Exploring the Pearl Harbor museums of Oahu makes for a great day trip out of Honolulu, but there are certain things you should be aware of before you visit, especially if you’re traveling there independent of a tour. For starters, you need to know which attractions are worth visiting, but you’ll also need information on tickets and transport to make the most of your time.
In this guide to the Pearl Harbor museums of Oahu, we’ll introduce you to some of this historic site’s most famous memorials and attractions. We’ll also provide guidance on tours, tickets, and transport.
Introducing the Most Famous Pearl Harbor Museums in Oahu
Here are some of the most poignant sites and landmarks at the historic site of Pearl Harbor:
USS Arizona Memorial
The most famous attraction at Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona Memorial. Built over the remains of the USS Arizona (BB-39), the USS Arizona Memorial honors the 1,177 crew members who lost their lives during the during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, located at the entrance to the memorial, offers exhibits, films, and educational resources about the attack and the broader context of World War II.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
The Battleship Missouri Memorial, also known as the “Mighty Mo,” is a historic battleship located at Pearl Harbor. It’s famous for being the site of Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, which marked the end of World War II.
An admission fee is charged to visit the USS Missouri, but a number of passes cover multi-sites at Pearl Harbor and are a good option if you plan on seeing more than just the Missouri and the Arizona Memorial. Tours, which are free, apart from a nominal convenience fee, include a documentary film, a boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial, and time to wander around. There’s also plenty of attractions and memorials to see on Ford Island while you’re here.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Also located on Ford Island is the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, which is a must-visit for any aviation buff. The museum exhibits relics recovered from the attack, including pieces of downed Japanese planes and the binoculars that were used on the bridge of the battleship the USS Arizona. Other exhibits include restored World War II-era aircraft, interactive displays about aviation history, and detailed accounts of the attack’s impact on Pearl Harbor.
Getting to the Pearl Harbor Museums
If your flight is set to arrive early in the morning, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a shuttle or taxi to Pearl Harbor and then getting a ticket out to Arizona. You can book one of a number of guided tours from Honolulu, which will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. A video about the attacks that play in the second museum easily rivals the 23-minute film you’ll watch before the boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Book Your Tour of the Pearl Harbor Museums in Oahu
A key turning point of World War II, the attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most significant events in US history. Most Pearl Harbor Tours that include an Arizona ticket only allow you a couple of hours on-site, which isn’t really enough time if you want to see everything. Plus, many tours also include a city tour of Honolulu, which you might not be interested in.
Fortunately, if you’re searching for a tour that ticks all your boxes, you’ve come to the right place. At Pearl Harbor Tours Oahu, we operate and arrange a vast array of award-winning Pearl Harbor tours, ensuring we have something that matches your travel plans and interests. We’ll also do our best to customize our tours to meet your preferences. Browse our tours today or call us for more information.