Arizona Memorial is the white, open-air memorial above the sunken USS Arizona at 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, in the Pearl Harbor area of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America. Dedicated in 1962, it commemorates the 1,177 crewmen killed aboard the battleship during Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Travelers come for the timed Navy boat journey across the harbor, the view of the wreck beneath the water, and a concentrated introduction to the event that brought the United States into World War II.
What to Expect at Arizona Memorial
Begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where the Road to War and Attack Gallery exhibitions use photographs, artifacts, oral histories, maps, and wartime material to explain tensions in the Pacific and the attack’s human toll. The USS Arizona Memorial program traditionally includes a 23-minute documentary before visitors board a U.S. Navy-operated shuttle boat. Allow time to move through the exhibits rather than treating the boat trip as the entire experience.
Designed by architect Alfred Preis, the 184-foot memorial spans the submerged battleship without touching it. Its distinctive white form rises at both ends and dips at the center. From the outdoor platform, visitors can see portions of the wreck, including gun turrets, and occasional oil droplets still rising from the ship. At the far end, the marble Shrine Room lists the names of the Arizona crewmen who died; the ship remains an active military grave.
- USS Arizona Memorial program: A timed documentary-and-boat experience culminating at the memorial above the wreck.
- Road to War gallery: Context on the political and military path toward the Pacific war.
- Attack Gallery: Firsthand accounts, images, and objects focused on December 7, 1941.
- Shrine Room: Marble wall inscribed with the names of the 1,177 sailors and Marines lost aboard.
- Harbor overlooks and wayside exhibits: Outdoor interpretation of Battleship Row and the attack’s setting.
Arizona Memorial at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Pearl Harbor, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 7 AM–5 PM; holiday and program schedules can vary |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Visitor center admission is free. Timed USS Arizona Memorial reservations have a $1 nonrefundable Recreation.gov service fee per ticket. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | TheBus Route 20 stops on Kamehameha Highway near Arizona Memorial Place; visitor-center parking is on site. |
| Official Website / Phone | National Park Service / 808-422-3399 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve a timed USS Arizona Memorial program in advance through Recreation.gov, especially for weekends, school breaks, and holiday periods; a limited number of same-day tickets may be released, but they are quickly claimed. Arrive early enough for parking, security screening, and the exhibit galleries before your program time. The visitor center opens at 7 AM, and morning programs are a good choice for a quieter start and less midday heat. Bring sun protection and water for the exposed waterfront areas, and check the official NPS website before departing because boat operations can be affected by weather or operational conditions.
TheBus Route 20 links Waikīkī, downtown Honolulu, Honolulu airport, and the Pearl Harbor area; use the stop near Arizona Memorial Place and walk into the visitor-center grounds. Drivers will find the main parking lot beside the entrance. The visitor center, exhibit galleries, restrooms, boat dock, shuttle boats, and memorial have step-free routes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers; ask staff about boarding assistance or available wheelchairs. Pair the visit with the adjacent Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin Waterfront Memorial, both a short walk away. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center grounds also have a bookstore and food options, while the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites shuttle connects ticketed visitors with Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when is the best time to visit?
The visitor center is generally open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. Choose an early timed program to allow unhurried time in the galleries and to avoid the hottest part of the day. Confirm the day’s program schedule with the National Park Service before travel.
Does the Arizona Memorial cost money, and do I need a reservation?
Admission to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is free. The USS Arizona Memorial program is also free, although advance timed reservations made through Recreation.gov carry a $1 nonrefundable service fee per ticket. Reservations are strongly recommended.
How much time should I budget for the visit?
Plan for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. This allows for arrival procedures, both exhibit galleries, the documentary, boat transportation, time at the Shrine Room, and the waterfront interpretive displays. Add time if visiting USS Bowfin or other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.
Is Arizona Memorial suitable for children and wheelchair users?
Yes. The site’s galleries and memorial program can be meaningful for families when adults prepare children for its solemn subject matter. Step-free visitor-center pathways, accessible restrooms, wheelchair-capable boats, and accessible routes on the memorial support wheelchair and stroller users.
When planning your Hawaii travel guide or browsing verified historical place museum in Hawaii, pair this stop with standout local spots including Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, Merriman's Big Island, and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (1.2 km away).
