Honolulu has it all ─ incredible beaches, fascinating museums, serene seaside parks, bustling business streets, and world-class waterfront restaurants. To know where to go and what to see, check out our guide to the best things to do in Honolulu!
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The 9 Best Things To Do In Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu Museum Of Art
Honolulu Museum Of Art or HoMa is home to the art and education of the local community. There are a few tours you can take here: Highlights Tour and Tour & Talk Story (Ephemeral Bloom or Music & Painting). Explore the most popular works, unique fall exhibitions, and iconic paintings with music playing in the background.
Address: 900 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
Ala Moana Beach Park
This gorgeous public beach park is located between Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Its main highlight is the long golden sand beach with shady trees in the background. There’s also a tennis court, picnic tables, and a yacht club.
Address: 1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial
Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial to learn more about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into World War II. The museum and the grounds are free to enter, but USS Arizona Memorial Program has a non-refundable $1 reservation fee. The programs run every 30 minutes, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. It’s highly recommended you book your tickets at recreation.gov.
Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is the most popular beach in Honolulu. It’s well-equipped with bathrooms, showers, lifeguard stations, restaurants, and parking spots. An excellent location for surfing, snorkeling, and paddle boarding!
Recommended Read: The 5 Best Hotels In Waikiki, Hawaii
Kuhio Beach Park
Kuhio is a small sheltered beach park that’s great for families. It’s an extension of Waikiki Beach, situated between the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Kapahulu Groin. Visitors can enjoy the beach and view three interesting landmarks: the Prince Kuhio Statue, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and the Stones of Kapaemahu.
Downtown Honolulu
If you’re visiting Honolulu for the first time, you cannot miss Downtown Honolulu. Even though it’s a bustling business area home to tall skyscrapers, it boasts several important landmarks – ʻIolani Palace, the Kawaiahaʻo Church, the King Kamehameha I statue, and the Aloha Tower. Downtown Honolulu also has a lot of good waterfront restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.
Recommended Read: A Guide To Downtown Honolulu, HI
Koko Crater Botanical Garden
Located within the Koko Crater, this botanical garden features rare and endangered dryland plants. View Plumeria groves, African, Hawaiian, and Madagascan plants, dryland palms, cactuses, and succulents. The garden is open daily and admission is free!
Tips: bring water and wear appropriate walking shoes
Address: 7491 Kokonani St, Honolulu, HI 96825, United States
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hanauma Bay is a marine embayment in the Hawaii Kai district of Honolulu. A must-visit location for snorkeling and scuba diving. Spectacular coral reefs provide a habitat for a variety of marine life including tropical fish and green sea turtles. Sometimes, colossal humpback whales can also be spotted here.
Address: 100 Hanauma Bay Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Honolulu Zoo
Honolulu Zoo is built on the royal Queen Kapiʻolani Park and features over 1,200 animals. See black rhinos, tortoises, lizards, African wild dogs, Asian elephants, spider monkeys, giraffes, hippos, tigers, and more. Check out their special events schedule before you go!
Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Honolulu?
Here’s a list of the best attractions to visit in Honolulu:
- Honolulu Museum Of Art;
- Ala Moana Beach Park;
- Pearl Harbor And USS Arizona Memorial;
- USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park;
- Waikiki Beach;
- Downtown Honolulu;
- Kuhio Beach Park;
- Koko Crater Botanical Garden;
- Hanauma Bay;
- Honolulu Zoo;
- Diamond Head.
What are the names of the seven main Hawaiian islands?
Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau.
Are 5 days enough in Honolulu?
Yes, 5 days are enough to explore Honolulu.
What is Oahu’s North Shore famous for?
Surfing, snorkeling, and beautiful beaches.
Where to learn more about Hawaiian culture?
Paradise Cove Luau, Nutridge Luau, and Polynesian Cultural Center Luau are the perfect places to learn more about Hawaiian culture.
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