Visit Pearl Harbor On Oahu In Hawaii
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is made up of about 21 acres around Pearl Harbor Hawaii. It consists of various landmarks including; Arizona, Utah & Oklahoma Memorials, and the moorings of battleship row as well as bungalows on Ford Island. The area is administered by the park service who provides access to battle locations, historic buildings, museums, and monuments dedicated to the people who fought, died, and survived the fighting in the Pacific during WWII.
Outside the National Memorial, the Bowfin Submarine, Missouri Battleship, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museums are popular sites for all visitors. They are not managed by the National Park Service.
Pearl Harbor Oahu
Visit The Historic Sites On Oahu
The memorials were established to honor those who fought and died during the Japanese Naval and Air Forces attack on Pearl Harbor. They were set up to help preserve the stories and memories of those who served in the Pacific during World War II.
Of the memorials run by the National Park Service in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor is the most popular. The main feature being the Arizona Memorial honors the servicemen who died during the Japanese attack in 1941. It, along with other nearby attractions that make Pearl Harbor the busiest visitor destination in Hawai’i.
Several parts of the park are scenic sites that are not necessarily accessible to the public such as the Mooring Quays along Battleship Row, the Five Petty Chief Officer Bungalows, USS Oklahoma Memorial (we drive by it on tour), and USS Utah Memorial on the west side of Ford Island.
Visit The National Memorial & Sites at Pearl Harbor
The memorials at Pearl Harbor remind visitors of the events of the Japanese attack on the “day that will live in infamy.” The work that the National Park Service and tour guides do make it a wonderful educational experience for all visitors, including those from Japan.
A Complete Pearl Harbor Experience explores the visitor center’s two museums and promenade, the Arizona Memorial (where the war began for the U.S.), the Bowfin Submarine, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (filled with the aircraft of WWII), and the Battleship Missouri (the Japanese Forces surrendered on her deck in August of 1945, officially ending the war).
Pearl Harbor is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 5 pm
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has two world-class museums as well as interpretive exhibits running along the harbor shoreline. This walkway encompasses multiple signs, plaques, and tributes such as Remembrance Circle, a monument listing the names of all Medal of Honor recipients in WWII.
The museums, outdoor exhibits and boat tour to the Arizona Memorial are all free. However, tickets are required for the Arizona Memorial movie and tour.
For a nominal fee, there are several options to get the most out of your visit to Pearl Harbor. A self-guided audio tour (in 7 different languages) is 2 hours long and guides you through the exhibits and outdoor promenade to 29 important locations throughout the park and memorial. There are also several package tours for touring the USS Bowfin submarine, the USS Missouri Battleship, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s two hangars filled with famous historical aircraft. (This audio option is included for free when you purchase a Pearl Harbor Tour.)
The Visitor Center Museums
At the visitors center, guests can explore two museums that tell the story of Pearl Harbor and America before, during and after the attack. The “Road to War” exhibit includes artifacts, historic newsreel footage and photos of American life before the war. The “Oahu 1941” open air gallery explores the thoughts and feelings of native Hawaiians and the people living on Oahu during the 1940s.
The “Attack and Aftermath” exhibit showcases film and oral histories, artifacts and photos of the attack and how it propelled the United States into war. This exhibit also features scaled-down models of the Arizona Memorial and wreckage, a Japanese “Kate” bomber and the only recovered WW2 Japanese torpedo. These are just some of the interesting items on display.
Visitors may also get a chance to meet some of the Pearl Harbor survivors who are present on most days. They are happy to share their stories and sign autographs with guests. A bookstore and a gift shop, a convenience store and a cafeteria round out the amenities at this expansive National Memorial.
The Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center
A new addition to the visitor center is the Virtual Reality Center. For less than $5 VR goggles enable visitors a 360 degree perspective of the USS Arizona battleship, the attack and the Arizona Memorial today.
The tour starts on the deck of the USS Arizona before the attack. Next guests can see first-hand Battleship Row and witness the attack. Finally, the tour takes you inside, around and over the Arizona Memorial. It’s a step back in time where you can see history first hand in this detailed virtual tour! All equipment is provided and easy to use.
The Arizona Memorial
The most iconic part of the national memorial is the Arizona Memorial. Built in 1962, the memorial represents America’s entry into WWII and is a sober reminder of the lives lost on December 7th, 1941. The horrific attack changed the world not just for the US but for the thousands of Americans who died and the nearly 1.5 million Japanese that perished in the fighting across the Pacific and Asia. Over 1 million visitors a year venture out to see this monument and the ship that lies beneath it.
A theater at the visitor center starts the tour to the Arizona Memorial where a 23 minute documentary of the attack is viewed before visitors proceed to the boat that will take them out to the Arizona Memorial. It is a solemn tribute to the 1,177 men lost on Arizona during the attack which accounted for about half the lives lost that day.
