proportions - permanently dropped anchor in Long Beach in 1967 and began its new life as a hotel and tourist attraction.

  19. Queen Mary

    Feb 25, 2024. Shopping in/near Long Beach Feb 15, 2024. Hotel near carnival port Feb 13, 2024. Casual dinner options for group of 11 Jan 15, 2024. Trip Report - Queen Mary, plus nearby historical sites Jan 10, 2024. Weekend trip- mom and 21yr old daughter Jan 07, 2024. Long Beach to Anaheim with Tour Dec 10, 2023.

  20. New rooms, tours, activities: Queen Mary is royal again, Long Beach

    The Queen Mary also is meant to play a crucial role in plans the city has for the nearby area. Officials are looking to develop 43 acres of space next to the ship into "a world-class entertainment ...

  21. Glory Days tour is not what it used to be!

    The Queen Mary. 3,149 Reviews. #10 of 167 things to do in Long Beach. Museums, Specialty Museums. 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802-6331. Open today: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Save.

  22. Queen Mary is officially turning a profit, Long Beach officials say

    In December 2022, the Queen Mary welcomed a small group of passengers aboard for the first time since its 2020 closure; a broader public reopening took place in early 2023.