Located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu blends exquisite natural beauty with spirited nightlife, fascinating history, awesome shopping and delectable dining - an exciting package that promises an extraordinary vacation! Your time in this gorgeous destination can be as laidback or as chock-a-block as you want, it all depends on you! You can learn more about the island’s culture and history by visiting attractions like the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, or you can go snorkelling/swimming in Hawaii’s famed clear blue waters. Or explore luxuriant parks of the city and natural wonders like the Diamond Head. So much to see, so little time! Well, there are, however, some things that are simply unmissable on our list of must-dos that will give you the definitive Hawaii experience so be sure to add them to your itinerary! So here are the top things to do in Honolulu.
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1. Take a tour of the Honolulu Museum of Art
This community museum is so much more than a collection of art pieces. It serves as a great cultural hub for meeting new people and exchanging thoughts and ideas with them. For history buffs, there is a manga exhibition about Japanese Americans during the Second World War. Hand-drawn sketches from a famous book are featured in the exhibition which is truly one of its kind.
You can also be a part of HoMA Nights which is held on Fridays and Saturdays. Apart from nibbling on tasty munchies and cocktails at the open-air café and coffee bar, visitors can enjoy making art in Kīnaʻu Courtyard studio.
Honolulu Museum of Art
Address: 900 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Website: Honolulu Museum of Art
Opening hours: Thu: 10am - 6pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed Mon through Wed)
2. Enjoy the tropical plants in Foster Botanical Garden
This beautiful garden in the middle of downtown Honolulu is a vision for sore eyes. The calming ambience offers a delightful change from the daily grind.
Resting on a sprawling area of 14 acres (5.67 hectares), the garden impresses its visitors with an impressive collection of tropical plants. Some of the ancient trees in the garden are as old as time. Planted in the 1850s by Dr. William Hillebrand, the heritage trees wow us with their supreme magnificence. While there are group tours for school children, you can also sign up for a self-guided tour that helps visitors explore the garden at their own pace.
Foster Botanical Garden
Address: 180 N Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States
Website: Foster Botanical Garden
Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)
3. Hike along the Manoa Falls Trail
This 0.8-mile (1.29-kilometre) trail passes through a shipping container and opens out into a green lush field. The field then reaches a wood footbridge and you can enjoy hiking through the grove of Eucalyptus trees. A freshwater pool in the midst of a flourishing rainforest leads to a magical tree tunnel. Gravelled steps take you to the corner from where you can witness the enchanting waterfall. A few more steps lead you to the viewing area that is contained by a rock wall. Visitors are advised to not go beyond this wall.
You can venture out further if you would like which then would lead you to the Aihualama Trail. It is approximately 100 feet (30.48 metres) away from the viewing area on Manoa Falls Trail. This one particularly is only for experienced hikers and offers views of Honolulu and Manoa Valley.
Manoa Falls Trail
Address: Na Ala Hele, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
Website: Manoa Falls Trail
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
4. Go on this bold parasailing adventure
This hour-long parasailing adventure takes off from Waikiki and flies 500 feet (152.40 metres) above the coast of Oahu. You need no prior experience for this adventure.
This one is located on Ala Moana Street. The booth has a jet ski attached to its top with a parasail flag. You can buckle into the harness and take off from the boat to enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views of Diamond Head and the south shore of Oahu on this adventurous parasail flight.
Book Tours : Honolulu Xtreme Parasail
5. Be mesmerised with the natural wonder of the Spitting Caves
On the majestic island of Oahu in Hawaii, the Spitting Caves, which is also known as the China Wall, is a marvel to behold. The caves are counted as one of the top tourist attractions in Honolulu and the natural wonder is located on Lumahai Street. These unique caves get their name from the fact that they spit back out the water that rushes inside them. The water then gushes out with a mighty force and a rainbow is often visible in the end.
Tourists who visit the caves are advised to exercise caution when they walk down the steep hill to get to the caves.
Spitting Caves
Address: 7 Lumahai St, Honolulu, HI 96825, United States
Website: Spitting Caves
Opening hours: open 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. See stunningly beautiful street art in Kakaako
The incredible art you see in the streets of Kakaako is truly one-of-a-kind and is something that will leave you spellbound. Vivid and vibrant, these murals are a real testament to the remarkable talent of the artists. From fantasy to local culture, the murals, created by a global community of artists. are diverse yet each one of them is arresting in its own way. Use the murals map on Pow! Wow! Hawaii’s website to find your way as the art is spread out through the streets of the district.
PowWowHawaii Murals
Address: 327 Lana Ln, Honolulu, HI 96813
Website: PowWowHawaii Murals
7. Learn about the first Hawaiians at the Honolulu's Bishop Museum
With informative and imaginative exhibits, the Bishop Museum makes learning about Polynesian history and Hawaiian culture a fun experience. A wide range of Hawaiian artefacts and royalty heirlooms are on display giving a wonderful window into the life of Hawaiians through the ages. The museum’s science centre features several fascinating exhibits such as the thought-provoking Wayfinders show. Don’t miss the highlight - the centre has an exhibit where a volcano “erupts” twice a day to show how islands are formed from the lava that flows down the mountains.
