Situated on Oahu island, Honolulu serves as the capital of the Hawaiian Islands. Each year, nearly 10 million visitors flock to this city to enjoy the pristine skies, sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters of this tropical haven. While the beaches and island excursions are highly sought-after, the city also offers a diverse culture and intriguing past that visitors can explore by visiting various natural landmarks and historical monuments scattered throughout. Keep reading for a breakdown of different attractions and things to do on your next visit to Honolulu, Hawaii.
40 Best Things To Do In Honolulu
1. Iolani Palace – Historical Site, Museum
ngs To Do In Waikiki
1. Waikiki Beach
4.4 (102 reviews)
(102 reviews)
Hawaii was overthrown by a coup d’etat towards the end of the 19th century, after which it became a part of the United States. However, before that was a monarchy and was ruled by the Kalakaua dynasty.Iolani Palace is a historical building registered as a National Historic Landmark and one of the few remnants left as proof of Hawaii’s monarchy. It is also the only royal palace ever built in the United States. It is situated in downtown Honolulu, next to the statue of King Kamehameha, and stretches over many acres.It was constructed in 1882, taking inspiration from European, Asian, and African architecture. It underwent renovations in 1969 and was opened for public tours in 1978. Tours through Iolani Palace are some of the most popular things to do in Honolulu, and visitors can choose between guided tours or independent audio tours.In this stunning building, visitors can expect to see ornate, luxurious throne rooms and political offices with plush carpeting. In addition, the palace features some interesting displays featuring vintage clothing, relics, and furniture used by royalties of the past- like Hawaii’s last monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. There are also US military artifacts to be seen here. Tours include a visit to both the first and second floors and the palace’s basement galleries, and visitors can make use of the gift shop and restrooms.Additionally, Iolani Palace often plays host to performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band.The red-line Waikiki trolley, and quite a few Honolulu buses, stop at Iolani Palace. Alternatively, visitors with their own vehicles can make use of the limited parking spaces nearby.Iolani Palace is a unique US Landmark and offers an insight into Hawaiian history, making it perfect for visitors who enjoy immersing themselves in the rich Hawaiian culture. This is a must-see on any trip to Honolulu!Keep In MindNote that tourists are not allowed to take pictures inside the palace. In addition, children under the age of five will not be permitted unless inside a stroller or carrier at all times. Visitors will also be required to wear cloth booties for the sake of protecting the original wooden floors of the palace.
Cost – Varies depending on tour
Tour prices to Iolani Palace vary. However, you can expect to pay around 22 US Dollars per adult, or 6 US Dollars per child, for an hour-long guided tour through the palace. These tours take place in the morning.Independent audio tours cost a little less. You can expect to pay around 15 USD per adult or 6 USD per child. These tours are shorter, lasting about 45 minutes, and can be taken in the afternoon.
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Tours to Iolani Palace typically last anything from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on which type of tour you have chosen. However, on select days from Monday to Saturday, these tour times are extended, and you may decide to stay a little longer.Website: www.iolanipalace.orgAddress: 364 S. King St., Oahu.
2. Diamond Head Crater and State Monument – Natural Wonder, Hiking
The Diamond Head Crater was so named by British sailors in the 19th-century after mistaking the calcite crystals found here for diamonds. Locally, it is known as Le’ahi, and it was formed by a volcanic eruption 300,000 years ago. Ash was poured into the atmosphere and fell down to form the crater’s ridge over thousands of years.In the early 1900s, it was used as a lookout point for military defense because of its excellent view of Honolulu and the ocean.It is one of Honolulu’s most popular and most beautiful hiking trails and forms part of the Diamond Head State Monument.There are different ways to enjoy Diamond Head. Many tourists opt for hiking up to the summit for a stunning view of the Honolulu shoreline, land, and sky. Here there are shops, restaurants, and vending machines where tourists can look for souvenirs and snacks or enjoy some local cuisine- like Lomi-Lomi. There are also some restrooms and a lighthouse that was built in 1917.Another option when visiting Diamond Head is to take a helicopter tour, during which you will fly directly over the site. Another option is to take an independent audio tour.The Diamond Head Crater is located close to the Shangri La Museum and Waikiki Beach and can be reached via one of the many buses that stop there. Alternatively, you can reach Diamond Head by taking the Waikiki trolley’s green line. There is also parking available for those with their own vehicles.Diamond Head is open to the public from 6 am to 6 pm every day.Keep In MindDiamond Head is one of Honolulu’s most popular attractions. When hiking up the summit, it is best to start early in the day before it gets too hot and avoid crowds. Also, keep in mind that the trail has no water fountains, so you would need to bring plenty of water. Entrance fees are cash-only, and visitors will only be allowed to enter until 4:30 pm.
