Best Things To Do in Honolulu, Hawaii

Are you looking for what to do in Honolulu?

UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN HONOLULU

Most of the activities revolve around the beaches. Waikiki isn’t the only one. There’s the Ala Moana Park, Hanauma Bay, Halona Beach Cove, Sandy Beach, Makapu'u Beach – they serve up a mix of chilling, watersports and surfing.

  • Then there are the many military sights such as the Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin, the Pacific Aviation Museum, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
  • Museums include the Bishop Museum, the`Iolani Palace, the Mission Houses Museum, the Hawaii State Art Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and the Contemporary Museum.
  • Animal attractions include the Honolulu Zoo, the Sea Life Park, and the Waikiki Aquarium.
  • Outside of town you can visit the Diamond Head, the Pu'u Ualaka'a Park, the Punchbowl Crater, the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, and the Halona Blowhole.

These are only the most popular of the things to do in Honolulu – Shopping, Nightlife, Scuba Diving - Honolulu holds lots of hidden treasures if you’re willing to look for them.

  • Manoa Falls: A vertical drop of about 150 feet, this beautiful waterfall is famous for its hiking trail that let you hike through the tropical bamboo and rainforest.  
  • Hanauma Bay Nature Park: Protected marine life conservation area where you get the best experience of snorkeling.
  • Waikiki Beach: It is one of the most recognized Oahu beaches and spots in the world where you get plenty of opportunities to try activities like surfing, snorkeling, canoe paddling, sand combing and so on. 
  • Shangri La: Visit this Islamic style mansion where you get a glimpse of Islamic arts and culture through the collection preserved in it. 
  • Hanauma Bay: For swimmers who wish to explore the world beneath the water, this bay is a heaven for them. 
  • Kaimana Beach: Protected by a wide reef, this beach is a nice place to enjoy some fun time with family on a weekend afternoon
  • Spitting Cave Of Portlock: An extremely scenic spot where shoreline is made of layered volcanic rock.
  • Haiku Stairs: Also known as Stairway to Heaven, this is one of the most popular forbidden hiking trails of Oahu from where you get the best panoramic view of the entire region. 
  • Wet'n'Wild Hawaii: One of the top 10 family attractions of Oahu where you get to enjoy nearly 25 rides. Currently, it is the only water park in the state of Hawaii. 
  • Aloha Stadium: It is the largest outdoor arena in Hawaii that hosts multiple events attracting visitors from all over the world. 
  • Koko Head: Headland defining the eastern side of Maunalua Bay. 
  • Waialae Country Club: If you have a soft corner for golf game, pay a visit to this private country club where The Sony Open in Hawaii is hosted annually.  
  • USS Bowfin: Pay a visit to this Balao-class submarine where you get a tour within it and experience the lifestyle of the submariners of the past. 

Below we have a list of things to do in Honolulu and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Honolulu getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Honolulu with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Honolulu

Here is the list of things to do in Honolulu and tourist attractions in city.

  1. U S S Arizona Memorial

    4.7 (8614 Votes)
    U S S Arizona Memorial

    Memorial

    The World remembers the fateful day when Pearl Harbor was attacked. It was an even that led to even more death and destruction than what it was a part of. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center stands as a reminder of the dark day when so many soldiers unexpectedly lost their lives. The USS Arizona, the ship that sank into the ocean taking with it several brave lives still remains there and the memor...Read more
  2. Diamond Head

    4.7 (1955 Votes)
    Diamond Head

    Outdoors, Trail

    Hiking through Hawaii is an experience in itself and the Diamond Head State Monument is no exception. Explore the historic trails and see a saucer-shaped crater formed 300,000 years ago! The hike takes you to a height of 560 feet and includes a hike from the crater floor, through the Diamond tunnel and finally to the gorgeous Summit that was used as a military station in the early 20th century...Read more
  3. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

    4.6 (4341 Votes)
    Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

    Waterfront, Park, View Point, Walking Area

    Hanauma Bay is a glorious and rich bay not far from Waikiki that is sure to leave any traveler absolutely stunned. The semi-circular shoreline is home to the diverse flora and fauna of Hawaii. The amazing park has some extremely rare and wonderful corals as well as marine species.  There is so much to do at Hanauma Bay but snorkeling is a definite must. To see the live corals in all their...Read more
  4. Waikiki Beach

    Beach

    Hawaii is known for its sun sand and sea trinity. So why not enjoy exactly that on your visit to Honolulu? The Waikiki Beach is the perfect place for the beach lover. The buff sand and the blue sea beckon you to sun and surf. This stretch of land sprawls on for miles and is an idyllic paradise. There are a lot of activities to do here. Water sports of every imaginable kind aside, you will also...Read more
  5. Polynesian Cultural Center

