Honolulu packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a compact coastal city. You can snorkel a volcanic crater in the morning, tour a royal palace at midday, hike to a 300,000-year-old volcanic tuff cone in the afternoon, and watch hula under the stars at sunset , all within 15 kilometers of Waikiki. Here are the best things to do, with practical details for each.
Things to Do in Honolulu: Iconic Landmarks and History
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial, visited by 1.8 million people annually, is Honolulu’s most-visited site. Entry to the memorial is free but requires a timed ticket reserved at recreation.gov , book 8 weeks in advance (tickets release at 7 AM HST, 60 days out) or arrive by 7 AM for the 1,300 same-day walk-up tickets. The experience includes a 23-minute documentary, then a Navy-operated boat ride to the memorial built over the sunken battleship. Combine it with the Battleship Missouri (where Japan surrendered in 1945, US$35) and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (US$26) on Ford Island. Allow 4 to 6 hours for the full experience. No bags of any kind are allowed inside , lockers cost US$7 at the entrance. Open daily 7 AM to 5 PM, closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Located at 1 Arizona Memorial Place, about 10 km northwest of Waikiki. TheBus routes 20 and 42 connect from Waikiki (US$3, 45 minutes).
Iolani Palace
The only royal palace on US soil, built in 1882 by King David Kalakaua. The palace had electricity and telephones before the White House did. Guided tours (US$27, 60-90 minutes) take you through the throne room, dining room, and the room where Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned after the 1893 overthrow. Audio tours are available in English, Japanese, Hawaiian, Spanish, German, Korean, and Mandarin (US$20). The basement gallery displays the crown jewels and royal regalia. Open Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM; closed Sundays. Located at 364 S King Street in downtown Honolulu. Dress respectfully , no swimwear or bare feet. Book tickets at iolanipalace.org at least a week ahead, as tours often sell out.
Bishop Museum
Hawaii’s largest museum, housing the world’s largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts (over 25 million items). The Hawaiian Hall, housed in a three-story Victorian building, covers Hawaiian history from pre-contact through the monarchy era. The planetarium runs daily shows on Polynesian wayfinding and navigation (included with admission). Admission: US$29 for adults, US$20 for children 4-17. Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, about 8 km from Waikiki (TheBus routes 2 or 13, US$3). Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum.
Things to Do in Honolulu: Outdoor Adventures
Diamond Head (Leahi) Summit Trail
Honolulu’s most recognizable landmark is a 300,000-year-old volcanic tuff cone. The 2.6-km (1.6-mile) round-trip trail gains 171 meters (560 feet) and takes 45 to 90 minutes. The path includes a 68-meter tunnel and two staircases (74 steps, then 99 steps) before emerging at the summit with panoramic views from Koko Head to the Waianae Range. Entry is US$5 per person (US$10 per vehicle if driving). Reservations are now required for non-residents at gostateparks.hawaii.gov , book up to 14 days ahead. Open 6 AM to 4 PM (gate closes at 6 PM). Go early (6 AM) to beat the heat and crowds; the trail has no shade. Bring 1 liter of water per person. Parking fills by 8 AM , take TheBus route 23 from Waikiki (US$3) or walk from the east end of Waikiki (30 minutes uphill).
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
A volcanic crater breached by the ocean, now a sheltered marine sanctuary with calm, shallow water and over 400 species of fish. Entry is US$25 for visitors 13 and older (free for Hawaii residents and children under 13). All first-time visitors must watch a 9-minute orientation video. Reservations are required and release 48 hours in advance at 7 AM HST via honolulu.gov/parks , they sell out within 5 to 10 minutes. Open Wednesday through Sunday 6:45 AM to 4 PM; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Snorkel rental on-site: US$20 for a mask, snorkel and fins. Parking is US$3. Arrive for the 7:30 AM slot for the best visibility and fewest crowds. Water visibility is clearest in the morning before trade winds pick up. Do not step on or touch the coral , fines start at US$500.