Cost – $1 to $10
Visitors who come on food need to pay a 1 USD entrance fee. Self-guided audio tours cost around 4 USD. If you are visiting Diamond Head with your own vehicle, you will need to pay around 5 USD for parking.Prices for helicopter tours vary.
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
The trail up to the summit of the Diamond Head Crater is 760 feet, so it will take a while to complete. You may also decide to spend time in the shops at the top of the crater before heading back down.Website: www.pacifichistoricparks.orgAddress: 18th Ave., Waikiki.
3. Waikiki Beach – Child-Friendly
No Hawaiian vacation is complete without a trip to the world-famous Waikiki beach.Waikiki is a bustling neighborhood in Honolulu and possibly one of the biggest tourist attractions in Hawaii. It is filled with restaurants, theaters, museums, markets, resorts, and shops where tourists can find souvenirs and surfboards. In the springtime, Waikiki plays host to the Honolulu Festival.Waikiki is especially famous for its spectacularly beautiful sandy beach. The two-mile-long strip is made up of several smaller beaches that are dotted across the island’s south shore, right next to Diamond Head. The water is bright blue, and tall palm trees are scattered all over the beach. The waves are fairly gentle, making it perfect for visitors and locals to enjoy swimming, modern surfing, boogie boarding, and even canoeing. The beach is also home to some green sea turtles and tropical fish, making it the ideal spot for snorkeling.Waikiki Beach is also the perfect place to watch Honolulu’s beautiful sunsets.Since it’s located close to the city center, it’s easily accessible by bus or the Waikiki trolley. While the parking may be limited, visitors can easily park on one of the nearby streets or at the Honolulu Zoo. Waikiki Beach is open at all hours.
Keep In Mind Occasionally, Waikiki Beach is home to jellyfish. The beach posts regular warnings when they are present, but keep an eye out while swimming or snorkeling.The beach also tends to become crowded because it is one of the most popular Honolulu attractions.
Cost – Free
There is no entry fee to access the beach, and it is open to anyone.
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Waikiki Beach is perfect for spending hours tanning and swimming. On the western side of the beach, families will find the secluded Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, which is perfect for young children who want to go swimming.Website: dlnr.hawaii.govAddress: Kalakaua Blvd, Waikiki.
More Things To Do In Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Waikiki Aquarium – Child-Friendly
Cost – $0 to $12
Time – Spend 1 Hour
Website: www.waikikiaquarium.orgAddress: 2777 Kalakaua Ave., Kapi‘olani Park.
5.Pearl Harbor and Pacific Aviation Museum – Historical Site, Museum
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.nps.govAddress: 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu.
6.Manoa Falls – Natural Wonder, Hiking
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov Address: End of Manoa Road, Honolulu.
7.Ala Moana Center – Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.alamoanacenter.comAddress: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu.
8.Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture, and Design – Museum, Adults-Only
Cost – $25
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.shangrilahawaii.org Address: 4055 Papu Circle, Waikiki.
9.Honolulu Museum of Art – Museum, Child-Friendly
Cost – $20
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.honolulumuseum.org Address: 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu.
10.Koko Crater Trail – Hiking
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: 7602-7604 Koko Head Park Road, Honolulu.
11. Kuhio Beach Park – Child-friendly
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: 2453 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki.
12.Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve – Natural Wonder
Cost – 25 USD
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: 100 Hanauma Bay Drive, ueber Kalanianaole Highway.
13.The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum – Museum, Child-Friendly
Cost – $25
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.bishopmuseum.orgAddress: 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu.
14.USS Battleship Missouri Memorial – Historical Site
Cost – $30
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: ussmissouri.org Address: 63 Cowpens St., Honolulu.
