The 45 best sights in Honolulu (2025)

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Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and extremely humbling experience. Definitely worth taking a visit. The rangers also gave the kids work books to do while there to turn in for a junior ranger badge which was really cool. The boat ride to the site was smooth and not a long wait. They do not allow much to be brought inside the memorial grounds or the boat ride to the site itself but it’s worth checking out.

This is a nice memorial. I went here and was satisfied with my experience. I reserved a free timed ticket online to see the USS Arizona Memorial, which is only accessible by boat. The boat boarding process was quick and straightforward, and the memorial was beautiful. It’s an architectural marvel, especially because it floats above the wreckage, portions of which you can see from the memorial. There’s a movie shown here about the Pear Harbor attack and the causes behind it, which was quite fascinating. There are exhibits about the attack and one about radar technology used during the attack and how it differed from the radar technology of today, which was very interesting. There’s a submarine and battleship you can visit here for a fee. I gave this national memorial five stars because it has interesting exhibits and did an excellent job memorializing the tragedy that occurred here.

Such a sobering experience. Life long dream accomplished. So glad I finally got to see this. I did not take the guided tour, I just went over on the boat to see the Arizona. I did get online at recreation.gov and paid $1 per ticket just to make sure I had tickets.

Prepare for a day of walking, so wear good shoes.There are strict, no bags or purses rule. Purchase a clear bag, and you'll be fine. Wish I'd known.The submarine was fun to explore, and the museums taking you through the history of WW2 and The Cold War.They did a fabulous job with the design of the museums for each topic.The memorial for the Arizona is a beautiful tribute to our lost sailors and soldiers.Please be respectful when visiting this memorial, be quiet.We couldn't get through all of the exhibits, but we got most of them in.Highly recommend the lighthouse tour. You get a good view of bay and the history of the invasion with a visual perspective.The USS Missouri is available for tour as well. It's really a good way to understand the experience of living aboard ship.The burger at the air museum was pretty darn tasty and the dole whip is a must to help cool down.Bring quarters if you want to press a penny- Air museum.

I have no words. Once you're headed to the memorial, emotions overtake you. You have to be here to understand. One personal note about my trip. My father was a teenager in Mississippi when he heard over the radio about the attack. He went on to Mobile, Alabama, to build troop carriers during the war. Fast forward, my father retired from the railroad and traveled the lower 48 in a 5th wheel, finally completing the 49 with Alaska before he passed. My brothers and I always asked why, not Hawaii ? Dad would say I'll go to Hawaii when they build that bridge. He never made it. Dad passed away in 2008. I found his hat he purchased in Alaska, marking his last trip of the 49. I made that bridge for him and took him to Pearl Harbor. You must experience it for yourself.

A reverend and emotional experience. Absolutely beautiful memorial for the 1177 fallen service men trapped in the USS Arizona. Great documentary theater. Great staff. Book and gift store well priced. Parking $7. Bag/purse storage $7. Reservations are important. Read recreation.gov on how to reserve up to a week beforehand, day of, and standby options. Best parking before 9 am tour.Please make sure you are quiet and respectful as this is NOT an attraction, it is a final resting place for the men who served their country. If you have small children and they are not used to being quiet, do not bring them. Plain and simple. Children running wild is not lōkahi. Don't let your child(ren) ruin mahalo for others.

Honestly, I was disappointed. They trip to the Memorial was so rushed. I didn't even know they were giving an informational talk. Then they literally hurried you to line up to get back on the return boat. The National Park Officer was totally rude. I asked a question and he blew me off and basically told me to get in line. I love that the memories was made to honor our brave servicemen but I believe it can be more informative by adding representatives of our servicemen, who are engaged and not just there to "put in their time". How sadly disappointing.

Large complex dedicated to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Some museums and exhibitions are privately run and therefore charge a fee. The Visitor Center and associated museum can be visited free of charge. Only parking is charged at 7 dollars. The museum is well laid out and the exhibition is very interesting. You should book in advance for the boat trip to the memorial of the USS Arizona. However, there is also a stand-by queue on site. The gardens are also aesthetically pleasing.

