Thinking about visiting Pearl Harbor with kids? Find out whether or not you should add the USS Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor to your Oahu itinerary!
This post about the USS Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
So you’re planning a Pearl Harbor visit with your family, and you’re trying to figure out if the USS Missouri is worth adding to your day.
I totally get it.
Pearl Harbor has several attractions, and when you’re traveling with kids, you want to make sure you’re spending your time (and money) wisely.
Let me share what happened when we took our 4-year-old and 7-year-old to tour Mighty Mo.
Why the USS Missouri Matters
Most people know about the USS Arizona, the ship that sank during the Pearl Harbor attack.
But the Missouri? That’s actually where Japan officially surrendered, ending World War II. Pretty significant, right?
The Missouri is also the last battleship ever built by the United States. It was launched in January 1944 and served in multiple wars over seven decades. Today, it’s docked at Pearl Harbor as a floating museum.
My husband and I first toured it about 11 years ago (before kids), and it was honestly one of our favorite parts of Pearl Harbor. The ship is absolutely massive, and walking through it felt like stepping into a time capsule.
So when we spontaneously decided to do a Pearl Harbor day during our most recent Oahu trip, we knew we wanted to go back.
Our Experience with Young Kids
Here’s the thing. Our boys only had a basic understanding of Pearl Harbor history. We weren’t sure if they’d be interested in exploring a battleship or if it would just feel like a boring museum to them.
We spent about 6 hours total at Pearl Harbor that day, visiting the Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
My kids’ honest reaction? They got hot and tired pretty quickly on the Missouri. But here’s what I learned: every kid is different.
Some children absolutely love ships and military history. Others (like mine) are more into planes and hands-on stuff.
The saving grace for us? We promised them Dole Whip afterward. Sometimes bribery works, you know?
Getting to the USS Missouri
First things first: when you arrive at Pearl Harbor, you’ll need to go through security.
Bags aren’t allowed, but you can store them at the baggage facility for $7 per small bag or $10 for oversized bags. Clear bags (like the kind you take to sporting events) are okay to bring in.
Pro tip: just wear clothes with pockets and leave your bag at your hotel. The bag storage line can get long, and you don’t want to waste precious time standing in line.
After security, hop on the free shuttle that runs every 15-20 minutes. It’ll take you straight to Ford Island where the Missouri is docked. The ride is pretty short, and there’s covered seating while you wait.
Get your USS Battleship Missouri tickets here so you don’t have to worry about them selling out on the day you want to visit.
What You’ll Actually See on the Ship
The Dramatic Entrance
The walkway to the ship is lined with American flags, and there’s a statue of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. It’s pretty impressive, honestly.
Main Deck
You’ll climb stairs to get up to the main deck (more on those stairs in a minute). Once you’re there, you’ll find super enthusiastic volunteers ready to tell you all about the ship’s history.
The coolest part?
We got to watch them clean the brass plaque marking the exact spot where Japan signed the surrender documents on September 2, 1945.
They clean it every couple weeks, and watching that process was actually one of the highlights for my kids.
Inside the Ship
This is where it gets really interesting. You’ll head down into the belly of the ship to see permanent exhibits, historic displays, and all kinds of military artifacts.
My kids loved the kitchens (they even added fake bread loaves for effect) and the sleeping quarters. It’s wild to see how many sailors were housed in such tight spaces.
There’s also the Divine Wind exhibit about kamikaze pilots. It features personal letters, poems, photographs, and uniforms. It’s incredibly moving but also sobering, especially when you see the family photos.
The Missouri was actually struck by a kamikaze plane in April 1945, and you can see the impact spot on the deck.
Other exhibits include the Crew’s Room (showing life aboard the ship from the 1940s through 1980s), the Chief Petty Officers Legacy Center, and displays featuring pieces from the USS Arizona.
The Big Guns
Back up on the main deck, you’ll head to the opposite end where the nine massive cannons are. These are the largest guns ever mounted on a U.S. ship. Each one is 65 feet long and weighs 116 tons.
The photo opportunities here are pretty epic.
There are also places where kids can maneuver unloaded guns and see torpedoes up close. This was definitely an area my boys enjoyed.
Upper Deck
If you climb even more stairs, you’ll reach the Navigation Bridge where you can see the Captain’s chair.
From here, you also get great views of the USS Arizona Memorial for photos.
Food Options
One of the Pearl Harbor employees told us the Missouri has better food options than other areas, so we checked it out.
