Battleship USS Missouri Memorial
Most people know to check out Pearl Harbor and the United States Ship (USS) Arizona when they visit Oahu, Hawaii, but did you know you could find even more history at Pearl Harbor? The USS Missouri, where the Japanese signed their unconditional surrender, is docked in Pearl Harbor for visitors to come aboard for tours and exploration.
The USS Missouri was lunched on January 29, 1944 and is the last battleship ever built. It was the third US Navy ship to be named after the Show Me state and the fourth warship to bear the name. There was a Confederate Missouri that was captured by Union forces during the Civil War, but never commissioned as USS. It was used as a Navy Battleship from WWII to Operation Desert Storm.
A general admission ticket will give you access to explore the ship and the main tour. The main tour is ADA accessible and tells you about the history and workings of the ship. It even takes you to the exact spot where WWII ended. There is a second tour (no one under 10), the Heart of the Missouri takes you to the inner workings of the ship. You will learn what it takes to make the battleship go 33 knots and how to fire the massive 16” guns. Whatever you decide to do it is worth a visit to the USS Missouri. My husband and I spent about 1.5 hours visiting the ship and wished we had more time to look around and explore. The battleship is a true treasure and a must do when you venture out to Pearl Harbor.
It is recommended you plan for at least 5 hours if you want to do the USS Arizona, USS Missouri and the Bowfin Submarine, all located at Pearl Harbor and accessible through the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
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