Is Pearl Harbor Worth a Repeat Visit?

There are many places around the world that honestly aren’t worth putting the time, money, and effort into seeing more than one time. Then there are those that absolutely warrant a second, third, or fourth visit. If you’ve already been to Pearl Harbor, you may be asking yourself whether it’s worth visiting again. You’ve paid your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial, crossed the bridge to Ford Island and walked the decks of the Battleship Missouri. You may have even toured the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. In your mind, you may not see the benefit of revisiting Pearl Harbor during a return trip to Hawaii. You've already seen it all, right? But this doesn't take into account one very important factor: the Pearl Harbor sites are continually evolving, adding new things to see and do all the time.

Are the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Worth a Repeat Visit?

Part of the "Road to War" exhibit

We’ll always answer that question with a resounding “Yes!”

Pearl Harbor isn’t a static installation with the sole purpose of paying tribute to the men and women who perished in the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941. While that is, of course, an important element of the experience, it isn't the only one. Pearl Harbor is a unique learning opportunity, with ever-evolving exhibits and activities to deepen visitors' knowledge and understanding of the world-changing events that took place here.

If you haven’t been to Pearl Harbor in the past year, for example, you’re missing out on a new, high-tech means of bringing history to life. The newly-opened Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center puts you right in the heart of the 1941 attack. Using modern technology and state-of-the-art virtual reality, the attraction is a whole new way to experience what unfolded that quiet Sunday morning. The recently-renamed Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum also frequently adds new exhibits and interactive displays.

Feel the Emotions All Over Again

The USS Arizona Memorial evokes powerful emotions with every return visit

In addition to all the new things you'll miss out on if you don't make a return visit, the long-time Pearl Harbor sites also never lose their power to move and inspire visitors of all ages. Whether you experience the USS Arizona Memorial or the USS Oklahoma Memorial two times or 20, their impact is just as powerful as it was the first time you laid eyes on them.

If you’re returning to Oahu, even though you may have seen them on at least one previous occasion, it’s absolutely worth visiting the Pearl Harbor sites again. With so much to see, there are undoubtedly things you missed before.