Honolulu Places of Interest
Aloha Tower
Along the shoreline of Honolulu Harbor sits the beautiful 10-story Aloha Tower, one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks. Built in 1926 when all travel was done by boat, the tower was created to make a lasting impression for tourists entering and leaving the harbor. The square-shaped tower is topped with a domed cupola, 40-foot flagstaff and balconied openings on all four sides, as well as a four-faced clock. The letters A-L-O-H-A, etched on each side of the tower, are reminiscent of the “Boat Days” of the 1920s and 30s, when the entire community celebrated passenger arrivals with hula dancers, streamers and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band. The tower is the centerpiece of the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a sprawling shopping and dining complex fronting the harbor. The tower’s observation deck is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free.
For more information: 808-528-5700
Bishop Museum
The famous Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. As the largest museum in the state, Bishop Museum is home to millions of artifacts, documents, photographs and royal family heirlooms that tell the story of Hawaii and the Pacific. It also showcases one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world, consisting of more than 22 million specimens of plant and animal life, including those of extinct species. Located near downown Honolulu, the museum’s other highlights include the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and the two-storied Polynesian Hall, which portrays the history of Pacific culture through artifacts representing daily life, warfare, religion, clothing, music and dance. The museum is available for private events.
Bishop Museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $12.95 for children and $15.95 for adults. Admission for children under 3 is free. For more information: 808-847-3511
Byodo-In Temple
A hidden gem nestled at the foot of the Koolau Mountains, the Byodo-In Temple is located not far from downtown Honolulu in the Valley of the Temples. A breathtaking replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In in Uji, Japan, the deep red temple was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant workers, who came to Hawaii to work in the sugar plantation fields. Guests can stroll among the ground’s resident peacocks and discover the temple’s traditional Japanese gardens, two-acre koi pond and Meditation House. Inside the temple is a striking nine-foot Lotus Buddha, the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years. The three-ton brass Peace Bell, known for its deep tone of calm and peace, sits next to the temple. Byodo-In Temple is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $2.
For more information: 808-239-8811
Iolani Palace
Built in 1882, the Iolani Palace is the only official state residence of royalty in the United States. As home to Hawaii’s last two monarchs, King Kalakaua and his sister and successor Queen Lili’uokalani, Iolani Palace was the hub of social and political activity during Hawaii’s monarch period. Visitors can choose from several tour options, including the 90-minute docent-led grand tour, audio tour or gallery tour, in which they can find historic Hawaiian relics, ancient regalia and crown jewels. The Royal Hawaiian Band presents a free concert most Fridays, and Hawaiian quilting classes are offered to all skill levels most Saturdays. Halekoa, the on-site historic police barracks, features a beautiful open-air courtyard and is available for private events.
The palace is open Tuesday through Saturday, with the ticket window opening at 8:30 am. Times and prices for tours vary based on type. The last tour starts at 4:30 pm. Concerts are held Friday from noon to 1:00 pm. For more information: 808-522-0832
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
A solemn yet beautiful and breathtaking commemoration for the servicemen that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial tells the story of the day that prompted the United States to enter World War II. The memorial has been operated by the National Park Service since 1980 and includes an unparalleled visitor center with two theaters, a museum, a bookstore and exhibits outlining the attack. Each day the memorial runs 30 guided tours, which include a showing of a documentary film, self-guided exploration of the memorial and a boat ride to the sunken battleship in the harbor, where 1,177 men still lie entombed in the ship’s remains.
The USS Arizona Memorial is open daily from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, but it is recommended that visitors arrive early, as nearly 4,500 people visit the memorial each day. Visitors should expect a three-hour delay for the guided tour during the busy summer season. For more information: 808-422-0561
Honolulu Entertainment
Ala Moana Center
Located near the Hawaii Convention Center and within walking distance from most Waikiki hotels, the Ala Moana Center is Hawaii’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination and one of the world’s largest open-air shopping centers. Set among koi ponds and tropical gardens, the Ala Moana Center has over 260 venues and stores that range from casual wear to haute couture. The perfect source for quality souvenirs, the center is lined with specialty kiosks of authentic Hawaiian arts and gifts.
