Queen Mary Long Beach Tours and Attractions 2024

The Queen Mary has resumed tours for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning April 1, 2023.  Tours available include the Glory Days Historical Tour, Steam and Steel Tour, & Haunted Encounters Tour 

Queen Mary is located across the bay from The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, home to the Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach. The Queen was moored in Long Beach in 1967 and opened as a tourist attraction in 1971.

The Steam and Steel Tour will take guests approximately 25 ‘ below the water line, where they will have a chance to walk through Boiler Rooms 1- 4, as well as the Water Softening Plant and the Turbo-Generator Room 1. The haunted tour is a one-hour tour that will share many of the more well-known or infamous stories of the paranormal residents that now occupy the legendary ship

Queen Mary Long Beach is a fun day trip where the whole family can find something to enjoy. With discounts, you can make a trip to the Queen Mary easy on your budget.

Queen Mary History

Queen Mary sailed on her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936, and later became the fastest passenger ship to cross the Atlantic. She lost the title to the SS Normandie in 1937 and recaptured it in 1938.

With the outbreak of World War II, she was converted into a troopship and ferried Allied soldiers for the duration of the war. Following the war, Queen Mary was refitted for passenger service and, along with Queen Elizabeth, commenced the two-ship transatlantic passenger service that the two ships were initially built for.

The two ships dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950s. By the mid-1960s, the ship was aging and though still among the most popular transatlantic liners, was operating at a loss.

After several years of decreased profits for Cunard Line, Queen Mary officially retired from service in 1967. The ship left Southampton for the last time on October 31, 1967, and sailed to Long Beach, California.

Queen Mary Hotel

The Queen Mary is a full-service hotel, historical landmark, and entertainment venue.  The hotel has original staterooms spanning three decks and eight complete suites. Each cabin is uniquely appointed, and embellishments include rich wood paneling, Art Deco built-ins, original artwork, and portholes for outside cabins.

Queen Mary Events

Queen Mary Dark Harbor

(No Schedule yet) Dark Harbor is not for younger children. This annual Halloween event is one of the most popular scary attractions in Southern California. Live entertainment,  gruesome mazes, and ghost ship tours are all part of the fun.

Queen Mary Christmas

(No Schedule yet) Queen Mary Christmas is a family-friendly holiday event held on the ground of the Queen Mary. The ice theme of the original Chill festival has been updated into Alice in Winterland. Rides, a vast ice slide, and a Santas Village are all designed as a place where families can enjoy the holidays together.

Nearby Queen Mary Attractions

Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach

Aquarium of the Pacific houses over 12,000 sea animals displayed by area of origin. Visiting this historic ship and Aquarium of the Pacific is a great way to spend a day.

Cabrillo Aquarium San Pedro

The Cabrillo Aquarium is nowhere near as large as the Long Beach Aquarium.  However, it does have one advantage; admission is free. This aquarium exhibits sea creatures that live in Southern California. There are lots of hands 0n exhibits, plenty of exciting fish tanks, and a walkway down to some attractive tide pools.

Things to do in Long Beach

Southern California Holiday Events