The boat to the USS Arizona Memorial takes about three minutes from the visitor center dock. In that time, the harbor opens up around you — the water is dark and still, the Koolau Mountains are visible in the haze to the northeast, and then the white concrete structure appears, straddling the hull of the sunken battleship beneath the surface. The Arizona was sunk on December 7, 1941, in nine minutes. It is still here, 83 years later. The oil it contained — still an estimated 500,000 gallons — seeps slowly to the surface in small rainbow slicks that are visible from the memorial’s open sides. They call it the tears of the Arizona.
Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States, and for good reason. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 killed 2,403 Americans, wounded nearly 1,200 more, and propelled the United States into World War II — an event that reshaped the 20th century. Coming here is not primarily a tourist experience. It is a chance to stand at the exact site where history pivoted, to see the names of the 1,177 crew members of the Arizona engraved on the white marble wall of the memorial, and to understand in a physical way what those events meant.
The memorial itself is free, but a timed-entry reservation is required and must be booked on recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance. The tickets release at midnight and sell quickly — book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. The surrounding Pearl Harbor Historic Sites — Battleship Missouri, Pacific Aviation Museum, and USS Bowfin submarine — are separately ticketed and can fill a full day beyond the Arizona Memorial alone.
The Memorial
The USS Arizona has rested on the bottom of Pearl Harbor since December 7, 1941. The white memorial bridges her hull. Oil still rises from the wreck — called the tears of the Arizona — and the 1,177 crew members who never left are still aboard.
Why Pearl Harbor should be on your Oahu itinerary
Pearl Harbor is not optional for visitors who want to understand Hawaii’s role in American history. This is where the Pacific War began — where the aircraft, the bombs, the ships, and the people were on December 7, 1941 — and being present at the site is genuinely moving in a way that no film or exhibit can replicate. The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most significant war memorials in the world, comparable to the beaches of Normandy or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in what it asks of you as a visitor.
Beyond the emotional weight, the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites offer remarkable historical depth. The Battleship Missouri — moored at Ford Island directly across from the Arizona Memorial — bookends the Pacific War narrative: the Arizona marks the beginning, the Missouri marks the end (Japan’s formal surrender was signed on her deck on September 2, 1945). Walking between the two ships in one visit is a profoundly compressed experience of the entire conflict.
For families, the Pacific Aviation Museum’s interactive exhibits and the submarine tour at USS Bowfin make the history accessible to children in ways the Arizona Memorial’s solemn atmosphere may not. A full-day visit covering all four sites is feasible and deeply worthwhile.
What To See
The Arizona Memorial. The surrender deck of the Missouri. A Japanese Zero in the Aviation Museum. The cramped interior of a WWII submarine. Four sites, one unforgettable day.
What should you do at Pearl Harbor?
USS Arizona Memorial — The emotional core of Pearl Harbor. A free timed-entry program includes a 23-minute documentary film followed by a boat ride to the memorial, which bridges the sunken hull of the Arizona. The names of all 1,177 crew members are engraved on the marble wall. Oil slicks from the wreck are visible from the open sides. Book on recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance — these sell out. Free (boat program).
Battleship Missouri — The USS Missouri (BB-63) is a 45,000-ton Iowa-class battleship moored at Ford Island, directly across from the Arizona. Japan’s formal WWII surrender was signed on her deck on September 2, 1945. The exact spot is marked with a brass plaque. Self-guided audio tours take 60–90 minutes and cover the ship from bow to stern, including the massive 16-inch gun turrets. $35 adults, $20 children.
Pacific Aviation Museum — Two hangars on Ford Island (Hangar 37 was strafed during the December 7 attack — bullet holes are still visible in the original doors) contain an extraordinary collection of WWII-era aircraft. Highlights include a Mitsubishi Zero, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a Corsair, and a Spitfire. Flight simulators and interactive exhibits make this the best option for children. $25 adults, $15 children.
USS Bowfin Submarine — The “Pearl Harbor Avenger” submarine that went on to sink 44 enemy vessels. A 40-minute self-guided audio tour takes you through the cramped interior — the torpedo room, crew quarters (barely 18 inches between bunks), and the conning tower. A sobering look at submarine warfare conditions. $20 adults, $12 children (age restrictions for young children).
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center — Free entry to the exhibits, memorial garden, and the bookstore. The outdoor exhibits include salvaged artifacts from the Arizona and a comprehensive timeline of the attack. The documentary film shown before the Arizona Memorial boat is shown here.
- Getting There: 30 minutes west of Waikiki by car (free parking at the visitor center). TheBus Routes 20 and 42 from Ala Moana Shopping Center, $3 each way. Rideshare $25–35 each way. Guided tour packages ($80–120) include hotel pickup and handle the no-bag logistics better than independent visits.
