Good Evening,
We are all booked and excited to get to Hawaii at the end of January. We dont want to have a set itinerary, we just want some ideas on what to do. We definetly want to see Pearl Harbor, but are confused on which way to do it. I went on the website and I couldnt find the price to visit it on our own, so I am wondering if there is a cost? I read as well you have to get there extremely early to ensure a ticket as they are limited. Would it be better do you think to pay the money for a tour that stops there? That way we dont have to wait in the long line and can still make sure we see it. Thoughts??

Definately go early to Pearl Harbor or you will not make it in! I thought I had purchased my tix in advance...trying to recall.

You also may want to take a drive to Punch Bowl Cemetary after - wonderful drive, beautiful views and monuments.

I enjoyed the sunset sailing cruise we did - it was beautiful.

Are you only staying on this island or will you be island hopping?

8-)

The tickets are free.

The reason taking a tour "guarantees" getting tickets is that they leave Waikiki around 6am - 6:30 am. They really aren't guaranteed tickets, but get them because it is so early. You can do the same on your own if you want.

The people on the tours have to stand in the same line for tickets as those who drive themselves or take a city bus.

If you get there by 11am, you should have no problem getting tickets for the day. sometimes the tickets are all given out by noon. Other times you can get tickets at noon or later & there is no line. But, you do take a chance.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34812564

Hi Jessica
There is no fee to enter Pearl Harbor. If you want to buy a recorded tour on a headset, it costs $5. We thought the tour was well worth it.

You should get there early. We got there around the time it opened and we had to wait over an hour to get on the boat to go to the Memorial. While waiting, there is a very interesting exhibit on the attack.

In addition to going out to the USS Arizona memorial you have the option of paying for a tour of a submarine and/or going out to see the USS Missouri. I chose the latter and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guide was knowledgeable and humorous and the ship was fascinating. It was one of the best tours I've ever taken.

I agree about the U.S.S. Missouri. Wonderful guided tour on a ship with quite a bit of history.

And the juxtapostioning of the symbol of our entry into WWII (the Arizona Memorial), with the symbol of that war's end (the U.S.S. Missouri) is both rending and triumphant.

We drove ourselves and got there around mid-morning, and didn't have any problems getting in. We visited the Mighty Mo and Bowfin sub, both great and worth the visit.

Be aware that Pearl Harbor does not allow any large bags or purses. Don't leave any valuables in your car!!! I think there is a place you can store your bags (for a fee). You are allowed to take your cameras. There is a gift shop at the entry to the USS Missouri and a snack shop inside the submarine.

Just returned from Hawaii and we went to Pearl Harbor around 730 and just made it before all the bus tours let out. I think I would try and get there a little earlier. Opens at 8:00. Don't let the line scare you as when it opened it moved quickly. When we came out a couple of hours later there was no line. Just depends on tourist level I think.
We just drove ourselves and then if you have a government ID you can go over to the Missouri. My hubby loved it. Otherwise you can pay for the price at the Bo Fin and get to see it. Very moving, espically when a young soldier stepped on to the Arizona with two artifical legs. I lost it!

One more tip.

If you drive and go early, drop someone off at the corner near the end of the line. If all of you stay to park the car, several tour buses can arrive within a few minutes & make the line much longer.

It was in January when I went there. Drove and got there in the afternoon, maybe 2 or 3PM. There was no line.