Don’t let the warm climate and white sandy beaches fool you about Guam’s history. While these days it’s the calm turquoise waters that attract people from all over the world to this small territory in the Pacific, recent history has seen the island turn into a bloody battleground on numerous occasions with Spain, the United States and Japan all at least once laying claim to its administration.
To learn more about Guam’s fascinating past, a great place to head is The Pacific War Museum (not to be confused with the War in the Pacific National Historical Park which is also worth a visit to get the full story of Guam). Located an easy fifteen-minute drive from Tumon, at The Pacific War Museum you’ll find all kinds of exhibits relating to World War II as well as an excellent display of both American and Japanese relics.
Upon arrival you might feel like nobody is there but don’t be alarmed, just ring the bell and you’ll quickly be welcomed inside the small museum and wandering about the building looking at interactive displays or watching an enthralling movie about Guam’s history. Started by a Vietnam War veteran, the volunteers that run the museum are an all too friendly bunch so you don’t have to be shy and can ask as many questions as you like about the motorized vehicles and weapons conserved from the war.
Easy to get to if you have access to a car during your visit, to find The Pacific War Museum head South on Marine Corps Drive until you see a slightly out of place set of dinosaur models. Yes you are taking a trip back through history but not to prehistoric times! Continue on from the highway junction for just another 300 metres to the museum, which is open 7 days a week.
