Battleship Missouri Memorial

Address:Oahu, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor is the site of an Imperial Japanese attack on US naval installations that forced the US into WWII and is now a memorial to the soldiers who died in that attack. While the whole harbor is dotted with US military bases, the Battleship Missouri, along with the USS Arizona and the submarine USS Bowfin are the main tourist attractions. The Battleship Missouri hosted General Douglas MacArthur when he accepted the Japanese surrender, marking the end of WWII. "Mighty Mo" also served as the flagship during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Tours of the mighty battleship take about two hours and wind past the deck where MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender, past officer's quarters, and through the wardroom which has been converted into an exhibit hall showcasing the ship's history. The tour is recommended because it also includes a simulated naval battle that kids will definitely learn from. Tours are free, but since this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii there may be a significant wait. There are no self-guided visits allowed.