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Honolulu
Photo: Ossewa · CC BY-SA 4.0

7 Days · in Honolulu

7 Days in Honolulu: City, Coasts & the North Shore

A week in Honolulu lets you explore the city and much of Oahu. The first five days cover Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, the museums and the windward coast. Day six is a trip to the North Shore, and day seven explores Manoa Valley and the Tantalus lookouts.

7 days
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Day 01

Diamond Head & Waikiki

A crater hike, the beach and sunset in Waikiki.

  1. Morning

    Diamond Head State Monument

    Hike to the summit on an early reserved slot for views over Waikiki and the coast.

  2. Late Morning

    Kapahulu Avenue

    Stop at Leonard's Bakery for warm malasadas on the way back.

  3. Lunch

    Waikiki

    Have fresh udon at Marukame Udon or a plate lunch at Rainbow Drive-In.

  4. Afternoon

    Waikiki Beach

    Take a surf lesson or an outrigger canoe ride, then swim at Kuhio Beach.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Duke Kahanamoku statue & Royal Hawaiian

    See the Duke statue, then walk to the Royal Hawaiian for a mai tai.

  6. Evening

    House Without a Key

    Watch the sunset with Hawaiian music and hula, booked in advance for dinner.

Day 02

Pearl Harbor & Downtown Honolulu

World War II history and the royal heart of the city.

  1. Morning

    Pearl Harbor National Memorial

    Visit the USS Arizona Memorial with a reserved ticket and explore the museums.

  2. Late Morning

    Battleship Missouri

    Walk the decks where Japan's surrender was signed in 1945.

  3. Lunch

    Kakaako

    Have Hawaiian food at Highway Inn.

  4. Afternoon

    Iolani Palace

    Tour the only royal palace on American soil.

  5. Late Afternoon

    King Kamehameha statue & State Capitol

    See the statue, the Capitol and Kawaiahao Church nearby.

  6. Evening

    Chinatown

    Have dinner at Giovedi and explore Chinatown's bars.

Day 03

Hanauma Bay & the Southeast Shore

Snorkeling, blowholes and a lighthouse hike.

  1. Morning

    Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

    Snorkel in the protected bay with a reservation (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

  2. Late Morning

    Halona Blowhole Lookout

    Watch waves shoot through the lava rocks.

  3. Lunch

    Hawaii Kai

    Have lunch in Hawaii Kai.

  4. Afternoon

    Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail

    Hike the paved trail to views of the lighthouse and the coast.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Kaimuki

    Head back to the city and explore the shops and bakeries of Kaimuki.

  6. Evening

    Mud Hen Water

    Have dinner at Mud Hen Water or The Pig and the Lady, booked in advance.

Day 04

Bishop Museum, Art & Kakaako

Hawaiian culture, art and street murals.

  1. Morning

    Bishop Museum

    Explore the Hawaiian Hall and the Pacific Hall.

  2. Late Morning

    Chinatown

    Wander the markets and lei stands.

  3. Lunch

    Kalihi or Chinatown

    Have Hawaiian food at Helena's Hawaiian Food or a meal in Chinatown.

  4. Afternoon

    Honolulu Museum of Art

    See art from Hawaii, Asia and Europe around peaceful courtyards.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Kakaako murals

    Walk the streets of Kakaako to see the large murals.

  6. Evening

    Magic Island

    Watch the sunset from Magic Island, then have dinner in Kakaako.

Day 05

Kailua, Lanikai & the Pali

Windward beaches, cliffs and a temple.

  1. Morning

    Lanikai Pillbox Trail

    Hike to the pillboxes above Lanikai Beach at sunrise.

  2. Late Morning

    Kailua Beach

    Swim or kayak toward the Mokulua Islands.

  3. Lunch

    Kailua town

    Have lunch in Kailua's cafes and restaurants.

  4. Afternoon

    Byodo-In Temple

    Visit the Japanese temple at the foot of the Koolau cliffs.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Nuuanu Pali Lookout

    Stop at the lookout on the way back over the mountains.

  6. Evening

    Waikiki

    Have a relaxed dinner in Waikiki.

Day 06

Day Trip to the North Shore

Surf beaches, Haleiwa town and shrimp trucks.

  1. Morning

    Drive to Haleiwa

    Leave early and drive about an hour to Haleiwa, stopping at the Dole Plantation if you like.

  2. Late Morning

    Haleiwa town

    Explore the shops and galleries and have a shave ice.

  3. Lunch

    North Shore

    Have garlic shrimp from one of the famous shrimp trucks.

  4. Afternoon

    Waimea Bay & Banzai Pipeline

    Watch the surf in winter or snorkel in calm summer water.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Sunset Beach

    Stay for the late afternoon light on the beach.

  6. Evening

    Return to Honolulu

    Drive back to the city for dinner.

Day 07

Manoa Valley & Tantalus

Rainforest, gardens and the best view of the city.

  1. Morning

    Manoa Falls Trail

    Walk through the rainforest to the waterfall, after checking the trail status.

  2. Late Morning

    Lyon Arboretum

    Explore the tropical gardens at the head of the valley.

  3. Lunch

    Manoa or Moiliili

    Have lunch near the University of Hawaii.

  4. Afternoon

    Foster Botanical Garden

    See giant tropical trees near Chinatown.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Puu Ualakaa State Wayside

    Drive up to the lookout for a panoramic view of the city.

  6. Evening

    Ala Moana

    Have dinner around Ala Moana or Kakaako.