USS Arizona Memorial
Some places ask you to pause.
The USS Arizona Memorial is one of them.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was struck by a Japanese armor-piercing bomb that ignited her forward ammunition magazine. She sank in nine minutes, taking 1,177 sailors and Marines with her. Most of them are still there, entombed in the hull that rests just below the surface of Pearl Harbor. The oil that slowly seeps upward from the wreck has come to be known as the "black tears" of the USS Arizona, a reminder that the ship has never stopped mourning.
Visiting the memorial is not a typical museum experience. There are no roped-off exhibits or audio commentary tracks guiding you from room to room. Instead, you move at your own pace through the visitor center, watch a documentary film about the attack, and then board a Navy shuttle boat that carries you across the harbor to the white memorial structure built directly above the sunken hull. Standing there, looking down through the water at the ship, seeing the wall of names, is a moment that stays with visitors long after they leave.
General Admission
Estimated Visit Duration:
Allow at least 2 hours.
The USS Arizona Memorial program itself takes approximately 45 minutes, including a 23-minute documentary film that plays at :15 and :45 past the hour beginning at 8:15am.
Plan to arrive at least 1 hour before your program time to allow for security screening and check-in.
What's Included:
General admission is free.
Your visit includes access to the waterfront park, two exhibit galleries with artifacts and photographs from the attack, the documentary film, and the boat ride out to the memorial.
A multimedia audio tour (available in multiple languages) and a VR experience recreating the ship before the attack are available for an additional fee.
Practical Notes:
Reservations are required and available through recreation.gov, with a $1 booking fee per ticket. Reservations open at 3:00pm HST, 56 days in advance, and fill quickly during peak seasons. Booking eight weeks ahead is strongly encouraged. A limited number of same-day reservations are released at 3:00pm HST the day before your visit, but availability is not guaranteed. A standby option is also available upon arrival.
Due to federal security requirements, only clear bags are permitted at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Small wallets, phones, cameras, clear water bottles, and necessary medications are allowed. Paid storage lockers are available near the Visitor Center entrance ($7 small / $10 large) if you need to stow a bag, though availability is limited during peak hours. Strollers are not permitted on the memorial boat. The Visitor Center, pathways, and memorial boat are wheelchair accessible.
Everything to see at the National Park
All included for free to guests of National Park Service
Visitor Center Waterfront Park
Stroll around the beautiful waterfront park with a view over the water to the USS Arizona Memorial. Throughout the facility are interpretive wayside exhibits that invite visitors to imagine the experience of that tragic day.
USS Oklahoma Memorial
Free shuttle to Ford Island allows access to the memorial from the Battleship Missouri Shuttle stop. The memorial honors the 429 crewmen killed on the battleship Oklahoma
Exhibit Galleries
These two exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. These galleries display personal memorabilia, dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits.
Shop
Pearl Harbor Bookstore
The bookstore is filled with over 120 book titles relating to the Pacific War effort. There are over 50 videos, posters, audio recordings and other mementos relating to the USS Arizona, the attack on Oahu, and War in the Pacific that visitors can purchase as a reminder of their visit.
Proceeds from sales of books, maps, music, videos, and educational material directly benefit research, educational, and environmental programs at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Snacks & Refreshments
Snack Shop
Visitors can grab a refreshment or quick grab and go snack from the snack shop located within the visitor center. Proceeds from sales within the snack shop directly research, educational, and environmental programs at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Who It's Best For?
Every visitor to Pearl Harbor should make time for the Arizona Memorial — it is the emotional and historical heart of the entire site.
It's particularly meaningful for those with a personal connection to military service, though the experience resonates deeply with all ages. The tone is solemn and reflective; it's worth preparing younger children for that atmosphere beforehand.
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.