The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, the world was forever changed when the Japanese launched a surprise air attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor Naval Base near Honolulu, Hawaii.

Following the assault from hundreds of Japanese fighter planes, nearly 20 American naval vessels and at least 300 airplanes were damaged or destroyed.

Far more devastating is the 2,400 American lives lost, including civilians, and another 1,000 wounded, making it one of the most defining moments in U.S. history.

In fact, the attack was the catalyst that catapulted the U.S. into World War II. The following day, acting President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan, thus changing the balance of power in the world and cementing the United States’ status as a global superpower.

Now, visitors from all over the world journey to Pearl Harbor to commemorate that fateful day and remember fallen comrades.

Plan Ahead to Visit Pearl Harbor

Even though many decades have passed since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the naval base remains the most visited site on the island of Oahu. Guests visiting Pearl Harbor can explore many memorials, exhibits, and other historic venues.

When organizing your Pearl Harbor tours, make sure you plan ahead, and early, as tours sell out fast.

Read up ahead of time on how to get your tickets to Pearl Harbor.

Also, if you are staying on Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island, you can still make a visit to Pearl Harbor easily fit into your itinerary by booking a Pearl Harbor day tour that includes flight, transportation, and entrance ticket.

Things to See at Pearl Harbor

Inside the USS Arizona Memorial. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

USS Arizona Memorial

Still found bobbing within the waters of Pearl Harbor, alongside its modern-day models, is the USS Arizona —- one of seven battleships tied up along what is known as “Battleship Row”.

Visitors to the accompanying USS Arizona Memorial will get a unique glimpse into one of the most important and pivotal moments in American history via rare memorabilia, photographs, documents, and other visuals and mixed media covering the time period spanning this integral era of US history.

Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Visitors may also walk through the USS Bowfin Submarine, docked in Pearl Harbor, to get an intriguing glimpse into what combat submarine life was really like.

Visitors will board the submarine and are invited on a self-guided, narrated tour using a Walkman-style cassette recorder keyed to stops throughout the submarine.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

The USS Battleship Missouri secured its place in history as the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the United States, thus bringing an end to World War II, when the formal papers were signed on the deck of the battleship on Sept. 2, 1945.

Visitors can still visit the ship today, as it remains intact and bobbing along the harbor.

USS Oklahoma Memorial

The U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial is dedicated to the 415 sailors and 14 Marines who lost their lives when the USS Oklahoma sank during the 1941 strike on Pearl Harbor.

The names of those sailors and Marines are engraved in black granite on 429 individual white marble columns, each of which is 7 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.

Visitors view large planes inside the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

Pacific Aviation Museum

Known as “America’s Aviation Battlefield,” the Pacific Aviation Museum provides visitors with a stunning visual narrative of aviation’s role in the history of the Pacific.

The Museum is home to two WWII era hangars, which survived the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Ford Island Control Tower.

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Hours

Pearl Harbor is open every day of the year except New Year’s Day (January 1), Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (December 25).

Operating hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit the National Park Service website for additional information.

How to Get to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Those planning to visit Pearl Harbor can do so by bus or by car.

If you are coming by bus, a good starting point would be to depart from Waikiki or the Ala Moana Shopping Center and catch a public bus, which will take you straight to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center (just confirm with the driver when boarding to be sure/safe, and to know when to get off)!

For more information and the full bus schedule and operating stops/locations, visit thebus.org.

If you’re traveling by car, the trip typically takes about 45 minutes by car and over an hour by bus from Waikiki.

Traffic will factor heavily into your drive time, so use a maps app to check on traffic and road conditions for the date and time you intend to visit Pearl Harbor. The address to plug in is: 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818.

Parking fees were added in April of 2023, at a cost of $7 per day.

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Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is free, but it helps to line up tickets ahead of time. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

Visiting Pearl Harbor is the #1 thing to do in Hawaii. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was the single most significant factor causing the United States to enter World War II and effectively change the course of history forever. Because of this, visiting ground zero of the Battle of Pearl Harbor has a great effect on people; those who visit tend to leave changed for the better.

All attractions at Pearl Harbor are at-cost except for the USS Arizona Memorial. Free tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial can be obtained in three different ways, and we’ve done our best to guide you through the somewhat cumbersome process below.

Although there are 1,300 free tickets available daily, due to high demand there are often more people than free tickets and not everyone gets to visit the USS Arizona Memorial that day. For this reason, we encourage booking a guided tour. Guided tours include guaranteed tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial. This allows you to bypass the ticket line and secures your seat on the shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Skip the free tickets and purchase a guided Pearl Harbor tour.

