Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu commemorates the December 7, 1941 attack and the people who died there. At the visitor center, explore galleries and outdoor exhibits about the attack and the wider Pacific War. The central visit is the boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial, built above the sunken battleship; oil can still be seen on the water. The grounds and visitor center are free to enter, while the USS Arizona program requires a reserved ticket. Allow time for the film and exhibits as well as the boat ride.
The attack and its aftermath
Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, drawing the United States into World War II. The National Park Service memorial commemorates those who died and interprets the attack and its wider history.
The visitor center’s exhibits cover the attack, the wartime internment of Japanese Americans, fighting in the Aleutian Islands and the occupation of Japan after the war. Galleries, outdoor displays and a film provide context before or after a visit to the harbor memorial.
The USS Arizona Memorial program
The USS Arizona Memorial sits above the sunken battleship. The program includes a 23-minute documentary about the attack followed by a boat ride to the memorial. Oil from the wreck can still be seen on the water, a visible reminder of the ship beneath it.
The memorial is a place for quiet reflection and remembrance. Plan your visit around the timed boat program, and leave room for the exhibits at the visitor center rather than treating the boat trip as the whole visit.
Other sites around Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is an active military base as well as a historic site. The broader area includes several destinations beyond the National Park Service memorial, among them the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, centered on the USS Bowfin, the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
These sites are separately operated and add different perspectives on naval and aviation history. If you want to visit more than the National Park Service grounds, plan enough time for each destination and check its admission and visit arrangements separately.
Planning your visit
Entry to the visitor center and its exhibits is free. The USS Arizona Memorial program requires a ticket, and advance reservations are recommended because places can be difficult to secure. If you do not have a reservation, arriving early gives you a chance to ask about standby or same-day availability.
The memorial grounds are largely outdoors, so leave time to move between the exhibits and the boat departure point. A visit focused on the visitor center and USS Arizona Memorial takes a few hours; adding other Pearl Harbor destinations can extend the day.
FAQ
Is Pearl Harbor National Memorial free to visit?
Entry to the visitor center, grounds and exhibits is free. The USS Arizona Memorial program requires a ticket, and a reservation service charge may apply.
Do I need a reservation for the USS Arizona Memorial?
A ticket is required for the program, and reserving ahead is recommended. You can also try for standby or same-day availability by arriving early.
How long should I spend at Pearl Harbor National Memorial?
Allow a few hours for the visitor center exhibits, film and USS Arizona boat program. Visiting other Pearl Harbor sites takes additional time.
What happens during the USS Arizona Memorial program?
You watch a 23-minute documentary about the attack, then take a boat to the memorial above the sunken battleship.