A truly humbling experience. I was told since I’ve been young that my father was drafted but was sent to Germany because his 2 older brothers were already in Vietnam. I was also told it had something to do with Pearl Harbor. I read about the Sullivan Rule but didn’t really comprehend the magnitude until I visited the USS Arizona. Make sure you visit the Waterfront Park, tour the USS Oklahoma and walk through the exhibit galleries. The Galleries lead you through the events leading up to the attack and the aftermath (do the audio tour it makes you shake your head). The memorial itself, built over the USS Arizona, is a short boat ride and a park ranger directs you to a documentary film.The marble wall inscribed with 1177 names, many with numerous brothers names, brought me to tears. The oil that still appears on the surface and will continue to appear on the surface for many years to come is shocking. And to know, years after this tragedy, that many that didn’t perish that day chose to be interred along with the ones that didn’t survive, makes you understand what type of true heroes these men were.Never forget history.

A must visit when in Honolulu Hawaii and probably best done independently as I was there via a cruise ship tour, I felt that we missed out on a lot for the 2 hours we had.Would've liked to do the boat tour especially, but was a wait for every 20 minutes or so and they was a long line ahead, also limited time to watch the video...you'd be surprised how quickly 2 hours go by.I did however get to see the museum and the visitor's centre along with the expansive grounds for lovely photos, the granite plaques and marble stones memorial and photos of the submarine from outside.Left with a wealth of knowledge and greater appreciation for those who fought for their country...a good day for sure.Tip:...no bags are allowed in except for a handheld wallet and phone, they're lockers available for rent.

This very informative tour gave me a deeper understanding of what happened at Pearl Harbor. Highly recommend to RSVP in advance and arrive extra early to see the movie and walk through the museums.The movie itself was worth the price of admission. Gave me so much insight into many details of that dreadful day in our history. It’s a very emotional experience!Make sure to get in line no sooner than 15 min before your scheduled ferry ride to the USS Arizona. Sit on the left side of the boat for great picture taking.Seeing the USS Arizona from above the memorial is breathtaking. I have a new appreciation for our fallen soldiers. God bless America.

As an American, this is a must do when you visit Hawaii.Be prepared to do a lot of walking. They do have a strict no bag policy, but they do have a bag check-in area. You can have a clear bag like going to a sports game. If you drive, parking is $7 online.Be aware, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are separate and independent sites not managed by the National Park Service so you will have entrance fee to these museum.The couple museums at the memorial (to the left when you enter) and the memorials are free, which talks about Road to War and the attack of Pearl Harbor.The boat shuttle to the USS Arizona memorial is free also and will take about 45 mins round trip. You can pay $1 for reservations online if it is a busy day or you can get a standby ticket and you'll just need to sign up and get a text if there are seats open. They can take up to 75 per shuttle so plenty of room. I did a standby on Saturday at 10am and I got a text right away. It is a memorial not a tourist spot so be quiet and respectful to others. It is an amazing memorial and definitely has me tearing up a bit.For the free part which is the national memorial it takes about 2 hours. After the exhibits and memorial, might as you are here, pay to check the Pacific Submarine Museum where you can tour the USS Bowfin.All in all, definitely worth checking out and paying respect for those who died in WWII and just learning about history.

Tickets are free unless you would like a guided tour, but you must reserve them in advance. I valued the opportunity to see this site. In addition to the memorial, there is a museum with artifacts, photos and a movie as well. There is also a gift shop. Note- you will need to store your bags/ backpacks for a fee prior to entry, as they are not allowed inside.

Great to have such an important and educational memorial easily accessible to the public. The mainland area is free and easy to enter though you cannot bring in bags so will be charged $7 per small bag to check it. To go to the memorial itself over the sunken ship you either have to make a reservation online for $1 or line up to take the stop of those who don't show up. We made an online reservation and it was super easy, but most who lined up got through the first or second go too.

