Things to Do in Hawaii

Choose from 196 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii

Anaehoomalu Bay

This popular stretch of Kohala Coast beach, commonly called A-Bay, offers beachgoers a little bit of everything needed for a fun day. Known for its fairly calm surf, Anaehoomalu Bay offers rentals of an assortment of water toys ranging from kayaks to boogie boards. It’s also a popular spot to snorkel, so if you packed your gear, bring it along. The earlier you go, the smaller the crowds. Palms trees add to the picturesque setting, framing sunset views in the evening and providing shade in the heat of the day.

The beach has a bit of a wild side when it comes to creatures you’ll see. Turtles seem to like it here just as much as people so take plenty of pictures to show everyone back home, but keep a safe distance. They enjoy relaxing on the beach just like you. You can also see a collection of feral cats that are cared for by volunteers.

Practical Info

The beach is located next to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. There’s plenty of free parking, restrooms and picnic facilities. The sand can be a bit on the rocky side, so shoes that can get wet can come in handy.

Puako, Hawaii 96738, USA

From $ 29

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

Named after Hawaii’s legendary surfer and the official “Ambassador of Aloha,” this Waikiki Beach was voted “Best Beach in America” in the 2014 rankings. Dozens of palm trees spring from the sand to provide natural shade from the sun, and young children love splashing and lounging in the protected saltwater lagoon. The ocean here isn’t nearly as busy as at the main Waikiki Beach, and since the offshore reef manages to break up the waves, inflatable rafts meant for lounging in the sun replace surfboards, SUP boards, and canoes.

When standing on the wide, white sand beach, iconic Diamond Head looms to the left on the far side of Waikiki. To the right, the Ala Wai Boat Harbor houses mariners from all across the Pacific, and the famous Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort lines the entire shoreline. The beach—as you can imagine—is very popular, so it’s a good idea to arrive early and stake out a good patch of sand. Once here, exhale deeply, slather on sunscreen, and peacefully float in the saltwater lagoon. You should also probably cancel the rest of your plans—since there’s a good chance you won’t want to leave.

Practical Info

Duke Kahanamoku Beach is the westernmost beach in Waikiki and is separate from the main Waikiki Beach, often referred to as “Canoes.” Even though the Hilton fronts the entire beach, there are a couple of public access points from Kalia Road and Pahoa Place. Parking in Waikiki can be tough, however, so visitors staying in Waikiki are better off visiting on foot. Every Friday night at 7:45pm there is a free fireworks show, and the beach shouldn’t be confused with the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, which is at nearby Kuhio Beach.

Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, USA

From $ 178

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

Hawaii is known for its tropical flowers, but the orchid isn’t one of them. At the Big Island’s Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, however, over 1,000 of these symmetrical, blossoming beauties create a vibrant greenhouse of color.

The owner of the gardens, Moriyasu Akatsuka, has been skillfully cultivating orchids for centuries here in the mountainside enclave. Considered a master of hybridization, Akatsuka creates orchids that will bloom more frequently and are unlike any others in the world. One orchid, an exceptionally rare type of Paphiopedilum, was found in Thailand and nursed back to health before being displayed here at the garden. Due to its symmetry and singular characteristics, the orchid is valued at $20,000, and travelers who visit between May and September can see it in bloom. Like many of his other unique orchids, this famous plant was given its own name and is now known as the “Volcano Queen” due to its regal home on the mountain.

While all visitors will undoubtedly be impressed by the breadth and size of this collection, orchid lovers and green thumbs will have found their favorite corner of paradise.

Practical Info

The Akatsuka Orchid Garden is 45 minutes south of Hilo in the rural town of Volcano. The showroom is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is a convenient stop when traveling between Hilo and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There is no admission fee for visiting the showroom, although guided tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays cost $35 for adults and $25 for children.

