How to Visit the USS Arizona Memorial: A Complete Guide
Finally going to Hawaii checked off a huge, longstanding bucket list item for me. Part of visiting Oahu was seeing the USS Arizona Memorial. I’m a huge history buff and a veteran and traveling all the way to Hawaii and not seeing this historic place was unthinkable. However, visiting is a little more complicated than I realized when I began planning our trip. Here’s how to Visit the USS Arizona Memorial.
The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, is one of the most solemn and significant historical sites in the United States. Built above the sunken remains of the USS Arizona battleship, the memorial honors the 1,177 sailors and Marines who lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
When my family and I visited Oahu, it was my and my kids’ first time. My husband had been years before and didn’t recall any particular planning process needed to visit the memorial so we didn’t properly plan. Don’t do that! We ended up having a great experience but here’s all you need to know to have a smooth, memorable visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.
When to Go
The USS Arizona Memorial is open year-round, typically from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though it may close on major holidays or for maintenance. The busiest times are mid-morning and weekends, so for a more peaceful experience, arrive early (before 9 AM) or visit on a weekday.
We visited late morning and had a good experience but we almost didn’t get a spot on the tour, which is why you’ll notice me emphasizing advance planning.
How to Get Tickets
Reserve Online
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Tickets are free, but you must reserve in advance at Recreation.gov.
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A small reservation fee (usually $1) per person applies.
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Reservations are limited and often book quickly, especially in peak travel seasons. This is the part we didn’t expect. We began looking into getting a reservation about three days ahead of when we wanted to visit and were surprised to find there were no spots available.
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You’ll select a specific time slot for the 45-minute boat program to the memorial.
Same-Day or Standby Access
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If you can’t reserve in advance, you may be able to get a ticket the day before or try a standby line at the visitor center. This is what we ended up doing. More in a minute.
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Arrive early (by 7 AM) for the best chance of securing a standby ticket.
Guided Tours
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Many tour companies in Oahu include USS Arizona tickets as part of Pearl Harbor packages.
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These can be convenient if you want a guided experience, hotel pickup, or if online tickets are sold out.
- We booked a package tour from Disney’s Aulani, where we stayed for part of the time we were on Oahu. We thought we’d explore the USS Arizona Memorial when we were staying in Waikiki, and discovered that getting reservations on short notice was impossible. We tried for several days to get reservations and thought we were going to have to leave Hawaii without seeing the memorial but when we checked into Aulani, we saw the opportunity to book a tour that included the memorial so we jumped on it, despite the hefty price tag.
What the Program Includes
The memorial program is about 45–60 minutes and includes:
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A short orientation or film on the history of Pearl Harbor.
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A boat ride operated by the U.S. Navy to the memorial.
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Time to walk through the memorial structure over the remains of the USS Arizona.
What to Bring (and Not Bring)
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ID – Always carry government-issued photo ID.
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No bags allowed – For security, backpacks, purses, and camera bags are not permitted. Clear bags and small wallets are okay. Bag storage is available for a small fee.
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Dress respectfully – This is a place of remembrance.
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Sun protection – Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. You’ll be outside for part of the visit.
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Water bottle – Stay hydrated; Hawaii can be hot and humid.
Getting There and Parking
The USS Arizona Memorial is part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, located about 25 minutes from Waikiki by car.
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Parking is free, but it can fill up quickly during peak hours.
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Public transit and rideshare services are also available.
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Many tours include transportation if you prefer not to drive. Our bus driver let us off near the memorial and told us where to meet him after we finished with our tour.
So here’s what really happened
- We booked a Pearl Harbor tour that included the USS Arizona Memorial, a museum visit with breakfast, and a pop-up Disney exhibit that showcased the work Disney Studios did to contribute to the war effort. Disney artists created cartoons, training films, insignia designs, and more when the United States entered World War II.
- There are some very comical cartoons featuring Donald Duck as an Army solider – I know, it’s contradicory, since we’re used to seeing him in a sailor outfit!
- There was a snafu with our tour guide getting tickets to the USS Arizona – I’m not sure what exactly went wrong and I’m not here to finger-point but he was unable to secure tickets for us and directed us to the stand-by kiosks to try and get tickets. This didn’t go over well with our tour group but we all ended up getting on the tour, so it all worked out.
- If you purchase an expensive tour that includes tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial, read the fine print or ask specific questions about entrance to the memorial. I think we just got lucky!
Tips for a Meaningful Visit
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Arrive early to get oriented, explore exhibits, and ensure you don’t miss your time slot. There are a lot of photo opps and a lot of storyboards to read.
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Visit the on-site museums and exhibits for additional historical context.
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Be quiet and respectful while on the memorial—this is the final resting place for many who served.
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Look for the “oil tears”—you may notice oil still leaking from the ship below. Locals call them the “black tears” of the USS Arizona.
- If you’ve got younger kids in your travel group, I recommend a primer on World War II/Pearl Harbor history before you visit.
