Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center — Attraction in Oʻahu

Visiting Pearl Harbor is a deeply moving and profoundly patriotic experience that honors the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of America’s heroes. Each site—the USS Missouri, the Pacific Aviation Museum, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the USS Arizona Memorial—offers a unique window into the history of World War II, stirring pride and gratitude for those who served.

Starting with the USS Missouri, standing on the deck of “Mighty Mo” feels like stepping onto sacred ground. This is where Japan surrendered in 1945, ending the war. The ship’s massive guns and meticulously preserved quarters tell a story of strength and determination. Walking where General MacArthur stood, you can’t help but feel a surge of American pride for the resolve that turned the tide of history.

The Pacific Aviation Museum (now part of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum) is a thrilling tribute to the courage of wartime aviators. The exhibits, housed in historic hangars, showcase iconic aircraft like the P-40 Warhawk. Bullet holes in the hangar windows from the 1941 attack are a stark reminder of the day that galvanized a nation. Interactive displays and personal stories of pilots ignite a sense of awe for those who took to the skies to defend freedom.

The USS Bowfin Submarine, nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” offers an intimate look at life beneath the waves. Touring the cramped quarters, you gain immense respect for the submariners who endured grueling conditions to strike at the enemy. The museum alongside it, with its collection of torpedoes and personal artifacts, underscores the ingenuity and grit of the Silent Service.

The USS Arizona Memorial is the emotional heart of Pearl Harbor. Floating above the sunken battleship, where oil still seeps to the surface, you feel the weight of the 1,177 lives lost on December 7, 1941. The memorial’s quiet serenity contrasts with the violent history it commemorates, evoking a profound sense of duty to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Reading the names etched in marble, you’re reminded of the cost of liberty and the unbreakable spirit of America.

Together, these sites weave a powerful narrative of courage, unity, and patriotism. Pearl Harbor isn’t just a historic site—it’s a testament to the American resolve that rose from tragedy to triumph. Visiting is a humbling reminder to cherish and defend the freedoms secured by those who came before us. It’s a must-see for every American who wants to connect with the soul of our...

A dream come true! What a way to go back in time. In order to visit the military base you can catch one of the buses in Waikiki. Number 20 and 42 stop at Pearl harbor. The ride costs you 3 dollars and it takes around 40 minutes to get there. There is also a parking lot. If you would like to explore everything you need to arrive early. There is a lot to see. You can buy a combo ticket for around 80 dollars which will give you access to all the places or you can buy individual tickets for each attraction. You can walk around without paying anything but you will only access the Arizona memorial and a free exhibition of how it all started. I only missed the visit to the battleship Missouri due to lack of time but I totally recommend to see everything because it is a lifetime experience.  You can previously book the tickets to see the Arizona memorial but if you are not able to do it, once you arrived you can sign up on one of the terminals by the ticket office and you will be put on a waiting list. I waited less than an hour until I got the text message letting me know that I could go on board the boats to the memorial.  The experience takes 45 minutes total. On the memorial you will see what is still left of the battleship. To visit the aviation museum you have to take a complimentary bus which is located by the maritime museum. The ride is short and there is a stop by the Missouri.  The museum is awesome. You will see several planes used during World War II, including a Japanese one. There is also an outdoor exhibition of all types of military airplanes and helicopters. I do recommend visiting the maritime museum because it will give you access to visit the submarine USS Bowfin which fought in World War II and showed up on several movies like for example Midway. It is crazy to be able to go inside of it and feel how the crew lived there.  It totally blew my mind away. Back packs and big purses are not allowed inside. You will have to pay 7dollars for a locker before entering the base. There is a small kiosk for food and drinks and snack bars on both museums. Souvenir shops are all around the place and all info is in English...

This was a very informative and moving experience. When visiting, you do not need to purchase an expensive guided tour. To visit the USS Arizona Memorial, you will need reservation tickets. These can be found on Reservation.gov. There is a $1.00 processing fee to purchase. Most tickets available for purchase are released well ahead of the current date. If there are no tickets available for your preferred date, more tickets are released at 3 pm each day for the following day. We were unable to get tickets this way, but they have an option for a waitlist. Sign up for this and check your email often. There were several more tickets released from cancelations, and we were able to get tickets for our available date. Parking is $7, and it's paid by QR code. Get there early before your departure time. They recommended an hour before, and we were able to visit the gift shop before the boat left. There is a standby line for the boat that takes you to the USS Memorial if you didn't get tickets, but there was no availability on the day we went, so I wouldn't count on that. I highly recommend the narrated self-tour. You get a phone and earbuds, and you can type in the code from the signs at each location to hear the story. Some of it is narrated by actual survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, and it is incredible to hear. The USS Memorial is a very solemn place. There is no social media allowed there, and voices must be low. You may take photos after the presentation of the Wall of Names. The time allowed at the memorial was about 15 minutes. It was just enough time to hear the presentation and take a few photos before lining up for the return boat. The museum back on the land was a must-see, and it is free to the public. There are also other museums that you can access from the visitor center, such as the USS Bowfin, the USS Missouri, and the Aviation Museum. There is a fee for these other museums, and tickets are...