The Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner — once the most glamorous and fastest ship crossing the Atlantic — that has been permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967. A masterpiece of 1930s Art Deco design, she carried celebrities and royalty in peacetime and served as a troopship in World War II (when she was nicknamed the "Grey Ghost"). Today she's a floating museum and hotel: you can tour the engine room and historic decks, learn her wartime story, dine aboard, and join the famously popular ghost tours, as she's reputed to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
Launched in the 1930s, the RMS Queen Mary was the pride of the British transatlantic fleet — a floating Art Deco palace that held the speed record for crossing the Atlantic and carried film stars, royalty, and dignitaries in unrivaled luxury. During World War II she was converted into a troopship, painted gray and nicknamed the "Grey Ghost," ferrying hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Retired from service, she was brought to Long Beach in 1967 and permanently moored as a hotel and attraction.
Today the Queen Mary is a remarkable piece of living history. Visitors can explore her grand Art Deco public rooms, walk the promenade decks, tour the engine room and below-decks spaces, and trace her dual identity as luxury liner and wartime transport through onboard exhibits and guided tours. She also operates as a hotel, so you can stay overnight in an original first-class stateroom.
She's perhaps equally famous for her ghost stories: long reputed to be one of the most haunted places in America, she draws visitors to her popular paranormal and ghost tours, especially around Halloween. Between the history, the design, the dining, and the spookier offerings, there's a lot of ways to experience her. She's in Long Beach, near San Pedro, making a natural pairing with the USS Iowa. This experience is booked directly through our own ticketing site.
What to expect
The experience
Self-guided exploration plus optional guided tours (historical, engine room, and paranormal/ghost tours). Dining aboard and overnight stays in original staterooms are also available. In Long Beach.
Best time
Daytime for the history and design; evenings for the atmospheric ghost tours. Weekdays are quieter; Halloween season is busy and themed.
How long
2-3 hours for a general visit; longer with multiple tours or a meal.
Tips
Decide which experiences you want — general admission plus add-on guided tours (engine room, ghost tours) deepen the visit. The ghost tours are popular and book up, especially near Halloween. It's in Long Beach near San Pedro, so pair it with the USS Iowa. Consider an onboard meal or even an overnight in a historic stateroom.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History and design lovers, ghost-tour fans, and anyone drawn to the romance of the great ocean liners.
- Families
- Engaging for kids who like big ships and (age permitting) spooky stories; the ghost tours skew older.
- Couples
- Atmospheric and unusual — an evening ghost tour or a meal aboard makes a memorable date; you can even stay overnight.
- Pair with
- The USS Iowa in nearby San Pedro for a maritime day; the Long Beach waterfront and the Aquarium of the Pacific are close by.
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours, or longer with tours and dining.
Good questions
What is the Queen Mary?+
A retired British ocean liner from the 1930s — once the fastest and most glamorous on the Atlantic — permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967 as a floating museum and hotel. She also served as a WWII troopship, the "Grey Ghost."
Can I tour the ship?+
Yes — you can explore her Art Deco public rooms and decks, and take guided tours of the engine room, her history, and her wartime story. Dining aboard and overnight stays in original staterooms are also available.
Is the Queen Mary really haunted?+
She's long reputed to be one of the most haunted places in America, and her paranormal and ghost tours are among her most popular offerings — especially around Halloween. Believe what you like; the tours are atmospheric and fun.
Where is it located?+
In Long Beach, near San Pedro — making it an easy pairing with the USS Iowa battleship for a maritime-themed day, with the Aquarium of the Pacific also nearby.
Can I stay overnight?+
Yes — the Queen Mary operates as a hotel, so you can book an original first-class stateroom and sleep aboard the historic liner.