11-3051 Volcano Road, Volcano, Hawaii, USA

9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

From $ 25

Aloha Tower Marketplace

Looming large over Honolulu Harbor, the Aloha Tower complex features several buildings including a 10 story clock tower, the (now closed) Hawaii Maritime Center and several dining establishments overlooking the large wooden and permanently-stationed Falls of Clyde sailing ship. The tower, built in 1926, housed a lighthouse and its clock was one of the largest in the United States at the time. It was first structure most immigrants and visitors to Hawaii saw when their boats docked here prior to the popularization of air travel. Today, cruise ships still pull into the nook alongside the building, and, regardless of whether you arrived on one, you can take a free elevator ride to the top of the tower and lookout over downtown, Waikiki and out across the ocean. While there’s little action at the marketplace today aside from a Hooters and a Gordon Biersch restaurant, Hawaii Pacific University has plans to revitalize the area in the coming years, converting the now largely-abandoned center into meeting space, shopping, dining and even residences.

Practical Info

The Aloha Tower building is located off Ala Moana Boulevard at 1 Aloha Tower Drive in downtown Honolulu. There is a large parking lot fronting the building that has hourly and daily rates. The tower is open from approximately 9:30 a.m. until around 5 p.m.

1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96813, USA

Open daily 9:30am-5pm

From $ 25

Banyan Drive

Set back a block from Hilo’s coastline are scores of towering and sprawling banyan trees with their thick and unique trunks. Similar trees can be found throughout the state, but what makes these fifty specimens unique is their planters. Between 1933 and 1972, many famous celebrities, political figures, authors and Hawaiians personally planted or dedicated these banyan seedlings as a way to commemorate their visit or honor friends. In front of the Hilo Hawaiian hotel, a particularly large road-shading tree has a small sign indicating it was planted by George Herman “Babe” Ruth, and across Banyan Drive are trees planted by King George V, Queen Elizabeth and Richard Nixon. Other famous names visible on placards along the leafy corridor are Franklin Roosevelt, movie star Cecil B. DeMille and his wife Constance, Amelia Earhart, volcanologist Dr. Thomas Jaggar (whose name is given to the Jaggar Museum at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) and musician Louis Armstrong. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that the many of the trees here have persevered through three city-devastating tsunamis. Giant waves swept through Hilo in 1946, 1960 and 1975, and though these trees were not lost, a combined 222 people were.

Practical Info

Banyan Drive is located directly off downtown Hilo’s main drag, Kamehameha Avenue. It’s the second left turn over the bridge after Bayfront Park as you’re heading toward the airport, and across from the popular Ken’s House of Pancakes. You can also access it via Lihiwai Street. The Hilo Seaside Hotel, the Hilo Naniloa and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel are all set along Banyan Drive, which forms a loop that also holds access to Coconut Island and the Liliuokalani Gardens. The loop’s interior encloses the Naniloa Volcanoes Golf Club and it’s said that trees on the course grounds may have also had famous planters, though they do not bear plaques.

Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii, USA, USA

From $ 99

Bamboo Forest

Even in the middle of a sunny day, hikers here will often find they are strolling along in near darkness. The towering bamboo is so thick in places that it nearly blocks out the sun, and it creaks and whistles high in the branches as it blows in the East Maui wind. The dense jungle of bamboo aside, what makes this hike such a Maui favorite is the multiple waterfalls and swimming holes. Reaching the waterfalls can be treacherous, however, as the trail leading down from the highway to the falls is steep, slippery, and dirt. Even the entrance requires skirting a fence that has been cleared for easier entry, and it’s a “proceed at your own risk” type of trail that isn’t officially marked.

For those who choose to visit, however, four different waterfalls splash their way through a forest is laden with bamboo and guava. Each waterfall has a small swimming hole where you can escape the midday heat, and the bottom two falls are the most accessible for hikers who are simply visiting on their own. The uppermost falls are more difficult to reach as they require scaling ladders and ropes, and flash floods can sometimes occur in the narrow upper canyon. It’s best to only attempt these falls if visiting with a local or guide. Even only visiting the two bottom pools, however, is an enchanting tropical outing, and is a great way to get out and stretch your legs on the winding road out to Hana.

Practical Info

The Bamboo Forest is at mile marker 6.5, just past the village of Wailua. Parking is located along the mauka (mountain side) of the road, and overflow parking can be found around the bend by the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Accidents can—and do—happen when hiking along this trail, so be sure to exercise extra caution when setting out on the hike.

Pipiwai Trail, Wailua, Hawaii, USA

From $ 173

Chinaman's Hat

The islet of Mokolii, or Chinaman’s Hat, is a rugged little outpost that’s home to wedge-tailed shearwaters and occasionally explored by adventurous visitors.

