Good to know
Good to Know
- Plan Pearl Harbor visits for early morning (arrive by 7am) to avoid crowds. Book USS Arizona reservations 1–2 months ahead during peak season.
- Bishop Museum ticket prices are dynamic (higher on weekends). Advance online purchase saves 20%.
- HoMA Nights (Fridays until 9pm) offers a less-crowded, cultural evening atmosphere if avoiding daytime crowds.
- Weather on Oahu is typically warm year-round; bring sun protection even for indoor museum time—walk between venues can be hot.
- Honolulu's downtown (Chinatown, Iolani Palace, HoMA, Capitol Modern) is walkable and concentrated, allowing multiple sites in one outing.
- All-Inclusive Passes (Go City, Explorer Pass) often pay for themselves after 3–4 attractions; compare your planned itinerary against individual prices.
- Photography is allowed (no flash) in most museum galleries; check signage for special exhibition restrictions.
- Most major museums are closed Mondays and major holidays (Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). Verify hours before visiting.
Major Museums
Bishop Museum
- Hours
- 9am–5pm daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas). Last check-in 4pm.
- Additional Info
- Planetarium $3 extra (with admission). Free with SNAP/EBT card or military ID (reduced rate $14.95). 20% online discount with code MAHALO20. Parking: $5 daytime, $3 after 5pm. Dynamic pricing may apply.
- Admission Weekday
- $27
- Admission Weekend
- $29
- Description
- Premier museum of Hawaiian culture and natural history. Founded 1889, cares for 25+ million artifacts. Features Hawaiian Hall, Culture Gallery, Natural Science Exhibit, Pacific Cultures Gallery.
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
- Hours
- Wed–Thu, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm; Fri 10am–9pm (HoMA Nights)
- Details
- Located downtown Honolulu. Features works by Monet, van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, Hokusai. Free admission for Hawaii residents on Family/Community Sundays and July 31 (Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea). Free for Hawaii State University/college students with ID.
- Admission
- $25
Children 18 and under free
- Description
- Premier fine arts institution with 55,000+ works spanning 5,000 years. Asian, European, Hawaiian, and African art. Includes Doris Duke Theatre, cafés, gift shop. Founded 1927.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
- Admission
- Separate admission required (included in Passport to Pearl Harbor ticket); call for current pricing
- Access Note
- Accessible via guided tour for non-DOD ID holders or Ford Island Bus Tour through National Park Service
- Description
- Located on Ford Island. Showcases role of aviation in WWII with emphasis on December 7, 1941 attack. Features vintage aircraft, hangars with visible battle scars (bullet holes, bomb craters).
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (USS Bowfin)
- Details
- Historic submarine you can board and explore.
- Admission
- Separate admission required; typically $26+ (verify current pricing)
- Description
- World War II submarine museum. Includes audio tour in 7 languages. Part of Pearl Harbor historic sites.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
- Hours
- Daily 8am–4pm (hours may vary)
- Admission
- Separate admission required; verify current pricing
- Description
- America's last battleship (BB-63), 887 feet long. Site of Japan's formal WWII surrender (September 2, 1945). Permanently moored at Pearl Harbor.
Hawaii State Art Museum (Capitol Modern)
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 10am–4pm
- Details
- Features Diamond Head Gallery, Ewa Gallery, Sculpture Garden. Hand-held photography allowed in most galleries.
- Admission
- $0.00
Always free
- Description
- Contemporary Hawaiian and local art museum. Free admission always. Located in historic No. 1 Capitol District Building, downtown Honolulu.
Must See Historical Sites
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Details
- Allow 2+ hours. Visitor center features 'Road to War', 'Oahu 1941', and 'Attack and Aftermath' exhibits. Boat shuttle to USS Arizona included with advance reservation.
- Admission
- $0.00
Free; USS Arizona Memorial access requires free advanced online reservation (highly recommended) or standby seating
- Description
- Free museum galleries, outdoor interpretive displays, and access to USS Arizona Memorial. The site of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the primary visitor attraction in Hawaii.
Iolani Palace
- Admission
- $27
- Description
- The only Official Royal Palace in the United States, home to Hawaiian monarchs before overthrow in 1893. National Historic Landmark.
USS Arizona Memorial
- Admission
- $0.00
Free with Pearl Harbor Visitor Center access and advance reservation
- Description
- Floating memorial marking the final resting place of 1,177 crewmembers killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. Accessed by Navy boat shuttle from visitor center.
Practical Passes And Tips
Up to 50% compared to individual tickets
- Tip
- Book in advance online via Go City, Klook, or Cool Hawaii for best pricing
- Pass Name
- Go City Oahu All-Inclusive Pass
- Covered Attractions
- Bishop Museum, Pearl Harbor museums, Battleship Missouri, Polynesian Cultural Center, Iolani Palace, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Waimea Valley, Diamond Head, catamaran cruises, snorkeling tours, and more.
- Description
- Access 40+ attractions, tours, and activities over 2–7 non-consecutive days (valid over 14-day period). Includes one premium luau (Ka Moana or Aloha Kai).
Passport to Pearl Harbor
- Covered
- Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (USS Bowfin), Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Description
- Self-guided tour ticket covering key Pearl Harbor sites. Access multiple landmarks over 2 consecutive days.
Visitor Tips
Visitor Tips
- Book Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial reservations online well in advance to guarantee entry; standby seating is unreliable and not recommended.
- Buy museum tickets online in advance for 20% discounts (e.g., Bishop Museum's MAHALO20 code).
- Many museums offer free admission on specific days: Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace have free admission events; Hawaii State Art Museum and Capitol Modern are always free.
- Security at Pearl Harbor is strict: small purses only; larger bags stored at fee-based facility near Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum entrance. No weapons, knives, or dangerous items allowed. Cameras and water bottles permitted.
- Most major museums require 1.5–3 hours for a meaningful visit.
- Pearl Harbor and most downtown museums are within ~15–30 minutes of Waikiki via car or guided tour.
- HoMA on Friday evenings (HoMA Nights) offers live art experiences, music, and extended gallery hours until 9pm.
- Ford Island attractions (USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum) accessible only via National Park Service Ford Island Bus Tour (90 minutes, requires advance reservation, available Mon/Wed/Fri 3:15pm).
Free Or Reduced Museums
Free Or Reduced Museums
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center and exhibits (free; boat shuttle requires reservation)
- Hawaii State Art Museum/Capitol Modern (always free)
- Honolulu Museum of Art (children 18+ free; free for Hawaii residents on third Sunday of month; free for Hawaii State University/college students)
- Multiple military museums with free or minimal admission (Army Museum, Battery Randolph, police/fire museums)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.