The Ala Moana Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The Ala Moana Center shuttle, which transports visitors back and forth between the center and several Waikiki hotels and locations, runs every eight minutes for a fee of $2 each way. For more information: 808-955-9517
Chinatown/Arts District, Honolulu
Once a major gateway for immigrants entering Honolulu, Chinatown is a colorful and exciting neighborhood bursting with Asian culture and entertainment. Taoist, Buddhist and Shinto temples are nestled among shops, restaurants and herbalists. Chinatown’s Maunakea Marketplace is a renowned shopping plaza and ethnic food venue, and the Chinese Cultural Plaza, an open-air courtyard lined with restaurants and vendors, offers remarkable jewelry and mouth-watering Chinese cuisine. On the eastern edge of Chinatown lies the Arts District, an eclectic 12 blocks of more than 25 arts-related businesses, venues, galleries and theaters and more than 75 ethnic restaurants.
Waikiki
Extending from the Ala Wai Canal to Diamond Head, the world-famous Waikiki neighborhood was once a favorite destination for Hawaiian royalty. Today’s 1.5-square-mile Waikiki features the best of tropical and urban settings with its relaxing, serene beaches and high-rise hotels and swanky shopping along Kalakaua Avenue. Stylish Waikiki Beach is the home of Hawaiian hero Duke Kahanamoku, known as the “father of modern surfing,” whose statue welcomes millions of beach visitors each year who flock to the sun and sand. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down in Waikiki, a mecca for world-class nightlife and entertainment. The family-friendly Sunset on the Beach is great for movie-lovers, as every Saturday and Sunday night visitors can sit on the sand and watch favorite films on a 30-foot screen. Movie-goers can make an evening of it with dinner and dancing to live bands before the sun sets and the movie starts.
Honolulu Restaurants
Alan Wong’s Restaurant
The award-winning Alan Wong’s features unique Hawaiian regional cuisine, always made with local produce and seafood. Taking a philosophical approach to fine dining, Alan Wong’s prides itself on its innovative dishes that are a reflection of the diverse cultures living among the islands. The relaxing, neutral-colored dining room is perked up with splashes of colorful Hawaiian flower arrangements. A five-course and seven-course dinner menu is available nightly, while à la carte dining features dishes such as Pan Steamed Opakapaka, a short-tail pink snapper, lamb chops crusted with macadamia nuts and coconut and beef tenderloin with goat cheese mashed potatoes. Alan Wong’s offers an unparalleled coffee menu that showcases private reserve Kona coffee and various blends hailing from several Hawaiian Islands.
For more information: 808-949-2526
Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider
Featuring Honolulu’s finest steaks and island-inspired seafood, Waikiki Beach’s Beachhouse resembles a sophisticated Victorian island estate with graceful ceiling fans and simple, elegant table settings. Beachhouse’s outdoor lounge is known for its exotic cocktails, including the Sweet Asian Cucumber Martini and Flash Infused Hibiscus Gimlet. Entrée specialties include artisan Pennsylvania Amish-raised Angus beef and American Wagyu (kobe-style) beef. Other favorites include the Seafood Tower of lobster tail, king crab, tiger prawns, abalone, oysters and sashimi, the savory pineapple fried rice and the Maui pineapple foster for dessert. Beachhouse features two semi-private dining rooms with oceanfront tables, each seating six to 10 guests for private events.
For more information: 808-923-2861
Chef Mavro
A powerhouse of contemporary American and Hawaiian fine cuisine, Chef Mavro has been named the “where we would eat if we had one night in Honolulu” restaurant by Gourmet Magazine and one of the world’s top 10 restaurants by Fodor’s. Guests enter under Chef Mavro’s teal blue awning to find a graceful Hawaiian art-infused dining room and semi-private meeting space, complemented with rich wood floors and delicate lighting. At the helm of this elegant restaurant is famed Chef George Mavrothalassitis, who does nothing less than express his respect for Hawaiian culture and passion for cuisine through such creations as the Keahole Lobster Curry, Confit Hamachi and Roasted Kurobuta Pork. Guests may choose from three-, four- or six-course meals, all of which are expertly paired with wines.
For more information: 808-944-4714
Hau Tree Lanai
Set on Waikiki Beach, the elegant Hau Tree Lanai not only offers unobstructed ocean views, but it also provides alfresco dining under historic Hau trees. The décor is idyllic and serene, allowing the ocean view to be the vocal point for guests dining on the Pacific Rim cuisine. Hau Tree Lanai is renowned for its fresh seafood selections, including the Avocado Crab-Crusted Mahimahi, the Miso Sake Salmon and the Seafood Tsunami, an appetizer assortment of ocean delicacies. Hau Tree Lanai also serves lunch and breakfast with fresh fruit, omelets, pancakes, salads and sandwiches on the menu. The private San Souci room features ocean views and seating for up to 40 guests.