Its unusual shape makes it a popular landmark to spot from panoramic viewpoints such as Kualoa Point. The fish-filled coral reefs surrounding the island are home to sharks, adding to the island’s mystery and James Bond quality.

When the tide is out you could even walk here, but it’s best to visit by kayak or boat. When you get here, you can explore sea caves or have two golden beaches all to yourself.

A 20-minute climb winds to the top of the island for great views looking back to Oahu’s Windward coast.

The conical island lies less than half a mile off the east coast of Oahu, within swimming distance of Kualoa Park on Kaneohe Bay.

To get here by car, follow the Kamehameha Highwy, 45 minutes from Honolulu.

Mokolii, Kaneohe 96755, USA

Free

From $ 48

Diamond Head

Arguably Hawaii's most well-known sight, Diamond Head Crater is more than just a famous Waikiki backdrop but also an entire attraction unto itself, featuring one of Oahu's best hikes for a panoramic view. From atop the 760-foot (231-meter) summit, visitors can gaze out from Koko Head Crater to the Honolulu skyline and down on Waikiki Beach, where surfers, paddlers, sailboats, and canoes all splash through the tropical waters.

The Basics
The Diamond Head trail is 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) round-trip, gaining over 550 feet (168 meters) from the trailhead to the summit and affording amazing views of the island and the Pacific Ocean. Unless you're trying to be the first one up to the Diamond Head summit in the morning, enjoy the hike at a steady pace and take in the views on the way—travelers usually allot one to two hours for the Diamond Head crater hike. This crater adventure is often included on Oahu city tours or circle island tours that take in a number of Hawaiian landmarks and historic sites such as Manoa Falls, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. Consider taking a guided Diamond Head tour to learn the history and local stories surrounding the popular crater.

Things to Know Before You Go

An admission fee of $5 per car or $1 per pedestrian is required.
Hiking up Diamond Head involves numerous steep stairs and isn’t accessible for travelers in wheelchairs. The trail also includes a 225-foot (68-meter) tunnel that is well lit but can feel a bit tight.
Restrooms and water are located at the trailhead, but there are no facilities on the trail.
Be sure to wear proper walking shoes.
On tours of the crater with a tour guide, hotel transport is often included and reduces the need to find parking.

How to Get There
The best way to reach Diamond Head Crater hiking trail is by foot, bike, guided tour, car, or the local bus. There is limited parking if you choose to drive; many travelers opt to take The Bus to the Diamond Head State Monument bus stop.

When to Get There
Diamond Head State Monument opens at 6am and closes at 6pm daily, with last entry at 4:30pm. Considering over 2,000 people hike up the famous volcanic crater each day, you'll never have the trail completely to yourself, unless you start your day with a race to the top. Though crowds are heavy almost every day, Tuesdays tend to be especially heavy since one of Oahu's most popular sights—Hanauma Bay—is closed. The best time to beat the heat is early in the morning, and there's usually a line in front of the gate for the 6am opening. Diamond Head tours also arrive pretty early, so hiking late in the day may sometimes help you beat the crowds. If you plan to hike up Diamond Head in winter, keep an eye out for humpback whales that leap from the waters offshore.

Diamond Head History
In Hawaiian, the mountain is known as ‘Leahi’—the name Diamond Head comes from British sailors who found calcite crystals embedded in the mountain and falsely claimed they were diamonds.

Diamond Head Road, Waikiki 96816, USA

From $ 37

Alii Kula Lavender Farm

When most people think of lavender farms, they don’t think of Hawaii. But this farm’s fragrant seaside breezes and sweeping ocean vistas might make you forget all about France and merge the colorful purple blooms forever in your mind with memories of Maui. The (relatively) tiny Alii Kula Lavender Farm welcomes visitors for daily tours of its 13.5-acre cliff-side plot sporting 45 different varieties of the calming herb. It’s location in Kula, 4,000 feet above sea level in the Island’s elevated central region, enjoys a Mediterranean climate and also grows olive trees, hydrangea, South African protea and succulents.

