Pearl Harbor

This is a very important place with great history of WW2 and we learnt a lot about the event on 7 December 1941. We visited Arizona Memorial, a very beautiful memorial. There was no presale tickets due to construction works. We went early and got our standby tickets. Waited for 3.5hours and got sms to go to the boat area. There is beautiful movie theatre and museums.

5 Stars – A Powerful and Unforgettable Experience at Pearl Harbor Visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii is truly an unforgettable experience and one I highly recommend to anyone coming to Oahu. When we visited, it wasn’t crowded at all, which made it easier to really take in the history and explore the entire area at a comfortable pace. Pearl Harbor is not just a single attraction—it’s a thoughtfully designed historic site with several important memorials and museums that together tell the story of one of the most significant days in American history. The USS Arizona Memorial is incredibly moving, offering a quiet, reflective space to honor those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The boat ride to the memorial is smooth and well organized, and the rangers provide helpful insight along the way. Nearby, the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has excellent exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories that bring the events of that day to life. There’s also the option to visit the Battleship Missouri, where the Japanese surrender was signed, and the USS Bowfin Submarine, which gives a fascinating look into life aboard a WWII submarine. Each part of the site adds a deeper layer of understanding. Overall, Pearl Harbor is a must-see—beautifully maintained, educational, and deeply meaningful. A powerful reminder of our history and absolutely worthy of a 5-star rating.

Visiting Pearl Harbor was an unforgettable and humbling experience. To stand at such a historic site and see the memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941, was truly powerful. It was mind-blowing to see the evidence, exhibits, and actual remains of the ships, and to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many men and women who served. The site is well-preserved and presented with great respect, making it both educational and emotional. It’s more than just a tourist attraction it’s a chance to connect with history and honor those who gave everything. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Hawaii. 🇺🇸

The memorial service today was wonderful. I dont remember the bus drivers name, buy he was a Marine, and I think he said supervisor of what he was doing. Either way.... super knowledgeable, friendly, and just made it fun. Plus it was amazing to learn, and explore.

Parking lot costs 7$, apart from that the entrance to the memorial site and the very informative museum is free!! Museum and extra tours cost extra though. Very special place, they did a great job designing the memorial and the museum there.

Absolutely great. We had a veteran with us who filled us in with lots of Navy stories. Arizona memorial and USS Missouri were great. Sub museum was interesting. For us, the least interesting was the aviation museum.

A dream come true to be able to finally visit! We were able to get tickets at the counter. Main area and museum opens 9:30am, we arrived 10:30am on a Sunday. Everything closes at 5pm. Parking was easy to find as they are 3 small lots adjacent can host ~150 cars, paid $7 for parking with the QR code just before the entrance. Personal bags are not allowed! Bag holding/storage is available, if you insist. We purchased tickets for the USS Missouri ($40; battle ship) and Bowfin ($20; submarine). Mostly self-guided. Bring earphones if you like to use the audio guides. There were ~30 minute tour with guide free on the Missouri. Lots to see but we only had one day. 4 hours at the Missouri + 1 hour lunch + 2 hours at the Bowfin. There are charter bus les that shuttle us to the various exhibits. ~10 minute wait with large covered canopy and benches. Food “trucks” & kiosks available before each entrance (~$15/pp). My parents say it’s improved and expanded quite a bit since their visit in 2000. For history-fanatics, it could easily a 2-day visit to see everything. Of course you can feel the deep history! It’s a memorial. I greatly appreciate that it’s been kept with care and respect. Can’t wait to visit it another time.

Absolutely, staggeringly amazing. There is no way I can put into words this experience. Such mixed feelings. It feels like a tourist place, yet it's so strongly a memorial to its victims. It has been beautifully put together and managed. The museums are wonderful. We went on the Arizona boat trip. The memorial is so very moving. It was an honour to be allowed there. The Bowfin submarine is amazing. To be allowed to have full access to this submarine & understand the history behind it. Literally walking in history! The Missouri ship is staggering. Ensure you go on one of the free guided tours, highly recommended.

Absolutely recommended visit! If you aren't able to secure a reservation for the USS Arizona (either months before or the day before your visit at 3pm sharp), there's the standby option once you get to the memorial. You sign up to join the standby line at the Audio Tour desk. You'll get a text letting you know when to join the standby line, which is by the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater. The theater screens a film every 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. You can either watch this before or after you visit the USS Arizona. Visiting the Pearl Harbor national memorial (exhibit galleries, remembrance circle, etc) and USS Arizona are free. Other museums have a cost such as Battleship Missouri ($35 adult), USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park ($22), and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum ($26). You can also opt for the "Passport to Pearl Harbor" for $90 which includes admission to all 3 plus a couple other things. Tip: No bag over 1.5 x 2.25 x 5.5 in., but can bring clear plastic bags, such as those allowed at football games, in which the contents are readily visible. You will be asked to check your bags if they don't fall into the above criteria.

