The Queen Mary in Long Beach: Things to Do + Deals
The Queen Mary, in Long Beach California, is always a popular destination in Southern California. When I was in High School and living in SoCal, this was a great destination for a special dinner date. But you can also stay overnight on board the ship, take a tour, view exhibits and attend special events.
Skip down for my roundup of Queen Mary Discount Offers
The Queen Mary Review Discounts Activities
The year 2016 marks the Queen Mary’s 80th Anniversary of her Maiden Voyage. So I thought I take the opportunity to update this post about things to do at this Los Angeles area icon.
Skip down this page for:
Queen Mary Discounts, Coupons, Freebies
Things To Do at The Queen Mary (dining, tours)
My Favorite Queen Mary Annual Events
Story of the RMS Queen Mary
Tours & Ticket Info
Know Before You Go
The Queen Mary — on the bridge
The Story of The RMS Queen Mary
Built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland, RMS Queen Mary was part of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York City. She sailed mostly on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. One of two ships built by the British in response to the German and French superliners built in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
When World War II began, The Queen Mary became a troopship to ferry allied soldiers. After the war, she became a passenger ship again, along with sister ship the Queen Elizabeth. The two ships were the go-to modes of transportation for getting across the Atlantic. But times changed in the 1950’s when jet airliners took over. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was showing her age and operating at a loss. She was officially retired from service in 1967.
Now permanently moored at the port of Long Beach, California, The Queen Mary serves as a tourist attraction featuring award winning restaurants, shopping, a museum, and even a hotel. Officially retired from service in 1967, the ship is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things To Do at The Queen Mary
A Stay over night at The Queen Mary
Aboard the legendary Queen Mary you can take a Behind the Scenes Guided Tour of the historic ocean liner and World War II troopship. You can explore the restored areas that have been under wraps since the ship’s final voyage in 1967, such as the Isolation Wards and the aft Machine Rooms.
You can also shop, dine, or even stay the night in an original First Class Stateroom. Historic things to see include the ships Cold War weapons, and the Russian submarine (code name: Scorpion). Special holiday events are a huge hit with locals and visitors.
The Queen Mary Tours
{details & prices or see discounts below}
You have a few ways to go when it comes to tours. If you don’t find something you like on the current deals list, you can go to the box office or check Queen Mary website. The following are my top choices for tours, available online via savvy travel partner Viator (via my referral link above under details & prices).
- General Admission — Includes a self-guided Shipwalk Tour, Ghosts & Legends show, Queen Mary Historic Exhibit and optional audio tour.
- First Class Admission — Includes self-guided Shipwalk Tour of all exhibit areas, see the Ghosts & Legends show, Scorpion Submarine and choice of Behind-the-Scenes Tour or WWII Tours.
- Grand Voyage — Includes self-guided Shipwalk tour with audio headset, Ghost & Legends Show, Diana, Legacy of a Princess exhibit, Russian Scorpion Submarine and a choice between the Behind-the-Scenes or WWII Tours.
- Royal Admission — Admission, self-guided Shipwalk tour with audio headset and Diana, Legacy of a Princess Exhibit.
- Haunted Encounters — Includes self-guided Shipwalk Tour, Ghosts & Legends show, Haunted Encounters Tour, Haunted Encounters film, Ghost Sighting Scavenger Hunt and souvenir paranormal passport.
My Favorite Queen Mary Annual Events
Many special events and activities occur throughout the year on board the Queen Mary and at the Queen Mary Events Park. You can check the schedule on their website for updates. Plus, be sure to check the discount offers list. Tickets to these tend to sell out, so if you’re going, make sure you plan ahead.
Queen Mary CHILL — special Christmas Holiday Activities
Here are a few annual events I’m looking forward to.
- FEBRUARY: ScotsFestival & International Highland Games
- MAY: West Coast BBQ Classic
- JUNE: ShipKicker Country Music Festival
- AUGUST: Big Bite Bacon Fest
The West Coast BBQ Classic at Queen Mary Events Park
- SEPTEMBER: Shoreline Jam (Labor Day weekend)
- SEPTEMBER: Art Deco Festival
- OCTOBER: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Halloween activities)
- DECEMBER: Queen Mary CHILL (Christmas holiday exhibits).
Dining Aboard the Queen Mary
Dining on board the ship is a first class experience. I went for the great the ambience and the view, and it turns out the food is quite good, too. You have several options. I recommend making reservations first, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge (562-499-1657)
- Chelsea Chowder House & Bar (562-499-1685)
- The Tea Room (562-499-1682)
- Champagne Sunday Brunch (562-499-1606)
- Promenade Cafe (562-499-1600)
- Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge (562- 499-1740)
- Midship Marketplace (562-499-1714)
The Queen Mary Deals, Discounts & Coupons
The Queen Mary offers a few ways to save throughout the year through various ticket sources. The following Savvy Tix are updated often via savvy partner Goldstar and contain my referral links. As offers come and go, you’ll find them added here, including coupons and discount tickets for upcoming special events through any trusted sources I can find for you.
Get This Deal for $15 – $17.50. WHAT: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor: Haunted Mazes & Evil Monsters — Special Ticket Offer $15 – $17.50 (regular price $24 – $29). WHERE: Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802. WHEN: Upcoming dates include … Thursday September 29, 2016 / 8:00pm – Midnight (Opening Night) Thursday October 6, 2016 […]
NOTE: If you don’t see links above, check back for updates.
More Ways to Save
- GO LOS ANGELES PASS {best price} — If you’re visiting LA or just want to play tourist, check out this new and improved attraction pass, which saves you 20% to 55% on a choice of top attractions, including the Queen Mary. You save more depending on how many activities you choose to do over 30 days from the day you visit your first attraction. You can download a voucher or show on your smart phone.
- COUPONS & CODES — The previously posted coupons and codes have not been updated. I’ll post new ones here as I find them.
- MILITARY FREE + DISCOUNT — On Memorial Day weekend, the Queen Mary offers free admission to to active service members of the armed forces, retired military personnel, veterans and special 30% off discounts for their family members. Show your ID at the box office when you go.
Know Before You Go
- Tour Tickets: The Queen Mary Tour — get tickets online via Viator, one of my favorite savvy sources (also check for possible deals for the Queen Mary for events at the Queen Mary Events Park).
- Address: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queen’s Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802.
- Official Info: See the attraction’s website www.queenmary.com.
- Parking: When you visit, expect to pay a lot for for parking (around $15 or so).
Photo Credit: Images courtesy of The Queen Mary.
My gift to you
Just added a couple of new ticket deals for the Queen Mary, for spring. Check them out and let me know what you think. Anyone gone to these?
Hi,
Any idea of you’ll be getting more Queen Mary Chill tickets soon?
They’ve been adding a few more dates at a time. No way of knowing when this will happen next. Just keep checking.
How long until you know that new dates will be posted, I really want to go for my birthday on December 23rd!!
Alicia, I have no way of knowing. If you really want to get tickets for a specific day like your birthday, you might want to just get the full-price tickets directly from the venue. Wish I could be more helpful.
I would like to purchase discount tickets to chill queen Mary for dec. 27.
The ticket source for The Queen Mary CHILL event is adding a few dates at a time. If the date you want isn’t showing yet, you can choose to wait and see, pay full price directly, or grab a great deal on one of the dates currently showing as available.