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I’ve been to Pearl Harbor National Memorial a few times and always discover more on each trip. It’s a real historic treasure where you can learn about World War II.
I also reflect and honor those who served. Not only do I find many veterans here, it’s also one of the most popular places to visit in Oahu.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and some personal photos. You may want to see it for yourself.
Getting There
On this last trip to Hawaii, we drove from Waikiki Beach. It took us about 40 minutes on the highway.
The website has directions on how to get there. When putting it into your navigation app, be sure to enter Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
Otherwise, it might send you to the military base.
You’ll want to park in the designated lot. We paid a small fee for parking through their online system.
Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The monument is open daily from 7 a.m. To 5 p.m. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The National Park Service runs the memorial, located by the Navy base. There is no fee to visit Pearl Harbor.
However, there are fees for other things on the grounds and nearby attractions.
On the latest visit, we arrived on a Monday at 9:45 a.m. to find a long line at the entrance. But it moved pretty quickly.
What You Can Bring
You cannot bring large purses, backpacks, or big bags to the memorial. They are very strict with this.
You can bring a small wallet under 1.5 x 2.25 x 5.5″. The memorial has lockers for rent to stow large bags.
I carried my things in a TSA-approved clear plastic bag, and they let me enter. Some people walked around with small, see-through backpacks and purses.
I also brought my sunhat and bottled water. They have a small snack shop, fast food, and water fountains inside.
Displays and Exhibits
I always find plenty to see and take my time. If you start at the visitor center, you’ll take a journey through history.
There are two main exhibits that show the events leading up to the attack. Then you’ll find information about the aftermath.
Amid the displays, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theatre shows a short documentary. It was only 30 minutes long and very engaging.
It captured my attention so much, I missed our reservation for the boat! I’ll talk about that later.
Anyway, the hands-on experience at the visitor center was better than anything I’ve learned in history class. The interview clips from the survivors were very deep.
Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
Many people come here to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. This is one of the many battleships that sank during the battle on December 7, 194.
To see it, you’ll have to take a ferry boat over. That’s when I missed our reservation on one visit.
However, since I’ve been here before, I’ve seen the memorial before. So, I can still tell you about it.
Before boarding the ferry, you’ll watch a quick film. Then you’ll ride over to the memorial.
The ferry will go past the USS Arizona, and you can see some of the remains poking out of the water. After the Japanese attacked it, it went down with many people on board.
Calm waters lapped around it. The more I looked at it in the ocean, the clearer the outline became. It was surreal, and my heart sank.
The Memorial Wall
When the boat stops, you can get off to enter the memorial and look at the marble wall. You’ll find the names of those who perished on the USS Arizona.
After reading each name, I finally noticed people gathered around me, standing in silence. What a tragic event.
Some tourists snapped selfies in front of the wall. Others smiled, holding up peace signs.
As I waited in line to catch the boat back to shore, I thought about all the lives lost in this war. I thought about my ancestors who fought in this war too.
Making a Reservation for the USS Arizona
Before visiting Pearl Harbor, you should make a reservation if you want to see the USS Arizona. It only costs $1.
Otherwise, you might have to wait in line. One time, I went without making a reservation and waited on standby for about 30 minutes.
And I’d arrive 10 minutes before your reserved time. Once, I lost track while watching the movie and missed the boat! Ugh!
Things to See Around Pearl Harbor
The actual memorial is run by the National Park Service. Other attractions are run by other organizations.
They have self-guided audio tours through the memorial’s visitor center, galleries, and the USS Arizona. There is also a virtual reality experience.
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
After entering the memorial grounds, turn right and walk. You’ll find the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum.
You must pay to enter this museum and to explore the USS Bowfin. It’s not part of the National Park Service’s programs.
You will learn about submarines used in World War I and World War II. Then, they go into the Cold War and beyond.
USS Bowfin
After we looked at the museum, we explored the USS Bowfin. The fee to the museum covers the submarine too.
The USS Bowfin was a fleet attack submarine used during World War II in the Pacific.
Before boarding the submarine, a guy working there told us he had to take our picture. So he took one with his camera.
Then, we took a picture in front of the USS Bowfin. He said this wasn’t allowed. Okay… but there weren’t any signs stating this.
Anyway, we explored the submarine. Be careful with your head and watch your step because it’s narrow.
After five minutes in the USS Bowfin, the man in front of us said he had had enough. So he turned around and pushed through the line to exit.
I couldn’t imagine patrolling underwater for several weeks. That’s a hard job.
When we exited the USS Bowfin, the staff tried to get us to buy the picture they took. We passed.
Outside of the submarine, you’ll find missiles on display. Next to the museum, there is a little gift shop and food stands.
Ford Island Bus Tour
You can make a reservation for $1 to do the Ford Island bus tour. It goes on base and stops at the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma memorials.
I tried to make a reservation on our last trip, but everything was booked out weeks in advance.
I had visited these memorials while on base before. But I’d like to hear the ranger’s presentation.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Visiting the Battleship Missouri Memorial is also a great experience. I went there with military base access as well.
Alas, you can still visit this battleship without Navy base access. You’d park in the Pearl Harbor Memorial lot and catch the shuttle bus over.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is also nearby. I haven’t visited yet, but I’ll update my post once I get the chance to go.
Travel Notes
Some of these nearby attractions close earlier. If you plan on visiting Pearl Harbor and other memorials, you might want to come early to see it all.
You’ll go indoors and outdoors when visiting, and I always bring a sunhat. There’s shade around the area, but long stretches without it.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Pearl Harbor National is a good way to learn about the attack on Hawaii. It’s a place to honor those who lost their lives.
For many, it evokes different emotions. I look forward to seeing more of the other memorials on another trip.
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- We visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii and North Beach, and I’ll tell you all about it.
- For more things to do in Honolulu, I have you covered.
- Visit the other side of Oahu, and there are more things to do.
- If you’d like to relax at the hotel like we do, check out things to do around Waikiki.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: December 24, 2024
