What To See At Pearl Harbor: Tourist Tips
If you’re headed to the Aloha State anytime soon, it’s important to pay a visit to one of Hawaii’s most humbling sites: Pearl Harbor. But when it comes to what to see at Pearl Harbor, the following options will help you best experience it. These all lend to the site’s educational opportunities — for remembrance and for a touching tribute to American history.
Take a look at some of the options you have when traveling to Oahu — and find out what to see at Pearl Harbor when you visit.
What To See At Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor Warbirds Flight
Experience the history of Pearl Harbor from an authentic World War II airplane. When it comes to what to see at Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor Warbirds offers the top Hawaii flight adventure tours available. Get immersed in the details of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor and soar above the sites that played a crucial part in the “Day of Infamy.” Relive history as you retrace the steps of the Army and Navy airmen in the days following the bombing. Fly on some of the same routes the Japanese attackers used into the airfields at Wheeler, Kāne‘ohe and Bellows. There are many air tours in Hawaii, but just one warbird airplane flight. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor Warbirds provides a personal historical experience making it one of the best Oahu attractions.
Oahu Tour – USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City
This tour includes:
- Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
- USS Arizona Memorial
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl
- Iolani Palace
- Kawaiahao Church
- Hawaii State Capitol Grounds
- Honolulu City Hall
- “Road To War” & “Attack” Exhibit Galleries
- Downtown Honolulu
- Maui Divers Jewelry (Optional Shop)
The legacy of Pearl Harbor lives on, with Hawaii playing a critical role during the turn of events that reshaped world history. On this popular narrated tour of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and other historic Honolulu landmarks, you will explore firsthand what happened on Dec. 7, 1941. You’ll also discover how it greatly impacted the outcome of World War II. This comes under the category of “What to see at Pearl Harbor.”
The excursion begins at Pearl Harbor to relive the events that unfolded on that fateful Sunday morning in 1941, when U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor came under attack by Japan. This catapulted the U.S. into WWII. A visit by boat to the USS Arizona Memorial then offers a real-time setting for reflecting on the extensive battle that took place. The battle led to the lost lives of 1,177 of the ship’s crewmen.
The journey then moves onward to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where many of those who fought for their country are buried. Finally, you will pass Honolulu’s most noteworthy historical landmarks, including Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaii State Capitol and Honolulu City Hall.
Skip the Line: Pearl Harbor Memorial Small Group Tour From Waikiki
Travel with a small group to Pearl Harbor and see the USS Bowfin submarine, USS Missouri battleship and USS Oklahoma Memorial plus skip-the-line entry to the USS Arizona Memorial. Furthermore, this 7-hour excursion includes audio tours and a visit to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Then, take a narrated tour past the historic landmarks of downtown Honolulu, including the King Kamehameha statue, Iolani Palace and the Hawaii State Capitol. Round-trip transportation is available from Waikiki hotels and other locations. You’ll meet your driver at 8 a.m. at the door of your Waikiki hotel, and be chauffeured to the Pearl Harbor entrance to pick up entry tickets from your supervisor. Enjoy a bottle of cold water or a refreshing tropical juice. Then, hear a basic orientation to all the Pearl Harbor sights.
Your ticket includes entry to the USS Arizona memorial and the USS Missouri battleship, as well as entry to the USS Bowfin and USS Bowfin Museum. You will receive a narrated headset tour for many of the Pearl Harbor sights. You’ll also view real footage from the morning of the Japanese attacks. Hear the stories of the sailors who lived through the harrowing morning explosions,. Then, pay your respects to those who gave their lives while serving their country. At the end of this 7-hour group tour, you’ll drive past many of Honolulu’s most popular downtown sights. These include the statue of King Kamehameha and ‘Iolani Palace. You’ll finish the tour when your driver returns the door of your Waikiki hotel.
Highlights
- Pearl Harbor tour including USS ‘Bowfin,’ USS ‘Missouri,’ and USS ‘Oklahoma’ Memorial
- Skip the line to the USS ‘Arizona’ Memorial
- Take audio tours of the attractions and see WWII exhibits at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
- Drive past the Kamehameha statue, Iolani Palace and Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu
- Round trip transport available from Waikiki hotels and other locations