Photo: Ossewa · CC BY-SA 4.0Travel guide
Discover the best things to do in Honolulu, from Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay and North Shore day trips.
Last updated
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the gateway to Oahu, and the best things to do in Honolulu range from surf lessons on Waikiki Beach and sunrise hikes up Diamond Head to history at Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace.
You can spend a morning snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, an afternoon exploring Chinatown and the murals of Kakaako, and an evening watching the sun sink into the Pacific with a mai tai in hand.
Its neighborhoods, from busy Waikiki to laid-back Kaimuki and green Manoa Valley, each have their own personality.
What makes Honolulu special is how close the ocean and the mountains are to the city. Surfers paddle out a few steps from the hotels, green ridges of the Koolau Range rise behind the towers, and rainbows often appear over Manoa Valley after a passing shower.
Hawaiian culture is present everywhere, from hula and lei making to the royal history of the only palace on American soil, and the city's food reflects generations of Native Hawaiian, Asian, Portuguese and American influences.
This guide brings together the best things to do in Honolulu by season, by neighborhood and by type of traveler, with practical tips on reservations, ocean safety and getting around the island.
📍 Waikiki
Honolulu's most famous beach is ideal for a first surf lesson, outrigger canoe rides and swimming in gentle water, with Diamond Head as a backdrop. Its sections, from Kahanamoku Beach to Kuhio Beach, each have a different feel, and sunsets here are spectacular.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Diamond Head
This volcanic crater rising behind Waikiki has a steep trail leading to the summit, with old military bunkers and sweeping views of the coast. Nonresidents must reserve entry in advance, and an early start beats the heat.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Pearl Harbor
The site of the attack of December 7, 1941, includes the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Reserve the USS Arizona program in advance; bags are not allowed.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Downtown
Completed in 1882 for King Kalakaua, this is the only royal palace on American soil. Guided and self-guided tours reveal the throne room and the life of Hawaii's last monarchs, including Queen Liliuokalani.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Hawaii Kai
A protected bay in a volcanic crater on Oahu's southeast shore, with coral reef and tropical fish close to the beach. Nonresidents need an online reservation and an entrance fee, and the preserve is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Kalihi
Founded in 1889, the Bishop Museum holds the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural objects, with the grand Hawaiian Hall, a planetarium and science exhibits.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Makiki
Opened in 1927 in a building set around peaceful courtyards, the museum presents art from Hawaii, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Chinatown
Lei stands, herb shops, markets, noodle houses, galleries and lively bars fill this historic district, one of the best areas in the city for food and nightlife.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Kakaako
Large, colorful murals cover the walls of this former warehouse district, many of them painted during the annual POW! WOW! Hawaii festival. It is free to wander and full of cafes and breweries.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Waikiki
Hawaii's oldest public park spreads beneath Diamond Head, with the Honolulu Zoo, a bandstand and the Waikiki Aquarium, which presents the marine life of Hawaii and the Pacific next to the reef.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Ala Moana
A long, calm beach park favored by locals for swimming, picnics and paddleboarding, with sunset views from the Magic Island lagoon. Ala Moana Center, a huge open-air shopping mall, is across the street.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Waikiki
This bronze statue honors Duke Kahanamoku, the Olympic swimming champion and ambassador of surfing. Visitors often drape lei on his outstretched arms.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 East Oahu
A paved trail climbs to views of the red-roofed lighthouse, the turquoise sea and offshore islands. From December to April, it is a great spot to watch for whales.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Tantalus
A hilltop lookout above the city with one of the best panoramic views of Honolulu, from Diamond Head and Waikiki to the airport and Pearl Harbor.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Manoa
A short rainforest trail through bamboo groves and tall trees leads to a waterfall in the back of Manoa Valley. Expect mud and check the trail status before you go.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Manoa
Run by the University of Hawaii, this large botanical garden at the head of Manoa Valley has rainforest trails, tropical plants and views of the valley walls.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Chinatown
A historic garden near Chinatown with towering tropical trees, palms and orchids, some of them planted in the 1850s.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Downtown
Opened in 1926, this tower was long the tallest building in Hawaii and welcomed passengers arriving by ship. Its observation deck overlooks the harbor.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Diamond Head
Doris Duke's oceanfront estate holds her collection of Islamic art. Visits are by guided tour only, booked through the Honolulu Museum of Art.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Windward Oahu
About 30 minutes from the city, these windward beaches have soft white sand and turquoise water. Kayak to the Mokulua Islands or hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Day Trip
About an hour from the city, the North Shore is famous for big winter surf at Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach, shave ice in Haleiwa and shrimp trucks. In summer, the water is often calm enough for snorkeling.