Beautiful memorial honoring those who have served our country. Definitely worth visiting. We didn't get to reserve the USS Arizona in advance so we stood in a line outside 30 min before gates opened hoping to get in the day of. Once we were in we had to walk to an outdoor plaza with electronic kiosks to reserve our spots. Luckily we scored a spot on the first boat to the memorial site. You can hang out at the gift shop while you are waiting for your boarding time. Lots of great books for kids and adults. Especially found the accounts of the Japanese American soldiers fascinating. Use the restroom before entering the auditorium when getting ready to take the boat ride because there are none at the memorial site itself. Bags are not allowed but lockers are available.

This very informative tour gave me a deeper understanding of what happened at Pearl Harbor. Highly recommend to RSVP in advance and arrive extra early to see the movie and walk through the museums. The movie itself was worth the price of admission. Gave me so much insight into many details of that dreadful day in our history. It's a very emotional experience! Make sure to get in line no sooner than 15 min before your scheduled ferry ride to the USS Arizona. Sit on the left side of the boat for great picture taking. Seeing the USS Arizona from above the memorial is breathtaking. I have a new appreciation for our fallen soldiers. God bless America.

This is one of the must-see historical sites in Hawaii. I heard it's number one visitor destinations with millions of visitors each year. On December 7, 1941, "The carriers launched their aircraft early on a Sunday morning. US forces were completely unprepared, and in less than ninety minutes, Japanese planes destroyed or damaged 19 US warships and 300 aircraft, and killed over 2,400 US servicemen." The tours vary in prices, you can see additional pearl harbor historic sites. There are multiple museums and exhibits around the sites. You can pick and choose which ones to see if you're pressed for time. You can spend at least 4 hours on this Pearl Harbor tour. But there's also the USS Arizona and Battleship museaum, Missouri.

We throughly enjoyed our visit here. We visited the USS Arizona Memorial as well. There another ship tour and a Submarine tour but we did not do those ones. If you want to do and see everything here give yourself a good four hours or so. A few things to know: Dress appropriately if you visit the USS Arizona Memorial, it is the final resting place for over 1700 sailors and Marines. They don't allow backpacks, bags or purses inside. Small clutch style purses and wallets are fine. Clear "stadium bags" are fine. There is a bag storage facility before you enter on your left it is $7 for most bags, $10 for oversized or luggage. Reserve your USS Arizona Memorial boat online in advance during peak times.

This site never disappoints! Getting tickets is a bit difficult but worth every second. Watch the movie, see the memorial site, visit the grounds, take it all in. There's a small gift shop, food and plenty of restrooms. I go every time I'm on the island. PLEASE DRESS APPROPRIATELY as this is a memorial and burial site!

Important: No bags allowed in. They do allow small clear bags and purses, however. Such a somber, heartbreaking, yet beautiful monument for those lost in the Pearl Harbor attacks. Our tour group arrived early and that's something I highly recommend. We were able to take it in before it got real busy with people. Witnessing the raising of the flag and the national anthem was absolutely moving. That occurred at 8:50 or 9am if I remember correctly. I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time to guarantee that you will get to take the fairy to the USS Arizona. Otherwise you're on standby and my understanding is that they only take a certain number of groups out there. My Mom had the wonderful idea to bring our fresh lei flowers (off the string, of course) to leave at the memorial for those still entombed in the USS Arizona. They have done a beautiful job of honoring the service men that fought for our country and died so tragically.

Remember Pearl Harbor. We can't forget the war. We need to learn the lessons from the tragedy. We stop hating each other. Love is the most important thing in our life. We need to leave the bags at the entrance. The lines were so long that I had to wait for 20 minutes. It was a nice day on January 13th, 2024, a day which will be one of the great days. I visited the USS Arizona memorial and exhibitions. I learned history. Here is a must-visit spot in Hawaii. Even if you are not a history buff, you visit here.

Great place for education, remembrance, and appreciation. The memorial grounds have a tiny parking lot so expect a small walk or arrive by bus or Uber. It's free to walk the grounds and visit most of the exhibits. However, the Arizona Memorial requires a reservation ahead of time as does one of the museums and other places on Ford Island. If you don't get Arizona tickets there are stand by tickets available but don't risk that - plan ahead. Expect at least a couple of hours to see all the major things excluding other paid museums.