15.Chinatown – Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Address: 1199 Dillingham Blvd. Ste.,Honolulu.
16.USS Bowfin Submarine Museum – Historical Site, Museum
Cost – Varies depending on tour
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.bowfin.org Address: 11 Arizona Memorial Dr., Honolulu.
17.Polynesian Cultural Center – Museum, Cultural Landmark
Cost – Varies depending on package
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.polynesia.com Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy Laie, Honolulu.
18.Shark’s Cove – Snorkeling
Cost – Varies depending on tour
Time – Spend 2 to 3 Hours
Website: dlnr.hawaii.gov Address: Shark’s Cove, Pupukea.
19.Honolulu Zoo – Child-Friendly
Cost – Up to $19 USD
Time – Spend 2 to 3 Hours
Website: www.honoluluzoo.org Address: Cnr. of Kapahulu Ave. and Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki.
20.Halona Blowhole – Natural Wonder, Hiking
Cost – Free
Time – Spend less than 1 Hour
Address: 8699 State Hwy 72, Honolulu.
21.Honolulu Botanical Gardens – Natural Wonder, Child-Friendly
Cost – Varies between Botanical Gardens
Time – Spend Half-Day
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: Foster Botanical Garden – 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu.Address: Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden – 123 N. Kuakini St., Honolulu.Address: Koko Crater Botanical Garden – 7491 Kokonani St., Honolulu.
22.Corsair Wreck Dive Site – Historical Site, Snorkeling
Cost – Varies depending on tour
Time – Spend Half-Hour
Location: 30 Mins. south of Waikiki.
23.Aloha Tower – Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 2 to 3 Hours
Website: alohatower.com Address: 155 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu.
24.Magic Island – Child-Friendly
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Address: 1365 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu.
25.Kaka’ako – Neighborhood, Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: ourkakaako.com Address: 602 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu.
26.Royal Hawaiian Center – Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 2 to 3 Hours
Website: www.royalhawaiiancenter.com Address: 2201 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu.
27.Waiola Shave Ice – Dining, Child-Friendly
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend less than 1 Hour
https://www.instagram.com/waiolashaveice/?hl=en Address: 2135 Waiola St, Honolulu. and 3113 Mokihana St, Honolulu.
28.Kualoa Ranch – Natural Wonder
Cost – Varies depending on tour
Time – Spend 3 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.kualoa.com Address: 9-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe.
29.KCC Farmer’s Market – Shopping
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: hfbf.org Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu.
30.Honolulu Beerworks – Adults-Only, Dining
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.honolulubeerworks.com Address: 328 Cooke St., Honolulu.
31.Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail – Hiking
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: dlnr.hawaii.gov Address: Kalanianaole Hwy. 72, Oahu.
32.National Memorial Cemetery of The Pacific – Historical Site, Museum
Cost – Free admission
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.nps.govAddress: 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu.
33.Oahu Dolphin Quest – Diving, Child-Friendly
Cost – Varies depending on program
Time – Varies depending on program
Website: dolphinquest.comAddress: Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu.
34.Sans Souci Beach Park – Snorkeling, Child-Friendly
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Address: 2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu.
35.Kapi’olani Regional Park – Natural Wonder
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 1 to 2 Hours
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: 3840 Paki Ave, Honolulu.
36.Sea Life Park – Child-Friendly
Cost – $40
Time – Spend Full Day
Website: www.sealifeparkhawaii.comAddress: 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy 7, Waimanalo.
37.Lanikai Beach – Child-Friendly
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Address: Kailua, Oahu.
38.Statue of Duke Kahanamoku – Cultural Landmark, Historical Site
Cost – Free
Time – Spend less than 1 Hours
Website: www.publicartinpublicplaces.infoAddress: Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu.
39.Kailua Beach – Child-Friendly
Cost – Free
Time – Spend 2 Hours to Half-Day
Website: www.honolulu.govAddress: 526 Kawailoa Road, Honolulu.
40.Nu’uanu Pali Lookout Point – Hiking, Natural Wonder
Cost – 7 USD
Time – 1 to 2 Hours
website: dlnr.hawaii.govAddress: Nuuanu Pali Dr, Kaneohe.