For more information: 8808-921-7066
Michel’s at the Colony Surf
Guests craving fine French cuisine will not be disappointed at Michel’s, an elegant, beachfront venue located just 40 feet from the surf. Simple linens, sophisticated chandeliers and tuxedo-clad servers grace Michel’s wistful interior. Traditional French appetizers include escargot, frog legs and foie gras. Seafood, meat and fowl dominate the entrée menu, which includes mahi mahi, beef tenderloin and rack of lamb. Michel’s offers private, semi-private and restaurant buy-outs for private events.
For more information: 808-926-6063
Honolulu Nightlife
Bar 35
Bar 35, located on the edge of Honolulu’s Chinatown, is a beer lover’s dream. Featuring more than 110 specialty beers, as well as tropical drinks, wine and a full bar, Bar 35 has one of Honolulu’s best happy hours with $3 beers Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Guests can relax on the comfy leather couches or retro chairs positioned among the bar’s exposed brick walls and high beam ceilings. With minimal lighting and rock and roll music in the background, Bar 35 is relaxed, vibrant and affordable. Guests who don’t want to leave beautiful Honolulu weather at the door will feel at ease in Bar 35’s full outdoor garden bar.
For more information: 808-537-3037
Diamond Head Grill
Dubbed as Honolulu’s spot to see and be seen, the Diamond Head Grill in the W Honolulu hotel is nothing short of chic. The DHG’s Bar Lounge is adorned with stylish lounge furniture and features intimate seating. The Wonderlounge, which operates as a jazz club Wednesday and Thursday, is the dance club to frequent on the weekends. Wonderlounge’s marble serpentine bar serves the finest top-shelf martinis to patrons as they lounge in plush chairs around glass top tables and candlelight. A late night bistro menu is available for those famished after a long night of dancing.
For more information: 808-922-3734
Duke’s Canoe Club
Paying homage to the Hawaiian hero Duke Kahanamoku, renowned swimmer, surfer and Olympic athlete, the casual, beachfront Duke’s Canoe Club is the ideal spot to mingle with tourists, locals and the occasional celebrity. Duke’s is known for its laid-back, island-friendly attitude, especially in its open-air Barefoot Bar. Patrons can sample island cocktails and food while enjoying nightly live music and dancing. Duke’s is the place for extravagant beach drinks, including their Hawaiian Island Iced Tea, Kalapaki Rita and Tropical Itch, that complement a full wine and dinner menu featuring mango barbecue ribs and baja fish tacos.
For more information: 808-922-2268
The Veranda
Visit The Veranda for a sophisticated evening among lush palm trees and immaculate grounds. With nightly live jazz or piano, The Veranda offers a classic plantation setting with an intimate dance floor. From mid-afternoon into early morning, guests can enjoy the extensive cocktail and pupu menu, which features artisan cheeses and fresh island sashimi. The Veranda offers a long list of specialty Mai Tai concoctions, tropical temptations, and margaritas, not to mention its unique martinis, including Chocolate Bliss, Mango Comfort and Hawaiian Limeade. The single liquor selections are impressive, as are the appealing champagne and wine options.
For more information: 808-739-8888
Family Activities in Honolulu
Honolulu Zoo
Nestled between the slopes of Diamond Head and Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo is visited by more than 750,000 people annually. The zoo’s attractions include 42 acres of exotic African savannah, a children’s discovery center, a primate exhibit and the famous Native Pacific bird exhibit, which showcases the endangered Nene, Hawaii’s state bird. Home to over 1,000 mammals, birds and reptiles, the zoo is known for its giraffes and endangered Sumatran tiger.
The Honolulu Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $1 for children ages 6-12 and $8 for adults. Admission for children under 6 is free. Public parking is located adjacent to the zoo entrance. For more information: 808-971-7171
Hawaii Maritime Center
Perched atop Pier 7 on the Honolulu Harbor, the Hawaii Maritime Center is a family-friendly, educational experience. Highlights include a replica of an ancient Polynesian canoe, rare humpback whale skeleton and skeleton of a 1,805-pound Pacific Blue Marlin caught just off the coast. Exhibits on Hawaii’s volcanic birth, commercial fishing, surfing and windsurfing tell the story of Hawaii’s past and present. Guests can also walk the decks of the Falls of Clyde, the world’s only four-masted, fully-rigged ship.
