There is a lot to see and learn when you're visiting Pearl Harbor, and planning ahead will help you make the most of your time. Here's our guide to the museums, monuments, and memorials found at there, with links to more information for each site.
Visiting Pearl Harbor
Why Visit Pearl Harbor
The average age of a serviceman stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II was nineteen. Do you remember what nineteen looks like?
Dad enlisted in the Navy in 1943, twenty months into The War, on the day he turned seventeen. After completing basic training, he was assigned as a Torpedoman's Mate on a submarine, the USS Searaven, stationed at the time in Pearl Harbor.
The picture of him and his buddies - Slim, Sax, Smitty, and Bob - was taken on the beach at Waikiki in 1944, and puts it all in perspective for me.
Their faces were with me every moment we spent at Pearl Harbor; because while Dad and his buddies all lived through the war, so many faces as fresh and alive as theirs did not.
They were so young.
The museums, monuments, and memorials at Pearl Harbor offer visitors an up-close window into the story of the War in the Pacific, and there are many reasons to visit. Some go as a pilgrimage, some go to honor their fathers or grandfathers, some are history buffs. Whatever the reason, if you visit Oahu, Pearl Harbor needs to be on your must-do list.
Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.
George Santayana, Spanish philosopher
Pearl Harbor Visitors Center
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor National Memorial (previously, the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument), consists of nine historic locations in three of the westernmost United States: California, Alaska, and Hawaii. Five of the nine are located within Pearl Harbor itself: the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, the USS Utah Memorial, and parts of Ford Island and Battleship Row.
Mr. B and I spent time to walking around the memorial grounds, which includes a number of interconnected sites.
This view of the Battleship Missouri and the Arizona Memorial was taken from just beyond Remembrance Circle and out across the lagoon at Pearl Harbor.
How to Get to the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center
According the the National Park Service, if you are using a GPS, the physical address of the Pearl Harbor Memorial is:
Pearl Harbor National Memorial 1 Arizona Memorial Place Honolulu, HI 96818
Warnings: A search for "Pearl Harbor" on Google Maps will take you to the active military base, not the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
Do not try to take the Ford Island bridge. The visitor center is located right near the turn for the Ford Island bridge. Ford Island is only accessible by military personnel and government employees.
Parking at the Visitor Center is free. Lots are located in front of the main entrance.
Hours & Ticket Information
The Pearl Harbor Visitors Center is run by the National Park Service and is free to visit, as are tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial. The shuttle to Ford Island is also free, but the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, the USS Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum all charge an entry fee.
The ticket desk is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and ticketing counters are located in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Discounts are available to local residents and military with valid id.
USS Arizona Memorial
If you only have time to see one thing at Pearl Harbor, we recommend taking a tour of the Arizona.
How to Get to the Arizona Memorial
The entrance to the USS Arizona Memorial is located within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Entrance to the Visitor Center is free and open to the public.
Ticket Reservations
Admission to Arizona Memorial is free, but you must have a ticket. The entire program lasts an hour and 15 minutes and includes a 23-minute documentary on the history of Pearl Harbor and a short boat ride to and from the memorial.
Ticket reservations for USS Arizona Memorial tours can be made at Recreation.gov. Tickets are limited, and the National Park Service strongly recommends that visitors make advanced reservations. Tickets are released for reservation in two waves:
- 1st Wave: 8 weeks (56 days) in advance at 3pm HST.
- 2nd Wave: 1 day in advance at 3pm HST.
Plan on arriving at the Visitor Center at least an hour before your designated time. That time denotes when the boat will be leaving: if you miss your reservation, there is no guarantee you will have a spot on the next boat.
A very limited number of standby tickets are made available each day, but the wait time can be 1-3 hours. Arrive before 7 a.m. if you want to try to get a stand-by ticket.
Read about our tour of the USS Arizona for more information, or visit ussarizonamemorial.org.
Submarine Museum & USS Bowfin
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (adjacent to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial) features the WWII fleet submarine, USS Bowfin, as well as outdoor artifacts, a lanai, food services, and a gift shop.
Known as the Pearl Harbor Avenger because of nine successful war patrols following the initial attacks, the USS Bowfin submarine is now a floating museum. Guests are able to walk through the sub with a guided headset tour that details its patrols and describes what it was like to live submerged beneath ocean waters for months at a time.
Exhibits aboard the USS Bowfin include an impressive collection of submarine-related artifacts such as submarine weapon systems, photographs, paintings, battle flags, original recruiting posters, and detailed submarine models, all illustrating the history of the U.S. Submarine Service.
How to Get the Submarine Museum
How to Get There
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum & Park is conveniently located within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Allow about an hour to get the most out of your visit.
Hours & Entrance Fees
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
General admission:
- Adults: $21.99
- Children (ages 4-12): $12.99
- Military, kama‘aina (local resident): $15.00 per adult and $7.99 per child (4-12)
- School group pricing is available
Admission includes an audio tour that is available in seven languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese). Prices are subject to change without notice.
For more information, read about our tour of the USS Bowfin, or visit bowfin.org.
USS Battleship Missouri Memorial
The USS Missouri, one of the United States' most historic battleships, is now permanently anchored in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.
