Things to do nearUSS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, honors the sailors and Marines lost on December 7, 1941, with a solemn waterside shrine and moving museum exhibits.
The USS Arizona Memorial marks one of the most consequential moments in American history. On the morning of December 7, 1941, a surprise aerial attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II. The USS Arizona sank in under nine minutes after a bomb detonated its forward ammunition magazine, and the loss of life aboard a single ship was staggering. The memorial, dedicated in 1962, was designed by Alfred Preis and sits directly above the submerged wreck, which remains a designated war grave.
Visitors begin their experience at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center, where a 23-minute documentary film provides essential context before the boat ride to the structure itself. Inside the open-air memorial, the Shrine Room displays a marble wall engraved with the names of every sailor and Marine killed aboard the Arizona. On clear days you can look down through the water and see the outline of the hull below.
The surrounding Pearl Harbor National Memorial encompasses several other sites worth exploring on the same visit, including the USS Missouri, where Japan formally surrendered in 1945, just a short distance away on Ford Island.
Few places in the United States carry this kind of weight, and the USS Arizona Memorial delivers it with quiet dignity that stays with visitors long after they leave.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting USS Arizona Memorial
Visit as early in the morning as possible, since timed boat passes fill quickly and the site is busiest by midday.
Reserve your free boat-pass tickets in advance through the National Park Service website, as walk-up availability is limited.
Bring water and sun protection for the outdoor queuing areas, which offer little shade in the Hawaiian sun.
Allow at least half a day to visit the nearby museum exhibits and documentary film before your boat departure.
Dress respectfully and note that open-toed shoes, backpacks, and bags larger than a small purse are not permitted on the memorial structure.
Top tours & experiences near USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Missouri Guided Tour
Trace Oahu's World War II story from Waikiki
6-Hour Pearl Harbor & Honolulu Guided Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor history with local insights and guided transport
Private Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona & Honolulu City Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor history with a private guide and tailored Honolulu sightseeing
Pearl Harbor & Downtown Honolulu Guided Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor at your pace, then discover downtown Honolulu with a guide
Private Oahu Helicopter Tour with Doors-Off Option
Take a private 60-minute Oahu helicopter flight with guaranteed window seats
Explore Oahu on a Custom 8-Hour Sightseeing Tour
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial park, then tour Oahu’s North Shore and east side
Private Pearl Harbor & USS Missouri Tour from Waikiki
Explore Pearl Harbor’s history at your own pace with a private local driver-guide
Private Pearl Harbor Guided Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor privately with a personal guide and transportation for your group
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Battleship Missouri Tour
Explore the history linking Pearl Harbor to the end of World War II
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour with USS Arizona Memorial
Explore Oahu’s royal history and places of remembrance in one tour
Pearl Harbor All-Sites Private Guided Tour
See Pearl Harbor’s major memorials and museums with a private guide
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Honolulu City Tour from Waikiki
Reflect on Pearl Harbor’s history and discover Hawaii’s royal past
Pearl Harbor & Oahu Circle Island Tour from Waikiki
Pearl Harbor history and Oahu’s North Shore and East Coast in one day
Pearl Harbor WWII Guided Tour With Lunch
Explore Pearl Harbor’s World War II stories with a local guide and museum lunch
Pearl Harbor & Oahu Circle Island Tour
Fly from Kauai for Pearl Harbor history and Oahu coastal sights
Private Custom Oahu Island Tour with Multilingual Guide
Build your own 6–7 hour private Oahu tour with a guide and luxury van
Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Virtual Reality Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor's December 7 story through 29 narrated stops and virtual reality
Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Tour From Ko Olina
Explore Pearl Harbor's December 7 stories and legacy
Private Pearl Harbor & Iolani Palace Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor museums, the USS Arizona Memorial and historic Honolulu with a German-speaking guide
Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona & Honolulu City Tour
Reflect on wartime history by boat, then explore Honolulu’s royal and civic past
Pearl Harbor & North Shore Circle Island Tour in Oahu
Pair island history with farm flavors and coastal scenery
Pearl Harbor Guided Tour With Control Tower
Discover Pearl Harbor’s WWII history from the Ford Island Control Tower
Guided Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Battleship Missouri Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor history from the USS Arizona Memorial to Battleship Missouri
Guided Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Tour
Private history tour with Honolulu landmarks and memorial reflection