The center is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The center is closed Christmas. Admission is $4.50 for children ages 6-17 and $7.50 for adults. Admission for children under 4 is free. For more information: 808-521-2829
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Aquatic adventures abound at Sea Life Park Hawaii, located just 15 miles east of Waikiki. The perfect place for guests who have always wanted to catch a kiss from a sea lion or soar through the water with dolphins, the park specializes in hands-on activities, including swimming with dolphins and sea lions and a stingray encounter exhibit. The popular Sea Trek Adventure is an underwater stroll in the park’s 18-foot-deep Hawaiian Reef Tank among eels, stingrays, sea turtles and tropical fish. Guests can also visit the penguin habitat and sea turtle feeding pool, as well as the world’s only wholphin, a cross between a whale and dolphin. On select evenings, Sea Life Park throws an authentic luau celebration, complete with a dolphin show, delicious Hawaiian buffet and traditional Polynesian revue with a fire dance and call of the conch.
Sea Life Park is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Luau’s take place Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Admission prices vary with activities and shows. Reservations are recommended for hands-on activities. For more information: 866-393-5158
Waikiki Aquarium
Founded in 1904 and part of the University of Hawaii, Waikiki Aquarium is the 3rd oldest public aquarium in the United States. The aquarium, known for its expert coral reef exhibits, is located next to a living reef along the Waikiki shoreline. Focusing on the aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific, the aquarium is home to more than 2,500 organisms, including its famous reef sharks and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The Edge of the Reef, a 7,500-gallon outdoor exhibit, recreates a typical Hawaiian shoreline and allows visitors to get up close and personal with colorful reef fish and wildlife. The aquarium’s superior education department offers day and night reef walks and diving and snorkeling trips, as well as overnight aquarium adventures for the whole family. The aquarium is also available for private events.
The Waikiki Aquarium is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $2 for juniors ages 5-12 and $4 for adults and youths ages 13-17. Admission for children under 4 is free. Public parking is located adjacent to the aquarium. For more information: : 808-923-9741
Recreation and Outdoors in Honolulu
Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island
A 100-acre paradise of beaches, picnic areas, jogging paths and hiking trails, Ala Moana Beach Park is a favorite among body boarders and surfers. Magic Island, a man-made, 30-acre peninsula is known for its white sand beaches, picnic areas, protected swimming lagoon and breathtaking views of Waikiki. One of the quieter, more secluded beaches in Honolulu, Ala Moana’s warm, gentle surf is ideal for families and lap swimming. The park is also home to the annual August Honolulu Family Festival, which features live entertainment and Hawaiian cuisine.
For more information: 808-923-1811
Diamond Head State Monument
An absolute must-see for any Honolulu visitor, Diamond Head is the most famous volcanic crater in the world. Located at the edge of Waikiki, Diamond Head or Le’ahi, meaning “brow of the yellowfin tuna,” is about 300,000 years old and has been extinct for about 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet wide in diameter and its summit is 760 feet tall. Visitors are welcome to hike to the observation deck on the 0.8-mile Diamond Head Summit Trail, which, though paved, is steep and strenuous. Hikers are encouraged to bring flashlights for the tunnel portions of the two-hour hike. The monument is open daily from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entrance fees are $5 per car or $1 per pedestrian.
For more information: 808-923-1811
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay, meaning “curved bay,” is one of the most visited beaches in Hawaii, and for good reason. This nature preserve, created from a collapsed volcanic crater, is protected from the ocean water, making it an ideal location for swimming and snorkeling. The bay is home to a large coral reef and a diverse population of marine life, most notably sea turtles, octopuses and over 450 tropical fish. More than 3,000 people visit the bay each day to swim in the bay’s crystal clear waters and hike nearby trails.
Hanauma Bay is open daily in the summer from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. It is closed Tuesday and remains open until 10:00 pm the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Hanauma bay is open daily in the winter from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is closed Tuesday and remains open until 10:00 pm the second Saturday of each month. Admission is $5 per visitor. Snorkel, mask and locker rentals are available. Guests interested in snorkeling are encouraged to arrive mid-afternoon, as the bay is most crowded during the morning hours. For more information: 808-396-4229
Honolulu Tours
Aloha Seaplane Flight
Aloha Seaplane Flights take visitors into the Hawaiian skies on a 30-minute seaplane flight for spectacular aerial views of Honolulu. The ride passes over landmark sites including Aloha Tower, Diamond Head, the USS Arizona Memorial, Waikiki Beach and the Koolau Mountain Range. Each six-person seaplane features a window seat for each passenger, as well as a professional pilot ready to answer any question. Total tour time is two hours, beginning at the floating office for instruction and an introduction before take-off. Extended tours over pineapple and sugar cane fields are also available.