📍 View on Google Maps →
📍 Day Trip
A large ranch on the windward coast, set against dramatic green cliffs, with tours on horseback, by UTV and by bus through valleys that have appeared in many movies.
📍 View on Google Maps →The most fun things to do in Honolulu combine the ocean, the mountains and Hawaiian culture. Few cities make it so easy to take a surf lesson, snorkel a reef, paddle an outrigger canoe and hike a volcanic crater in the same trip.
These picks mix classic activities with experiences that locals enjoy, so you can sample the city's playful side whatever your budget and pace.
Learn to ride gentle waves with a local surf school.
Catch a wave in a traditional canoe off Waikiki.
See tropical fish in a protected volcanic bay.
Sail off Waikiki as the sun sets behind the coast.
Paddle the calm water of Ala Moana or Kailua.
Look for humpbacks from December to April.
Watch the fireworks near the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Friday nights.
Cool off with a rainbow of flavors.
Paddle from Kailua or Lanikai to offshore islets.
Ride through valleys and movie sets on the windward coast.
There are many free things to do in Honolulu, from beaches and parks to murals, gardens and hiking trails. The ocean is the city's greatest free attraction, and many viewpoints and cultural events cost nothing.
These picks prove that some of Honolulu's best experiences cost nothing at all.
Swim, watch the surfers and enjoy the sunset.
Pay tribute to the father of modern surfing.
Picnic under the trees beneath Diamond Head.
Swim in calm water with the locals.
Watch the sunset from the lagoon.
Wander the colorful street art.
Browse the markets and lei stands.
Stroll the royal grounds and see the coronation pavilion.
See the famous statue across from the palace.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Hike to sea views and, in winter, whales.
Walk through the rainforest to a waterfall.
Watch free hula by the beach on scheduled evenings.
Join free cultural workshops on some days.
Climb to old bunkers above Lanikai Beach.
Honolulu is a great destination for families, with calm beaches, an aquarium, a zoo, interactive museums and easy hikes. Many attractions are clustered in Waikiki and around Kapiolani Park, and the ocean itself keeps kids busy for hours.
Meet reef fish, jellyfish and corals of the Pacific.
See animals at the foot of Diamond Head.
Explore Hawaiian culture, science and the planetarium.
Swim in calm water protected by a breakwater.
Snorkel with tropical fish close to shore.
Visit the marine park near Makapuu.
Explore the decks of the historic battleship.
Gentle water and lots of shade.
Many schools offer lessons for kids.
Ride the train and try the maze on the way to the North Shore.
A sweet treat after the beach.
Honolulu offers plenty for grown-up travelers, from cocktail bars and breweries to fine dining, live Hawaiian music, art and wellness. Its neighborhoods each have their own scene, from Chinatown's bars to Kakaako's breweries.
Sip a mai tai with a view of Diamond Head.
Explore cocktail bars and live music venues.
Taste local beers in Kakaako taprooms.
Hear slack key guitar and Hawaiian songs at sunset.
Book a lomilomi massage at a Waikiki spa.
Try a chef-driven tasting menu.
Explore art from Hawaii and around the world.
Enjoy a cocktail on a catamaran.
Visit Doris Duke's estate.
Compare fresh poke at local markets.
Honolulu offers romantic experiences from sunset sails and beachfront dinners to rainforest hikes and spa treatments. The warm evenings and ocean views make even a simple walk along the beach feel special.
Watch the sky change over the Pacific.
Book a table with a view of the sunset.
Start the day with views over the coast.
Relax at one of Waikiki's resort spas.
Spend a quiet morning on soft white sand.
See the city lights come on.
Listen under the kiawe tree at House Without a Key.
Stroll among tropical plants.
Learn to make a lei together.
Stroll Waikiki under the stars.
Honolulu comes alive after dark, with live music in Waikiki, cocktail bars in Chinatown, Friday fireworks off Waikiki and glowing views of the city from the hills.
Watch from the beach near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Bars, live music and late-night food.
Hear Hawaiian music at beachfront bars.
Dine on the water.
Watch the torches lit at dusk.
See the city lights spread below.
Enjoy Hawaiian food, music and hula.
Browse food stalls at a seasonal night market.
Drinks in a creative neighborhood.
Look for stars from a quiet beach away from Waikiki's lights.
Showers in Honolulu are usually brief, but rainy days do happen, especially from November to April. Fortunately, the city has excellent museums, a royal palace and plenty of shopping and dining to fill a wet afternoon.
Hawaiian and Pacific history and culture.
Tour the royal rooms.
Art from around the world.
Marine life of Hawaii and the Pacific.
The Submarine Museum and the Aviation Museum.
Shops and restaurants under one roof.
Free art by local artists downtown.
Hands-on exhibits for kids in Kakaako.
