Nauticus — Attraction in Norfolk

it was a somewhat cool experience but it definitely had its flaws it looks like one whole floor would be super fun just for kids but we were not necessarily there for that we were more so there for the actual museum part and the boat but the museum was really cool but a lot of information my family mainly just liked looking at the things but you could do a whole lot more time in there reading everything and if you are the type of person that likes reading every description at a museum and not just looking around the you would probably spend a whole day just in the museum section alone in which we didn't have time for and I can see where this museum section kids would find quite boring if you actually read everything but they would love the kids section probably and then I definitely do not recommend buying tickets in advance like more than 2 or 3 days before your visit and technically I would probably would wait until the day before because of the fact the main thing there that everyone is there to see which is the boat the whole outside of the boat is shut down when it rains and we didn't even get to explore the outside but we did at least get to explore some of the inside but in order to do so you have to walk through really big rain puddles which completely drenches your shoes and even though you got a lot of bathrooms on the ship you can't actually use a single one of them except for the one on the deck which you are not allowed to used because it is raining and the boat is confusing to navigate some and so especially if you are on the lowest floor it feels like you got to go through a complete a maze and walk half a mile just to go use the bathroom and then find a way to figure out where you left off at but there are a lot of things to explore and it was really cool how they used fake food we were only able to do a couple of the floors but we tried to see every room but there are probably many that we miss I really wish that they gave a map with a layout of every floor but if you wanted to fully explore the ship you would have to spend the whole day we were just mainly doing a little side trip on our way home from vacation and thought that it would take the same time as a normal museum but you definitely need much longer and then in the building it is fine but on the ship things get a little bit crowded with people from the thin hallways and then because this is a military ship not a cruise ship please be aware before you go on the the stairs on the boat are just like how they are shown on tv of being really narrow and steep and is more like a ladder than stairs and then also please be aware that since it is a military boat and they have doors built to stop floods you will be having to lift up your legs a lot exploring the ship and the lower you go in the ship the higher they get and the higher you have to lift up your legs and so if you have some problems with your legs or hips or back by the end you might be hurting a little bit just keep that in mind but over all it was a cool experience I wish I could have seen more and not have some of these flaws but it was still...

First for reference let me start with I've been to all 4 of the Iowa class battleships after visiting the Wisconsin the other day. After seeing the Wisconsin, I've been left speechless for the way this great ship is being treated and exhibited. It's not even Halloween yet, and you can barely navigate her deck for the sheer massive amount of gaudy looking christmas decorations already being set up. I'm sure she will look amazing at night when it's all turned on. But let us eat our turkey, or at least have our candy before you start shoving that holiday down our throats.

1. the people in charge of maintaining this vesssel, should be ashamed of themselves for the utter lack of respect and care that shows in numerous locations. The neglect for a piece of history is abhorant. NONE of the other ships that I have visited have shown any signs like the photos I'm including. The decks are in terrible condition, not being cleaned and showing obvious signs of standing water that has dried. There are clogged drains allowing standing water to accumulate and soak in other locations. And the paint is peeling across most of the command structure.

2. the "tour" is terrible. Lack of proper signage indicating a flow through the vessel. It's pretty much a "roam wherever you want" type experience. While that can be appreciated by some, a more organized route through the vessel would be the best way to show how the crews lived and operated such a massive warship. The New Jersey had in my opinion the most accessible, and clearly marked path of all of these great ships.

3. blocking off the command structure from the public with standard tickets is downright rude. Making people pay extra to see both the command decks and the engine room is ridiculous. I've been on the bridge of all 3 of her sister ships, and in the engine room of the New Jersey, without paying extra for this privledge. While I understand those areas are part of a "guided tour" the other vessels also have upgrades for guided tours of various aspects of the vessel for an extra charge, but you're still allowed to visit these other areas. You just don't get the extra history lesson by not doing the tour.

The Wisconsin is labled as the "last battleship" but if she is not taken better care of, she will be the first completed Iowa class to be scrapped. If the people in charge have no desire to take care of this vessel, give her to another state to watch over her in her retirement. Or let her join the others who have been immortilized as reefs to protect our waters and drive tourism for recreational divers.

Norfolk: to be the historical first naval shipyard "city" for the U.S., as well as the largest naval station in the world. To be charged with the honor of caring one of the great battleships that protected our freedom for her 50 years of service is an honor that is not being fulfilled.

Nauticus..........You can do...

Nauticus, nestled beside the majestic USS Wisconsin, is more than a maritime museum—it is a voyage into the heart of our relationship with the ocean and the vessels that traverse its depths. At once educational and immersive, it beckons visitors with the promise of discovery, and it delivers on that promise with aplomb.

From the moment one enters, Nauticus captivates with its seamless blend of technology and storytelling. The exhibits, each meticulously curated, are alive with interactive displays and hands-on experiences. One finds oneself immersed in the mysteries of marine science, marveling at the intricate mechanics of naval engineering, and learning the profound significance of humanity's connection to the seas.

Particular mention must be made of the Battleship Wisconsin galleries, which serve as an invaluable prelude to exploring the ship itself. The use of augmented reality and multimedia presentations transforms history into an engaging narrative, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the vessel’s storied past.

Families will delight in the touch tanks and aquariums, where the world beneath the waves is brought to life in vivid detail. Children, wide-eyed with wonder, reach out to feel the textures of stingrays and horseshoe crabs, their laughter mingling with the hushed murmurs of those contemplating the awe-inspiring scale model of the USS Wisconsin.

Nauticus also serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility for ocean conservation. Its exhibits on climate change and sustainable practices are sobering, yet empowering, inviting visitors to reflect on their role in preserving the marine ecosystems we so heavily rely upon.

Online reviews often praise the knowledgeable and approachable staff, and rightly so. Their passion elevates the experience, transforming Nauticus from a mere collection of exhibits into a living, breathing dialogue between past, present, and future.

It is a rare place that can engage the mind, stir the soul, and ignite curiosity in such equal measure. Nauticus is one such place. For the curious traveler, it is an essential destination; for the thoughtful visitor, it is a sanctuary of learning.

In sum, Nauticus does not merely showcase maritime history—it celebrates it, explores it, and, most importantly, inspires us to carry its lessons forward. A visit to Nauticus is not merely time spent—it is...