FULL DAY, FAMILIES
Pearl Harbor Family Itinerary
Pearl Harbor is more kid-friendly than you might expect, but it works best when you plan for your kids, not just the history. The sites are genuinely different from each other. Some are quiet and moving. Some are hands-on and exciting. This itinerary is built to start with the most important experience when everyone's fresh, then move into the spots where kids can really explore and get excited.
BEFORE YOU GO
A few things to know before you go. Kids under 4 are not allowed on the USS Bowfin submarine, but they can visit the museum building and and enjoy the outdoor play area. For the USS Arizona Memorial boat program, kids age 1 and up need their own ticket. And before your visit, download the Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt (ages 7 to 12) or Keiki Ranger Activity Book (ages 3 to 6) from the National Park Service website. These are Visitor Center activities, so plan to complete them before you leave the Visitor Center. Finishing either one earns your child an official Junior Ranger badge from the NPS ranger at the Visitor Center information desk.
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7:30 AM
Arrive Early (This One Really Matters)
With kids, early arrival matters more than on any other day at Pearl Harbor. Arriving by 7:30am means calmer grounds and shorter lines for the USS Arizona Memorial program. A quick note: there are no restrooms between the Visitor Center and the memorial, so plan accordingly before joining the line for the program.
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8:15 AM
The USS Arizona Memorial
This is the most important stop of the day, and it works best when kids arrive knowing what they're about to see. Before your visit, please let children know that the USS Arizona Memorial is a place of remembrance. Many who lost their lives remain aboard, and guests are asked to visit with quiet respect.
The 23-minute documentary plays before the boat departs, at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour starting at 8:15am. Watching it first sets the stage for what's ahead. Then you board the boat, cross the harbor, and stand above the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. For older kids especially, this is a moment they'll remember for the rest of their lives. The boat program runs about 45 minutes. Strollers can't board the boat, so plan around that.
9:30 AM
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
This is usually where the energy completely shifts. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is right next to the Visitor Center. Just walk over. The USS Bowfin is a real World War II submarine that you actually get to board and explore. Kids who were quiet and thoughtful at the USS Arizona Memorial are suddenly climbing through hatches and asking a hundred questions. It's that kind of place.
She made nine war patrols and sank 44 enemy ships, earning the nickname the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Moving through her from bow to stern, the torpedo room, crew quarters, the cramped control room, gives kids a physical, tactile sense of history that no exhibit can give them. Audio tour is included in 7 languages. Budget 75 minutes. Remember: kids under 4 can't board the sub, but they're welcome in the museum and the outdoor exhibits.
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11:00 AM
Snack Break at Jake's Street Food
Jake's Street Food is right at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum with waterfront seating. A good reset before you catch the shuttle to Ford Island. Outside food isn't allowed at the sites, but bottled water is fine.
11:30 AM
Shuttle to Ford Island
The complimentary shuttle to Ford Island runs every 15 to 20 minutes from the Visitor Center. Kids often find the ride itself genuinely exciting. You pass through an active naval base and cross over to Ford Island, and the whole thing feels different from a regular sightseeing trip. Because Ford Island is an active military base, all adults need to carry a government-issued ID. International visitors should keep their passport handy for the crossing.
11:45 AM
Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Mighty MO
At 887 feet long, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is the last battleship the US Navy ever built, and she's enormous in a way that makes kids stop and stare. The guided tour, available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, walks you through her history across three wars and brings you right to the surrender deck where World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945.
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Bring your visit to life with Chuck's Quest, the Battleship Missouri Memorial's new interactive scavenger hunt. Designed for kids ages 4 to 12 (and fun for all), this self-guided adventure turns your tour into a mission led by Chuck the Iguana. Purchase your quest experience at the Battleship Missouri Memorial ticket window when you arrive. Plan for about an hour to complete the quest.
Wai Momi Shave Ice and Slider's Grill are both on-site. A well-earned reward at the end of a big day. Wai Momi is open until 3pm, Slider's until 2pm. Before boarding the shuttle to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, stop by the Battleshop to find a special souvenir for the kids. Every purchase helps support the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
2:00 PM
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is the most interactive stop of the day and tailor-made for kids. You're inside the original World War II hangars that were attacked on December 7, bullet holes still visible in the windows, surrounded by more than 50 aircraft. The Fighter Ace flight simulators put kids in the cockpit of a WWII fighter plane. The Tower View Experience goes 168 feet up into the Ford Island Control Tower for a view of the whole harbor and battlefield.
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The Hangar Cafe is air-conditioned and open 11am to 4pm, a welcome break if you need it. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is fully wheelchair accessible and the most stroller-friendly stop on Ford Island. Budget 90 minutes.
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3:45 PM
Head Back
The last shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum back to the Visitor Center departs at 5:00pm. The Visitor Center closes at 5pm, so plan to be heading back by 4:30pm at the latest to give yourself time to return and exit.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A few practical notes
Book your USS Arizona Memorial reservation at recreation.gov first. Everything else builds around that time slot. If you're unable to secure a timed reservation, the standby option is a good alternative. Sign up on the tablet when you arrive at the Visitor Center. You'll be texted when you're able to board the next boat.
Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt (ages 7 to 12) and Keiki Ranger Activity Book (ages 3 to 6): download both from the NPS website before your visit. These are Visitor Center activities, so complete them before you leave the Visitor Center. Completing either one earns an official badge from the NPS ranger at the Visitor Center information desk.
Clear bags only. Pack snacks and essentials in clear bags or cargo pockets. The storage facility ($7 to $10) is near the Visitor Center entrance.
For safety reasons, kids under 4 are not allowed on the USS Bowfin submarine. They are welcome in the museum building and outdoor exhibits.
Strollers are welcome on the Visitor Center grounds but can't board the USS Arizona Memorial boat.
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is the most stroller-friendly and wheelchair-accessible stop on Ford Island.
Wear sunscreen and hats. You'll be outdoors a lot and the Hawaiʻi sun can be intense.
Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended. There's a lot of walking and some uneven surfaces on the ships.