What Sets Oahu Apart From Other Hawaiian Islands?It’s, of course, Honolulu with its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and dynamic history. Honolulu is always alive with action, offering a perfect mix of scenic natural vibes and urban chaos. For those planning vacations, make sure to include Honolulu, Hawaii, on your list because this place truly is a paradise on earth.
Although the island of Oahu comprises five distinct regions—Honolulu, The North Shore, The Windward Coast, Central Oahu, and the Leeward Coast, but Honolulu stands out as the largest city and capital of Hawaii. Each area offers unique adventures, from various attractions and thrilling activities to witnessing natural wonders. You can get a glimpse into the present and past of Hawaiian culture. In this article, I’ll mention the top things to do in Honolulu, delving into a treasure trove of activities that will enrich your travel experience, all while considering your budget.
Key Stops
- Diamond Head: You can visit the slopes of Diamond Head to watch surfers and sailors in action. This iconic spot is also perfect for you to observe migrating humpback whales during the winter.
- Chinatown: You can experience Chinatown, one of Honolulu’s largest intact historical districts. It’s filled with vibrant native Hawaiian culture, complete with lei vendors and produce stands.
- Honolulu Museum of Art :Opened in 1927, this museum is another must-see destination, featuring excellent exhibitions and architecture influenced by Spanish, Hawaiian, and Chinese styles.
Explore Downtown Honolulu
Here’s how you can make the most of downtown Honolulu. Plan your day to fit these activities into your itinerary, or you can connect with Ohana Hawaii Tours for the vacation of your dreams!
Iolani Palace
You can easily enrich yourself with some past history of Hawaii with a visit to Iolani Palace, the only royal place on American soil. You can have a free walk outside and admire its grandeur, and inside interiors, architecture style, elegant furnishing, and royal artifacts. This place paints a vivid picture of Hawaii’s royal heritage. And did you know that Iolani Palace had electricity years before the White House did?
Queen Emma Summer Palace
If you’re not done immersed in royalty, you can also visit Queen Emma Summer Palace. It’s a 19th-century dwelling summer home of Queen Emma and her husband King Kamehameha IV. This peaceful home was also a destination for framed royal visitors like the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh. So a visit here will truly bring you back in time.
Royal Hawaiian Center
This destination is a hub of cultural enrichment in the heart of Honolulu. You don’t need to spend a cent to dive into Hawaiian traditions. So engage at the Royal Hawaiian Center and enjoy hula lessons, lei-making workshops that weave the spirit of Aloha, and even ukulele lessons to learn some Hawaiian tunes. Here, there’s an array of free Hawaiian traditional classes for everyone to enjoy.
Beaches and Outdoor Activities
If beaches and outdoor adventures are the highlights of your trip to Honolulu, here are the must-do activities:
Relax on Waikiki Beach
Spend the day at Waikiki Beach, the most famous beaches in Honolulu. You can enjoy surfing, sunbathing, and other beach activities here. This used to be a favorite spot for Hawaii royals, as it got stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You will find plenty of beach activities like paddleboarding, and swimming here along with luxury restaurants and hotels nearby. You can spend an evening by taking a sunset sail and just relax on this calming beach.
Ala Moana Beach Park
When relaxing on Waikiki, you can always stroll near to Ala Moana Beach Park for a chill beach experience. You can have a fun day here by indulging in beach activities and it is a stunning place to relax and enjoy. You can even take part in a snorkeling adventure here, so make sure to spend some time in this area while visiting Waikiki Beach.
Lanikai Beach
Beachgoers praise Lanikai Beach for its beautiful turquoise waters and relatively calm vibes. This beach is less crowded than Waikiki Beach, so you can just have some privacy and fresh time here. This is a family-friendly beach within view of postcard-perfect Mokulua islands, which is a popular spot to kayak to. The only drawback is that the parking in the area is limited, but this doesn’t stop visitors from giving perfect five stars as reviews for the beach’s soft sand and mesmerizing view.
Lyon Arboretum
Beautiful greenery will reset your brain with refreshing memories. Here, Lyon Arboretum is part of a tropical rainforest that is home to a wide variety of plant life native to Hawaiian islands. Opened as a botanical garden in the 1970s, it is a must-go destination for nature lovers, science geeks, and normal tourists. Explore the arboretum’s themed gardens and 7+ miles of hiking trails that take you around the property. If you’re into photography, this is a perfect spot to brush up on your photography skills.
Manoa Falls
You can embark on a journey through landscapes by hiking to Manoa Falls. You can enjoy the falls while exploring the lush trail through a verdant rainforest. Hikers are treated to a symphony of tropical birds and the vibrant greenery of the forest. The trail winds through a natural scenic hike and ends with a stunning view of the waterfall, making it an unforgettable destination for nature enthusiasts.