Manoa Falls Trail
A lush 2.6-km (1.6-mile) round-trip hike through bamboo groves and tropical rainforest to a 45-meter (150-foot) waterfall. The trail is muddy year-round , wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty and bring mosquito repellent (DEET 30%+ recommended). The hike takes 60 to 90 minutes. Free entry, but parking at the Paradise Park lot costs US$7. Located at the end of Manoa Road, a 15-minute drive from Waikiki (TheBus route 5 to Manoa Valley, then walk 20 minutes uphill). Do not swim under the falls , leptospirosis bacteria is present in freshwater streams throughout Hawaii. Open sunrise to sunset. Go early (before 9 AM) for parking and to avoid the crowds that arrive by 10 AM.
Waikiki Beach and Surfing
The 3-km (2-mile) crescent of Waikiki Beach is actually several connected beaches: Kahanamoku Beach (calmest, by the Hilton lagoon), Royal Hawaiian Beach (central, in front of the pink hotel), Kuhio Beach (best for families, with a low sea wall creating a calm pool), and Queens Surf Beach (slightly quieter at the Diamond Head end). Surf lessons on Waikiki’s gentle rollers cost US$50 to US$125 for a 90-minute group lesson; try Big Wave Dave Surf Co or Ohana Surf Project. Board rental alone is US$20 to US$30 per hour. The surf breaks at Waikiki are ideal for beginners , waves average 0.5 to 1.5 meters with long, rolling rides. Catamaran rides off the beach start at US$35 for a 90-minute sail with drinks (book at the beach kiosks near Duke’s statue). The Duke Kahanamoku statue on Kuhio Beach is the most photographed spot in Hawaii.
Things to Do in Honolulu: Cultural Activities and Local Experiences
Kualoa Ranch
A 1,600-hectare (4,000-acre) private nature reserve on Oahu’s windward coast, about 40 minutes from Waikiki. The ranch has served as the filming location for Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Lost, Hawaii Five-0, and over 200 other productions. Tour options include the US$52 Hollywood Movie Sites Tour (90 minutes, by bus), the US$52 Jungle Expedition (90 minutes, by open-air Jeep), and the US$145 UTV Raptor Tour (2 hours, driving your own ATV through movie locations). Zip-line tours (US$60-180) cross Ka’a’awa Valley with ocean views. Book at kualoa.com at least a week ahead; UTV tours routinely sell out 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Located at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe. Open daily 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The ranch shuttle from Waikiki is US$15 round-trip.
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
Hawaii’s largest fine arts museum houses over 50,000 works spanning Asian, European, American, and Hawaiian art. The collection is particularly strong in Japanese woodblock prints and Chinese ceramics. The museum’s open-air courtyards and cafe make a pleasant midday break from the Waikiki sun. Admission: US$20 for adults, free for ages 18 and under. Open Thursday through Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM (Friday until 9 PM). Located at 900 S Beretania Street. TheBus routes 1 and 2 from Waikiki (US$3, 20 minutes). The Doris Duke Theatre on-site screens independent and international films.
KCC Farmers Market
The best farmers market on Oahu, held every Saturday from 7:30 AM to 11 AM at Kapiolani Community College (4303 Diamond Head Road), just 2 km east of Waikiki. Over 80 vendors sell local produce, fresh poke bowls, fried green tomatoes, grilled abalone, Kona coffee, and lilikoi butter. Come hungry , this is where Honolulu’s chefs do their Saturday shopping. Arrive by 8 AM to beat the longest lines at popular stands like PacifiKool (ginger lemonade) and Hawaiian Aroma Caffe. Bring cash, though many vendors now take cards. Parking is free but limited. TheBus route 23 from Waikiki stops directly at KCC.
Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail
For more on planning your trip to Honolulu, see our month-by-month weather breakdown, best time to visit guide, annual events and festivals, neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide, where to stay by area and budget, practical travel tips, and complete Honolulu travel guide.
A 3.2-km (2-mile) round-trip paved trail on the southeastern tip of Oahu, about 25 minutes drive from Waikiki. The gradual climb gains 150 meters (500 feet) and takes about 1 hour round-trip. From the top, you can see the red-roofed Makapuu Lighthouse (built 1909), Molokai and Lanai islands on clear days, and during whale season (December to April) this is one of the best shore-based whale watching spots in Hawaii. Free entry and free parking. Bring water and sun protection , there is zero shade on the trail. Combine this with a swim at Makapuu Beach (strong shorebreak, experienced swimmers only) or the calmer tide pools at the base of the cliffs.