What a beautiful tribute to those that lost their lives on that frightful day! This memorial marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The memorial can only be accessed by boat, it straddles the sunken hull of the battleship. When you arrive, scan the QR code in the parking lot to pay for parking. Remember that absolutely no bags are allowed onsite. They have lockers or leave them in your car. We purchased our tickets online but if you didn't, head to the ticket counter to get your tickets. You'll be taken by boat over to the site. To visit the memorial of the USS Arizona, you'll get in the queue line for your designated time and they'll seat you in a small theater to go over the memorial and rules. Look, it's a memorial for fallen soldiers so they ask that you be respectful and don't take pictures approaching the memorial and don't use your phone other than the camera feature while there. Your visit there will be short but long enough. There are other areas within the memorial park that you can visit as well. We also toured the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum. You get to walk through the sub and take pictures. I highly recommend a visit if you are on the island.

I can't imagine giving Pearl Harbor National Monument anything less than 5 stars. With the anniversary of Dec 7th , 1941 2 days away and all the craziness of the world today I felt the strong urge to visit the USS Arizona memorial. I reserved tickets online through recreation.gov the day before. The cost was $2 for two tickets. Parking was $7 . It was honor system paying. The tickets were for the boat ride to the memorial. There was also a short movie about the Pearl Harbor attacks in the theatre It was very informative. They had a small snack shop and large gift shop. Would highly recommend going and tying it in with an aloha stadium swap trip.

A nice and historic monument if you are looking to connect with our history. They are very strict on the clear bag policy so make sure you follow that. Minimal food and drinks sold inside so take snacks if you need something special.

If you're ever in Oahu you must visit Pearl Harbor. The experience was humbling and emotional. To pay your respects to the men and women who lost their lives that day. So many fallen heroes. And to see the USS Missouri. This iconic ship holds a special place in naval history. I highly recommend it.

Great free museum with easy walk through exhibits that allow you to spend as little or as much time as you want reading all the literature and historical material. Great displays and immersive dioramas. The national park service video they play gives a great overview of the attack. There's lot of helpful signage by the harbor to explain the positioning and events. It's worth a quick or long stop. Whatever floats your boat.

Always like this place. It's not as active as it used to be to be PRE-COVID, but... it's still running good. Donations and sponsors and volunteers are welcomed too! They have free family events on ford island at the Aviation museum sometime. If you have base access, you any drive in to the museum. If not, there's a free shuttle in the parking lot of the Pearl Harbor entrance that can transport you to & from ford island. THATS HELPFUL! You just have I.D. on hand & ABSOLUTELY NO BAGS, POUCHES OR LUGGAGES! You might be able to take stroller with a basket on board. Basket can contain necessary baby items. Otherwise you'll have to rent a locker located in the shuttle area. Tomorrow night they're having an anniversary event for all to join in on watching the movie THE PACIFIC. Starts @ 1pm-3:30pm HOPING my kids will enjoy this because it's a 3 hour movie. Lol! I'm sure they would tho. Anything beats staying at home, right?! Anywho, that's all I have for today's update. Thanks for reading and you all have a blessed weekend! MALAMA PONO A HUI HOU!

It was my first time checking out the Pearl Harbor National Memorial during my last visit to Oahu. Admission is free and one thing to note is no bags are allowed inside. You can only bring in small wallets or wristlets and all other items need to be stored in a locker for a $7 fee. The visit here is quite amazing and powerful. It's not easy to think of what happened on December 7, 1941 but this is a place where one can remember the many brave souls from that day. Though admission is free; one can also pay to take various tours including getting on the USS Arizona. We opted just to walk around the memorial and that in itself is quite an experience.

There were so many things that I learned (that I may have forgotten) about December 7th 1941. The movie was very informative. The museum exhibits shed even more light on what was going on prior to the attack. I normally skim through exhibits but I took my time with this one.

It's expensive. Making reservations is a pain, and the logistics around trying to see all the attractions, which ones to see, how much it's going to cost, what you can and can't bring it etc. is laborious The story told and overall vibe is shallow, and doesn't seem to reflect any advances in how we interpret and memorialize history since then, or keep it relevant as "living history." It's a flat, perfectly circular story that you've heard hundreds of times prior, and one that doesn't encourage much critical thinking or curiosity, much less open questions into the continuing role of the US Military in Hawaii for good or for ill. Like the Red Hill Water Crisis. Had no idea it was a thing and had to learn about it from a bumper sticker. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hill_water_crisis I'm admittedly not too sentimental about America's military history, so I don't think I'm the intended audience. Still, it's listed out as this incredible "must see" on Oahu so figured I "must see" it. But honestly, on a short trip I wished I'd used my time another way.