Explore the farm on your own via their lavender treasure hunt or take a guided walking or golf-cart property tour departing several times each day (additional costs apply). In case you needed another way to relax on Maui, the farm house’s large lanai (porch) overlooking its gardens, white gazebo and the sea provides the perfect spot to indulge in lavender tea, a pre-packed gourmet picnic lunch featuring a special lavender-infused dessert or other organic botanical products from the onsite gift shop.

Practical Info

Alii Kula Lavender Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is located at 1100 Waipoli Road—past the Kula Forest Reserve gates following the signs around the loop road. The last tour departs at 2:30pm. Golf cart tours departing twice daily ($25). General admission is $3 with discounts for Hawaii residents, military, seniors, and groups. Kids 12 and under are free.

1100 Waipoli Rd, Kula, Hawaii, USA 96790, USA

Open daily 9am-4pm

General Admission: $3; Walking Tour for Adults: $12

From $ 169

Big Island of Hawaii Cruise Port

Go big or go home on the Big Island of Hawaii. The largest and southernmost island in Hawaii is home to active volcanoes, secluded beaches, rainforests and island-grown coffee. Shore excursions include a Kona coffee tour, a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or ziplining over waterfalls.

If you don’t want to take an organized tour, a rental car is the best way to get around, as the island’s most popular features lie outside the villages and there is little in the way of public transport.

How to get to the Big Island

Cruises dock in either Kailua-Kona, on the west side of the island, or Hilo, on the east side. If you pull into Kailua-Kona, ships anchor in Kailua Bay and you’ll be tendered to Kailua village. In Hilo, ships dock in the cargo port a couple of miles from downtown. Taxis, a bus and rental car shuttles pick up at the port for trips to downtown Hilo or the airport to pick up rental cars (reserve your rental car in advance – they book up fast).

One day in Hilo

Downtown Hilo is a walkable historic area, and there are several museums and cultural sites. Start at the Pacific Tsunami Museum, a memorial to the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis that destroyed parts of the town and killed many residents. Located in an old bank, the museum includes a wave simulator that allows you to experience the feeling of moving water. Don’t be afraid to get chatty with volunteers – you may meet one who is a tsunami survivor.

Next, check out another Hilo museum, the Lyman House Museum, whose exhibits detail Hawaii’s missionary history. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Then enjoy a stroll around town, checking out historical Hawaiian landmarks like the King Kamehameha statue and the Naha Stone.

Make your way to Lili'uokalani Gardens, Japanese gardens built on the waterfront to honor Hawaii’s Japanese immigrants. Have a bite of sushi here or just soak up the serene environment.

Port Information

The currency in Hawaii is the US dollar. English is the official language, as is Hawaiian, which many locals also speak.

Kailua-Kona, HI, USA

From $ 69

Anini Beach

A sprawling expanse of reef—1,600 feet at its widest and one of Hawaii’s longest spanning two miles—looms just off the thin strip of white sand at Anini Beach. Parrotfish, moray eels, trumpet fish, needlefish, pufferfish and much, much more color the clear waters, popping against the drab coral rock. A thin sandbar beyond the residential area on shore often hosts fishermen and waders searching for seashells within view of the lighthouse and offshore Island at Kilauea Point in the east.

Despite steady winds that whip up light action for windsurfers that sometimes cruise its length, the coral acts as a protective barrier for the shallows making Anini one of the calmest and best snorkeling beaches on Kauai’s North Shore.

Practical Info

Anini Beach access is located off Highway 56 on Kalihiwai Road where parking is abundant. Camping, restrooms, showers and picnic tables are all available here. Several snorkeling tours (that operate without boats) guide visitors through the underwater scenery at Anini.

Though the park is generally less crowded than those at Poipu or Hanalei, there tends to be more snorkelers and campers on weekends.

Beyond the reef and in the clear channels between coral mounds, strong currents can be present. There is no lifeguard here, so use caution.

Highway 56 on Kalihiwai Road, Kilauea, USA

From $ 155

Akaka Falls

When you first set eyes on Akaka Falls you can be forgiven if your heart skips a beat. After all, the beauty of this 422 ft. waterfall has been known to catch travelers off guard, as there is something about its vertical perfection that casts a hypnotic, time-stopping trance.