Waimea Valley
The Waimea Valley is home to lush botanical gardens and significant historical sites. You should know that it offers free admission or hosts special community events on certain days, so plan accordingly. This huge valley not only showcases the island’s diverse flora but connects tourists with the cultural heritage of the area by showcasing ancient archaeological sites.
Top Nearby Attractions
If you’re not an outdoorsy person like I am and wondering what else to do in Honolulu, I’ve got your back because Honolulu never runs out of places or ideas. Here is a list of things you have to do while enjoying some history, museums, and memorials to respect the lives lost.
Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial
You can visit the USS Arizona Memorial, a historic landmark in Hawaii. The bombing at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was one of the most devastating tragedies where many innocent lives were lost. Take a narrated tour to learn about the history of the memorial and pay respects to those who perished. After an introduction, you’ll take a ferry out to the actual monument at sea where the USS Arizona sank. Be sure to allow enough time for the entire experience and bring a jacket since it’s windy on the water.
Bishop Museum
If you’re a nature enthusiast who wants to learn more about Hawaii’s natural history, you can always visit the Bishop Museum. It is a great family destination and one of the best natural history museums in the region. You can learn a lot about Hawaiian history, from its Polynesian culture to native plant and animal life, an active volcano exhibit, and more. This fascinating museum features collections across five major buildings, can you believe it? It’s got everything from seashells and fish specimens to an active volcano in the Science Adventure Center. Don’t forget to check out their planetarium programs too.
Shangri-La Center
Did you know that the late philanthropist Doris Duke, a famous rich heiress, created a stunning tribute to Islamic and Moorish design at her home, Shangri La? During her honeymoon, she became enthralled with these styles and spent around $1.4 million in the 1930s on stained glass, tile, mosaic flooring, gardens, fountains, carvings, and artwork overlooking the ocean. The mother-of-pearl inlaid bedroom alone is worth the trip. Reserve your $25 ticket for a guided tour via the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Pacific Aviation Museum
You can learn a lot about the history of American aviation from World War II to the present day at the Pacific Aviation Museum. Explore their extensive collection of historic aircraft, featuring everything from bombers and fighter planes to helicopters. If you’ve got time, don’t miss the short documentary at the entrance, as it provides an overview of the attractions and its offerings.
Honolulu Zoo
This charming zoo is perfect for wildlife lovers in Hawaii. Located in Kapiolani Park, it’s popular among locals and visitors alike. The zoo features a wide variety of animals as well as extensive zoo gardens with diverse flora and fauna. Be sure to check their special events calendar before visiting so you can indulge in exciting adventures within the zoo.
Waikiki Aquarium
With a wide variety of exhibits and themed areas, the Waikiki Aquarium is a great spot for a visit. You can witness featured exhibitions, including green sea turtles, ocean drifters, hunters on the reef, and more. This is an exciting activity to do in Honolulu, especially during the summer when the aquarium hosts special events. Plan accordingly for a very fun day at Waikiki Aquarium.
Food, Drink, and Entertainment
If you’re into exploring culinary tastes around the island, you can do a lot of things. You can especially attend the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in the fall. You can learn about island culture and culinary appreciation through volunteer opportunities. Here are some must-do things when you’re in Honolulu.
Slurp Some Shave Ice
You must not miss this nostalgic feeling of enjoying crushed ice and fruity syrup on a beach vacation. It brings back the feeling of being a kid who loves a snow cone or a snowball; in Honolulu, it’s called shave ice. Typical syrup flavors include Hawaiian tropical lilikoi, melon, guava, and mango taste, along with pan-Asian additions like salted plum, chewy mochi, and even sweet red beans. You can always find shave ice shops in every corner and nook of Honolulu but try to taste the original Waiola Shave Ice in a family-owned convenience store in the McCully neighborhood, or try it from Lahaina Shave Ice.
Join Foraging Food Class
This is your chance to be an ethnobotanist for the day with Dr. Nat Bletter, founder of Madre Chocolate. You can join his monthly foraging classes through Makiki to learn about the slow food movement and discover edible plants along the way. Don’t forget to bring a bag and fork along, where you can get to enjoy a wild plant salad at the end, filled with things like nom nom fruit, pink peppercorns, macadamia nuts, and banana blossoms.