1. Walk-in to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Before 7:00 am.

1,300 walk-in tickets are available daily on a first come, first served basis at the Visitor Center. We recommend arriving before 7:00 am to increase your chances of receiving a ticket. We can’t stress this enough. Someone wrote us once that they saved Pearl Harbor for the last day of their family vacation. They showed up too late, and all the tickets were gone. They traveled all that way, were so close, and never got to visit the Arizona Memorial. Don’t let that be your story! Please plan ahead, or simply purchase a tour.

As the early birds receive their tickets, they usually begin filling up the morning tours. That being said, you may need to wait a few hours for your USS Arizona Memorial tour. In the meantime, you can visit the other attractions (USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Aviation Museum) or explore the exhibits and store.

2. Book online at 7:00 am for the next day.

Every day at 7:00 am, a limited number of “next day” USS Arizona Memorial tickets are released. They can be booked by visiting www.recreation.gov.

Please note: There is a non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per reserved ticket. Reservations are limited to 12 tickets per person per day. It is suggested that you arrive an hour before your ticket time in order to pick-up your tickets. A minimum of five to ten minutes is required. If you are late, you may forfeit your free USS Arizona Memorial tickets to walk-in customers on standby.

3. Book online up to 2 months in advance.

You can visit www.recreation.gov to book free tickets to see the USS Arizona Memorial. You are allowed to book as far in advance as 2 months. The only problem is that these tickets sell out fast. We recommend you set a reminder for yourself 2 months before you’d like to visit. If you wait too long to book, the tickets might be sold out.

For example, today is August 23, and the next available tickets are not until September 26. Tickets on the day of October 23 are nearly sold out; all morning tours are sold out leaving only afternoon options available.

Please note: There is a non-refundable $1.50 convenience fee per reserved ticket. Reservations are limited to 12 tickets per person per day. It is suggested that you arrive an hour before your ticket time in order to pick-up your tickets. A minimum of five to ten minutes is required. If you are late, you may forfeit your free USS Arizona Memorial tickets to walk-in customers on standby.

Skip the free tickets and purchase a guided Pearl Harbor tour.

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The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

The Arizona Memorial is Hawaii’s most-visited landmark, and it’s one you don’t want to miss.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Pearl Harbor

Located within Pearl Harbor, just west of Oahu’s main city of Honolulu, is the official headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Found bobbing within these waters, alongside the fleet’s modern-day models, is the USS Arizona battleship.

One of seven battleships tied up along “Battleship Row”, the USS Arizona was onsite at the southeast shore of Ford Island when the first wave of Japanese fighter jets began their infamous attack on December 7, 1941.

After suffering a devastating hit and exploding at approximately 8:10 a.m. that day, the battleship sank — along with some 1,177 of her crew — within a mere 9 minutes.

Arizona Memorial: Hawaii’s Most Popular Attraction

Aptly named the USS Arizona Memorial and widely recognized as the state’s most popular tourist attraction, the Memorial welcomes more than 1.5 million people per year.

This vast amount of visitors is not surprising, as it is the ideal place to pay respects and learn all about the rich and storied history of Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor attack.

USS Arizona Memorial

The Arizona Memorial, which is now an official site of the National Park Service, was properly dedicated with due recognition and national honors on Memorial Day in 1962.

An educational center in its own rite, the popular Oahu destination is located at the Pearl Harbor Navy Base, about 45 minutes west of Waikiki.

Take A Walk Through History

While visiting the Memorial, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about one of the most important and pivotal moments in American history that prompted the U.S.’s entry into World War II.

Serving to preserve and honor the individuals and personal stories of this Pacific War, the historical site comprehensively documents — via rare memorabilia, photographs, documents, and other visuals and mixed media — the time period spanning this integral era of U.S. history.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center complex features two exhibit galleries, outdoor exhibits, an audio tour, a theater, and a bookstore, as well as nearby access to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

We Still Remember

During your visit, you’ll have the chance to honor and learn about those who served and sacrificed their lives at Pearl Harbor, both military members and civilians.

Also represented are fascinating and illuminating personal accounts of the individuals who survived the attack.

For more information, call (808) 422-3399 or visit the National Park Service website.

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The USS Arizona Memorial is well-known, but Pearl Harbor is home to more historic battleships and submarines that are docked at the iconic Oahu harbor.

Among them is the USS Bowfin.