- Best Time: Go early — the visitor center opens at 7am. The Arizona Memorial program runs from 8am, and morning visits avoid the largest crowds. Book the earliest available timed-entry slot. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.
- Money: USS Arizona Memorial: Free (timed reservation required). Battleship Missouri: $35 adults. Pacific Aviation Museum: $25 adults. USS Bowfin: $20 adults. An all-sites combo ticket is available. Budget $80–100/person for a full day including transport from Waikiki.
- Don't Miss: Stand on the USS Missouri's surrender deck and find the brass plaque marking where the Japanese delegation signed the surrender document on September 2, 1945. The proximity of the Missouri and Arizona — WWII's beginning and end — is the most powerful single story Pearl Harbor tells.
- Avoid: Bringing any bag beyond a small wallet and phone. No bags, no purses, no backpacks, no camera bags are allowed past the visitor center entrance. $5 lockers are available, but the hassle is significant — leave everything unnecessary in your car or hotel room. Tour operators handle this seamlessly.
- Local Tip: If you're visiting with children who may struggle with the solemnity of the Arizona Memorial, lead with the Pacific Aviation Museum first. The flight simulators and aircraft engage kids in the history before the memorial's emotional weight. Adults with any connection to military service should budget extra time at the Missouri — it has a powerful effect.
Before and After
There is no good food at Pearl Harbor itself. Plan to eat before you arrive and after you leave — the real Honolulu food scene is 30 minutes east in either direction.
Where should you eat near Pearl Harbor?
The Pearl Harbor visitor center has a small cafe that is adequate and no more. Plan your meals around the visit rather than at the site.
Before the visit:
- Rainbow Drive-In — A Honolulu plate lunch institution on Kapahulu Avenue, about 20 minutes from Pearl Harbor. Loco moco, mixed plate, and teriyaki beef. $9–13. Open early for breakfast service.
- Zippy’s — Hawaii’s most beloved local chain, with locations throughout Honolulu. Open 24 hours; the chili and plate lunches are the North Shore equivalent of a diner breakfast. $8–14.
After the visit:
- Aloha Beer Company — A craft brewery in downtown Honolulu with a good pub menu. Good post-visit decompression stop. $14–22.
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food — A Honolulu landmark for traditional Hawaiian cuisine: poi, lau lau, kalua pork, and pipikaula ribs. Cash only, lunch service until sold out. $12–20.
- Highway Inn — A second location of the beloved Hawaiian food restaurant with excellent lomi salmon, haupia, and kalua pig. $14–24.
Where to Stay
Stay in Waikiki and day-trip to Pearl Harbor — it's 30 minutes west by car or TheBus, and Waikiki's hotel infrastructure makes a far better base for an Oahu visit.
Where should you stay near Pearl Harbor?
Pearl Harbor is best visited as a day trip from a Waikiki or Honolulu base rather than a standalone destination. Most Oahu visitors spend their nights in Waikiki and dedicate one full day to the Pearl Harbor sites.
Waikiki (recommended base) — The full range of accommodation options from $40 hostel bunks to $1,000+/night at the Halekulani or Royal Hawaiian. Pearl Harbor is 30 minutes west by car or 45 minutes on TheBus. See the Waikiki guide for accommodation recommendations.
Pearl City/Aiea area — A handful of business hotels and extended-stay properties near Pearl Harbor for those specifically needing proximity. Not a destination neighborhood but practical for an early departure.
Before You Go
Book the USS Arizona Memorial timed entry on recreation.gov the moment your travel dates are confirmed. Leave bags in the car. Arrive early, eat beforehand, and give yourself a full day.
When is the best time to visit Pearl Harbor?
Pearl Harbor operates year-round and is one of the few Oahu attractions where season matters less than planning. A few considerations:
December 7th — The anniversary of the attack draws significant crowds and special memorial ceremonies. If you want the full commemorative experience, plan around it. If you want quieter crowds, avoid it.
Weekdays — Significantly less crowded than weekends. The visitor center and Arizona Memorial program feel more solemn and manageable when it’s not packed with families. If your schedule allows, aim for Tuesday through Thursday.
Early morning — The visitor center opens at 7am. The Arizona Memorial program starts at 8am. Morning visits are cooler, clearer, and less crowded. The afternoon heat can be uncomfortable for the outdoor sites.
Pearl Harbor pairs naturally with a day in downtown Honolulu — the Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, and Chinatown are all within 30 minutes and offer complementary context on Hawaiian and Pacific history. See the full Oahu destinations guide for a complete Oahu itinerary.