No ticket is needed, Just a Small Reservation Fee
Exploring the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is free, but there’s a $1 non-refundable reservation fee. Ticket reservations can be secured online.

What Does the $1 Fee Cover?
This fee helps manage the reservation system for the USS Arizona Memorial program.

How to Reserve Your Spot

  • Check online to book your ticket reservation with the Pearl Harbor Memorial park site.
  • Reservations are highly recommended to ensure availability.

Important Things to Remember

  • Every visitor, regardless of age, must have a ticket reservation.
  • Arrive at least one hour before your scheduled time to avoid missing your boat departure.
  • The USS Arizona Memorial is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Plan to spend at least two hours exploring and learning during your visit.
  • No bags. There are lockers to store your personals at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
  • For a more immersive Pearl Harbor experience to include all the Memorial has to offer, book The Pearl Harbor Passport here. This gives you access to all historical exhibits including the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Museum & USS Bowfin submarine, and the Pacifica Aviation Museum.
Directions to the USS Arizona Memorial from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Directions to the USS Arizona Memorial from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center using the USS Arizona Memorial Ferry

History of The USS Arizona Battleship (BB-39)

The USS Arizona (BB-39) holds a prominent place in U.S. naval history as one of the most iconic battleships of the early 20th century. Commissioned in 1916, this Pennsylvania-class battleship was built at the height of World War I but did not see action during that conflict. Instead, the USS Arizona became a symbol of American military strength in the interwar period. At over 600 feet in length and equipped with twelve 14-inch guns, it represented the cutting-edge naval technology of its time. Stationed primarily in the Pacific Fleet, the ship was a key component of the United States’ growing naval presence in the Pacific Ocean during the 1930s.

The ship’s tragic fate was sealed on December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As part of a surprise offensive that brought the U.S. into World War II, Japanese bombers targeted battleships moored at Ford Island in Hawaii. The USS Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion when an armor-piercing bomb detonated its forward ammunition magazines. This single blast caused the ship to sink quickly, claiming the lives of 1,177 crew members. The destruction of the Arizona accounted for nearly half of the total casualties sustained by U.S. forces during the Pearl Harbor attack.

In the aftermath of the attack, the USS Arizona was deemed too damaged to be salvaged and was left at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. Its remains became both a gravesite and a symbol of national sacrifice. Over the years, public and military interest grew in preserving the site as a memorial. In 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was formally dedicated, spanning the sunken hull of the battleship. Designed by architect Alfred Preis, the memorial features a striking white structure that appears to float above the water, symbolizing both loss and hope.

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is managed by the National Park Service and remains one of the most visited historical sites in Hawaii. It attracts millions of visitors annually, serving as a poignant reminder of the cost of war and the resilience of the American people. Accessible by boat, the memorial allows visitors to look down upon the sunken remains of the battleship, which are still visible beneath the surface. The site also serves as the final resting place for many of the crew members who perished, making it a deeply emotional experience for those who visit.

The memorial includes a shrine room listing the names of the 1,177 sailors and Marines who lost their lives aboard the USS Arizona. The oil that continues to seep from the wreckage, often called the “tears of the Arizona,” serves as a haunting reminder of the events of December 7, 1941. The site has also become a place for educational programs and ceremonies, including annual commemorations on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. These events honor both the fallen and the survivors who endured that pivotal day in American history.

The USS Arizona Battleship’s Legacy

The legacy of the USS Arizona and its memorial transcends its historical significance. It serves as a bridge between past and present, reminding future generations of the importance of vigilance, sacrifice, and unity. As both a historical artifact and a sacred space, the USS Arizona Memorial continues to educate and inspire, ensuring that the memory of those who gave their lives will never fade.

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