USS Battleship Missouri Memorial

I have never been to the USS Missouri and after going, I wonder why it took me so long. It was such a unique, historic, and amazing experience!

The USS Missouri was in many wars and is where Work War II ended with the peace treaty signed right on its teak deck.

Your admission comes with about a 20 minute guided tour (multiple languages available), and so much more after to explore on your own. Below, everything is well kept and decorated to give you a feel of exactly what it was like living on these ships for months. There are memorabilia, photos, videos, and pieces of history to keep you engaged as you get lost in the maze below the deck. (Don’t worry, there are actually arrows to guide you where to go…otherwise, it is truly a maze).

The upper decks provide great views and many photo opportunities, but more importantly than that, you develop a sense of great appreciation as you stand on a piece of history, right here in Hawai`i.

Oh and if you go, say hi to the tour guide our kids love, Mr. Jack!

And right at the base of the boat are bathrooms, food, refreshing Dole pineapple whip, and a gift shop. Veterans also can get a free piece of chocolate while there!

I wish we could have stayed longer to explore more and could easily have stayed more than our 2 with add-on tour options. And if you don’t go with kids, it can take you a while to read through the signs and pause and reflect on a life that is so different from our own.

People from all over the world come to see the USS Missouri and so if you live on island, I wouldn’t wait another summer to go. There’s so much to see and I, as well as my seventy seven year old dad and seven year old son, thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Finding peace by piece:

History can have a way of bringing people together and big ships impress grown men and young boys alike. You may not feel peace while imagining life on a warship, but you will feel gratitude and peace for the life you live after visiting.