Tour prices start at $129 per person and include round-trip transportation from Waikiki hotels. Tours depart daily at 9:15 am, 10:45 am, 12:15 pm, 1:45 pm, 3:15 pm and 4:45 pm. Tours are not offered Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information: 702-233-1627
Hawaii Food Tours
Created by popular Hawaiian food writer and restaurant reviewer Matthew Gray, Hawaii Food Tours offers three guided restaurant tours of Honolulu. The Hawaiian Feast in Paradise tour caters to those looking for an intimate dining atmosphere. Guests enjoy both contemporary and ancient Hawaiian selections, including kalua pork, lomi salmon and poi. The Gourmet Trilogy Food and Wine Lovers tour takes guests to three top Honolulu fine dining venues for a multi-course, wine-paired dinner. Most popular of the three, the Hole-in-the-Wall tour includes stops at five exotic hidden gem eateries to sample such fare as barbequed meat satay, Thai noodles and Vietnamese summer rolls.
The Hawaiian Feast in Paradise tours runs Monday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and costs $149 per person. The Gourmet Trilogy Food and Wine Lovers tour runs Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and costs $199 per person. The Hole-in-the-Wall tour runs daily from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and costs $99 per person. Each tour includes transportation for guests staying in Waikiki hotels. For more information: 808-926-3663
Hawaii’s Plantation Village
Hawaii’s Plantation Village consists of 32 authentic and replica structures that recreate a sugar plantation. Following the rapid expansion of the sugar industry after 1867, thousands of immigrants from China, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Japan, Korea and other locales flocked to the state from the late 1800s to the 1940s. Those who chose to stay in Hawaii and raise families helped form the basis for the state’s modern multi-cultural population. The Plantation Village is the only museum in Oahu to showcase their lives, using relics and antiques donated by local families that tell the story of these plantation workers. Structures and furnished homes on the 50-acre plantation include the community bath, houses of different ethnic groups, plantation office and more.
The Plantation Village offers guided tours every hour Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission is $5 for children ages 4-11 and $13 for adults. Admission for children under 3 is free. For more information: 808-677-0110
Oahu Ghost Tours
Oahu is known as one of the world’s most haunted locations on account of the desecration of ancient sacred burial grounds during the modernization of the island. Guests can explore the spooky side of Honolulu with Honolulu City Haunts, a one-mile, two-hour walking tour through the most haunted sites in the downtown area, including Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Oahu Ghost Tours also offers the intensely scary, four- to five-hour Orbs of Oahu driving tour, not recommended for children, as well as the four-hour Sacred Spirits tour. All tours are given by leading supernatural experts and storytellers. Tour tickets range in price and include transportation.
The Honolulu City Haunts tour runs Thursday and Saturday at 7:20 pm and costs $22 for children under 12 and $27 for adults. The Orbs of Oahu tour runs Monday through Wednesday and Friday at 7:20 pm and costs $37 for children under 12 and $47 for adults. The Sacred Spirits tour runs Wednesday and Saturday at 8:00 am and $39 for children under 12 and $49 for adults. Ticket prices include transportation. For more information: 808-524-4944
Oahu Nature Tours
Oahu Nature Tours focus on conservation through education by offering various land and bird-watching adventures, from easy walks to difficult hikes for small groups of fewer than 14. Popular tours include the Hidden Waterfall and Royal History Adventure, in which guests drive through a tropical rainforest to visit Mauna Ala, the resting place of six of Hawaii’s monarchs, as well as Kawaiahao Church, King Kamehameha’s statue and the scenic Kapena Falls. The Mountain Rainforest Adventure is a 4.5-mile walking tour that takes guests to a rainforest above Pearl Harbor that bursts with Koa trees, fragrant white hibiscuses and rare Hawaiian honeycreepers among dramatic mountain views. The Lost Coast of Oahu Adventure tour is a serene walking tour that takes guests to a local flower and macadamia nut farm to enjoy complimentary Kona coffee and macadamia nuts while strolling along a stunning exotic orchid farm. Tours range in price and include transportation to and from Waikiki.
Tours range in price and duration based on type. The earliest pick-up time is 6:00 am and the latest pick-up time is 2:00 pm. Tours include transportation to and from Waikiki hotels. Reservations at least one week prior are strongly recommended. For more information: 808-924-2473