An exceptional tribute to the men who served here. There’s plenty to see, entry is free however you must pay $7.33 to check each bag, even if it’s just a fanny pack. The submarine exhibit is $26 to access. The aviation museum is also additional. The boat ride to the USS Arizona is quick and easy, you spend about 15 minutes at the memorial and then they bring you back. The memorial itself is clean, impressive, and lists the names of all the men lost on the USS Arizona. Definitely worth the visit.

Great visit. Lots to see. For history enthusiasts I recommend budgeting all day as I did not have enough time to see everything. You need to get boat tour tickets in advance. There is a submarine and related museum here.

Though a place with such sad history, it was a lovely experience. Quite a lot to see and experience and learn.The boat ride out to the sunken USS Arizona was interesting, though short.To all the past and current men and women in the Navy, thank you for your service.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a profoundly moving tribute to those who lost their lives during the attack on December 7, 1941. The USS Arizona Memorial offers a serene experience as visitors reflect on the sacrifices made. The informative exhibits provide deep insights into the events of that day and the impact on history. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate, enhancing the overall experience. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding this pivotal moment in American history. The combination of history, remembrance, and stunning views makes it a truly unforgettable place.

An apt tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives and a reminder for us of the cost of peace and freedom that we enjoy each day. Always wither go with a guide or take any audio tour to ensure you understand this place and it's seriousness in depthThe memorials were established to honor those who fought and died during the Japanese Naval and Air Forces attack on Pearl Harbor. They were set up to help preserve the stories and memories of those who served in the Pacific during World War II.Of the memorials run by the National Park Service in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor is the most popular. The main feature being the USS Arizona Memorial that honors the servicemen who died during the attack in 1941. It, along with other nearby attractions, make it the busiest visitor destination in Hawai’i.Several parts of the park are scenic sites that are not accessible to the public such as the Mooring Quays, the Five Petty Chief Officer Bungalows and the USS Utah Memorial. You can visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial on tour.

This is a very important and solemn memorial. The entire location is split into different exhibits to give a full perspective of the attack on Pearl Harbor. There is boat ferry to the USS Arizona. I highly recommend you listen and do as the sailors tell you to do.NO PICTURES WHILE GETTING OFF BOAT UNTIL YOUR INSIDE THE MEMORIAL! People are trying to get on your boat as you're coming off. It's straight to the point and the sailors will tell you...without question.Many things to see about the war on the Pacific including a submarine to discover! A very respectful, clean, and popular location to learn our American Wartime history. I as an Air Force veteran took into account the enormous sacrifice my brothers in arms took.

First, It's a Pivotal point in the history of America and Japan. A lot of people died on both sides. Go, learn, show your respect to both sides.That aside, here are some other items to be aware of.No bags are allowed (if it's bigger than a cell phone, you have to pay to store it).If you can, sign up for the tour ahead of time, otherwise when you get there all you can do is be put on standby.There is a submarine you can tour.They have a few free memorial items, and a few paid.You can take a shuttle over to the air museum also.Not a lot of food, but there was a food truck and hot dog stand.There is also a souvenir shop.

Pearl Harbor is rich in history! Be ready to spend a few hours at this place. Parking wasn't difficult to find, especially because we got there early.Parking will cost you $7. There are posts around the parking lots. Just scan the QR.Before you enter, make sure that you bring a clear bag or else you'll have to leave it in your car or rent a locker. If your wife has a purse, make sure it's a one zipper and not two. If you have a toddler, make sure you bring some diapers and the wipes in hand, but not your diaper bag that will be left in a locker.You can bring water, and as soon as you've been checked, go to the iPads and check in to enter the USS Arizona, which is a boat ride. If you don't sign up, you won't be able to see the remains of the USS Arizona.Also, in order to access the submarine, make sure that your kiddos are older than 4 years old, or else they won't let you in. That's the only downfall for us, but we did get to see it from the outside.Other than that, be ready to spend a good 3 to 4 hours here. It's a very beautiful monument for our soldiers who died during the Pearl Harbor attack.

1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA•https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm•(808) 422-3399•Tips and more reviews for Pearl Harbor National Memorial