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Oahu: Attraction Tickets and Tours

Oahu: Attraction Tickets and Tours

A visit to Oahu is not complete without including a visit to some of the most significant and interesting attractions in Oahu.

Not only are the Hawaiian Islands a tropical paradise, they are also a strategic base for the US military and nothing reflects this better than the sites that remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, a major naval battle in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

For a completely different experience you can visit the first distillery in Oahu and observe the whiskey making process for yourself before enjoying a limited-batch tasting.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is best known as the site of the surprise attack by Japanese forces, the pivotal point that the US was swept into World War II.

At Pearl Harbor you can explore the museums and grounds of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, enter the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument and look across to Ford Island, the centre of the attack that occurred in December 1941.

If you choose to spend a full day at Pearl Harbor you will have time to visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri battleship.

Most scheduled and private Pearl Harbor tours also include a visit to Honolulu City where you will see attractions like the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolai Palace and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery). Your guide will tell you more about Hawaii’s compelling history.

USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial is the number one visited destination in Hawaii and pays a moving tribute to the 1,102 sailors and Marines killed on the USS Arizona during Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On this tour, you will take a shuttle boat to the memorial which is built over the sunken vessel.

There are no escorted tours allowed, but you can book the official USS Arizona Memorial narrated tour which is an award-winning 2-hour self-guided audio-commentary by Jamie Lee Curtis, Pearl Harbor survivors and National Park Service historians.

USS Missouri

The USS Missouri is a battleship that has seen action in three significant wars. Visiting this attraction you have the chance to set foot on this historic vessel, standing on the spot where Japanese forces signed an armistice in World War II.

As you tour the decks, you see how the ship’s crew lived with visits to the sleeping quarters and mess. On the bridge you will learn how the navy navigated the seas during the time the ship was in service.

You can choose to take a tour with a knowledgeable guide which is recommended, or opt for a self-guided tour.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

At the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor at the place where the first bombs fell. At the museum you will see artifacts and exhibits from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway as you follow a captivating audio tour.

You will have access to historic hangars, an outdoor exhibit and the Ratheon Pavilion. For aviation enthusiasts young and old, this is an engaging attraction to visit. A free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitors Center runs every 15 minutes.

Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin

If you are in the vicinity of Pearl Harbor, you can pay a visit to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum where you will be able to board the best-preserved and most visited US World War II Pacific Fleet submarine.

The USS Bowfin submarine was responsible for the sinking of four Japanese military ships during the war and the museum’s adult and family-oriented audio tours will share the story of the submarine and more about the naval activity of the Submarine Force.

Polynesian Cultural Centre

Hawaii has a rich cultural heritage which you can explore on a tour to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here you can spend the day wandering the 42-acre grounds participating in traditional hands-on activities. Learn about aspects of Polynesian culture including history, construction, dance and food. At the center you can experience a meal at an authentic Polynesian luau and enjoy a spectacular show.

You can also combine a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Centre with a tour of the historic Oahu Dole Pineapple plantation and the Garden Maze.

North Shore

A North Shore tour is a fantastic choice to explore what Oahu has to offer, it takes a full day and makes the most of the many beach and water activities and passes through some of the breath-taking scenery of the Oahu coastline.

On your tour, you will have the option to swim, kayak, paddleboard or hike, or you can simply relax on the beach and soak up some Hawaiian sunshine.

For the sightseeing part of the tour, you will experience the splendor of the Hanauma coastline, a popular location for film-shoots with rugged mountainsides, craggy peaks and dramatic cliffs, this is one part of Oahu that you don’t want to miss.

Manoa Waterfalls

Manoa Waterfall is located in the valley of the rainbows, in the heart of Honolulu’s tropical forest. You can choose a day trip that includes a hiking trail to Manoa Falls or book an excursion that focuses on the Manoa Valley Rainforest.

If you would like to reach the rainforest in a different way, you can opt for an e-bike ride as part of your excursion to Manoa Waterfalls. Depending on your preference, you can join a small group day trip or book a private excursion.

Most day tours to Manoa Falls are guided, but you can book a shuttle to the trail and then embark on a self-guided walk to the falls.

Ko’olau Distillery

Old Pali Road Whiskey is made at Oahu’s fist whiskey distillery located in the foothills of the legendary Ko’olau Mountains. If you are a foodie or drink enthusiast, a visit to Ko’olau Distillery is the perfect way to see the step-by-step process of whiskey making using pure Hawaiian water.

Learn about the unique steps in the distilling process: mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging and bottling. On your tour, you will have a guided tasting and get the chance to buy the distillery’s limited-batch whiskey. If you book a premium package, you will also receive a collectable tasting glass.

If you are not a whiskey drinker, you can visit the wine bar at the same location.