Enjoy Along Marine Corps Drive Through Central Guam! 4 Recommended Spots

Marine Corps Drive is the main highway connecting the northeastern and central-western parts of Guam. It is the Marine road that runs from Andersen Air Force Base in the north to the Guam Naval Base in the west.

Along Guam’s main road, Marine Corps Drive, there are many shopping spots you should visit, including large shopping malls and locally focused shopping centers. In addition, please be sure to visit parks where you can relax in nature or sightseeing spots where you can reflect on history. Why not rent a car and drive along Marine Corps Drive to create some great memories on your Guam trip?

1. Micronesia Mall

First, let’s introduce an unmissable shopping spot around Marine Corps Drive. “Micronesia Mall” is the largest shopping mall in Micronesia, gathering over 120 specialty stores. The building is two stories with an open atrium. It is a huge mall that includes a 24-hour supermarket, restaurants, a vast food court, a cinema, and an indoor amusement park.

Inside the mall, you’ll find attractive boutiques and restaurants along with a department store such as Macy’s. The Payless Supermarket on the first floor is very convenient for purchasing food and souvenirs. On the second floor, there is the indoor amusement park “Fantastic Park,” making it a recommended spot to visit on a rainy day. With many specialty shops available, this is an attractive spot where you can search for the items you desire.

The Micronesia Mall in Dededo can be accessed by heading northeast from Tamuning along Marine Corps Drive, just across the intersection with Route 16. When driving along Marine Corps Drive, why not enjoy some shopping at this mall?

2. Dededo Mall

From Micronesia Mall, if you drive east along Marine Corps Drive for about 5 minutes, you will see “Dededo Mall” on your right-hand side.

Dededo Mall is a mall that is well stocked with fashion-related shops such as children’s clothing and second-hand shops. Compared to Tumon, prices are lower, making it perfect for buying children’s clothes and daily goods. Since tourists do not frequent this mall much, if you want to enjoy a relaxed shopping experience in a local atmosphere, it is worth stopping by.

3. Paseo De Susana Park

Located along Marine Corps Drive in central Guam, why not take a moment to relax at this park? Paseo De Susana Park is situated on a man-made peninsula jutting out into Hagåtña Bay and is famous for the Paseo Ballpark, where the Yomiuri Giants held their spring training in the 20th century.

Paseo De Susana Park is a beautiful location with green lawns and the sea stretching out before you. It’s the perfect spot to spend a relaxing time. At dusk, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, so if you are passing Marine Corps Drive in the evening, make sure to stop by. Beyond the end of the peninsula, there is a one-tenth-scale Statue of Liberty, said to have been donated by the Boy Scouts of New York. Why not try taking some photos with the beautiful sunset?

4. War in the Pacific National Historical Park

If you visit Marine Corps Drive in central Guam, this is another spot not to be missed. War in the Pacific National Historical Park is a park that preserves wartime relics from the Pacific War, including artillery batteries and fort ruins left behind by the Japanese army. The park provides explanations about the Pacific War from the American perspective, and within the park, multiple panels explain the history of the war that took place on Guam at that time. Admission is free, so when you are near Marine Corps Drive, be sure to visit.

Reading the explanations about the submarine located to the left of the entrance makes you realize how much there still is to learn about the Pacific War. Experiencing the memories of war in central Guam and reflecting on the present time is very important.

◎ Summary

Along Marine Corps Drive, there are many spots worth visiting when exploring central Guam. In addition to the shopping malls we introduced, there are many popular large-scale shopping centers in the surrounding area, such as Guam Premier Outlets and The Plaza. It’s fun to search for your favorite items at a mall you like. You can also relax in a park near the coast, or visit Fish Eye Marine Park with its underwater observatory. Even just along Marine Corps Drive alone, you can create many enjoyable memories of your trip to Guam.

Marine Corps Drive runs along Hotel Road in Tumon Bay, so you can easily access the beaches of Tumon Bay as well. When visiting central Guam, try driving along Marine Corps Drive by rental car. You might discover a new side of your journey that you had never noticed before.