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Address: 525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI
Website: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm (daily)
Price: 24.95 USD (Adults)
8. Hike atop a massive crater at Diamond Head
This bike ride offers a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Honolulu up close. In this four-hour ride, you will go past numerous landmarks like Doris Duke’s mansion and the WWI Natatorium Memorial and enjoy gorgeous vistas as you head towards Diamond Head Crater, a dead volcano crater. You’ll spend some time at a secluded green-sand beach near Diamond Head taking Instagram-worthy shots and enjoying a packed lunch, before heading back.
Book Tours : Diamond Head Bike to Hike and Local Lunch
9. Chow down on kalbi at Budnamujip - a Korean barbecue joint
Surprised to see a Korean dining establishment listed here? Well, Budnamujip is no ordinary restaurant. It is the only US branch of a famed restaurant in Seoul. Completely authentic in taste and experience, the Korean dishes you’ll find here are cooked to perfection. The restaurant’s galbi tang (Korean short rib soup) is not to be missed. Although a bit on the pricey side, a meal here is a must if you’re a fan of Korean cuisine.
Budnamujip
Address: 871 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu
Website: Budnamujip
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
10. Observe the sea turtles at Laniakea Beach
Laniakea Beach (aka Turtle Beach) is the resting place of the rare and endangered Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) which is a sacred symbol for the islands. It is a wonderful experience to see these gentle and majestic creatures come out of the sea to feed and bask in the sun, though not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance. Make sure you follow the instructions of the volunteers who are stationed there round-the-clock to protect the animals. The best time to sight them is said to be between 11 am – 1 pm, so plan accordingly.
Laniakea Beach
Address: 574, 61-574 Pohaku Loa Way, Haleiwa, Oahu
11. Watch surfers charge huge waves at Waimea Bay
The waves at Waimea Bay must be seen to be believed. It is a stunning sight indeed to see the absolutely monstrous waves come crashing down the beach and the surfers daringly ride them. Of course, it goes without saying that the beach is amazingly scenic and beautiful. If surfing is not for you, then you can do tons of other things – snorkelling, swimming, jumping off rocks or just walking along the Kamehameha Highway which overlooks the beach to take in stunning panoramas and unforgettable sunsets.
Waimea Bay
Address: Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Oahu
12. Shop till your feet hurt at Ala Moana Center
The Ala Moana Center is Honolulu’s shopping mecca. This open-air shopping centre boasts of nearly 300 stores. Spread over multiple floors, you’ll find shops that range from international luxury brands to quaint local stores. A large food court offers several top-class dining options. The centre’s open atrium adds charm to walking around the centre. Remember to get a map though, so you don’t get lost! The Ala Moana Shopping Trolley (the pink line trolley), which runs every 10 minutes, connects the Center with 10 other tourist destinations in Waikiki making it convenient to get around.
Ala Moana Center
Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu
Website: Ala Moana Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 9pm; Sunday: 10am - 7pm
13. Appreciate the beauty of the Kapiolani Park up close
For an epic adventure, consider a Segway tour to sightsee the landmarks and scenic views of Honolulu. In this 90-minute tour, you will glide through various lush parks of the city such as the verdant Kapiolani Park with its palm trees and gigantic banyan trees and Makalei Beach Park. Other places you will go through include Kaimana Beach, Queen’s Surf Beach and the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. You will be treated to amazing views of the sea as you ride along the shoreline promenade. You have the choice of two departure times - 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Book Tours : Kapiolani Park Glide Ride
14. Get stuffed on malasadas at Leonard's Bakery
An absolute must if you are in Oahu, Leonard’s Bakery’ malasadas are legendary for their deliciousness. If you are wondering what a malasada is, then let us explain - malasadas is a Portuguese-style doughnut without a hole in the middle. Fried to a delicious golden, the original version has no filling but other versions come with fillings such as chocolate or custard. Beware, long lines at the store are to be expected, so be ready to wait before you can take a bite of this delicacy!
Leonard's Bakery
Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu
Website: Leonard’s Bakery
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5.30am- 10pm; Fri - Sat: 5.30am - 11pm
Price: 1.6 USD onwards
15. Tour the home of the last Hawaiian Queen at Iolani Palace
Tour the only royal palace of the US and get a glimpse into the history of Hawaii’s monarchy and the lives of its two major monarchs. Carefully restored, this landmark in downtown Honolulu is breathtakingly in its lavish beauty and gorgeous interiors. The palace also holds decorations and memorabilia that King Kalakaua acquired during his global tour, the first by any monarch.
Enjoy 'the Gathering Place' to the fullest
Exploring all of Hawaii is simply impossible. So prioritise and pick a few islands to concentrate on. In cities like Honolulu, combo tours can help cover maximum ground. But the most important thing? Don’t forget to enjoy the captivating beaches and sunsets!
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