First, my thanks to the many soldiers past, present, and future for their service, The memorial and visitor center are a great tribute and also a great way for people to learn a little bit of history. Parking is easy and you walk up to the entrance that has a ticket center for entry and security. Be aware, you cannot bring bags with you into the site. Once you get in, there are actually multiple sites you can visit here and I recommend you prepurchase tickets online if possible. It is a little expensive, but especially if this is a once in a lifetime visit, it's worth it. Entry was quick the day we went with no wait and the ticket areas are laid out with onsite maps available to make it easy to find where you are going. There are also giftshops and food truck style options available. Specifically, we visited the USS Bowfin and the USS Arizona. The Bowfin, you literally walk up a gangway to get onto the submarine. You get to tour the inside of the sub, which for those with claustrophobia could defintiey be an issue. It is tight quarters and some of the doorways are tight. It was really neat to be able to see how submariners in that era lived while serving on a sub. When you get off, they offer a picture option that you can purchase. There is also a food truck right next to the Bowfin that you can buy lunch at (food was acutally really good). We then waited about 30 minutes before it was time for us to ride the ferry over to the USS Arizona. This is definitely a somber place to visit and I ask anyone visiting to be respectful. It is kind of open air once the ferry gets you to the memorial and if its sunny it can be brutally hot. So be aware you might need to have water with you. Portions of the ship are underwater and aren't clearly marked, but once you see them you'll know. There is a large name wall in the main memoirial section. The site may be relatively small, but you can definitely feel the somberness. Also, be aware that you do have to wait a little while before the ferry comes back to drop off the next group and to pick you up. All the service members and employees at the memorials and visitor center were professional, knowledgable, and great representatives. I'd definitely recommend to visit if you can. We did pick up a few souvenirs and a boatload of pictures. Definitely a bucket list place to visit.

When we came to Honolulu I knew we HAD to go see Pearl Harbor! We ended getting tickets where a tour guide picked us up at our hotel with about 6 other people from other hotels. It was eerie and sad knowing what happened on that fateful day and yet we were right over the wreckage of ships under the water. This for sure is a must if you come to Hawaii and have the opportunity to be within driving distance to come and see this memorial.

Visiting Pearl Harbor was the #1 thing we wanted to do when visiting Hawai'i and it's the reason that we came to O'ahu and not one of the other islands. It is an incredibly humbling and somber experience to visit the USS Arizona Memorial and to remember what happened there over 80 years ago. Seeing the "Black Tears" of oil that is still seeping out of the battleship is truly an experience. We then took the ferry to the USS Missouri and we loved the way that they had arranged the Missouri to face the Arizona; you can view the two places where the US's involvement in WWII started and ended simultaneously and it's something we'll never forget. Being able to see exactly where WWII ended with Japan's surrender was pretty amazing as well after having read about these historical events for years. One of our favorite things to see was that the signer for Canada accidentally signed on the wrong line (something we've all done) and it was a nice reminder that you don't always have to try to be perfect and that historical ceremonies can still have some snafus. The USS Bowfin submarine is also a very interesting site to see and you can walk through the boat and tour the top of it as well. Lastly, visiting Ford Island and the Aviation Museum was a thrill; it houses an amazing collection of historic planes and it's amazing to see windows that still have bullet holes in them from the attack (it was akin to seeing the building with a cannonball hole in it at Gettysburg). The entire site is extremely well done and everything is respectful to the sailors who served on these vessels and to those who lost their lives in the attack. Visiting Pearl Harbor was a humbling and emotional experience and one that we will never forget.

This is a MUST see when in Oahu! Go to national parks service website (www.nps.gov) to make your reservation. It only costs $1/person. Parking is $7. Allot plenty of time for your visit. Time at the memorial is limited however there are many exhibits to see. Also NO PURSES or BAGS allowed. Only a clear bag! READ all instructions on the website. Lastly bring tissues

This is a must see for anyone visiting the area. A few things to keep in mind is that they do not allow any bags or purses in the memorial. If you have a clear plastic purse, they will allow those. If you want to see the USS Arizona, it does require a permit that you can apply for in advance. There is a queue for those who don't have a reservation. The line was long, so securing a reservation really helps with being able to see that memorial. There was so much to read and see, so plan on spending multiple hours here.

If you only schedule one thing in Hawaii, make it this one !!! Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor can best be described as spiritual & life altering. On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy conducted a surprise aerial assault on Pearl Harbor. This unprovoked attack brought the United States into World War ll .. The memorial straddles what is left of the Battleship USS Arizona. 82 years later, you can still see fuel oil bubble to the surface from the sunken wreck. 1,102 of the 1,177 servicemen that lost their lives on this ship are still entombed inside its hull..

