Seeing Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is a must-see for many, but there are things to know before you go.

Consider whether you want to see only the USS Arizona Memorial, or the USS Bowfin and USS Missouri as well. Allow approximately an hour and 15 minutes for the USS Arizona tour, which includes a 23-minute documentary of the Pearl Harbor attack and a ferry ride to the memorial itself.

Plan to arrive early—tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are free and given out on a first-come, first-served basis. They can disappear within an hour. Take some time to enjoy the newly upgraded visitor center, which houses two exhibits using state-of-the-art technology to tell the story of the attack on December 7, 1941.

Strict security measures prohibit purses, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera cases (although cameras are allowed). Strollers are allowed in the visitor center but not in the theaters or on the shuttle boats. Baggage lockers are available for a small fee. Also, don't forget your ID.

Children under four years of age are not allowed on the USS Bowfin for safety reasons, and may not enjoy the crowds or waiting in line at other sights.

Older kids are likely to find the more experiential, hands-on history of the USS Bowfin and USS Missouri memorable.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/valr.