An Essential Guide For Tourists Visiting Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is one of the most important landmarks in the history of the United States. On December 7th 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on America following which the US entered the Second World War. In the present era, millions from all over the world visit Pearl Harbor to see the remnants of the war.

“Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us?” – Franklin Roosevelt said this the next day of the Pearl Harbor attack. And when you take the Pearl Harbor tour in Oahu, you will relive the words and the spirits of the momentous day. If you are planning to visit this place, here is a guide to what you can see in Pearl Harbor.

USS Arizona Memorial Museum

This open-air museum was built to pay tribute and honor the soldiers who died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial Museum narrates the history before the attack as well as during the time of destruction. This place houses personal archives, collectibles, pictures, artifacts and other remembrance of the event that occurred in 1941.

Beside this the museum also has a model of the Japanese carrier named IMS Akagi. It was this carrier that launched the attack. A model of the USS Arizona, depicting its beauty before the bombardment is also kept here. You can also find the remains of a Japanese torpedo and warplanes displayed here. These are further animated with the presence of oversized pictures depicting the fire that burned for days at Pearl Harbor. The total tour of the museum takes around 3 hours including a documentary film of 23 minutes.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum

Bowfin was launched in 1942, a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This 80 men operated submarine sank more than 40 ships in the World War II. You can take a tour of this submarine to look into the quarters which were inhabited by the 80 crew members, who lived, slept and fought there.

You can also visit the museum which is located on the shores of Pearl Harbor just next to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. This 10,000 square-foot museum houses different models of submarines, a Poseidon C-3 missile, other weapon systems used in the submarines and other artifacts. Among the 80 crew members only one person died. You can find his Purple Heart on display in the museum. Besides, there is also a 40 seat theater where you can watch movies about submarines, based on the real World War II events.

USS Missouri Memorial and Museum

The USS Missouri was a part of the Pacific Third Fleet in WWII. It was this ship which carried out bombing raids over Tokyo. This ship was also used in the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima for its massive firepower. In 1945, on the deck of Missouri, General Douglas A. MacArthur presided over the Japanese surrender to the Allied forces. This ship was also used in the Korean War and later was reconditioned and upgraded and used in Operation Desert Storm.

You can take a tour to this ship, guided by the retired military personnel. These military men share their experiences and stories about the USS Missouri and about the historic surrender of the Japanese.

Pacific Aviation Museum

This museum is located in Hanger 37 on the Ford Island. This Hangar is said to have survived the Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor. When you walk into the museum you can look down to find a huge colorful aerial photography of the Ford Island as well as Pearl Harbor. There is a 200 seat theater where you can watch documentaries filmed on the surprise attack by the Japanese. Walking round the place you can get a glimpse of the then used airplanes suspended from the ceiling. Besides this you can also see a civilian plane shot by the Japanese aircraft and a Japanese Zero which crash landed in the Niihau Island.

There is also a six flight simulator in this museum, where you can get an opportunity to fly and shoot down enemy planes.

This historical place is located in the Oahu Island and if you are planning to visit Pearl Harbor you need to take a flight to Hawaii and you will land at the Honolulu Airport. This airport serves as the gateway to explore the beautiful city of Hawaii Limo is most comfortable and luxurious option available at this airport for the tourists to reach their destinations.

The author of this article is currently associated with Royal Hawaiian Tour, a leading tour agency that also offers comfortable and reliable Hawaii limousine service.