Incredible place to visit and a bucket list item. They have done a great job making this educational, interesting, and highly engaging. I spent a day here and was worth every second.

Respectfully, this national memorial deserves nothing less than 5 stars. Let's be clear that I'm reviewing the services and establishment and not the "attraction" that is referred as by many people. Please come here with honor and respect in your hearts. First and foremost it is the final resting place for many service people who perished on December 7, 1941. A lot of visitors who will visit here may not know that simply by looking at reviews. MAKE RESERVATIONS. If you can't get one, the visitor center is still free to visit. You can see the memorial from a distance and visit the "museum" inside that tells the story of Pearl Harbor. I've been a few times and my heart still feels somber each time, there's no other way to describe it. In 2014 I had the honor of meeting a Pearl Harbor Survivor there, Mr. Herb Weatherwax. He was then 97 years old! When I shook his hand and thanked him for his service he asked me, "Are you in school?" I said "No Sir, I'm serving in the Navy." He smiled and said to me "Do good. Stay away from bullets." I will forever treasure that moment. Parking gets full but be patient and treat everyone with Aloha. Pay before you leave your car. Lots of bathrooms and shaded inside. There's also a small concession area for snacks.

Time: Sunday afternoon This was a bucket list worthy trip. In terms of a memorial, we wanted to pay tribute to this memorial because it is a very special place in history and essentially a cemetery underwater. One thing to note before I continue this is that both my wife and I used to work for the national park service as Park rangers so I'm writing this review based on my experience as a ranger, tourist, and navy veteran. The park ranger who introduced everyone before getting on the ferry was actually very knowledgeable and informed all of us that you never know who is visiting the site and to be respectful while visiting. He mentioned that this is a cemetery of sorts and to limit your social media and selfie profiles. However, once we boarded the ferry and made it to the actual memorial, all bets were off. It never fails how disrespectful people can be when visiting a memorial, even if it is a tourist attraction. Those who were visiting seemed to have lost the concept of memorial and focused more on attraction. The park ranger working the actual memorial care less about people being loud and taking selfies and kids running around as opposed to. Just wanting to make sure everyone got in line to get back on the ferry. As a place where over 900 people died during the war, it is okay to reinforce the rules just as you would in a library and a librarian telling you to keep quiet. One specific incident that really made me cringe was the fact that the rules when getting into the park and monument as well as the rules when booking online state that modesty is of the essence and you should go in dressed modestly. However, when going through security there were many people going in wearing their bathing suits or skimpier attire. If the rules say that you should dress modestly, the rules should be enforced. Just like you should enforce lab talking and kids running around while on the actual monument. Friends who have visited in the past said that they had a very solemn experience. However, over the years it seems the park service has changed their ways and they no longer enforce these rules as they do not want to offend people. So that said, if you are visiting, you should know that this is still a place where people are buried and not so many words and it is still a memorial. Family members are coming to pay their respects, military are coming to see what they are serving for others are coming to see and reflect on history. And then you have those who are just here for a selfie or likes as an influencer on social media... My experience was not messed up because I went in there and tried to ignore the others and remembered what this place is about, but to the old men crying in the corner, their experience could have been much different from these people who were disrespecting solemn grounds.

Kudos to the memorial's servicemen and women for emphasizing the reality and purpose of this memorial and its representation of the tragedy and all of the lives lost. The somber realization and weight of this American tragedy, juxtaposed with todays precariousness, heeds a heavy weights in the hearts of current day visitors. This is a beautiful park with many tours and exhibits. This is not a joyful experience but a must to be reminded of so many painful sacrifices.

You can't go to Oahu without visiting here and paying your respects to our fallen hero's. I wasn't expecting to feel the way I did. I found myself in tears when hearing about these soldiers but I'm so glad we did it. The most memorable part was the presentation before the memorial and actually visiting the memorial center. We stopped at the battleship but wish we would have spent more time at the memorial

It's a pretty somber site in its entirety, but especially so at the wreck of the USS Arizona, which is essentially a war grave/memorial. 900 men lost their lives when the ship sank after a huge explosion from a bomb ripped a hole in the hull. What's interesting is that the survivors of the Arizona, men who weren't on the ship during the attack but on leave, or engaged in training onshore, chose to have their remains buried at sea with their shipmates. Also of note is the fact that I still don't deal well with boats. Getting off the ferry at the Arizona memorial made me dizzy momentarily due to the swaying motion of everything on the boat and the dock. Plus, it's very windy/breezy at the memorial, and being next to the water, I kept having to hold on to my hat for fear of a gust of wind carrying it into the famous harbor.