Slider’s Grill is a food truck serving Hawaiian plate lunches (think loco moco and teriyaki chicken) and hamburgers. There’s plenty of covered seating with amazing views of the USS Arizona Memorial.
Wai Momi Shave Ice is where you can cool off with shave ice, grab a pizza slice, or get a giant churro.
Battleshop is the gift shop that sells bottled drinks, snacks, and locally-made ice cream and sorbet.
We grabbed Dole Whip for the kids, and honestly, that might have been their favorite part of the whole visit.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It for Families?
Here’s my honest take as a professional tourist and Hawaii travel expert: it really depends on your kids.
If your children are interested in ships, military history, or World War II, they’ll probably love it. The ship is genuinely fascinating, and there’s so much to explore.
But if your kids are younger (under 8 or so) and don’t have much interest in history yet, they might get bored or tired. The ship is huge, which means lots of walking and lots of stairs.
My boys (ages 4 and 7 at the time) struggled a bit, but they’re also the kind of kids who’d rather be running around outside than looking at exhibits.
They had way more fun at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum right after because they love planes.
You know your kids best. If they get antsy in museums or have trouble with long walks, you might want to skip this one or save it for when they’re older.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
Those Stairs Are No Joke
There are tons of stairs all over the ship. Some are steep. Some are basically ladders. If you’re visiting with toddlers or preschoolers, this is a big consideration.
My 4-year-old handled them okay, but he definitely got tired. My 7-year-old was fine.
Plan Your Time Wisely
The Missouri is open 8 AM to 4 PM daily (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).
As of November 2025, tickets are $37.99 for adults and $18.99 for kids ages 4-12 when you buy them online. Door prices are slightly higher at $39.99 and $19.99.
Your admission includes a free 35-minute guided tour, but it’s optional. You can also explore at your own pace. If you’re really into it and read everything, you could easily spend 2-3 hours here.
But if your kids are losing steam, you can move through more quickly.
Think about how many Pearl Harbor attractions you want to see so you don’t run out of time or energy.
It Gets Hot
The main deck can get super hot, especially in summer. It’s cooler inside the ship, but it can feel stuffy.
I always recommend visiting Pearl Harbor early in the morning. You’ll beat the heat and have more energy to really explore.
Need help planning your whole Pearl Harbor day? I talk about all the logistics and what to expect in episode 22 of my Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast.
Tour Options
If you’d rather join a guided tour than explore on your own, here are some options:
USS Arizona Memorial & USS Missouri Battleship Tour from Waikiki
This is perfect if you’re not renting a car. You’ll get picked up in Waikiki, visit both memorials, and head back to your hotel. It’s a small group tour with interesting commentary along the drive.
Complete Pearl Harbor Tour
Want to see all four Pearl Harbor attractions in one day? This tour keeps you on track so you don’t miss anything. They’ll pick you up in Waikiki, and you can even add lunch.
If you’re thinking about exploring Oahu beyond Pearl Harbor, my Oahu Travel Guide for Families has everything you need to plan an amazing trip.
Or take my free 7-day email course on how to plan a trip to Oahu for step-by-step help.
More Ways to Make the Most of Your Visit
Consider the Passport to Pearl Harbor: For $99.99, you get admission to the Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, plus audio tours. It’s a great deal if you want to see multiple attractions.
Rent a car: While tours are convenient, having your own rental car gives you more flexibility with timing. Just know that parking at Pearl Harbor can be tricky during busy times.
Stay nearby: If you’re spending a full day at Pearl Harbor, consider booking a hotel in the area on Expedia so you don’t have to worry about the drive from Waikiki.
Final Thoughts
The USS Missouri is an incredible piece of American history. Walking the deck where World War II officially ended is pretty powerful, even if you’re just there for a quick visit.
But traveling with kids means being realistic about what they can handle.
If your children love ships and history, go for it. If they’re young and easily bored, you might want to save this one for a future trip when they’re older and can appreciate it more.
Either way, Pearl Harbor is an important stop on any Oahu itinerary. Even if you skip the Missouri, definitely visit the USS Arizona Memorial to pay your respects.
Want more help planning your Oahu vacation? I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where I can help you figure out the perfect itinerary for your family.
Or join my Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to connect with other families planning Hawaii trips.
Want to know more about Pearl Harbor with kids? Find out the best private Pearl Harbor tours, how to get from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor, where to eat near Pearl Harbor, and our Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum review.
