A legendary ocean liner, a Long Beach landmark
The Queen Mary left Southampton on her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. Built in Clydebank, Scotland, she carried travelers across the Atlantic, carried hundreds of thousands of service members in World War II, then returned to passenger service. She retired from the sea in 1967 and began a new chapter in Long Beach as an attraction and hotel. Read the ship’s official history, or discover her with Visit California.
Today the appeal is in the layers of that story. A visit can center on design, engineering, wartime service or what it was like to cross an ocean before air travel was routine. Look up from the map, notice the materials and imagine the daily life behind each space.
Queen Mary hours, location and tickets
- Address
- 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
- General admission
- Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time
- Other options
- Off-hours admission and scheduled tours have their own times and access
- Booking
- Choose a ticket, then confirm the entry time and what’s included for your date
- Guest information
- (562) 435-3511
- Time to allow
- Roughly half a day for a tour, exhibits and a break (our suggestion)
The ship keeps separate schedules for admission, exhibits, restaurants and events. Check the official pricing and admission page and your confirmation rather than assuming one closing time covers everything aboard.
Getting there and parking
Use the Queen Mary’s address for your arrival, and check the parking page before you leave. Day parking, overnight parking and restaurant validation have different rates, and special events can change arrangements. Current parking information · Directions.
Choose the experience that interests you
History and Art Deco
A history-focused tour adds context to the interiors, the passenger spaces and the people who traveled aboard.
Engineering
The belowdecks tour explores the machinery and working spaces behind the passenger experience.
Ghost stories
Haunted and paranormal tours explore reported experiences and enduring legends. Come for the storytelling and atmosphere.
General admission currently includes a short introductory Embarkation tour while availability lasts; longer themed tours are booked separately. Compare the current tours, including age guidance, routes and availability for your date.
Leave time for the exhibits
A tour can be the start rather than the whole visit. The exhibits include the bridge, the Captain’s Quarters, the Radio Room, The Cunard Story and the engine room. Check the ship map for what your admission covers on the day. Official exhibit guide.
Pick a few spaces to revisit at your own pace. With family, give everyone a question to follow: how the ship was steered, how passengers reached shore, what kept the liner moving. It turns the visit into a shared discovery instead of a race through every deck.
Make room for a meal and the view
A dining stop gives the day a slower rhythm. The Observation Bar fills the ship’s former first-class lounge, with Art Deco character and views of the water and skyline. Explore the Observation Bar.
Check restaurant schedules and reservation rules when you plan. Dining has its own admission rules, so confirm them rather than assuming a restaurant booking includes a tour or exhibit access. Dining and admission questions.
A relaxed Queen Mary visit
- Reserve the experience first. If a guided tour matters most, book it before meals or other plans, and leave time for parking and finding the meeting point.
- Explore with breathing room. Follow the tour with a few exhibits. A short pause between stops makes the ship’s scale and detail easier to take in.
- Finish with the harbor. If the day’s access allows, enjoy the views before you leave. For photos, frame the funnels and the long hull together.
- Keep the rest of the day flexible. Pairing it with the Aquarium of the Pacific? Treat it as a separate stop with its own travel, admission and schedule.
A suggestion, not a timed route or a promise of access to every space.
Before you go
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for time outside. Check your confirmation for arrival instructions, tour meeting points and any restrictions.
Talk through access needs with the Queen Mary before booking: access varies by experience, and the VIP tour is listed as not ADA accessible because of the ship’s historic nature. Tour access information.
Queen Mary questions
Can you visit without staying overnight?
Yes. Day visitors can buy admission and tours without booking a hotel room. Visitor ticket options.
Does the Queen Mary still sail?
No. She is permanently moored in Long Beach as an attraction, hotel and event venue. Visit Long Beach.
How much are Queen Mary tickets?
It depends on the admission or tour you choose. Check current options and what each includes before buying. Official pricing.
Is a guided tour included with general admission?
General admission currently includes a 30 to 45 minute introductory Embarkation tour while availability lasts. Longer themed tours are separate tickets. Current inclusions.
Is the Queen Mary good for families?
Match the experience to your group, and check age guidance for paranormal and late-night tours; the Graveyard tours are for ages 16 and up. Compare tours.
Can you go aboard just to eat or drink?
Dining visits are possible, but ship-entry rules still apply. Confirm current reservation and admission requirements. Dining FAQs.
