USS Arizona Memorial
Visit the white memorial above the sunken USS Arizona and pay respects to those who lost their lives. The program includes a Navy-operated boat ride, subject to conditions.
Plan an Arizona Memorial visitIndependent Pearl Harbor visitor guide
Visit Pearl Harbor
Stand where history changed, honor the lives connected to December 7, 1941, and explore the memorials, ships, and aviation history that make Pearl Harbor one of Hawaiʻi’s most meaningful places.
Visitor Center museums and grounds are free. Some programs and partner sites require reservations or admission.
Visitor Center
Open daily, 7am to 5pm
Holiday closures may apply
USS Arizona
Advance reservation recommended
Official booking is through Recreation.gov
Bag Policy
Travel light or use storage
Bags that conceal items are restricted
Time Needed
2 hours to a full day
Choose sites before you arrive
Understand before you book
One harbor, four main visitor experiences
Most visits begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. From there, each historic site has its own access, timing, and ticket requirements. The right plan depends on how much time you have and which stories you most want to explore.
- The USS Arizona Memorial is reached through a National Park Service program with a Navy boat ride.
- The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin are next to the Visitor Center.
- Battleship Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are on Ford Island and reached by the authorized shuttle.
What to see
The Pearl Harbor historic sites
Together, these places trace the attack on Pearl Harbor, the war in the Pacific, and the surrender that ended World War II.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Walk the decks of the ship where Japan formally surrendered in Tokyo Bay. Explore the surrender deck, crew spaces, and the story of the Mighty Mo.
Explore Battleship Missouri
USS Bowfin Submarine
Descend into a World War II submarine and see the compact spaces where the crew lived and served. The adjacent museum adds important context.
Explore USS Bowfin
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Explore wartime hangars, historic aircraft, and stories spanning the attack on Pearl Harbor through later Pacific aviation history.
Explore the Aviation MuseumChoose how to visit
Independent visit or guided tour?
Both can work well. A self-planned visit gives you more control, while a guided tour can simplify transportation and help connect the history across multiple sites.
Best for flexibility
Plan it yourself
Reserve the USS Arizona program separately, arrange transportation, and buy admission directly for any partner sites you want to add.
- Maximum schedule control
- Easy to focus on one or two sites
- Requires more advance planning
Best for first-time visitors
Pearl Harbor highlights tour
A focused half-day format for visitors who want transportation, historical narration, and the core Pearl Harbor experience without organizing every step.
- Often includes Waikīkī pickup
- Good fit for a shorter schedule
- Inclusions differ by operator
Best for history enthusiasts
Full-day historic sites tour
A longer experience designed to connect several sites, usually combining the Visitor Center area with one or more Ford Island attractions.
- More complete historical arc
- Less transportation guesswork
- Can involve a long, active day
Build the right day
Choose by the time you have
Do not try to rush every site into a short visit. Start with the USS Arizona Memorial, then add the experience that matters most to you.
Essential Pearl Harbor
- Visitor Center grounds and harbor-side exhibits
- Road to War and Attack galleries
- USS Arizona Memorial program, if reserved or available
Memorial plus one site
- Complete the essential visit
- Add USS Bowfin for submarine history
- Or shuttle to Battleship Missouri for the war’s closing chapter
The wider historic story
- Begin with the Visitor Center and USS Arizona
- Take the authorized shuttle to Ford Island
- Visit Battleship Missouri and the Aviation Museum, allowing time for transfers
Before you go
Four decisions make the visit easier
Choose your historic sites
Decide whether you want only the memorial area, one additional site, or a full-day experience.
Check reservations
Use Recreation.gov for the official USS Arizona Memorial program reservation.
Plan transportation
Compare driving and paid parking with public transit or a tour that includes hotel-area pickup.
Pack for security
Review the bag policy, bring sun protection, and allow extra time before your scheduled program.
A place of remembrance
More than a sightseeing stop
Pearl Harbor is an active military setting, a historic battlefield, and the resting place of service members who died during the attack. Its most powerful moments often come through quiet reflection, personal stories, and understanding the human cost behind the familiar images.
The memorials and museums help visitors trace a wide historical arc: the path to war, the attack on December 7, 1941, life and service across the Pacific, and the formal end of World War II aboard USS Missouri.
Give the site enough time to feel its scale. The value of the visit is not only in what you see, but in how the separate stories connect.
Frequently asked questions
Pearl Harbor visit essentials
Is Pearl Harbor free to visit?
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center grounds and museums are free. The USS Arizona Memorial program does not charge admission, but Recreation.gov applies a reservation fee. Partner attractions such as USS Bowfin, Battleship Missouri, and the Aviation Museum have separate admission.
Do I need a reservation for the USS Arizona Memorial?
Advance reservations are recommended because scheduled programs can fill. A standby process may be available on the day, but it is not guaranteed. Always check current guidance and availability through the National Park Service and Recreation.gov.
Can I bring a backpack or purse?
Bags and containers that can conceal items are restricted. A paid storage facility operates near the Visitor Center entrance. Review the current official bag policy before you travel, especially if you are carrying camera equipment, baby supplies, or luggage.
Can I see Pearl Harbor without a guided tour?
Yes. You can arrange your own transportation, reserve the USS Arizona Memorial program, and purchase partner-site admission separately. A guided tour is mainly useful for transportation, narration, and simplifying a multi-site schedule.
How long should I spend at Pearl Harbor?
Allow roughly two to three hours for the Visitor Center and USS Arizona experience. Add several more hours for USS Bowfin or a Ford Island site. Visiting all four main historic sites is best treated as a substantial full-day plan.
Start with the right plan
Make your Pearl Harbor visit meaningful, not rushed
Choose the sites that matter most, secure any needed reservations, and understand what your tour or ticket actually includes before the day of your visit.