Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
To understand the attack on Pearl Harbor, you eventually have to look up.
The Japanese strike on December 7, 1941 came from the air — 353 aircraft in two waves, launched from carriers 230 miles north of Oahu. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum puts you as close to that experience as any site can. It's located on Ford Island inside the very hangars that were strafed and bombed during the attack. The bullet holes and blast damage are still visible in the walls. You are standing on the battlefield itself.
Inside, more than 50 aircraft tell the story of Pacific aviation from the attack through the decades that followed. Rare warbirds sit alongside interactive exhibits, and the museum does an excellent job of showing not just what happened on December 7th, but how aviation technology and strategy evolved throughout the war. For those who want to go higher (literally) the Ford Island Control Tower offers a 360-degree view of Pearl Harbor from 168 feet above the battlefield, giving you the aerial perspective that commanders and pilots would have seen. It's one of the most striking vantage points in all of Hawaii.
General Admission
Estimated Visit Duration:
2 to 3 hours, longer if you add the Tower experience or flight simulators.
What's Included:
General admission covers access to both historic hangars, the full aircraft collection, and self-guided audio tours in six languages (English, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, and Mandarin).
The Hangar Café offers air-conditioned dining, a welcome break on a warm Oahu day, and a museum store is also on site.
Upgrades Available:
The Tower View Experience takes you to the top of the Ford Island Control Tower for panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding battlefield.
Two Fighter Ace 360° flight simulators offer an immersive aviation experience popular with visitors of all ages. VIP docent-guided tours are available for those who prefer a more personal walkthrough.
Practical Notes:
Open daily 9:00am–5:00pm. Located on Ford Island and only accessible via the complimentary shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, which runs every 15-20 minutes beginning at 8:00am. The last shuttle back to the Visitor Center departs at 4:00pm — plan your visit accordingly.
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, and complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center is $7/day.
Upgrade Experiences at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Upgrade experiences are an additional fee in addition to general admission.
Tower View Experience
15 minutes
A quick, powerful look at Pearl Harbor from above. Ride a vintage elevator to the top of the Ford Island Control Tower for sweeping 360° views and landmark callouts. A roaming docent shares short stories that bring the scene to life. Perfect for tight schedules and first-time visitors. A must see at Pearl Harbor.
Fighter Ace 360 Flight Simulators
15 minutes
Experience the adrenaline of an in-flight dogfight in state-of-the-art full motion flight simulators. As the pilot you roll, somersault, spin, and loop 360 degrees!
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Minimum height 42” to ride with an adult. 48” to ride alone.
Maximum height is 6’5”. Total weight is 500 lbs. Single riders cannot exceed 250 lbs.
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Please purchase tickets at the museum.
*For safety reasons, children must be a minimum of 42” tall to access the Top of the Tower Tour. Infants and toddlers are not permitted. Access to the Observation Deck requires climbing two flights of steep stairs. Not recommended for guests with an adverse fear of heights. For those with mobility challenges, a lower observation deck is available.
Dine
Hangar Cafe
Dine in air-conditioned comfort in our WWII-themed Café for those who’d like to sit down for a quick bite to eat. Experience life on historic 1940s Ford Island as the aviators of the Pacific may have, now featuring a new
menu of classic, all-American meals.
The café is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the grill closing at 3:00 p.m. Admission not required when dining only.
Who It's Best For?
Aviation enthusiasts of all ages, families with kids drawn to aircraft and flight, and visitors who want to understand the tactical and aerial dimensions of the Pearl Harbor attack.
The flight simulators make this a particularly engaging stop for younger visitors. It's also a compelling experience for anyone who has seen the harbor from the water and wants to complete the picture from above.
The Ultimate Experience: Passport to Pearl Harbor
Immerse yourself in the key moments of World War II and unlock an unforgettable experience with our Passport to Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. This one all-encompassing pass includes general admission to:
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Battleship Missouri Memorial
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Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
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Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
As well as a self-guided multimedia tour at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and one VR experience at the Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center!
Flexible Exploration:
Enjoy all four Pearl Harbor Historic Sites destinations over one or two consecutive days in whichever order best suits your schedule!
One Visit per Passport: Remember, whatever you visit on Day one, it’s off-limits for Day 2. This way, you can fully experience each destination!*
*PASSPORT INCLUDES ONLY ONE GENERAL ADMISSION TO EACH OF THE FOUR SITES WITHIN THE TWO-DAY PERIOD.
Adult (Ages 13+) - $99.99
Child (Ages 4-12) - $49.99
PASSPORTS DO NOT INCLUDE RESERVATIONS TO THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL. Please visit the National Park Service website at recreation.gov to reserve tickets.