Visiting Pearl Harbor is a key thing to do when in Honolulu. This site is still a live US naval base, so there are some specific visitor requirements to keep in mind. And when visiting Pearl Harbor with kids, you have even more to think about! But with these tips, you can visit this National Memorial to learn about the tragic events that took place there on December 7, 1941.
As a homeschooling family our favorite history lessons are those learned hands on.
What is Pearl Harbor?
Pearl Harbor has been a US naval base since 1899. And it’s presence played a part in the annexation of Hawai’i.
On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor suffered a surprise attack from the Japanese Navy (planes and submarines), with 2,403 Army, Marines and civilians losing their lives. This attack marked the USA’s entry into World War II.
It became a National Monument (managed by the National Park Service) in 1964, and has developed over time to be a slick memorial to all those who lost their lives there in World War II.
More recently, the Navy joined forces with the Air Force, to create the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.
Tips for visiting Pearl Harbor with kids
- Prepare in advance – as with most things, preparing in advance can make your visit with kids easier. No bags are allowed in Pearl Harbor, so either use a full see-through bag for a few pivotal items, or keep these in your stroller. There is a bag check before the gates for you to store items (leaving items in your car is not recommended).
- Educate ahead of time – Pearl Harbor has a complicated history, so depending on the child’s age, it’s probably worth teaching your kids a little bit about the site ahead of time.
- Arrive early – Arrive early to avoid the worst crowds and the heat later in the day.
- Be respectful – Pearl Harbor is a memorial, so it’s always good to prepare your kids for what that means in relation to their behaviours.
- Bring snacks – There are water fountains around the site, but bring any specialty drinks or snacks to keep your kids from getting hangry! Note, only clear water is allowed on the USS Arizona memorial.
The different areas with the Pearl Harbor complex
There are four different areas to explore at the Pearl Harbor complex. The National Park Service runs the National Memorial, and this is free to enter. The other 3 memorial and museums are administered and charged separately.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial – The main attraction and memorial is administered by the National Park Service and includes: the USS Arizona memorial, historical exhibits and an educational film, a bookstore, a remembrance circle, memorial sculptures, and explanatory panels.
- Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum – Admission to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, USS Bowfin, a World War II submarine, and outdoor exhibits. Tickets cost $21.99 [as of October 2023]
- Battleship Missouri Memorial – Explore the Battleship Missouri, which has been preserved as a floating museum. Tickets start at $34.99.
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum – Visit historic Ford Island, in the middle of Pearl Harbor. See WWII-era planes in Hangar 37 and 79, view the harbor from their tower too. Shuttles leave regularly from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Tickets cost $25.99.
You can buy a combination experience if you want to explore all 4 attractions with pick up from Waikiki.
Practical advice for all visitors
- Pearl Harbor is free to visit, but there are many payable extras – bag check, parking, audio guide, reservation fees etc.
- Timed tickets to see the USS Arizona should be booked in advance. While they are free, there is a small online reservation fee – but it is the most popular part of the visit, so it is definitely worth booking well in advance.
- The site is HUGE, so bring your good walking shoes and arm yourself with patience and snacks for stamina!
- While it is a memorial site, it is also extremely popular, so prepare yourself for the fact it can be more like an attraction for the most part.
Tour or self-guided?
You can definitely enjoy a visit to Pearl Harbor on your own without a tour, it just involves a little planning. You will have to book advanced tickets to the USS Arizona, book the audio tour, hire a car for transport, and get there in good time to get parking.
If you don’t like planning, then taking a tour of Pearl Harbor can be a great option. One thing to remember is that you are paying for the convenience of hotel collection, timed tickets to the USS Arizona, and not having to worry about parking. Once in the memorial, it tends to be self-guided / audio-guided anyway.
How easy is it to visit Pearl Harbor with kids?
As a homeschool family and a family with a long military history, visiting Pearl Harbor was a bucket list item for us. It is also one I would recommend for anyone visiting Honolulu.
Make plans to visit at the beginning of your trip. If weather is bad or winds are high, the ferry to the Arizona Memorial will be suspended. However, you will be given a free return ticket to use anytime within the next 7 days.
This happened to us during our visit and we were glad we still had days available to return to visit the Arizona Memorial.
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