HONOLULU TRAVEL GUIDE
45 Things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii
Places to See in Honolulu, Hawaii
WAIKIKI BEACH
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Once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki Beach is now full of shops, restaurants, and luxury boutiques. Overlooking the serene waves are lines of luxury hotels, fit to make any trip memorable. Popular activities on the beach include surfing and sailing.
DUKE PAOA KAHANAMOKU LAGOON
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The Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon is a man-made beach named after Olympic swimming gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku. It is owned by Hilton Hotels and features a state-of-the-art water circulation system for the cleanest water possible. While enjoying this relaxing lagoon, one can lounge around on beach chairs, sleep beneath the palm trees, or relax in the tranquil water.
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USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL & PEARL HARBOR
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Pearl Harbor is a place known to all because of the horrific acts that occurred there. To remember it, the National Park Service has created the USS Arizona Memorial. Visitors will board a ship for a short trip to the memorial, where a self-guided tour of the ship is available. While admission is free, there are a limited amount of tickets so reserving tickets in advance is ideal.
Museums & Art
Enjoy different species of fish at Waikiki Aquarium
Explore Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art
Drive to Sea Life Park Hawaii (17 miles from Honolulu center)
Visit Bishop Museum
Admire the beauty of art at Honolulu Museum of Art
Visit Hawaii State Art Museum
Take pictures of the Aloha Tower
See the Kamehameha Statues
See the Lyon Arboretum
Nature & Parks
Visit Nu’uanu Pali Lookout (Nu’uanu Pali is just 15 minutes drive from the center of Honolulu)
Go up the Manoa Falls Trail
Go to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Walk up the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
Stroll through Moanalua Gardens
Enjoy the Kapiolani Park
Visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Waikiki Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Hawaii, Waikiki Beach is known for its world-class restaurants, stores, and resorts. The waves themselves are ideal for a lesson in surfing or paddle boarding. Waikiki actually means “Spouting waters” in the Hawaiian language.
Sans Souci Beach, Waikiki
Close to Waikiki Beach, Sans Souci Beach has white sands and fewer crowds than most beaches in the area. Generally, the waves are calm so it is a great place for stand-up paddling. Another of Honolulu’s beautiful beaches, one can see residents running through the area early in the morning, admiring the beautiful setting.
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is one of the best places for snorkeling. You can rent snorkel gear form the visitor center at Hanauma Bay, but it might be cheaper to rent the gear from snorkel shops in Honolulu center as those shops will be cheaper than Hanauma Bay visitor center.
Baby Makapu’u, Waimanalo
Baby Makapu’u is a lesser known beach in the area. It has smaller waves and is thus less intimidating. There are also tidepools, stunning mountains around the area, and picturesque islands on the horizon.
Queens Beach
Queens Beach is a serene beach that faces Honolulu Zoo and sits on the other side of Waikiki Wall, adjacent to Kuhio Beach. Millenials love this beach and enjoy the unobstructed waves that whip the shores.
Ala Moana Beach Park
The Ala Moana Beach Park is not only a beautiful man-made beach but perfect for a picnic. The area has large grassy fields, palm trees, tables, and barbecue areas. It is common to find children playing games and tourists enjoying the sun and waves.
Kahe Point Beach
Kahe Point Beach has clear, blue water and a large fish population. Thus, snorkeling and SCUBA is very popular at the beach. Some of the animals that can be seen include parrotfish, mackerels, spinner dolphins, and even green sea turtles.
Kuhio Beach
Kuhio Beach is a popular beach known for traditional torch lighting and hula dancing shows. The beach is also home to three landmarks: the Stones of Kapaemahu, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and the statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole (1822-1922). Kuhio Beach is located at 2453 Kalakaua Avenue, near Waikiki wall.
Kuhio Beach Park in Waikiki
Kuhio Beach Park is a public park on the coast where residents and tourists alike congregate to enjoy the relaxing environment and the semi-protected waters. This area is home to several annual surfing competitions.
Places to Shop in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Royal Hawaiian Center
The Royal Hawaiian Center is an outdoor mall where one can find the most upscale brands, including Rolex, Kate Spade, Ferrari, Forever 21, and Tourneau. The center spans 3 blocks on the beach side of Waikiki’s main street, Kalakaua Avenue. It is open daily from 10:00 to 10:00.
Ala Moana Center
The Ala Moana Center is an open-air shopping center, in fact, it is the world’s largest. With over 350 shops and restaurants, there will be something there for everyone. Adjacent to the Ala Moana Beach Park, the mall is open 9:30 to 9:00 (10:00 to 7:00 on Sundays).
Chinatown
The Chinatown Historic District is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States and is known for its large Chinese-American population and influence. Around 15 minutes west of Waikiki, one can find exotic fruits, strange seafood, and incredible temples.
The Waikiki Shopping Plaza
The Waikiki Shopping Plaza contains six floors of office, dining, and retail locations. A must-see for any visitor, the site contains ample parking and many exclusive shops. Across from the Royal Hawaiian Center, the Waikiki Shopping Plaza prides itself on its world-class dining options. The Plaza is open 9:30 to 10:00.
International Market Place
The International Market Place is a key center of diversity, one can find everything from clothing to bags to home decor to electronics to accessories. The Market, like many of Honolulu’s largest shopping areas, is found on Kalakaua Avenue. The market is open 10:00 to 10:00.
Kahala Mall
The Kahala Mall is an enclosed shopping mall on the east side of the city. It is a key point on TheBus routes so it is easy to get to. Many stores and restaurants are inside the mall, including California Pizza Kitchen, Claire’s, Whole Foods Market, and many more. The mall is open 10:00 to 9:00.
Ward Village
Ward Village is not just a community, but a vibrant center for shopping and entertainment. Aside from its 130 stores and 40 dining areas, the village has a 16 screen movie theater for guests to enjoy themselves at. The village is near the coast, right next to the Ala Moana Beach Park.
Hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii
Restaurants Serving Traditional Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
RESTAURANTS TO VISIT
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Helena’s Hawaiian Food: A famous location with homestyle Hawaiian-style foods. Cash Only.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar: Perfect for happy hour or late night dining, enjoy a beautiful view of the city from their rooftop dining area.
House Without a Key: Aside from the traditional food and cocktails, patrons can enjoy live Hawaiian music and dancing.
TRADITIONAL FOOD TO TRY
Poke: Poke is a salad created with chunks of raw fish. Not only is it delicious, it is a way of life to Hawaiian natives.
Croissada: A mix between a croissant and a malasada, this Hawaiian pastry make for a perfect breakfast or dessert. This pastry was first created in Waikiki Beach.
Coconut: Coconuts, the specialty of Hawaii, are delicious. They are enjoyed by the natives and paired with many dishes.
All-Natural Shave Ice: A frozen treat iconic of the islands, this frozen treat was created from Hawaii’s history of delicious fruits and sugars.
Transportation in Honolulu, Hawaii
Airport: To reach Honolulu, a plane ride to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is recommended.
Buses: The city of Honolulu uses a system of bus transportation called TheBus. A one-way fare for an adult is $2.75 and a day pass is $5.50. Important routes are Route 22 (Beach Bus), Route 23 (Hawaii Kai / Sea Life Park), Route 57 (Kailua / Waimanalo / Sea Life Park), and Route 57A (Kailua / Enchanted Lake).
Taxis: Many taxi systems can be found in Honolulu, including TheCab, Charley’s Taxi, and even Uber Honolulu. A lot of taxis will even pick up at the airport for convenience.
Waikiki Trolley: This is a sightseeing bus that will take you to almost all the main attractions in the Waikiki area.
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