Pearl Harbor National Memorial & USS Arizona

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, featuring the infamous USS Arizona Memorial is "ground zero" where World War II began for the United States, and today serves as a destination where families can explore this historic and moving site, and learn all about the history of events that took place on December 7, 1941, and stories of the brave men and women who fought.

The USS Arizona also serves as the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew members who lost their lives

The monument also interprets the stories of the Pacific War, from the battle in the Aleutians to the internment of Japanese Americans

Located on the southern end of Oahu, the complex features a Visitor Center, which is a great place to start your journey, as well as a museum, and of course the USS Arizona memorial, which can only be accessed by boat from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

The USS Arizona memorial program is 75-minutes long, and begins with a 23 minute documentary. After this, you take the boat to the memorial itself.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is consistently one of the top three most visited destinations in Hawai'i, and it's certainly a truly significant historical attraction for any family to visit.

The youngest of children might not understand the significance, but it's an invaluable learning opportunity for the older children. To read about history in books is one thing, but to visit the actual place it happened, and to learn of the human stories involved is another.

A true must-do with any visit to Oahu with the family.