A fleet attack submarine that was stationed in the Pacific during World War II, the USS Bowfin was launched on December 7, 1942 — one year to the day following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Pearl Harbor

Nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” the USS Bowfin took part in 9 patrols during World War II, the last of which was a night attack off the coast of China during “Operation Barney.”

Fittingly, the “Pearl Harbor Avenger” now has a permanent home berth at Pearl Harbor, and the historic submarine is available to tour.

What To Expect At The USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum

You are invited aboard the actual submarine, where you will get an inside glimpse of what life was like aboard during its military service and patrols.

The self-guided tour includes recorded narration that is keyed to stops throughout the submarine.

Witness the locations where the Bowfin’s crew (known as “sewer pipers”) worked, ate, and slept while part of 9 rigorous patrols during the war, and more.

There is also a museum and park onsite that are dedicated to the sacrifice of more than 3,500 submarine personnel lost in World War II.

This gallant band of brothers, comprising less than 2 percent of the U.S. Navy, sank more than 5.5 million tons of enemy ships, while sustaining losses of 52 submarines that remain on Eternal Patrol.

Plan Your Visit To The Bowfin

The park is located adjacent to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor.

It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The last admission into the campus is set for 4:30 pm. each day.

Military, kama’aina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. Children under 4 are not permitted on the submarine for safety reasons, however, they may visit the grounds at no charge.

For more information, contact Pearl Harbor by phone at (808) 423-1341.

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Related: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Pearl Harbor

The Oklahoma Memorial was completed in 2007 and dedicated to the 14 Marines and 415 sailors who lost their lives when the USS Oklahoma sank during the 1941 strike on Pearl Harbor.

Officially dedicated on Dec. 7, 2007, the memorial features the names of those who lost their lives when the Oklahoma rolled over at its mooring on Battleship Row and sank.

The names are engraved in black granite on 429 individual white marble columns, each of which is 7 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.

Visiting the memorial is a somber experience to say the least, especially when you realize that less than two-thirds of the USS Oklahoma crew escaped.

In fact, the death toll was topped only by that of the USS Arizona, which totaled 1,177 casualties.

The USS Oklahoma’s Second Birth And Subsequent Loss

A plan by the Navy to salvage the actual sunken battleship was hatched in 1942.

It was indeed a massive undertaking, as righting the huge vessel was no small feat.

When all was said and done, it took more than 20 electric street car motors connected by cables to the hull of the ship to pull it from the water.

After much effort, the salvaged battleship was finally afloat in early November of 1943, and with its resurfacing, the bodies of the 429 Pearl Harbor attack casualties were recovered for a proper burial.

However, the USS Oklahoma went down once again during a storm while under tow to Oakland, California.

The revered battleship now rests somewhere on the bottom of the sea, roughly 540 miles northeast of the Hawaiian Islands.

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Battleship Missouri. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

The USS Battleship Missouri, located in Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, secured its place in history as the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the United States in World War II.

The formal papers were officially signed on the deck of the battleship on Sept. 2, 1945, thus bringing an end to the war.

Today, the Missouri shares Pearl Harbor with the USS Arizona, whose iconic memorial honors all who lost their lives during the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of America’s involvement in World War II, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his call to arms the day after the bombardment.

Now, all these years later, the war’s beginning and end are forever marked at Pearl Harbor in the form of two battleships: the submerged USS Arizona and the “Mighty Mo,” as the USS Missouri is known.

First launched on Jan. 29, 1944, the Battleship Missouri had an impressive run, enjoying service in three wars spanning five decades.

The Mighty Mo’s final operational mission took place on Dec. 7, 1991, when the battleship sailed into Pearl Harbor one final time and took part in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

The Battleship Missouri Memorial officially opened on Jan. 29, 1999 at Pier-5 on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor.

Much of the battleship has been refurbished by a workforce of approximately 5,000 volunteers — an incredible undertaking that required an estimated 25,000 hours of work.

An Iowa class battleship built for speed and firepower, the Mighty Mo’s trademark feature is its 16-inch guns — each measuring 65 feet long and weighing 116 tons.

The battleship itself is constructed of solid steel armor plating.

Visitors to the memorial are able to walk the ship’s decks, tour the wardroom (the mess cabin or compartment on a warship) and quarters, all of which offers an incredible, up-close window into how the sailors lived onboard.

On the final stop of the tour, the famed Surrender Deck, visitors will surely sense the weighty significance of this place where World War II officially ended.

