I'm Visiting Pearl Harbor Next Month--Any Suggestions?

I will be in Pearl Harbor the beginning of June. Any suggestions from those who have been there as to MUST SEE attractions? This may be my only trip to the island and I want to be sure not to miss anything of significance.

 

The sight seeing is one thing; if you want to save some money go to "Dukes Canoe Club" for breakfast and try the sushi restaurants and "plate lunches" it saves you a bunch of dough.

 

Why not ask me? FYI: I live on the island of Oahu near the Pearl Harbor area. I even see the Missouri and the Arizona Memorial every day on the way to school. The Missouri is one place I'm going to at the end of the school year, so that is something to look forward to--actually standing in the same spot where the Japanese surrendered. There's also the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. You can even see some of the bullet holes from the attack. Bring a lot of cash, too. Going to these places is costly, unless you have a friend or two who lives on the island and/or is in the military. That way you can get the military or Kama'aina rate. Don't even think of getting the food at the site if you want to save. Go to the L&L by the Aiea Shopping Center for a chicken katsu plate lunch or whatever else they have there. Just to be safe, show up early to the attractions you want to see. If you don't, you will experience a lot of traffic among other tourists. Seeing any attraction on the island is always a treat, even for a local like me.

Attractions:
USS Missouri
Sea Life Park
Waikiki Aquarium
Ala Moana Beach
USS Arizona Memorial
Pali Lookout
Punchbowl
North Shore (great waves)
Pacific Aviation Museum
Honolulu Zoo
Bishop Museum
Iolani Palace
The King's Guard (at Iolani Palace, rifle preformers)
USS Bowfin Memorial

There are more, but that's for you to find out. Local restaurants have great food and you can easily drve anywhere within an hour, depending on the traffic. If you have any questions, just ask me and I will try to help any way I can.

 

Definitely the USS Missouri. The tours are quite informative to the newcomer and there's a lot of history that you can see firsthand on the ship.

 

Wow!! Thanks for the helpful information. My daughter and son-in-law moved to Oahu last August. They will take us to see the sights on the island, however, I wanted to be sure to ask if anyone with a knowledge of WWII history could stir us in the right direction.

f6fhellcat, you have been very helpful. Thank you again.

 

Add to that list, the USS Utah, still laying on it's side, on the other side of Ford Island from the Arizona and Missouri.

The superstructure that was removed from the Arizona still exists, and is laying on Waipio Point. It is NOT accessible to anyone short of a USS Arizona Survivor.

If you drive north, the old airstrip that Welch and Taylor took off from, Haleiwa, is still there, and can be found. Off of route 83 just north of the town.

Check out Google Earth. There are hundreds of pretty well researched markers of interest on Oahu.

 

No problem helping you. I have lived on the island all my life and I'm happy to help a tourist get around. The websites are a good place as any for more information on the attractions.


PS: here is a coupon for the flight simulator in the Pacific Aviation Museum: Flight Coupon

 

Excellent advice. I'll send it on to my daughter and have her scope some of these out before we get there.

 

Just remember to actually ask for the Kama'aina rate or you won't get it