On September 2, 1945, the USS Missouri secured its place in history when Japanese and Allied representatives gathered aboard ship to sign the formal document of surrender, ending the World War 2 in the Pacific.
As a living history museum, the Missouri now welcomes visitors from around the world year-round.
How to Get to the Missouri Memorial
The Missouri is located on Ford Island, which you can visit by hopping on one of the shuttles that leave the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center every 15 minutes. The last shuttle returning visitors to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center leaves the Museum at 5:00 p.m.
Military Personnel and Military Contractors with valid ID access can directly visit the Ford Island.
Hours & Entrance Fees
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. (last admission: 3:00 p.m.). The Memorial is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
General Admission:
- Adults: $34.99
- Children (4-12): $17.49
Tickets are not required in advance. The pass includes admission and a guided tour. You are also free to tour the ship on your own. Plan for at least an hour and a half for travel time and tour.
Upgraded tours are available for an additional fee. Tours are fully ADA accessible.
For more information, read about our tour of the USS Missouri Memorial, or visit ussmissouri.org.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (previously, the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor) on historic Ford Island occupies two hangars and the Ford Island Control Tower that still bear the scars of our nation's aviation battlefield.
Our experience at the Aviation Museum began in Hangar 37, a 42,000 square foot former seaplane hangar that survived the December 7, 1941 attack.
During the war it was a maintenance and engine repair facility, filled with fighters, bombers and patrol aircraft that were based in Pearl Harbor or en route to the front lines. Today, it holds modern jets and historic helicopters.
How to Get to the Aviation Museum
The museum is located on Ford Island, which you can visit by hopping on one of the shuttles that leave the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center every 15 minutes. The last shuttle returning visitors to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center leaves the Museum at 5:00 p.m.
Military Personnel and Military Contractors with valid ID access can directly visit the Ford Island.
Hours & Museum Tickets
The Aviation Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. General Admission gives full access to 50+ aircraft, all exhibits in Hangar 37, Hangar 79, and The Raytheon Pavilion. Free guided audio tours are available.
[Prices last updated 2023]
- Adults: $25.99 (USD)
- Children (Ages 4-12): $14.99 (USD)
- Children 3 years of age and under are free.
Visitors should expect to spend one to two hours or more exploring the Aviation Museum's impressive collection of vintage aircraft.
For more information, read about our tour of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, or visit pearlharboraviationmuseum.org.
A Few More Things to Know Before You Go
Here are a few things that will make your life a little easier when you visit Pearl Harbor historical sites.
- Go Early: Pearl Harbor visitor sites can be crazy busy, especially during Oahu's high tourist season (mid-December through mid-April). If your ticket for the Arizona is later in the day, use the morning to visit other sites first.
- Take Sun Protection: The sun in Hawaii can be relentless, so be sure to take a sunglasses and sunscreen, along with a wide-brimmed hat, sun-brella, or other sun protection.
- Read through the current National Park Service Bag Policy: bags, packages, or containers that offer concealment (including but not limited to purses, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage, etc.) that exceed the measurements of 1.5" X 2.25" X 5.5," are not allowed at the monument.
- The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum operates a baggage storage facility near the entrance to the visitor center. There is a fee per bag for all sizes, including luggage. Security measures are strictly enforced at all visitor destinations on Pearl Harbor.
- Be Respectful: This is hallowed ground.
Disclaimer: Hours, ticket and entrance fees, guidelines, etc., to any and all locations listed here or elsewhere on this blog are subject to change without notice.
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kelsey says
I grew up on the Big Island but was born on Oahu and recall fondly going to see these moving sights with my grandfather. Great post!
Melinda says
I love these posts...I'm going to forward this one to my husband as he is a big WWII history buff and would LOVE to visit Pearl Harbor....
Renée ♥ says
Thanks so much, Melinda. I'm really glad you like them. Our visit to Pearl Harbor, while perhaps not as fun and action-packed as others, was one of the most memorable and meaningful days we spent in Hawaii.
Create/Enjoy says
Wow, what a place. I didn't make it to Pearl Harbor when I was in Hawaii but there is SO much history there! I did tour the submarine at OMSI once, and I agree, claustrophobia-inducing and crazy to imagine living in it for so long.
Great photos and post!
Jenni says
Beautiful photos and stories. I'd be with you though... could not handle even thinking about sleeping underwater much less in a tube! I hadn't ever heard about hot bunking either... that is so interesting to think that is how the crews had to do it. But, it makes sense in such a small space that needs manned 24/7. Thanks for sharing!
Aubrie LeGault says
Everyone needs to go see Pearl Harbor once in their life. ..Love the last photo!
Jen says
Fascinating story of the captain who gave the Japanese pilot a proper burial - what an honorable man. Love the last photo too...
Marlynn [UrbanBlissLife] says
Beautiful photos, especially that last one. I don't know how those brave men and women live in submarines for months on end either -- and the option to sleep in an empty torpedo tube? Wow. Thanks for taking us along with you on this tour, and especially the story of the burial of the Japanese pilot. "He looked at the pilot simply as a man serving his country"... very moving and powerful.
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
Thanks for sharing the story about the proper burial of the Japanese pilot. Having the presence to see the bigger picture during such a intense time shows true grace.