Located Outside The National Memorial
Missouri, Bowfin & Pearl Harbor Aviation Museums Should Be Part Of Your Pearl Harbor Experience
The USS Bowfin Submarine
The USS Bowfin is berthed in front of the Submariners Museum and outdoor cafeteria at the visitor center. The vessel stands as a tribute to the unsung heroes of the Pacific Submarine Fleet during WW2.
A highly decorated wartime vessel, the Bowfin is a fascinating look into the “Silent Service” of WW2 that brought the fight to the Japanese while the badly damaged Pacific fleet was being rebuilt after the attack. Nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger” when it was launched on December 7th, 1942, the USS Bowfin is credited with sinking 44 major ships on nine war patrols in the Pacific during the war.
Admission onto and inside the submarine includes a self-guided audio tour and entrance to “The History of Undersea Warfare” exhibit at the nearby Submarine Museum.
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Located on Ford Island along with the USS Missouri battleship and housed within two large hangars that sustained damage during the attack, is the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The hangars exhibit the aircraft that played an essential role in winning the war in the Pacific as well as many others since then.
The attack at Pearl Harbor, as well as several important battles in the Pacific, are featured prominently at the Aviation Museum. Large murals and a diorama show the strategy involved in winning these decisive battles such as the Battle of Midway.
Legendary aircraft such as the P-40 Warhawk (Flying Tigers), the carrier-based Grumman Wildcat, the SBD Dauntless dive bomber the B-24 Bomber are just a few of the aircraft featured in Hangar 37. Hangar 79 is filled with the jet aircraft of the Korean and Cold War while on the outside tarmac a vast lineup of military helicopters await inspection. This hangar is also a restoration workshop that currently displays a B-17 Flying Fortress recovered recently near Saipan.
Flight simulators, games in the Raytheon dome, and a restaurant make for a fantastic experience at Pearl Harbor.
Tours, Tickets & Discounts
Create Great Memories During A Visit To This National Memorial
There are a lot of great tours we offer to help you experience Pearl Harbor the way you want to. All our small-group tours are provided in Mercedes Sprinter vans that carry a maximum of 12 passengers. Come explore the island of Oahu with the local experts.
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Arizona Memorial and USS Battleship Missouri Tour
You'll glide through history on this sobering, yet inspirational tour of Hawaii's most famous landmarks. (And with access through Pearl Harbor Tours, you'll skip the lines and wait times usually associated with Hawaii's #1 tourist destination.)
- Most popular Pearl Harbor tour
- Includes all admission charges
- Pick up from Waikiki Hotels
- Guided Tour. Duration: 7 Hours
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Pearl Harbor Oahu Circle Island Tour
The ultimate Oahu experience, the circle tour allows you to see the best of Oahu in a small group setting. Look out for plantations, film sites, and more!
- Movie & USS Arizona Memorial
- Exhibits, Museum and Documentary Film
- 120 Mile Tour of Oahu Highlights
- Guided Tour. Duration: 10 Hours
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The Complete Experience
Attention history lovers: the Complete Experience dedicates an entire day to exploring Pearl Harbor and includes admission and transportation to all sites, even those on the active naval base.
- All 4 Attractions at Pearl Harbor
- USS Arizona Memorial & USS Missouri
- USS Bowfin & Aviation Museum
- Guide Tour. Duration: 10 Hours
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Passport To Pearl Harbor
This all-day adventure allows you to visit Oahu's most popular paid museums on an all-inclusive ticket.
- 4 Attractions at Pearl Harbor
- Pearl Harbor Visitor Center & USS Missouri
- USS Bowfin & Pacific Aviation Museum
- Self Guided Tour - No Transportation
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Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor Tour
This is an ideal way to experience "Old Hawaii" and learn the history of the entire island chain. You’ll see Pearl Harbor, the Dole Plantation, and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
- See 3 of Oahu's most popular attractions
- Lunch included Pounders Restaurant
- Small groups 12 guests or fewer
- Guided Tour. Duration 10 Hrs
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Oahu Private Tours by Jeep, Van, Mercedes Sprinter or Mini Coach
Get the VIP-treatment with a private tour, including a private charter, custom itinerary, fast track tickets, and more.
- Pearl Harbor tickets and highlights
- 8 hour tour Island of Oahu
- HNL Pick up. Airline tickets not Included
- Group of 4 Jeep, 7 Van, & 12 Sprinter
On A Budget? There are multiple ways to experience Pearl Harbor and we can help you set up your day that matches your budget. Our on-island concierge is here to help make each of your Hawaiian vacation days the best it can be. Contact us now to learn more about special, last-minute discounts.
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