Visiting the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor

Even though I’m not a history buff, I knew that a visit to Pearl Harbor was a must-do when in Hawaii. I wasn’t sure if adding on a few hours to explore the USS Battleship Missouri was worth it though.

My mother told me that my grandfather served on the USS Missouri in the 1950’s and that they had a really fascinating visit, so I decided that it would be worth it. Walking in the steps of history is pretty cool, but knowing that your family members walked the same steps is even better. 

I visited Pearl Harbor, USS Missouri, and the Arizona Memorial in one day. If you’re interested in planes and aviation, then I would suggest adding the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to this day. (As is the case with most trips, we just didn’t have enough time to get to everything). 

Learn more about the USS Battleship Missouri (also known as ‘Mighty Mo’) and why it’s worth a visit! 

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What is the USS Battleship Missouri known for? 

The story of Pearl Harbor and December 7, 1941, is widely known, however, many don’t know that this battleship is the official ending point of World War II. Japanese officers boarded the ship on September 2, 1945, to surrender, officially ending WWII. 

There are a number of photos and memorabilia of that eventful day as well as a placard marking the spot where the documents were signed. 

“Mighty Mo” was also the last battleship ever built. Ships are now meant for speed, not size. The USS Missouri launched in 1944 and was in and out of commission over the past 70 years. In the late 1990’s it was officially decommissioned (for the second time) and was brought to Pearl Harbor. Our tour guide stated that it faces the USS Arizona as a symbol to protect the souls still on the battleship today.

Visiting the USS Battleship Missouri

The first thing you’ll have to do once you arrive at Pearl Harbor is going through security. Only clear bags are allowed, everything else has to be stored in a locker for a small fee.

If you get to Pearl Harbor when it opens at 7 am (before the USS Missouri opens at 8), then I suggest visiting the museum first. The small museum has memorabilia, exhibits, and a 20-minute film on December 7th, 1941. This museum really puts everything into perspective for your visit. 

Free Shuttle to the USS Missouri

The Battleship is across the bay, so there is a free shuttle to bring you there. The shuttle is located to the side of the rest of Pearl Harbor, so if you’re not sure where just ask an employee. It’s a large bus that can sit about 50 people. The shuttle stops at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum as well. The shuttle comes every 20 minutes. There is a shaded area with seats in case you have to wait. 

Entrance to Mighty Mo

It’s impossible to not be impressed by the entrance to the ship. A line of American flags lead to a statue of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Nimitz, who directed the War of the Pacific. The statue was unveiled on the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Instruments of Surrender.

Getting on the Ship

Climb up the stairs, walk the ramps, and then cross a plank to get onto the main deck of the ship. We were greeted by a number of volunteers who were eager to help us. Guided tours start every 20 minutes or so, and we got there right in time to join one. 

Main Deck

The highlight of the main deck and an icon of Mighty Mo herself are the nine gun turrets on the ship. Six are located in the front, with three aft (in the back of the ship). You can walk up to the turrets and even see one of the bullets for size. These truly demonstrate the power that the USS Missouri had. These are the largest cannons ever used by any American warship. They’re massive—each weighs about 115 tons.

The main deck is also where the Instruments of Surrender were signed. There are a number of photos on display from that historic day.

On the starboard (right) side of the ship, there is a spot where a kamikaze Japanese pilot crashed his plane into the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Our tour guide had a powerful story about this pilot. Once the men aboard the ship realized the plane wasn’t going to explode, they were going to throw the pilot’s body into the sea. Their commanding officer stopped them and explained that they would give him a soldier’s burial at sea the next day. He reminded them that this was a fellow soldier and human being – and hoped that any of them would be given the same respect.

The guided tours end on the main deck and you’re free to explore more of the main deck (such as the navigation office) or head into the ship to explore on your own.

Inside the Ship

You’ll enter through the main deck, which houses a variety of exhibits – some are permanent while others are temporary. There you’ll see historical displays and lots of cool military equipment. It was fascinating to see the different offices – from the ship dentist to the lawyers’ quarters, and even the intelligence officers’ rooms. There were a number of officer lounges and food halls available. There were books on display, instruments that were used throughout the decades, and even pretend food in the mess halls. 

On the lower decks, you’ll find housing for all of the non-officers. A bit less luxurious, the sailors often slept in 3 person bunks with a locker for their personal items. The cafeteria with a typical menu and the snack shop really put the ship in perspective for me. I could imagine my 20-year-old grandfather stepping up and getting a snack here during his service. It was truly like a time portal.

Historical Displays in the USS Missouri

Throughout the ship, there are a number of exhibits that explore its history. Be sure to spend some time exploring these. If you get lost (like me) just ask one of the staff members are around to guide you! It’s easy to get confused with the winding hallways.

Divine Wind: Kamakazi and the Battle for the Philippine Sea

The most touching exhibit (in my opinion) is about Japanese suicide bombers who died trying to kill themselves. It includes their belongings, including their last words and photos. It was a powerful memorial to those who gave up their lives for their beliefs. Most of the kamikaze pilots were recruited out of military school and in their young 20s. 

