USS Wisconsin BB-64 — Attraction in Norfolk

I went to a "Spend the Night" on the USS Wisconsin in early March 2025 with Cub Scouts and was very disappointed with our experience. Here are the good's and bad's before I give a specific very bad.

Goods: Absolutely rich with history, great for adults, and history nerds The experience of sleeping in the birthing quarters and navigating the ship was incredible. It isn't one for comfort but that isn't why you do it. Staff were incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the ship.

Bad's: The program encouraged and allowed kindergarten through fifth grade. But I wouldn't recommend sending kids that young on this. Its a lot of history and not a lot of hands on activity. There are videos with war footage and smaller kids will struggle to use the ship ladders. There were a lot of expectations (reasonable ones) that were never provided in writing. At times, folks became confused about what times they needed to be at what locations. Some folks got told to stop eating early. Overall, there was a lack of communication that caused issues.

Our incident which I hope never repeats: The staff told us not to leave the ship without an escort. They made it clear they would escort groups off the ship at two specific times within the night if needed. The entire overnight this was adhered to. The next morning, we did a final flag ceremony. One staff member advised that we needed to be off the ship by 9:00am. Our pack did some group photos. Other packs did as well, and some had already left. As our pack started to have folks leave individually, the lead Wisconsin staff member who was present YELLED for everyone to get back on the ship.

This yelling occurred in front of all of the elementary age school children. He yelled that no one had ever disobeyed their rules in their entire history and that we could have been harassed by customs. During this yelling, he yelled "GOD DAMNIT" that was heard by multiple adults and children. I immediately found the Wisconsin Staff member and expressed my frustration given his instructions to get off the ship by 9:00am. He admitted that the lead staff member would likely give him a hard time later for it.

We ultimately choose not to fight the situation there and then. The remaining individuals who had not left the ship were escorted off. The next week we followed up via email.

My real disappointment here is the response we got. We asked for the incident to be investigated by their director. Ultimately, they advised our claim was unfounded. Furthermore, they advised we were at fault for leaving the ship early.

Let me be clear. Leaving the ship early is certainly a problem. Four separate groups, all supported with ample adult attendance all misunderstood. This should be alarming to the staff. Something was clearly miscommunicated. It is more disappointing that the Wisconsin team didn't see this as an opportunity to do something better and instead pointed the blame at us.

Our community was so excited for this trip and we will not...

A Monument to Strength and Legacy: USS Wisconsin BB-64

To step aboard the USS Wisconsin BB-64 is to tread on a relic of sheer might and resolute purpose. As one gazes upon the colossal structure, a profound reverence takes root—a reminder of the ship’s stoic presence during pivotal moments in history.

The battleship, lovingly preserved, evokes the echoes of its wartime past. Its towering guns, which once heralded defiance, now stand as symbols of peace. The carefully curated exhibits onboard narrate stories of valor, strategy, and camaraderie. From the bustling engine room to the commanding bridge, every inch is a testament to human ingenuity and determination.

What struck me most, however, was the USS Wisconsin’s duality. It is both a fortress and a floating city, an armored leviathan that cradled the lives and dreams of countless sailors. Walking through the tight quarters of the crew bunks or the officer's mess hall, one feels a connection to the men who lived, worked, and fought aboard her steel decks.

For those seeking a deeper appreciation of maritime and military history, this battleship is a treasure trove. Online reviews have rightly lauded its knowledgeable guides, who breathe life into the ship's storied past with anecdotes that engage even the most casual observer. The panoramic views from the deck, as described by many, are nothing short of spectacular, offering a serene contrast to the vessel's wartime purpose.

Yet, as with all museums, one must approach the USS Wisconsin not merely as a tourist but as a listener. Its steel hull whispers lessons of resilience and courage, its corridors echo with stories waiting to be heard.

In the spirit of reflection, I must conclude: The USS Wisconsin BB-64 is not just a ship—it is an experience. To visit is to stand on the shoulders of giants and to pay homage to their sacrifices. Highly recommended, not just for historians, but for all who seek...

BACK GROUND: I have been to many museum ships around the country which includes 2 visits to the USS Alabama WW2 battleship (30 years ago and recently 1 year ago). I had a choice this trip to see an Iowa class or North Carolina class. I chose the Iowa class USS Wisconsin (could have even gone to the USS New Jersey) as my trip covered 1,800 miles in the process.

OBSERVATIONS: The trip was a disappointment. NONE of the guns, turrets or munitions storage/handling spaces were open to the public. The bridge, CIC or weapons control were all closed to the general public self guided tour. Only messing, crew berths, dentist/meds and admin spaces open. Almost no signage to explain the areas or direct you on the tour. Many of the crew bunks were left unmade as some group had recently done an over night aboard. There's much more criticism but I also under the challenges of maintaining such a massive ship so I won't kick the dog after it's already down.

So I wondered about the priorities of the management of the ship as all the people associated with the museum kept telling me they had only had the ship 10 years or so. So as I watched people (time, resources and labor) being expended on putting up literally tens of thousands of Christmas lights -- in September!! I just wondered how many gun spaces would or could have been open if they stopped trying to glamorize the ship and tried to make the best military history experience possible.

I included the background info because over 30 years ago the USS Alabama had its guns open to the public on their tour and yet all the Wisconsin people kept telling me was "oh they have been a museum ship much longer than us" Well maybe in 30 years you'll be able to go in turret 1, 2 or 3 to see what everyone who comes to a battleship wants to see -- the BIG Guns.

I strongly recommend you check out the New Jersey before driving to the Wisconsin and being...