Things to do nearPearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, preserves the site of the 1941 attack with moving monuments, historic artifacts, and the sunken USS Arizona beneath its waters.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial sits on the shores of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the U.S. Navy. The site commemorates the surprise attack carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the morning of December 7, 1941, an event that drew the United States into World War II. At the center of the memorial is the USS Arizona Memorial, a white structure spanning the mid-section of the sunken battleship, which rests on the harbor floor with more than a thousand crew members still entombed within its hull.
Visitors reach the memorial by a short boat ride across the harbor, where the marble shrine room displays the names of all those who died aboard the Arizona. The oil that continues to rise from the wreck in slow, dark ribbons has become one of the most quietly powerful symbols at the site. On shore, the visitor center houses two theaters showing a documentary film that places the attack in its historical context, and the museum galleries display personal artifacts, photographs, and recovered equipment that bring individual stories to the surface.
The broader Pearl Harbor Historic Sites complex includes the Battleship Missouri Memorial, where Japan formally surrendered in 1945, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, making the area one of the most comprehensive World War II sites in the Pacific. The atmosphere throughout is contemplative rather than ceremonial, and the combination of natural harbor beauty and profound historical gravity gives Pearl Harbor National Memorial a character that is unlike almost any other place in the United States.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Arrive early, ideally before 8 a.m., as the free tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial boat shuttle are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and frequently run out by midmorning.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes with non-slip soles, as the boat shuttle and memorial platform require steady footing on wet surfaces.
Spend time in the on-site museum galleries before boarding the shuttle, as the exhibits on the lead-up to the attack add meaningful context to what you will see on the water.
Visit the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum nearby to walk through an actual World War II-era submarine and gain a tangible sense of life aboard a vessel of that period.
Dress modestly and keep your voice low throughout the memorial grounds, as Pearl Harbor National Memorial is an active burial site and visitors are expected to observe a respectful, quiet demeanor.
Top tours & experiences near Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor WWII Virtual Reality Experience
See the December 7 attack from a fighter cockpit in virtual reality
Guided Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial Tour
Travel Pearl Harbor’s historic sites by private limousine with reserved USS Arizona access
Private Oahu Luau Transportation from Waikiki
Ride in a private luxury van to any Oahu luau, with round-trip transport for your group
Customize a Private Oahu Island Tour With Pickup
Design your private Oahu island loop with a German-speaking guide
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Guided Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor's wartime story with a narrated drive through Honolulu
Pearl Harbor World War II Virtual Reality Experience
Explore five Pearl Harbor virtual reality stories with immersive views of World War II
Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Virtual Reality Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor’s history through survivor stories, multimedia stops, and virtual reality
Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour
Follow 18 multimedia stops through Pearl Harbor with survivor stories and historic imagery
Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour
Hear Pearl Harbor stories unfold across 23 self-guided stops
Self-Guided Pearl Harbor Narrated Tour
Follow 29 narrated stops through Pearl Harbor history at your own pace
Oahu North Shore Food Tour with Waimea Falls
Sample local bites and visit Waimea waterfall on an 8-hour North Shore adventure
Explore Pearl Harbor on Oahu Private 12-Hour Tour
Spend 12 hours exploring Pearl Harbor at your own pace
Fly a Doors-Off Helicopter Tour Over Oahu
Take a 50-minute doors-off helicopter flight over Oahu’s top landmarks
Private Pearl Harbor & Oahu Scenic Lookouts Tour
Explore Oʻahu’s history and scenic views at your own pace
Pride of America 4-Tour Hawaii Shore Excursion Pass
Discover Hawaiʻi’s natural wonders and history with one multi-island pass
Take a Private 9-Hour Pearl Harbor & Oahu Tour
Build a private 9-hour Oahu day with Pearl Harbor and island routes
Take a Doors-Off Helicopter Tour Over Oahu
Land at a private Waimea Bay overlook on a doors-off helicopter flight
Oahu Scuba Diving: 3-Tank Wreck & Reef Tour
Explore Oahu’s wrecks and reefs on a guided three-tank dive with premium gear included
Explore Pearl Harbor & Oahu South Shore Private Tour
Build a private 6-hour Pearl Harbor and South Shore tour at your own pace
Private 12-Hour Pearl Harbor & Oahu Circle Island Tour
Build a private 12-hour Oahu day with Pearl Harbor and North Shore or Circle Island stops
Explore Pearl Harbor on a Private 9-Hour Tour
Spend 9 hours exploring Pearl Harbor memorials and exhibits at your own pace
Private 6-Hour Pearl Harbor Guided Tour on Oahu
Visit Pearl Harbor on a private 6-hour tour at your own pace
Customize a 6-Hour Oahu Community Service Tour
Build a private 6-hour Oahu tour with 1.5 hours of community service