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Bucket List: Tourist Attractions and Best Things to Do in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii. It is the main entry point for most visitors to the state. It is easily accessible by direct flights from North America, Asia, and various destinations around the South Pacific. The city is a major tourist destination, with visitors from around the world drawn by its beaches and tropical climate. There are many things to do in Honolulu that will make your trip memorable.
Best Things to do in Honolulu Photo by Kekai AhSam on Unsplash
Top 10 things to do in Honolulu
Explore Pearl Harbor
This is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii, and it is called Pearl Harbor because of the numerous pearls that were once harvested from its depths. It is an active naval base, and it is home to several attractions that are part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument. You can also go to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you will learn about the tragic 1941 attack and other aspects of the harbor’s natural and military history.
Have fun at Waikiki
This is located on the southern shore of Honolulu and is famous for its high-end resorts, shopping, entertainment, and dining; the neighborhood also has a stunning beach for relaxing. Visiting Waikiki is one of the top things to do in Honolulu. You should also see the Royal Hawaiian Center and International Marketplace, tourist hotspots. There are many restaurants and boutiques along Kuhio and Kalakaua Avenues. The area also has vibrant nightlife, with cafes and nightly entertainment on the boardwalk.
Take up your surfboards and hit the waves
One of the top things to do in Honolulu, and your trip will not be complete in this fun-loving, surf-mad capital without you trying out the most popular pastimes of locals. There are many surf spots in Honolulu that are popular worldwide and that you can visit. You can take the crashing Bowls of Ala Moana and the adjoining park, where the reefs and the sandbars provide the perfect barrels. If you are a beginner, you can try out surfing at Waikiki.
Hike up the Diamond Head State Monument
This is the most recognizable natural landmark in Hawaii, and it has a diamond head, which is how it got its name. The monument is located on the eastern portion of Waikiki’s coastline, and it was once a crucial part of the island’s coastal defense. You can hike up the steep trail to this monument, and you will see a huge lighthouse built in 1917, bunkers, and the Fire control station that controls artillery at Fort Ruger and Waikiki. You will get a panoramic view of the shoreline below from this monument.
Go sightseeing in Chinatown.
Chinatown is sandwiched between downtown and the residential area of Kalihi-Palama, and it is among the largest and most authentic Oriental districts in the United States. You will visit the Maunakea Marketplace, and the sights and smells of numerous stacks of tropical fruits and meats at Oahu Market will welcome you. You can also see impressive temples like the Japanese Shinto shrine, and you can feed your taste buds with Chinese foods at various restaurants.
Have fun at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
The bay was formed in the crater of an ancient volcano and was a popular snorkeling destination before it was polluted and damaged by overuse. The restoration efforts that began in 1990 brought the bay back to its former glory, and you can enjoy the reef and the diverse aquatic fauna there. The number of visitors here is limited, and you will be required to watch an educational video to ensure that, while you are there, you do not harm the reef and its ecosystem.
Visit Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
This is one of the top things to do in Honolulu; you will see the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the museum’s main attraction. The museum’s highlight is the ceramic art, tile-work which includes medieval Persian examples. You will also get to see textiles, glass, wood, and decorative objects from Spain, India, the Middle East, and Asia. The museum collection is up to 2,500 pieces.
Go sightseeing at Iolani Palace
This is an ancestral home of the Kalakaua Dynasty, located in downtown Honolulu. You will love the unique architecture and design of this Neoclassical building, which contrasts with the modern facilities. The palace was built by David Kalakaua, who traveled across Asia, Europe, and Africa to find inspiration for it. The exhibitions in the museum feature the personal collections of Queen Liliuokalani and King Kalakaua, along with military artifacts and regular performances by the royal bands.
Visit Bishop Museum and Planetarium
This is a state museum that homes one of the best collections of Polynesian arts and artifacts in the state. The permanent exhibits in the museum are kahills and Hawaiian feathered capes and helmets. The museum’s first floor is dedicated to Kai Akea, a world of Hawaiian legend. The other area of the museum focuses on the region’s natural history and collections of artifacts from the South Pacific and objects that were brought by the Japanese, Korean, German, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, and other early settlers.
Explore the Mission Houses Museum
This museum will see three historical properties from the early 19th century. The homes were listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it documents the lives and living conditions of the early missionaries. The properties are the oldest Western-style buildings that are still standing, and they are the Mission House, Chamberlain House, and the printing works built by Levi Chamberlain.
Go swimming with the sharks in the Pacific
If you want an adrenaline-pumping adventure, swimming with the sharks is suitable for you. You will go on a trip to the roaring swells off the northern coast, where shark sightings are common. You will be inside a secure steel cage that will be lowered into the water, and you will get to watch different species of sharks, such as grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, sandbar sharks, and Galapagos sharks. You will get to see rare green sea turtles and, if you are lucky, colossal humpback whales.
Visit the USS Bowfin
This museum offers a glimpse into the lives of US seamen during the years of conflict from 1942 to 1945 and the Korean War. This is not a place to miss, as you will walk through the mess rooms and corridors and visit the onboard living quarters and control rooms, all with the aid of a recorded audio guide. You will also see the memorial to all American submariners who lost their lives during World War II.
Go on a walk on the Koko Crater Trail.
You can go on a walking trail at the southern fringes of the city as you go up the volcanic foothills of the Ko’olau Mountains and above the waters of the stunning Hanauma Bay. You will get a glimpse of the rugged backcountry of the Aloha State as you walk the streets of Portlock. You will get a 360-degree view of the south-eastern Oahu coast if you follow the disused train tracks, climb the ridges, and weave back through the scrublands and rocks.
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
This is the most visited tourist attraction in Hawaii and is among the sites that make up the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Pearl Harbor. You will get a free tour of the memorial, which will begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you will watch a film about the attack and its historical context before boarding the U.S. Navy boat and being taken to the memorial. You will then get to see the names of all who lost their lives when the ship was bombed.
Tour the Honolulu Beerworks
You should visit the Honolulu Beerworks, which brings the island’s numerous communities together with hops and barley creations. The brewery is located in the industrial depot between the streets of the stylish and edgy neighborhood of Kaka’ako. The tour’s highlight is the tasting room, which fuses the salt-washed character of Hawaii’s surfer shack with a vibrant artsy vibe. You can try out the various beers, and there are diners with Italian-style hoagies and Pacific salmon-packed taro buns.
Our Top Hotel Picks for Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu Travel and Tour Packages
iVenture Honolulu Flexi Attractions Pass
- Enter your choice of 3 or 5 top Honolulu attractions, including Kualoa Ranch, a volcano tour, and a catamaran cruise.
- Have an extended selection of water activities, guided tours, and museums.
- A free, handy color guide with helpful information on participating attractions comes with the card.
Honolulu is filled with tourist attractions and activities you can try, and you will love the weather, which will keep you here for a long time.
Find Hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to your budget via Agoda.
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