Or, perhaps it’s the dramatic jungle surroundings that give the falls their grandeur, where the heavily eroded theater of green seems to gently cradle the plunge. Either way, Akaka Falls is one of the Big Island’s most popular and scenic attractions, and the short hike to reach the falls makes it easily accessible for visitors.

Located 25 minutes north of Hilo, the waterfall is found within the confines of Akaka Falls State Park. A short loop trail leads from the parking lot towards the overlook for the famous falls, and along the way offers peek-a-boo views of 100 ft. Kahuna Falls. In the morning, when the angle of light is just right for illuminating the canyon’s foliage, colors seem to explode through the mist as it rises from the pool below. The half-mile trail requires a slight degree of fitness to reach the Akaka Falls overlook, although the sight of this symmetrically perfect cascade is one that you won’t want to miss.

Practical Info

Akaka Falls State Park is located 11 miles north of Hilo by the town of Honomu. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and there is an entry fee of $5/vehicle to access the trailhead to the falls. Rain is common along this stretch of coast, so be sure to pack a jacket, and morning hours are often best for beating the weather and crowds.

Akaka Falls State Park, Honomu, Hawaii 96728, USA

Daylight hours

$5 car, $1 on foot

From $ 145

Fern Grotto

Perfect acoustics and gorgeous scenery come together at Fern Grotto, the highlight of a cruise on the Wailua River.

A natural amphitheater, the fern-filled grotto provides a unique venue for visitors to hear traditional Hawaiian music in one of the islands’ most beautiful outdoor settings.

The beautiful grotto was created by volcanic activity, and is draped in tropical ferns.

Practical Info

Fern Grotto is on the eastern side of Kauai, reached by 40-minute boat tour along the Wailua River.

Highway 56, Lihue 96766, USA

Open daily

Free

From $ 115

Chain of Craters Road

For as overly dramatic as the name might sound, this road is literally a winding journey that weaves past volcanic craters—many of which still steam with life from magma within their core.

Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Chain of Craters Road drops 3,700 feet over 20 scorched Earth miles. It's the main conduit for exploring the park and accessing its numerous hikes, and it ends at the point where lava crossed the road in a 2003 eruption. There are numerous trailheads that start from the road, although hiking can be hazardous across the sharp lava rocks and there are no facilities or supplies.

Even if you don’t venture out the trails, the views simply from driving the road are spectacular in their geologic beauty. Patches of rainforest over a thousand years old appear as islands amidst a sea of lava rock, and pit craters that formed from collapsing Earth lie pockmarked just off the road. Towards the bottom of the journey where the road reaches sea level, steam can occasionally be viewed on the coastline as lava meets with the sea. At night, the rugged coast can glow eerily orange depending on the strength of the flow, and the spiritual power of Madame Pele can be felt in the Kilauea darkness.

Practical Info

Chain of Craters Road is open 24 hours, and there is a $10 entrance fee when visiting the National Park. There are no gas stations or any supplies at any point along the road, so visitors and hikers need to be prepared with water, fuel, and snacks. Also, since conditions on the volcano can literally change daily, check for updates at the Visitor Center before setting out down the road.

Chain of Craters Road, Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA

24/7

$10

From $ 167

Bishop Museum

For the lowdown on Polynesian lore, legend, history and anthropology, drop into the Bishop Museum. Far from dry, displays range from woven hats, sculptures and scientific exhibits to planetarium shows and historical artifacts.

Take a welcome tour, view the plants of the Pacific, watch a lava-melting demonstration or hear island oral history. There’s also a calendar of events, activities and exhibitions to entertain the kids, from circus acts to hula shows.

Practical Info

The Bishop Museum is about 7 miles (11 km) north of downtown Waikiki, a 25-minute drive via the I-H1 highway. Buses run from Waikiki to Kapalama Street, around the corner from the museum.

1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu 96817, USA

Wednesday-Monday, closed Christmas Day

From $ 25

Captain Cook Monument

British explorer Captain James Cook met his death at Kealakekua Bay on February 14, 1779, after a skirmish with the king of Hawaii in a local village. Today, a white obelisk in Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park stands sentinel over the lush coast and its crystal clear waters, commemorating his death.

