Location: Honolulu
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6 History Museums in Honolulu That You Shouldn't Miss
The mere mention of Hawaii is enough to prompt visions of grass skirts and colorful cocktails with tiny umbrellas. While you will find some kitsch in Honolulu, you’ll also find art museums, bike paths, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Popular Waikiki Beach has soft sands and great surf. For majestic Oahu views scramble to the top of Diamond Head – a 350-acre volcanic crater. Historic structures like Iolani Palace and Ali'iolani Hale are worth a visit on a non-beach day.
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1. USS Arizona Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,456 reviews
A 184-foot memorial honoring the 2,388 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reviewed By lindar1961 - Inverloch, Australia
The Pearl Harbour complex is well set out. Even though the entry fee seems expensive you do get value for money. The entry includes a boat tide to the USS Arizona, exploring the Bowfin submarine, a bus ride to Ford Island (active Naval Base), exploring the Missouri (battleship) and entry into the aviation museums. Very moving and memorable.
2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,333 reviews
A 184-foot memorial honoring the 2,388 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reviewed By Y6801YCsusanc
This is a memorial every American visiting Hawaii should not miss. Even though I read complaints posted on TripAdvisor about not being able to visit the memorial itself, it still doesn't take away from the SIGNIFICANCE. They show a movie about what led to the attack on Pearl Harbor which was well presented before going onboard a boat that takes you briefly around the harbor. There is a lot to see here. You can visit a museum detailing the history of the events happening in the Pacific at that time and what led up to the attack. You can also visit both the World War II submarine, USS Bowfin and it's accompanying memorial to lost submariners and the submarine museum; next you can visit the battleship USS Missouri and excellent museum and where the Japanese surrendered. There is also an air museum which we didn't have a chance this time to visit. Kids 12 and up would get more out of this than young children and they should be exposed to this history and never forget it. I was lucky to meet a Pearl Harbor survivor, Sterling Cale. He signed his book for us and I had my picture taken with him (no charge), so don't miss this and thank him for his service to our country.
3. Iolani Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,478 reviews
Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation and political intrigue. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, walked its celebrated halls. Today, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular living restorations in all of Polynesia and immerse yourself in Hawaii’s royal heritage. E komo mai! Welcome!
Reviewed By nippys - Newcastle, United Kingdom
An excellant audio tour with lots of facts from the Hawaiian monarchy history, Lots of very interesting artifacts to see You have to wear shoe over covers to protect the palace floors, You buy your tickets from the small building in the grounds.
4. Aloha Pearl Harbor Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 380 reviews
Come immerse yourself in history and learn about “the day that will live in infamy” as you enjoy one of the country’s historical treasures... Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. You will enjoy panoramic views of Pearl Harbor, the Ko’olau Mountains, and the US Navy Pacific Fleet as you walk through interesting museums, speak to veterans that are among the handful of remaining survivors, and watch the Pearl Harbor Documentary exclusive to the Memorial. Then, prepare to board a US Navy ferry boat to enjoy a cruise around Pearl Harbor and visit the USS Arizona Memorial. There, you'll see the wall of names, the black tears of the Arizona, and the ghostly ship lurking in the depths below the platform. After Pearl Harbor, your amazing guides will take you to see the Punchbowl National Cemetery and the statue of King Kamehameha the Great before heading back to Waikiki. Aloha Pearl Harbor only uses premium limo style buses with ac.
Reviewed By ampresti - Fort Mitchell, United States
Fantastic tour! Bought on Groupon which was incredible value!! “Cousin Nate” was an awesome driver/tour guide, and mmmm... the malasadas!! :)
5. Queen Emma Summer Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Queen Emma Summer Palace or Hanaiakamalama (The Southern Cross), served as a summer retreat for Queen Emma of Hawai'i from 1857 to 1885, as well as for her husband King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward. It is a now a historic landmark and educational museum preserved and operated by Daughters of Hawai'i. Admission to the Palace: General: $10 Kama'aina & Seniors: $8 Children 5-17 $1. Open Sundays from 10 AM to 3 PM, Mondays through Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM. Closed on major holidays. Because the Palace was built in the nineteenth century, access may not be available for visitors who have difficulties climbing stairs.
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
Also known as Hānaiakamalama (The Southern Cross, which is also the name of a benevolent Hawaiian goddess), this one-story Greek Revival frame house was originally commissioned by an American ship captain. It was built in Boston in 1848 and then shipped in pieces to Hawaii to be reassembled here in the Nu'uanu Valley in the heights above Honolulu, a popular area for Hawaiian royalty and non-Hawaiian newcomers who preferred its cooler climate over the heat in the city below. In 1850, the home was bought by John Young II (also known as Keoni Ana), the only son of an English sailor who had become a trusted advisor of King Kamehameha I and the King's niece. On his death in 1857, the estate passed to his niece Emma who had married King Kamehameha IV just the year before. Queen Emma used the house as her summer retreat until her death in 1885. The Kingdom of Hawaii then bought the property, which the Territorial Government later turned into a park. When plans were announced to tear down the house to build a baseball diamond, the Daughters of Hawaii bought the property, restored it, and turned it into a museum. Besides preserving the house itself, the Daughters have also been able to assemble an amazing collection of artifacts from the Queen's life and Hawaiian royalty in general. On our recent visit, we were able to effectively get a private tour of the house and its contents from one of the tour guides who took us from room to room explaining the history of basically every piece in the collection – everything from royal feather standards (kahili) and ceremonial capes to hand carved furniture and gifts from other royal families such as Queen Victoria (who was the godmother to Emma's only child) and Napoleon III. There are also a number of portraits of various Hawaiian kings and other members of Hawaiian nobility which the guide used to help explain the rather complicated history of the Hawaiian monarchy. After we finished with the tour, we retired to the gift shop to look through their extensive selection of books on Hawaiian history (of course, they also carry a wide range of souvenirs, prints, etc.). We spent somewhere between one and two hours here and really enjoyed seeing and learning so much about this period in Hawaiian history.
6. Damien and Marianne Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
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