Learn a Hawaiian craft.
Learn to make poke or other local dishes.
Relax at a resort spa.
Honolulu is warm all year, with only small changes in temperature between seasons. The drier season runs roughly from May to October, while November to April brings more frequent showers, cooling trade winds and the big winter surf on the North Shore.
Humpback whales visit Hawaiian waters in winter, and summer brings calmer seas on the north coast and bigger waves on the south shore. Here's how to make the most of Honolulu whenever you visit.
December is festive in Honolulu. Honolulu City Lights decorates Honolulu Hale, the city hall, the Honolulu Marathon fills the streets in December, and the first humpback whales arrive in Hawaiian waters. On the North Shore, the winter surf season is in full swing, with big waves and professional competitions.
January is one of the best months for whale watching, as humpbacks gather off the coast of Oahu. It can bring more showers than summer, but days are still warm and sunny breaks are frequent. Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown sometimes begin in late January.
February is peak season for humpback whales, which can sometimes be seen from shore at viewpoints like Makapuu. Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year with lion dances, food and a parade, and the Great Aloha Run takes place on Presidents' Day.
Spring brings fewer crowds and pleasant weather. The Honolulu Festival celebrates the cultures of the Pacific in March, Prince Kuhio Day is a state holiday on March 26, and May 1 is Lei Day, with lei-making contests and hula at Kapiolani Park. Whale season winds down in April.
Summer is warm and dry, with calm water on the North Shore and surfable waves on the south shore. King Kamehameha Day on June 11 brings a floral parade and lei draping of the king's statue, the Pan-Pacific Festival fills Waikiki in June, and the Prince Lot Hula Festival celebrates traditional hula in July.
September and October are often among the hottest and calmest months, with fewer visitors than summer. The Aloha Festivals celebrate Hawaiian culture in September with a floral parade and a street party in Waikiki, the Hawaii International Film Festival takes place in the fall, and the North Shore surf starts to build in November.
Honolulu stretches along the south shore of Oahu between the ocean and the Koolau Range. Waikiki is the center for most visitors, while downtown, Chinatown, Kakaako and Kaimuki each offer a different side of the city for history, art and food. TheBus and the Skyline rail connect many areas, but some neighborhoods are easier by car or rideshare. Here are six areas worth exploring.
Neighborhood
Honolulu's famous beach district packs hotels, shops, restaurants and surf schools along a long stretch of sand, with Diamond Head at its eastern end. Kapiolani Park, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo are a short walk away.
Neighborhood
The historic heart of the city holds Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue, Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaii State Capitol and Aloha Tower on the harbor. It is a compact area that is easy to explore on foot during the day.
Neighborhood
One of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States mixes lei stands, markets, noodle shops, art galleries, bars and some of the city's most creative restaurants. Lion dances fill its streets at Chinese New Year.
Neighborhood
Between downtown and Waikiki, this former industrial district is known for its large outdoor murals, breweries, restaurants and new residential towers, along with Kakaako Waterfront Park and the shops of Ward Village.
Neighborhood
Just inland from Diamond Head, these neighborhoods are local favorites for dining, from bakeries and plate lunches on Kapahulu Avenue to the chef-driven restaurants of Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki.
Neighborhood
This lush, rainy valley above the city is home to the University of Hawaii, the Lyon Arboretum and the trail to Manoa Falls. Rainbows are a frequent sight over the valley.
See our full Best Hotels in Honolulu guide for the best areas, and plan smoothly with our Honolulu travel tips.
Waikiki, downtown and Chinatown are walkable, and a beachfront path links much of Waikiki. Other areas are more spread out, so TheBus, the Skyline rail, Biki bikes and rideshare help. A car is useful for exploring the rest of Oahu.
Three to four days cover the highlights: Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace and Chinatown, plus a morning at Hanauma Bay. With five days or more, add a day on the North Shore and a day on the windward coast at Kailua and Lanikai.
Honolulu is known for Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, surfing, Hawaiian culture and its diverse local food, from poke and plate lunches to shave ice and malasadas.
Many of the best experiences are free: Waikiki Beach and the Duke Kahanamoku statue, Kapiolani Park, Ala Moana Beach Park, the Kakaako murals, Chinatown, the grounds of Iolani Palace, the USS Arizona Memorial program (with a small reservation fee) and many hiking trails.
Yes, for nonresidents. Hanauma Bay requires an online reservation and an entrance fee, and it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Diamond Head requires a timed reservation for entry and parking. Book ahead, as popular time slots sell out.
Popular day trips include the North Shore, with Haleiwa town and its famous surf beaches, the windward coast at Kailua and Lanikai, Kualoa Ranch, the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie and a scenic drive around the island's southeastern tip past Makapuu Point.