The Basics

Admission to the state historical park is free, and many visitors come to take advantage of the area’s black rock beaches and the excellent snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and dolphin-watching opportunities just off the Kona coast in Kealakekua Bay. Popular tour options include sailing the bay in Zodiac rafts, outrigger canoes, and on lunch or dinner cruises; the monument can be spotted from the water.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Captain Cook Monument is a must-see for history buffs.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, especially if you’re planning to spend time out on the water.
Tours of Kealakekua Bay tend to last from three to five hours.
Historical lunch and dinner cruises are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

The monument and state historical park are situated 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Kailua-Kona on the western coast of the Big Island. The easiest way to get there is by private car or on an organized tour.

When to Get There

The park is open during daylight hours. For the best snorkeling conditions just offshore from the monument, book a snorkel tour first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon when fewer people will be in the water.

The Life and Death of Captain Cook

Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778 on the island of Kauai, marking the first contact between British explorers and Native Hawaiians. He returned to the islands late in 1778, landing at Kealakekua Bay, where he was welcomed and treated as a god. He set sail again in 1779, but was forced to return to repair a broken mast. After Hawaiians snatched one of Cook’s small boats, Cook attempted to capture the Hawaiian king and was stabbed and bludgeoned to death. His memorial is controversial, as some locals see it as a tribute to an invader and a historical moment that would forever change the character of Hawaii.

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, Kaawaloa Road, Kealakekua Bay 96750, USA

Open daily

Free

From $ 70

Banzai Pipeline

The Banzai Pipeline, one of the most famous surf breaks along Oahu’s Seven Mile Miracle, is known by wave riders the world over. This is no beginners’ break: Pipeline has earned its reputation as one of the most intense on the planet. The danger here is the same thing forms its ridable tubes—an abrupt and shallow coral shelf that causes the water mounds to topple quickly and very close to the shoreline. Experts try their luck when Pipeline pounds between October and April with waves heights averaging 15 feet.

As one might imagine, with surf crashing close to shore, Pipeline is a sight to behold even for landlubbers. Gawkers come out in droves to see the spectacular sunsets over the tropical waves, but especially to see the pros shred it. The Billabong Pipe Masters’ challenge—the final competition in the World Surf League’s competitive season and culminating event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing—selects its winner here each December.

In the summer months, it can be hard to recognize The Pipe. The ocean pulls a 180, the wind and the waves die down and the waters off Banzai Beach become a popular snorkeling spot.

Practical Info

In typical North Shore low-key style, no signs blare “Pipeline this way.” If you weren’t looking for this world famous spot, you might miss it! The break is located off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea, and most easily found by spotting Sunset Beach Elementary across the street. If you have a GPS, set it for the Beach Park at 59-337 Ke Nui Road. A small parking area fits maybe 20 cars, and when the waves are good it’s almost always full. Your best bet will likely be to park on the left side of Kamehameha Highway and walk back. Note even in the summer waves and currents can be finicky: If you plan to snorkel, check with lifeguard (daily 9 a.m. til 5:30 p.m.) to make sure it’s safe to proceed.

Ehukai Beach Park, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, USA 96712, USA

From $ 68

Ala Moana Beach Park

With 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of public beach situated right between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park is a local favorite and top destination for Oahu visitors. There are paths for walking, calm water for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, gentle waves for surfing, and plenty of soft, golden sand for sunbathing.

The Basics

Ala Moana Beach Park’s calm, shallow water is ideal for swimming and wading, making this a particularly kid-friendly spot. There are surfing and stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons available, though many beachgoers just choose to relax on a beach towel or watch the vivid sunset from shore. Picnic tables for self-catering are located near the beach.

Things to Know Before You Go

Ala Moana Beach Park is ideal for beachgoers of all ages.
There are lifeguards on duty, showers, restrooms, and picnic tables available.
Don’t forget your towel, sunscreen, and drinking water.

How to Get There

Conveniently located between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, Ala Moana Beach Park is easily reached on foot, by bus, or by car. There is a large, free parking lot fronting the beach, but spots fill up by afternoon, especially on weekends.

When to Get There

Ala Moana Beach Park is open year-round during daylight hours. It can get crowded on weekends and holidays, so arrive early to snag a good spot on the sand. Oahu has a mild, tropical climate with hotter days in summer and a rainy season typically from November to March.