Oh my goodness is this an absolutely must do, but maybe not with small kids. This is a memorial and not an attraction. Respect at all times! You do not need to book a special tour (prices are outrageous)- just use the recreation.gov site. Book early up to 60 days in advance. Arrive early!! 1 hour early for parking and check in. Walk through the exhibits at the visitors center. Pay attention to the portraits at the beginning of the indoor exhibit. You'll be glad you did at the end. The park ranger told a very emotional story before we boarded the boat. The actual memorial is like nothing I have ever experienced. Remember. Honor. Understand. So much to do so plan accordingly especially with this being on everyone's to do list when in Hawaii. They have a nice little gift shop and a snack bar. FYI: we have tried 2 times within the last few years to visit Pearl Harbor. First time we missed it due to 9/11attack and the second time we missed our scheduled time. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY, THEY DONT ALWAYS HAVE STANDBY LINES. This is an active military base so they do have scheduled lunches.

What can you say about such a memorable place? I have wanted to visit Pearl Harbor all of my life! The history and sacrifice hold a special place in my heart. So many people were affected on that fateful day and I think this should be a mandatory visit by every American. You can get tickets on the federal website for $1 and you can pay a small fee to listen to a recording while you walk and ride around the facility. The recording was recorded by Jamie Lee Curtis whose father served in the military. It was a phenomenon recording and more information than you can take in during one visit. Once you go out to that site on a boat you will see the massive wall with names of every soldier that made the greatest sacrifice. You can see the top of that uss Arizona and you can see oil coming from the vessel. It is something you will remember once you visit.

Hawaii is unspeakably without a doubt fascinating and in a few days you can change how you see the world and change your idea of what life is. You can feel the notion that human beings are beyond your notion of life. You can get so confused about reality and you will see things that you couldn't imagine. I had been to Honolulu and I had never been to Pearl Harbor until two days ago. I felt like a student doing a report. It was incredible. I tried to follow the museum but I didn't have that much time. There is a memorial and a submarine and unknown soldiers. Dad was hiding and Dad was proud. That's the message and the medium. Pearl Harbor is a must see in this universe.

As a Veteran, it was a must that I visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial on my Hawaii vacation. It is truly a sacred location, and the National Parks Service does a great job of telling the story of the events of December 7, 1941. If you visit Hawaii, please take the time to visit. Please note that bags are not allowed. No camera bags, fanny packs, or bags larger than a ladies' wallet. You can take water bottles, though. Descriptions of the photos are not needed, lol

Pearl Harbor is about 30 minutes from Waikiki but you can also get here by bus which took about an hour. The bus dropped us off right in front of the memorial which was convenient. Bags were not allowed at Pearl Harbor but they had bag and purse storage onsite which you can utilize for $7 and $10 for larger bags. There was also a gift shop for souvenirs. We went to the USS Arizona memorial which we made reservations for the day before. The reservation was free but was a $1 reservation fee per person. If you weren't able to make a reservation beforehand you can wait in the standby line until there's space on the boat for you. The boat ride was quick and took us to the location where the USS Arizona was when it was bombed and you could still see parts of the ship still there decades later. It's free to go to Pearl Harbor and see some of the immediate exhibits but you have to pay extra to go to other exhibits like the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Some other exhibits like the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah are free but are restrictive because they give a limited number of tickets during a specific time of the day on select days of the week. The free exhibits went through the Road to War and the Attack of Pearl Harbor going through the timeline, buildup, attack, response, and the aftermath. It was pretty confusing understanding all the free exhibits, the paid exhibits, the time and day restrictions for them, and making reservations for them. This is one of those places that requires a lot of research and planning out what you want to do and what you don't want to do to maximize your time and experience here. It was such a powerful experience and I was able to learn so much about December 7, 1941 and visit the actual site. I highly recommend coming here.