Planning Your Battleship Missouri Visit

When planning your visit, be aware that security regulations do not allow for backpacks, fanny packs, purses, diaper bags, shopping bags, large camera bags, video cameras, or luggage to come aboard the battleship.

Cameras, cell phones and wallets are allowed.

Bags can be stored securely at the storage facility near the visitor center entrance for a small fee ($7 for standard bags, $10 for oversized, as of June 2023).

Getting To The Battleship Missouri

The USS Missouri is located at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, at 63 Cowpens St., and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historic site is closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Ford Island is a secure military base, so unless you have base access, you will need to take a free shuttle to get there. Park in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center lot (parking fees apply), and the courtesy shuttles depart every 15-20 minutes beginning at 8 a.m.

Battleship Missouri Tickets And Tours

Tickets are available for purchase at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center onsite, or online.

You can also purchase a variety of other options, including a Pearl Harbor package that includes a Visitor Center Audio Tour, as well as admission to Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

There are also a number of guided tours available.

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The iconic tower at Pearl Harbor’s Pacific Aviation Museum. (Photo: Star-Advertiser)

Oahu is home to the most amazing beaches, sparkling waters, unmatched surf, stunning sunsets, and one of America´s most iconic and historic sites.

We are talking, of course, about Pearl Harbor.

And no Pearl Harbor trip is truly complete without a visit to the onsite Pacific Aviation Museum.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Pearl Harbor

Known as “America’s Aviation Battlefield,” the museum provides a stunning visual narrative of aviation’s role in the history of the Pacific.

What To Expect At The Pacific Aviation Museum

The Pacific Aviation Museum offers access to two World War II-era hangars — both of which survived the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor — as well as the Ford Island Control Tower.

As you explore these historic treasures, keep your eyes open for the details that truly bring home the gravity of what happened on the “date which will live in infamy” — as President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it — including bullet holes, strafe marks, and bomb craters that serve as scars from the attack.

As you walk around the hangars, it’s as if you are whisked back in time and exploring one of the most noteworthy eras in human history.

Your official museum visit begins with a short introductory film in the onsite 200-seat theater. The film really sets the tone for what life was like following the aftermath of the attack, as it includes first-hand accounts and memories shared by survivors.

After the introductory film, you will get the opportunity to view a stunning display of vintage aircrafts — 48 aircrafts, in total, including the instantly recognizable Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and its nemesis, the Mitsubishi Zero, which was the actual 1942 Stearman Biplane flown by President George H.W. Bush.

Also onsite are the remnants of the “Ni‘ihau Zero,” which crash-landed on Ni‘ihau Island after the Pearl Harbor attack.

A Stunning Visual of Aviation’s Evolution

The exhibit includes much more, including some of aviation’s most iconic military aircraft, like the B-17 “Swamp Ghost” Flying Fortress, the F-15 Eagle, and the AH-1 Cobra, among others.

This museum has it all, from propeller planes to the jets of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and beyond — all of which serves to offer an insightful, and compelling, visual timeline of aviation history.

It truly is remarkable to see the evolution in aviation over time as advancements led to ever faster and stealthier aircraft.

Pacific Aviation Museum Offers More Than Military Aviation History

It may surprise you to know that the museum is not just a hall of fame for the most incredible and impressive military aircrafts.

It also houses a treasure trove of civilian aviation representation, among which includes artifacts detailing the historic trans-Pacific flights of Pan American Airlines at a time when air travel was viewed as a luxury.

There is also a must-see photo exhibit capturing legendary female aviator Amelia Earhart’s time spent in Hawaii.

The Human Story Behind the Scenes

The Pacific Aviation Museum offers a unique behind-the-scenes view of what it was really like to live through the most significant aviation events throughout history.

For example, the museum runs a series of docent-led tours to enhance your visitor experience. Many of these docents are retired aviation veterans, which means they have first-hand knowledge of the planes on exhibit, allowing them to offer amazing personal anecdotes and other fascinating inside, expert facts while you wind your way through the museum tour.

Fancy a Top Gun Moment of Your Very Own?

After taking in all the exhibits at the museum, you can indulge your inner aviation fantasies by climbing into the cockpit of the museum’s combat flight simulator and trying your hand at becoming an ace, just like Tom Cruise’s Maverick in Top Gun!

Finally, after all that visiting and learning, you will surely have worked up an appetite, so it will delight you to know that the best food on Ford Island just happens to be served at Laniakea Café, located right in the museum.

Alongside the café is the museum store, where you can stock up on memorabilia after you’ve enjoyed your meal.

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