Queen Mary

Be sure to get at least a glimpse of this huge passenger ship, now sitting snugly in Long Beach Harbor. What seemed like sure folly when Long Beach officials bought her in 1967 put the city on the proverbial map. The 80,000-ton Queen Mary was launched in 1934, a floating treasure of art deco splendor. It took a crew of 1,100 to minister to the needs of its 1,900 demanding passengers. The former first-class passenger quarters are now a hotel. Allow a generous half day to explore this most luxurious of luxury liners, admiring the extensive wood paneling, the gleaming nickel- and silver-plated handrails, and the hand-cut glass. There are several restaurants and shops on board, a gallery of the ship's original art, and even a wedding chapel. www.queenmary.com. COST: $19 for self-guided tours; $23 for guided first-class tours. Call for times and frequency of guided tours.



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