Magic Island

Just next to Ala Moana Beach Park is a man-made peninsula officially named Aina Moana but known locally as Magic Island. Originally built in 1964 to house a resort that never materialized, today Magic Island is a public park and a favorite spot for walking, jogging, and enjoying the view—in fact, many claim that Aina Moana is the island’s top sunset watching spot. There is a small beach with a lagoon for swimming, but the water can be rough and not as calm as Ala Moana Beach Park.

1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, USA

From $ 75

Dole Plantation

What started out as a Wahiawa fruit stand in the middle of the pineapple fields in 1950 is now an extremely popular Hawaiian attraction. The sprawling Dole Plantation in central Oahu is a rural throwback to a time when the pineapple helped rule Oahu’s economy. Visitors can sample the sweet yellow fruit, ride on the famous Pineapple Express train and motor out through the fields, take a walk through a huge garden maze, learn how to find fresh pineapple when grocery shopping, and hear how pineapples are grown on plants—and not underground or on trees.

The Basics

Allowing travelers to learn how agriculture helped influence the rise of modern Oahu, the plantation is a popular stop on small-group and private circle island tours departing from Waikiki. The site is often paired with other Oahu sightseeing activities including snorkeling and sites such as Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor or Hanauma Bay.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Dole Plantation is a must-see for families with kids and Hawaiian history buffs.
Expect to spend one to two hours at the plantation, depending on which activities you’d like to take part in. (Each activity requires a separate fee.)
The plantation is a common stop on North Shore tours.
The Dole Plantation is wheelchair accessible.
There is both a gift shop and an on-site restaurant, the Plantation Grille.

How To Get There

The Dole Pineapple Plantation is located outside of Wahiawa on the road to the island of Oahu’s North Shore, about 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport and 45 minutes from Waikiki by road. Buses run from Waikiki to the Ala Moana shopping center to connect with the Circle Island service; it’s a 1-hour and 45-minute trip.

When To Get There

The Dole Plantation is open 9:30am to 5:30pm daily. The site is busiest in summer and around the winter holidays, and crowds are smallest from September to December. To beat the late afternoon crowds, consider planning a mid-morning visit.

Get Lost in the World’s Largest Maze

When Pineapple King James Dole first moved to Hawaii in 1899, he probably never thought his plantation would house the world’s largest maze. Constructed from over 14,000 plants, the site’s garden maze covers three acres (1.2 hectares) and has navigational plaques that help you eventually find your way to the exit.

64–1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa 96786, USA

Open daily 9:30am - 5:30pm

$7 - $22 per adult

From $ 98

Ala Moana Center

Just across the street from the tropical Pacific Ocean in downtown Honolulu, the four-story Ala Moana Center (often just called Ala Moana) is currently the world’s largest outdoor shopping mall. With 2.4 million square feet of retail space alone (that’s as much as 42 football fields!), the sprawling property boasts 340 shops and 80 restaurants including national and international name brands chains (Burberry, Cartier, Apple, Gap, Macy’s, Starbucks, California Pizza Kitchen and Barnes & Noble) as well as Hawaii-only outlets (Happy Wahine Boutique, Big Island Candies, Kahala Sportswear, Martin & MacArthur, Honolulu Coffee Co. and Sand People). Free live entertainment—from singing competitions to hula performances and fashion shows—often take place in its central corridor stage. Always bustling, Ala Moana Center is the place to see and be seen for residents and visitors alike.

The revamped Shirokiya Japan Village walk, the last stronghold of an otherwise extinct Japanese department store, is perhaps the mall’s most unique-to-Hawaii offering. The space was revamped in 2016 and boasts 32 different Japanese food vendors, shopping, artwork and a spirit garden all fashioned to look like the thoroughfares of a traditional monzen-machi village.

Practical Info

Ala Moana is located at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. It is open from 9:30am-9pm. Monday through Saturday and from 10am-7pm on Sundays, though some individual shops may keep different hours.

The property is a regular stop on several TheBus lines from Waikiki (8, 19, 20, 23, 24, 42), the North Shore (55) and the airport (19 or 20). It is also possible to take a long walk (1.5 miles) or a short-range trolley from Waikiki hotels.

1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, USA

9:30am-9pm. Monday through Saturday and from 10am-7pm on Sundays, though some individual shops may keep different hours.

From $ 80