Pearl Harbor was the one attraction that was on the must-do list for my first ever trip to Hawaii. It took attempts over two days before succeeding with a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. The Memorial itself was without a doubt a five-star experience. The logistics were the reason for the downgraded rating. Tickets were essentially free ($1 service charge per pass), however it was extremely challenging to secure them from the website. Only limited quantities were released 24 hours in advance. The problem was the system kept freezing when you tried to claim tickets and check out. On our initial visit, we arrived before sunrise because of a lack of Memorial tickets so the stand-by line was the only option. As the first ones to show up outside the gates, we waited until the 7 am opening time. The harbor winds that morning exceeded the maximum allowed for the boats to operate. When the gusts had subsided, those who possessed tickets were given priority. The backlog of scheduled ticketholders was addressed first, and the result was the stand-by visitors were shut out of scoring a boat ride. Before departing the grounds, we secured passes for mid-afternoon of the next day. The layout of the Visitors Center was spacious with exhibits stretching from one end to the other. There was a separate paid ticket required to enter the following historical sites: Battleship Missouri, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine. We opted out of those areas and walked around the spots where statues, plaques, and memorials had been erected to commemorate different aspects of the days leading up to and after December 7, 1941. Groups of visitors were guided to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater as a gathering area for each boat departure time. A park ranger explained the boat rules and the etiquette to follow while at the Memorial. The ride took about 15 minutes across the water. Upon docking and walking into the structure, it was the most solemn place I have ever visited. The fact that you were standing over a watery grave where the battleship had sunk with the remains of over 1,100 sailors was both eerie and emotional. My friend brought a couple of leis that we tossed into the water at the opening on the floor overlooking the sunken decks to honor the fallen men. Upon returning to the Visitors Center, we took time to watch some of the black and white footage that was captured in 1941. Reading about Pearl Harbor in my high school history book happened so long ago. Being present on-site where this attack occurred brought a whole different level of appreciation of the chaos and devastation that ultimately drew the United States into World War II. May those who perished on the 'Day of Infamy' never be forgotten.

What a place to see with so much history here. You take a boat over and can look at the plaques. The boat goes back and forth to the main part. You can walk around and see the sites after, including a little store and outside seating area. You have to check all bags bigger than your cell phone. It wasn't too busy when we got there, but you do need to reserve tickets ahead of time. Not sure if you can walk up or not. They do this so for the boat ride over and then you can explore the rest at will.

Stopped here via Da Bus. Checked out the signage and took pics. We did not buy tix to go in. Finding Da Bus stop to leave was difficult. We and another family had to ask a worker and it was surprisingly hard to find if you didn't ask. A must stop when visiting Honolulu.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial & Visitors Center is a must visit when in Honolulu, Hawaii.

A must-visit for any history buffs. Honestly, I wish we could have spent all day here because half a day wasn't enough time to see everything. Be ready to check in your items for a small fee! There was a long line of people checking in items, even for small Fannie packs and mini backpacks! Customer service was efficient and helpful. We took Lyft to get here from our hotel.

The #1 Tourist Attraction in Hawaii... "... December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy..." -- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt My first visit to The Pearl Harbor Visitors' Center was with my college friend, Joanie from San Diego, and her family in August of 2011. I remember going straight after work and arriving at 0730 to find them in a LONG line. At the time, I was so overwhelmed that I didn't post any photos nor write a review. It was a unique experience... Fast forward to 3-2-23... My Yelp friend, Emmett from San Diego, was visiting Hawaii for the First time. Pearl Harbor Visitors' Center was where he wanted to go. It was on the top of his list! Wow ... Okay... We will make this happen. We picked up breakfast on the way to Pearl Harbor where we were First in Line at 6am. The free parking lot was empty, so, we had the best parking! We ate okazuya cuisine on a cement bench right by the door. Luckily, I had a towel and some plastic bags in my car to place on the rained-upon bench. The door opened a little before 7am and one of the Park Rangers gave some information such as: -No purses or backpacks allowed. Leave them in the lockers nearby or your vehicle. -No plastic bags allowed - only clear ones -Dress appropriately At 7am on 3-2-23, we entered the Visitors' Center and made our way to the Memorial Theater. The 30-minute movie started at 7:15am, but I wanted to wait in the Standby Line (we were First). However, it's a better use of time to watch the movie because the first boat doesn't get boarded until 8am. The people with tickets would get on the boat before us, too, so... Gosh - the movie is filled with facts, sadness, and hope. What I want to remember most is that the Attack on Pearl Harbor brought people together and united our country. Some of the ships that were bombed were even repaired and became functional again! After the movie, we waited in the Standby Line again. Long story short: even though each boat has a capacity of 145 people, the wind has to be under 35 knots for the safety of the passengers. We hung around for a couple more hours, praying for the wind to die down, but it didn't. Plan B was to get tickets for 3-3-23. More tickets are released at 3pm the day before the desired day. I had to create an online account and try for every time slot until I got in for the 2:45pm boat departure. Paying online for tickets with a credit card was only a dollar per ticket. Not bad! On 3-3-23, we arrived at an almost full parking lot. A car just left and I took the spot! We walked straight to the theater where the 2:30pm group was being boarded. There was a slight delay because a boat was being repaired, but it didn't take that long for our group to board. The boat ride was smooth and - fortunately - uneventful. Entering the USS Arizona with respect, I removed two pink orchid lei (from my clear plastic bag) for us to place on the ocean gravesite. Rest in Peace, fellow Americans... On the walls surrounding the Memorial, we saw the plaques and the names of the dearly beloved, then waited in line to board the boat, and returned to shore. We got a chance to take a lot of photos, browse the museums, and stroll along the Walk of Remembrance. We skipped the Snack Shop and Gift Store, but did use the restrooms. Pearl Harbor Visitors' Center has been renovated to perfection. Many of these exhibits didn't exist when I was here twelve years ago. This tourist destination is highly recommended!