    4.6 (2970 Votes)
    Polynesian Cultural Center

    Entertainment, Performance

    Hawaii's famous Luaus are celebrated by the Polynesian Cultural Center. Not just this, you will also be able to see the traditions of several other places from around the world that are beautifully displayed through the various types of activities and packages here. There is a lot to do here. You can experience the Hawaiian Luau or a traditional Samoan one along with many other options. All th...Read more
  6. USS Missouri

    4.8 (2087 Votes)
    USS Missouri

    Museum

    The USS Missouri is the exact place where the World War II formally ended. The Battleship Missouri served the nation during three tough wars- the World War II, the Korean War and the Operation Desert Storm, where three generations of crew proudly worked with this very ship. Today, the ship memorial gives visitors a thorough memoir of its iconic role in the country’s history. Its collecti...Read more
  7. Iolani Palace

    4.6 (4250 Votes)
    Iolani Palace

    Palace

    Iolani Palace stands for absolute opulence. The gorgeous palace with its exquisitely furnished rooms is a real sight to see and a popular tourist attraction in Honolulu. If you want to be taken back into a luxurious and extravagant era of royals and riches, this is the perfect place to be. This place was the seat of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the grandiose look of those times has been preserved...Read more
  8. USS Bowfin Submarine Museum And Park

    Museum, Specialty Museum

    The USS Bowfin (SS-287) Submarine was launched on 7th December 1942, exactly a year after the Pearl Harbor attack and was named the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger’. All through it service time, the USS Bowfin was used in nine war patrols between 1943 and 1945. The submarine covered the South China Sea, Celebes Sea, off the East coast of Japan, and into the Sea of Japan and was an alert and ...Read more
  9. Manoa Falls

    4.6 (4361 Votes)
    Manoa Falls

    View Point, Nature

    Manoa Falls are a beautiful attraction in the midst of nature and are a very popular tourist attraction in Honolulu. You need to take a short hike to see them but they are every bit worth the effort. The lush green area amidst which you will find the cascading white water is simply spectacular. Interestingly it is the place where the movie Jurassic Park and the TV Series Lost were filmed. The ...Read more
  10. National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific

    Memorial, Cemetery

    The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is quite a somber place to visit in Honolulu. A stark reminder of those who lost their lives in World War II. It is also a very important burial place for all war veterans in the United States. The cemetery is quite beautifully built and it has a stoic atmosphere to it. Seeing the gravestones, sculptures and the inscriptions can be quite heartening...Read more
  11. Bishop Museum

    4.6 (3795 Votes)
    Bishop Museum

    Museum

    The Bishop Museum has a curious collection of all things Hawaii making it quite a popular tourist spot. The various travelling exhibits also make the place an interesting one to visit. The story of Hawaii is told beautifully through the various cultural exhibits. The collection is huge so you can choose to get to know the place through art, craft, photographs, artifacts, interesting things to ...Read more
  12. Ala Moana Center

    4.4 (1584 Votes)
    Ala Moana Center

    Shopping Center

    Known as the largest mall in Hawaii and the largest open-air shopping center in the world, the Ala Moana Center is just what you need if shopping is your fetish! Note many malls can boast about their architecture, but this mall is an exception for sure. So, as you shop through a flood of stores looking for those perfect shoes or lifting a handful of goodies, don’t forget to stop by and a...Read more
  13. Koko Crater Trail

    4.8 (799 Votes)
    Koko Crater Trail

    Trail, Park, Hiking Trail

    Beginning with a hike of 1,048 steps built more than 60 years ago, the Koko Crater Trail is a treat of nature’s untouched pathways. The crater is home to a botanical garden where you can explore hundreds of species of plants and flowers and see a variety of birds. The lookout point is however, the most popular place- owing to the stunning view all around. Do make sure you see the sunset ...Read more
  14. Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

    4.7 (775 Votes)
    Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

    Light House, Trail

    A pair of sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes and you are ready to explore the views that surround the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. The trail takes you to a height of around 700 feet to reach the 100-year old lighthouse that sits overlooking a cliff. If you are lucky, you can even sight a few Humpback whales in the Molokai Channel. Start your day early by having a hearty breakfast at Kokomarina C...Read more
  15. U. S. Army Museum Of Hawaii

    4.5 (710 Votes)
    U. S. Army Museum Of Hawaii

    Museum, Military Museum, Specialty Museum

    Originally used as a station to defend the city today, the place accommodates the US Army Museum of Hawaii. The museum takes you through the journey of the US military of Hawaii from ancient times to the Gulf War and the War in Iraq. The photographs and sound effects make for an immersive experience. Highlights include Helicopters, tanks, guns, vacant bunkers and other weapons along with remnan...Read more