The Queen Mary is a 1930s ocean liner that has been docked in Long Beach since 1967, and today it is a museum, hotel and event venue rolled into one. You can walk the teak decks, explore Art Deco lounges, see the engine room and wheelhouse, and hear stories of its wartime service and its reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.
After several years of closures and repairs, the ship is open daily to visitors. This guide covers tickets, tours, hours, parking and what to see on board.
In this guide
Pair your visit with the Aquarium of the Pacific, just across the harbor.
The Queen Mary at a glance
- Address: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
- Hours: daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for day visitors
- General admission: about $45 adults, $40 kids
- Glory Days Historical Tour: about $55, including admission
- Parking: $25 daily maximum, $15 with restaurant validation
- Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
A short history of the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary was built by John Brown and Company on the River Clyde in Scotland and launched in 1936. She sailed the North Atlantic between Southampton and New York for the Cunard line, carrying celebrities, royalty and ordinary travelers in Art Deco luxury, and she won the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing.
During World War II the ship was painted gray and became a troopship nicknamed the Grey Ghost, carrying up to about 15,000 soldiers per voyage. After the war she returned to passenger service until the jet age made ocean liners less popular. Long Beach bought the ship, and she made her final voyage around South America to Long Beach in 1967.
Tickets and tours
General admission costs about $45 for adults and $40 for children and gives you self-guided access to more than 20 exhibits, the public decks, shops and restaurants.
Guided tours add more depth:
- Glory Days Historical Tour: about an hour, covering construction, speed records and the war years; around $55 including admission.
- Haunted Encounters: a family-friendly evening tour about the ship’s ghost stories.
- Graveyard Tour: a late-night ghost tour for ages 16 and up.
- Seasonal tours and events, including holiday programs in December.
Book online to lock in your date; tours can sell out on weekends.
What to see on board
- The promenade deck: long, enclosed walkways with views of the harbor and downtown Long Beach.
- The wheelhouse and bridge: the original controls used to steer the ship.
- The engine room: massive machinery from the ship’s steam turbine era.
- Art Deco interiors: the Observation Bar, grand salons and wood-paneled corridors.
- Exhibits on wartime service and famous passengers.
- The first-class swimming pool area, a famous stop on ghost tours.
Staying overnight on the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a working hotel with more than 300 original first-class staterooms. Rooms are small by modern standards, with portholes, wood paneling and vintage fittings. Staying overnight is a fun choice for history fans, and hotel guests get easy access to the decks in the evening. Overnight parking is about $39.
Events: Dark Harbor and the holidays
- Dark Harbor is the ship’s Halloween haunt, with mazes on and around the Queen Mary. In 2026 it ran on select nights from September 18 to November 1. See our Halloween in Los Angeles guide.
- Holiday events take over the ship in December, with decorations and special tours.
- Concerts and festivals are held on the grounds next to the ship through the year.
Getting there and parking
The Queen Mary is at the end of Queens Highway, across the harbor from downtown Long Beach.
- By car: take the 710 freeway south to its end and follow signs to the Queen Mary. Parking is $25 a day, or $15 with validation from an on-board restaurant.
- By Metro: take the A Line to Downtown Long Beach, then the free Long Beach Passport shuttle. See our LA Metro guide.
- By water taxi: the AquaLink and AquaBus run seasonally from the downtown waterfront.
Tips for visiting
- Go early on a weekday for quieter decks.
- Bring a layer; the open decks are breezy, even in summer.
- Wear sturdy shoes; there are many stairs and narrow passages.
- Eat on board: the Observation Bar is a classic spot for a drink with harbor views.
- Combine with Long Beach: the aquarium, Shoreline Village and the Pike are a short ride away. See things to do in Long Beach.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen Mary open to visitors?
Yes. The Queen Mary is open daily for self-guided visits and tours, generally from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How much does it cost to visit the Queen Mary?
General admission is about $45 for adults and $40 for children. Guided tours cost more.
Is the Queen Mary haunted?
The ship is famous for ghost stories, and it offers evening ghost tours. Whether you believe them is up to you.
Can you stay on the Queen Mary?
Yes. The ship is a hotel with more than 300 original staterooms.
How much is parking at the Queen Mary?
$25 for the day, or $15 with a restaurant validation.
Photo credits
Featured image: David Lofink from Anaheim / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