Try Fancy Donuts
If you’re visiting Honolulu, stopping by Holey Grail Donuts is a must. The popularity of this fancy donut is crazy, so you would take time to wait in line for this. This popular eatery offers piping hot donuts at around the price of $4. But why is it so popular in Honolulu? Its base is made from taro, a native Hawaiian superfood that is pounded and fermented, giving the donuts a fluffy interior with very crisp exteriors. BTW, it’s also fried in coconut oil. You can choose fun flavors from creative options like freshly picked lilikoi, dragonfruit lemonade, and honey cream pineapple with Thai basil.
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
If you’re planning to visit Honolulu in the fall, foodies please take note to attend the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. You can get to know up-and-coming Honolulu area chefs and well-known bartenders while devouring fresh homegrown foods and drinks. You can take part in volunteer opportunities led by local chefs through the Malama ’Aina Program for a deep dive into island culture and appreciation.
Shopping and Culture
Last but not least: What’s a vacation without some shopping? And don’t worry my shopaholics, I’ve got you covered with the best shopping places you can enjoy while visiting Honolulu. Make sure you take back some memories of Hawaii within your heart and your bags!
KCC Farmers’ Market
You can take a Saturday off to explore Hawaii’s diverse agricultural scene at KCC Farmers’ Market. You can shop the endless displays of fruits, vegetables, flowers, seafood, baked goods, Hawaiian shave ice, and more. It’s located on the slopes of Diamond Head. This outdoor market offers some of Honolulu’s prized local delicacies.
Ala Moana Center
You can have a great break from Waikiki Beach if you’re willing to put down some cash and pick up some souvenirs for you at Ala Moana Center. This is an open-air shopping center that boasts a collection of high-end stores like Chanel and Gucci, along with tourist kitsch shops like Hams World and department store staples like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. It’s got over 350+ shops and restaurants you can enjoy all to yourself.
Waikele Outlet Mall
You can shop whatever you want with this enormous Waikele Outlet Mall. Wander through over 50 top-brand name stores at this expansive mall and search for real bargains. You can take a break from all the scenic trips and history and get real blended with a shopping expedition.
Wander Through Chinatown
Chinatown is a top spot in Honolulu and is one of the most dynamic and culturally rich districts. This area is a tapestry of history, art, and cuisine, where you can also find traditional markets standing alongside contemporary art galleries. You can easily connect with locals, uncover hidden gems, and even stumble upon street art and performances that showcase vibrant community spirit!
Tips for First-Time Visitors
Honolulu has a good public transportation system, but island traffic is a problem in the city. So try to avoid traveling in and out of the capital city during morning and evening rush hours. You can rent a scooter or a car, or make use of ride-sharing apps.
The best time to visit Honolulu is during spring, especially April to June, and fall, September to November, when the weather is nice and less crowded compared to peak times, especially during summer.
Remember to save on attraction admission, and always research prior to visiting to check how much things cost if you want to spend and travel on a budget.
Tickets to the iconic USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor sell out fast and should be booked in advance of your trip.
Embrace Honolulu with Your Heart
Honolulu city is a plethora of free attractions, from its lush green trails, hike routes, top beaches, and lovely markets, as there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. Honolulu is an opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle and traditions of Hawaii. So, make sure to respect Hawaiian customs and traditions while you spend your time there exploring things to do in the Honolulu neighborhood.
You can take some time before reaching Honolulu to learn a few Hawaiian phrases like Aloha meaning hello and Mahalo meaning thank you. Honolulu has a lot to offer to its visitors, from famous beaches, breathtaking moutain views, and historicaly and culturally significant locations, and even some lush greenery for nature lovers. So, I think you should embrace Honolulu with your heart.
FAQs
1. How many days in Honolulu is enough?
I will always recommend a minimum stay of 5 nights for you to visit both Honolulu and Oahu. Oahu is the most populous island on Hawaii, and Honolulu is the largest City. There is plenty of scenic tourists spots and lot of activities you have to do before leaving Hawaii. Hence, staying five or seven days is the best solution for avoiding FOMO.
2. Is Honolulu, Hawaii expensive?
Yes, Honolulu, Hawaii, is considered one of the more expensive cities in the United States. The cost of living, including accommodation, food, and activities, tends to be higher due to its remote location and high demand for goods and services.
3. Do I need a car in Honolulu?
Having a car in Honolulu depends on your needs and plans. If you plan to explore beyond the city, such as scenic spots, beaches, or other areas on Oahu, a car is highly recommended for convenience. However, if you’re looking to visit more remote parts of the island or travel on your own schedule, renting or owning a car would be beneficial.
4. What are some things to do in Oahu when it’s raining?
While Honolulu is renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, it also offers plenty of indoor activities to enjoy on rainy days or when you need a break from the heat:
- Explore the historic Iolani Palace.
- Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture at the Bishop Museum.
- Discover marine life at the Waikiki Aquarium.