You can see the dent in the USS Missouri in the photo on the right. This is where the kamikaze plane hit the ship. There are a number of photos including one where the plane is just about to hit the ship (talk about a lucky photograph!). There is also a small obelisk in memorial of the pilot who flew the plane.

Crew’s Room Exhibit

While most people associate the USS Missouri with the end of World War II, it actually continued its service as a battleship through to the 1980s. My grandfather was one of those military men who lived on the ship. 

This exhibit showcases the personal belongings of people who lived aboard Mighty Mo throughout its career. One of my favorites was the collection of correspondence between officers and their families back home. It gave an insight into what life was like for them at sea.

Wardroom Displays

On the main deck, there is a large exhibit called “The World War II Gallery.” It features exhibits about military ships that were named after states in the United States. There is also an interactive map where visitors can see which states’ names are used for which types of ships (for example, there is a submarine also with the name USS Missouri).

FAQs for visiting the USS Battleship Missouri

When is the Battleship Missouri open?

The USS Battleships Missouri is open from 8 am until 4 pm, while the rest of Pearl Harbor is open from 7 am-5 pm. The Memorial is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. To visit the ship, you must buy a ticket to enter and then ride a shuttle bus from the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center to Ford Island. 

Has the USS Battleship Missouri been restored?

The restoration of the battleship is an ongoing project. The USS Missouri Memorial Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization that helps keep the stories of the ship alive, protects the ship from corrosion, and also provides tours. The ship has seen numerous restorations since the move to Pearl Harbor Naval Base (and throughout its 70 years of active duty!)

Is the guided tour worth it?

Admission includes a guided tour of the ship, which I strongly suggest doing. Our guide, Tom, was very informative and had a captivating way of telling the stories of the ship. For example, when telling us about the historic signing, he went into more detail about how the Japanese must have felt boarding a US ship with over 3,000 passengers in total silence. It was powerful to imagine that day with his commentary rather than just looking at pictures. The tour lasts about 35 minutes but does not go through the entire ship, so you can still explore on your own. There are numerous people stationed around the ship to help guide if you get lost (which we definitely did!) and answer any questions you might have. The tours really make visiting the USS Missouri special.

Is the USS Missouri family-friendly?

While we don’t have kids, I think that if your kids are interested in history, then yes it’s family-friendly. We saw a number of kids during the tour, but they were probably 7 years and older. I wouldn’t bring any children in strollers as the stairs are difficult to climb in the battleship.

Is food available at the Battleship Missouri?

There is no food available directly on the ship, however, there are a few options located nearby. The Battleshop souvenir shop has a number of souvenirs, water, and snacks. If you’re a bit more hungry, head to Slider’s Grill for burger and fries. Wai Momi Shaved Ice has slices of pizza, hot dogs, and of course – shaved ice. Since the battleship is a tourist destination in Hawaii, prices are a bit higher. One hot dog was $7 in 2022. 

Is ‘Mighty Mo’ air-conditioned?

Yes and no. Thanks to President Reagan, many parts of the ship do have air conditioning. That being said, some areas do not have air conditioning. The ships living quarters are tight and the air can get stuffy. On the decks though there seemed to be a constant breeze off of the water. Be prepared to be warm and feel free to bring a water bottle! 

Tips for Visiting the USS Missouri

1. Wear comfortable shoes! There are a lot of narrow stairs on the ship to climb, so comfortable, flat shoes can make it easier to get around the ship. There are signs near the steps to climb it like a ladder – please follow that guide. We saw a few people slip and almost fall because the stairs are narrow. If you have mobility difficulty, there are ramps to get onto the ship and main deck. The main deck has a lot of history including where the treaty to end WWII was signed.

2. Manage your time wisely – There’s a LOT to see at Pearl Harbor. We didn’t even do the Aviation Museum and we ran out of time! We didn’t get to really have time to explore the Pearl Harbor museum. Plan ahead to make the most of your time. 

3. Don’t bring a bag. Only clear bags are okay to bring into Pearl Harbor. Otherwise, you’ll have to leave your bag in a baggage locker. Lockers cost under $10, but it’s just one more thing to worry about and do. Cameras can be carried in. It was nice to not have to wait to get our bags and walk past the line! 

USS Missouri Tours

There are several tours available for travelers who are visiting the USS Missouri.

USS Arizona Memorial & USM Battleship Tour from Waikiki

This is the tour that we took since we weren’t renting a car in Waikiki. It included pick up and drop off at our hotel which made it easy to get to Pearl Harbor. We were guaranteed a ticket to the USS Arizona (which usually you have to get the day before at 3 pm and they can sell out very quickly) and given admission to USS Missouri. The only downside is that we were not told that the film is no longer shown before the boat to the USS Arizona. We were under the impression that it was part of that time and didn’t get to see it until the end of the day. We had to leave early to get on the shuttle to Waikiki.

Other Pearl Habor and USS Missouri Tours

Here are a few other tour options for Pearl Harbor:

USS Missouri and USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Private Tour

Pearl Harbor Arizona, Missouri and City Tour w/ Lunch

From Waikiki: Pearl Harbor Tour with USS Arizona Memorial

From Waikiki: Pearl Harbor Premium Tour

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