During a visit to the Aloha State, visiting Pearl Harbor ought to be right at the top of your to-do-list. Here, you can dive into the history of the surprise attack by Japan on December 7, 1941, which catapulted the US into World War II. Today, millions of people from across the globe come to visit this fateful historic site every year.
Our Pearl Harbor tours in Oahu give you the chance to journey back in time and gain insights into the events of that historic day. In this guide, we’ll tell you what you can expect to discover.
Visiting Pearl Harbor? Check Out These Top Attractions
In no order of preferences, here are the attractions and memorials you simply need to explore while visiting Pearl Harbor.
USS Arizona Memorial Museum
This is an open-air museum which was made to recognize and honor the soldiers who gave their lives when the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor. The museum tells the brief history before the attack and narrates the ordeal of the destruction. Personal archives, collectibles, pictures, artifacts are some of the things that the area houses from the event that happened in 1941. The Japanese torpedo, warplanes and the Japanese carrier that launched the attack is IMS Akagi is also present in the museum. There are gigantic pictures that show the fireplace that burned for various days at Pearl Harbor. A documentary film of 23 minutes is also shown as the visitors take a 3-hour tour around the museum.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum
Launched in 1942, Bowfin was operated by eighty men as it sank greater than 40 ships in World War II. The crew members resided, rested and fought in this submarine and you can have a tour of its quarters to get a glimpse of their lives in it. Just near the USS Arizona Memorial Customer Center, on the shores of Pearl Harbor is the 10,000 square-feet museum that you can visit. Several types of submarines, a Poseidon C-3 missile, other weapon systems used in the submarines and other artifacts are present in the museum. One person out of the 80 crew members died and his Crimson Heart is displayed in the museum. You can also watch movies about submarines online in a 40 seat theater that is present there.
USS Missouri Memorial
The ship that transported out bombing raids over Tokyo, Japan is the USS Missouri. Because of its huge firepower, it seemed to have been used in the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima. General Douglas A. MacArthur presided when the Japanese surrendered to the Allied forces in 1945 and this happened around the deck of Missouri. This ship was also used in the Korean War and in Operation Desert Storm after it was reconditioned and upgraded. You can have a tour of this ship as the military men share the incidents of how the USS Missouri contributed to the momentous surrender from the Japanese.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is located in Hanger 37 around Ford Island. It is said that this hanger survived the Japanese attack around Pearl Harbor. In addition to Pearl Harbor, explore lower to find a big colorful aerial photography from the Ford Island as soon as you enter the museum. A 200 seat theater is there in which you can watch documentaries that portray the surprise attack of the Japanese.
The airplanes that were used back then are suspended in the ceiling and you can get a peek at them as you walk across the place. A civilian plane shot by the Japanese aircraft and the Japanese Zero which crash arrived within the Niihau Island is also displayed. You can even have a chance to fly and shoot lower enemy planes as a six flight simulator is also present in the museum. This historic place is located in Oahu Island. Get a flight to Hawaii and as soon as you land in the Honolulu Airport terminal, you are welcome to visit Pearl Harbor.
USS Oklahoma Memorial
The USS Oklahoma Memorial is a tribute to more than 400 people who lost their lives when the ship capsized during the attack on Pearl Harbor. You’ll find the memorial on Ford Island, near the USS Missouri. It features white marble columns, each representing one of the lost crew members.
Ford Island
Ford Island is accessible via shuttle bus from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. In addition to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the USS Oklahoma Memorial, Ford Island itself is a historical site with several points of interest, including the hangars that still bear the scars of the attack.
At the restored Ford Island Control Tower, you can gain insights into the resilience and recovery efforts that followed the attack. You can also take in panoramic views of Pearl Harbor from the observation deck. If you have enough time, we highly recommend following the Ford Island Historical Trail, which takes you by some of the island’s most fascinating historic sites.
Remembrance Circle
Located at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Remembrance Circle is an outdoor memorial designed to honor the 2,390 Americans who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The memorial’s circular design symbolizes unity and the unbroken spirit of the American people in the face of adversity. The circle is a tranquil space, where you can reflect on the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives during the attack.
Waterfront Memorial
The Waterfront Memorial resides near the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and commemorates the 52 navy vessels and over 3,500 submariners that lost their lives during WWII. Each of the 52 lost submarines is represented by a granite marker, arranged along the waterfront. Inscribed on the markers are the names of the submariners who perished, offering a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
Visiting Pearl Harbor? Book Your Tour Today
If you want to make sure you see all the highlights of the Pearl Harbor Historic Site, you might want to embark on a guided tour with a local expert. At Pearl Harbor Tours Oahu, we arrange and operate award-winning tours that not only introduce you to the most famous exhibits but also showcase the lesser-known attractions, giving you detailed insights into the fateful attack. Browse our range of tours if you’re visiting Pearl Harbor, and we’ll look forward to showing you around.