This place is amazing. It's a must see for sure. Just please be respectful as this is a memorial.

Definitely a must go place in Honolulu. Recommend to everyone. We made a reservation on Friday 3:30pm, which was the only time available! Such a popular spot! That means good. As an American we all should see the ship Arizona under the water..

Very moving tribute to the men who died on December 7. Very organized experience, nice grounds to walk around and take in the whole thing.

We missed this on our last visit, opting to get away from the tourist crowd. However we are here close to Dec 7th so it takes on special meaning. It is fairly busy for a rainy afternoon. We noticed a few changes. There is a $7 fee to park at the memorial sites. While you don't need a reservation to travel to the USS Arizona I would highly recommend it. We opted to get reservations and come back. A passport is available to cover admissions but we elected to buy tickets as we went - the cost is the same. No matter how often I come here I'm still in awe.

A very solemn location where you can pay tribute to the 2,403 persons who were killed during the attack on Peral Harbor. Most associate this memorial to the USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Arizona lost 1,177 persons with 1,102 still on board. You can take boat out to the memorial and you can see the battleship as the memorial is directly over parts of it. Also at the National Memorial are two exhibit galleries, outdoor exhibits, audio tour, a theater, and a bookstore. You can also pay to go to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. Of note, the Missouri and aviation museums are across the bridge on Ford Island and is restricted access to military personnel and the free shuttle bus. The shuttle bus runs each day 8am to 5pm departing approximately every 15 minutes from the Visitor Center. Also across the bridge is the USS Utah Memorial which is open to those who have access to Ford Island. Admittance is free but you have to pay for reservations ($1 per ticket) for the USS Arizona Memorial online. The reservations open up at 3pm the day prior to your visit. There is a decent amount of parking, but it fills up fast so you may have to drive around a bit to find a spot and then walk.

If there is one thing you must do on Oahu it's visit Pear Harbor Memorial. Not only is it free it's very historic. I come from a military family so the feelings of this place is unmatched. I've been to a few historical national sites like the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell/ Independence Hall and the preservation of the grounds and the homage paid is done well for Pearl Harbor.

One of the iconic places to visit if you are ever on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. I can't tell you enough how somber and emotional you might feel standing in the shadows where devastation took place and just feet away from the remains of US sailors and marines go gave to their country, the ultimate sacrifice. ith such historic meaning in the US WWII history, you can't help but be moved. There's multiple buildings, with static displays showing time lines and explaining what happened prior to, during and after the Japanese attach on the ships moored in the harbor. You can take a quick and calm boat ride to the USS Arizona memorial. All I can say is "WOW!" You can still see oil droplets rising to the surface from the ship almost 80 years later! Is that crazy or what? I recommend watching the film in the theatre. It gives an excellent recount of the entire attack from start to finish with some actual footage from the time. Overall a definite must see/do when visiting Honolulu.

This is an incredible memorial and tribute to Pearl Harbor. You should do some research in advance of arrival to make your visit ideal. Specifically, you need to make some reservations for certain attractions if you want to participate in them. For the most part, everything else is open. We took the boat tour over to the Oklahoma Memorial, which is awe-inspiring and well executed. Then we took the bus to the island and spent time on the USS Missouri, followed by the aviation museum. Leave a fair amount of time for both of these, as you will want to see everything (and you pretty much can see everything). Last, we took the bus back and toured the submarine museum. We spent nearly a whole day at the entire park, and really enjoyed it. An amazing tribute to the history of America being pulled into World War II.

Few things have been a touching in my life as visiting the remnants of the sunkun Battleship Arizona in Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. My first trip to Hawaii was in 1985. It was a business reward trip,fully paid and memorable. As a group we each had top of the line leis. For 3 days we wore them everywhere as a group ,only removing them to store in the mini fridge at night. On our last day before changing islands,we visited the Arizona. After a long period of silence we each placed our lei in the water,watching them drift off over the remnants of the Arizona peering through. Not an excursion to be missed. Go!