Arizona Memorial
The family was dying to visit Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial so we decided to venture there today. The center is very beautiful. It has a small shop where you can purchase touristy things about the USS Arizona but it also has great books and docuemntaries about that horrible day in history. There are several locations around the center that acts a museum to look at old photographs and historical accounts of the bombing. It was very interesting. They provide you with a headset so you can follow an audio tour. This tour gave some really good insight into the tragedy.
When it came time for our group, we all headed into a theatre where we watched a 23 minute video about the Memorial and the bombing.
It was a very sad place that instilled many emotions on us. You feel very upset that all this happened yet you also feel a sense of pride knowing they were protecting their country in a time of war. It was an amazing place.
As you walk in to get your ticket, there is a large mural of battleships on the back wall paying tribute to the ships in the attack. As you turn to your left to enter the museum, which is the entire area, be sure to pick up your audio tour (it is complimentary). This tour guides you along all the displays in the building as well as the memorials outside. I personally chose not to take the audio tour and it can easily be done without. Be sure to walk through the museum though. The photos are amazing.
There is also a gift shop located on the grounds. There is everything you could ever imagine about the Pearl Harbor attack and the Arizona memorial. If you decide you don't really want to purchase anything, you can make a dollar donation and receive the Honolulu Advertiser daily newspaper as well as a replica of a newspaper during the Harbor attacks. The donation helps with the upkeep of the memorial.
Once your ticket is called, you proceed into the theater to watch a short film that tells the story of Pearl Harbor and the Japanese attack. This movie is heart wrenching but very interesting. After the movie, you board the boat to go out to the Arizona Memorial. It is so peaceful and serene. Even if you have no idea about the attacks, after this visit you will have a place in your heart for those people involved in this massacre.
On site, you can also visit other battleships and the Bowfin submarine. These attractions do cost extra money if you are into those types of things.
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