Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital city and one of the largest in the US, serves as an international trading and defense hub as well as being the primary gateway to Hawaii’s rest of islands.
Honolulu’s vibrant culture and bustling atmosphere have long made it an attractive tourist destination, providing beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and culturally enriching experiences that visitors are sure to remember forever. Honolulu offers something unforgettable.
Diamond Head
Diamond Head, located on Oahu just outside Honolulu, provides stunning panoramic views from its summit. Hiking this volcanic crater is one of the must-do activities while visiting Oahu.
Diamond Head earned its name when British sailors mistook calcite crystals on a volcano for diamonds. Additionally, there is an attractive beach perfect for surfing or swimming nearby.
Kapiolani Park is another fantastic day trip destination located right on the border of Diamond Head neighborhood, featuring tennis courts, jogging track and children’s playground facilities.
Diamond Head residents enjoy access to numerous beaches that provide various experiences, from calm waters ideal for swimmers to surfable swells perfect for surfers. There are also scenic lookouts in Diamond Head that offer unparalleled views of Oahu’s coastline and mountains.
Diamond Head real estate, often referred to as Hawaii’s “Gold Coast”, is highly desired due to its prime oceanfront locations and unobstructed ocean views. This neighborhood features luxury beachfront properties owned by movie stars, celebrities, dignitaries and entrepreneurs as well as sprawling estates boasting incredible harbor and mountain views.
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach, one of Hawaii’s iconic oceanfronts, offers plenty of water-based activities – swimming, snorkelling, boogie boarding or simply taking a leisurely stroll along its sandy strands offers breathtaking views of Diamond Head and glittering skyscrapers!
Waikiki, located on Oahu’s south shore, is just 9 miles away from Honolulu International Airport and there are various transport options available such as public bus service or Uber/Lyft to get there.
Waikiki’s two-mile sand strip that runs along its oceanfront is its main draw, and you should spend some time there to take in its splendor. Though this area of Hawaii may be most visited tourist spot, don’t overlook some other spots such as Kuhio Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach and Kahanamoku Beach that may offer something similar!
Waikiki Beach offers plenty of opportunities for beginners looking to try surfing for the first time, thanks to its protected bay and sandy shoreline providing ideal conditions. There are also professional surf schools providing lessons along these shorelines.
Take a glass bottom boat cruise to explore the breathtaking reefs and marine life below the surface of the ocean. Tours generally last approximately one hour, offering the opportunity to spot tropical fish such as sea turtles as well as various tropical fish species.
Waikiki may appear superficial at first glance, but its history dates back centuries when Hawaiian royalty lived here. One must-see attraction during your stay in Honolulu is Pink Palace on Waikiki beach which has an intriguing past dating all the way back to Hawaiian royalty!
No matter your taste or mood, Waikiki Beach in Honolulu provides the ideal destination to immerse yourself in authentic experience or simply unwind and unwind! Offering world-class dining and shopping, live entertainment, and fantastic places to stay – Waikiki has something special for everyone!
Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace is one of Honolulu’s most impressive landmarks and important structures, standing as an architectural jewel downtown and the only royal palace registered as a National Historic Landmark in America.
King Kalakaua constructed Iolani Palace as his official royal residence and center for political and social life within the Hawaiian monarchy in 1882. This Neo-Florentine building, an impressive example of Hawaiian era architecture, features an iconic steel skeleton structure with decorative features including cast iron Corinthian columns as well as hand-carved staircase from Hawaiian wood.
The rooms inside are truly breathtaking, especially the Throne Room and Blue Room with their electric blue furnishings. There’s so much to take in that to get the most out of your visit here you should take either a guided or audio tour to maximize your visit’s potential.
Discover Hawaii’s history as you wander the halls. The State Dining Room stands out for its iconic portraits of world leaders from different eras as well as intricate details on its banquet table.
Visit Iolani Palace is truly an unforgettable experience and shouldn’t be missed when in Honolulu. Take the tour for maximum appreciation of this stunning piece of architecture and its rich history!
Iolani Palace is open 9am-4pm from Monday through Saturday and offers both guided and self-led audio tours, of which I highly recommend the latter option as it provides you with more in-depth understanding of this stunning building’s history and heritage.
Honolulu Museum of Art
Art lovers cannot visit Honolulu without visiting the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA). This world-class cultural center boasts the largest Pan Pacific and Asian works collection in the Pacific; galleries are situated around peaceful courtyards and ponds to create an exceptional ambiance, perfect for an artistic exploration.
Honolulu Museum of Art hosts numerous special events throughout the year, such as Art after Dark. This event provides music and performances related to specific exhibits; visitors often give it high ratings!
Discover something unique at the museum gift shop, filled with items handcrafted by local artists ranging from feathered leis to resin crafts and paintings.
Sunshine Arts Gallery in Hawaii is another excellent spot to find unique souvenirs. Showcasing over one hundred Hawaiian artists’ work ranging from paintings, resin crafts, stained glass panels, woodcarvings, carvings and feathered leis; Sunshine Arts provides visitors with something truly original!
Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the US, should not be missed for anyone interested in Hawaiian history. Once home to Hawaii’s monarchs until their overthrow in 1893, and still an iconic site on the island today.
The Bishop Museum is one of Hawaii’s premier cultural institutions and was originally built to house Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s extensive collection of Polynesian artifacts and royal family heirlooms. Nowadays, however, its current purpose is also to teach about Hawaiian and Pacific cultures through exhibits and programs at its venue.
Koolau Range
The Koolau Range, a mountain range extending along Hawaii Island’s eastern coastline, offers several hiking trails. If you want a truly spectacular aerial experience, take a helicopter tour over this breathtaking area.
Mountain range surrounded by ancient jungle valleys, temples, waterfalls and quirky artist enclaves is a fantastic way to relax and unwind – it provides the ideal atmosphere! If you need somewhere quiet to come relax and unwind this is your destination!
Tourists, particularly in winter months, flock to this mountain range with some of the highest waterfalls on the island and to experience its vastness by helicopter with Paradise Helicopters on tours.
Visitors may explore the mountain by car, but for maximum benefit take advantage of a guided tour. A knowledgeable guide can show you where the best spots are for viewing waterfalls as well as provide additional information about this park’s features.
Along with hiking and exploring the mountain, visitors to Oahu should also visit the Bishop Museum, one of the island’s largest museums, where artifacts tell the history of Hawaii’s Islands.
Visit the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii if you would like an educational look into our cosmos’ origins, Hawaiian navigation techniques, and an impressive planetarium show! It is part of the University of Hawaii.
Are you searching for an ideal hotel to stay at in this region? Look no further than Range Lands Hotel, featuring a garden and amenities such as tour/ticket assistance and 24-hour front desk. Plus, guests can take advantage of a daily complimentary English breakfast!
