The Best Things to do in Honolulu

Honolulu - Photo by Jason LeCompte from Flickr

Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii, located on the south shore Oahu island.

This city offers a lot of things to do with its beautiful beaches, scenic landscapes, amazing hiking trails, and many more.

Honolulu is also home to learn about the uniqueness of the native and local culture.

It is also a nice place to learn about the local history, cuisines, culture, and also the interesting spot to do outdoor activities.

If you're looking for the best places and things to do in Honolulu, this article will give you simple guidance to travel in Honolulu.

ONE DAY TRIP IDEA

If you're planning to spend a day to visit major sites on the island, you can actually get around on a 120 miles tour. You will see everything from amazing cliffs to gorgeous Waimea Bay. Iolani Palace is a historical place where you can see the remaining monarchy building of the old Hawaii. This building focuses on preserving the last Hawaiian Kingdom and museum that displays the history of the 19th centuries of the island. You can take a simple tour on this building and learn about the kingdom of Hawaii before it is merged with US.
Another place you can visit in Honolulu is Pearl Harbor National Memorial. It is a museum that preserves the historical attack of Japan during World War II to the United States. The museum also displays the remaining harbor where US army defended the territory of Hawaii and nowadays it is open for public attractions.

Iolani Palace

Opulent 19th-century home of Hawaii’s last monarchs operating as a museum with tours & exhibits.

Address : 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

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Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Site commemorating the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, featuring USS Arizona Memorial, museum & galleries.

Address : 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA

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SIGHTSEEING

Honolulu is one of Hawaii's best destinations for tourists and has plenty of things to do. If you want to have a sightseeing on the island, you can visit Halona Blowhole Lookout. It is a lookout spot where you can see the sea water that meets the lava tube. It is an interesting place to watch the amazing sea water that being thrown by the natural waves over 30 feet to the lava tube. Visitors can also get a beautiful landscape of the ocean over the Pacific Ocean.
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue is another interesting place to visit, located on the Kalakaua Avenue, the statue is created to honor the Hawaiian father of surfing and olympic champion. The statue is the representation of Duke Paoa who was the Hawaiian surfer and represented the Hawaii in international surfing championship.

Halona Blowhole Lookout

From this lookout, visitors can see ocean water shoot 30 feet into the air from a lava tube.

Address : 8483 HI-72, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

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Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue

This 9-foot bronze sculpture honors the Hawaiian Olympic champion & father of international surfing.

Address : Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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CULTURE

The Byodo-In Temple is a Buddhist temple located on Oahu Island, Honolulu. The temple was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants on the Hawaiian Islands. If you want to learn about the culture of the Hawaii, this temple can be your destination. It is located on the Valley of Temples Memorial Park.
Another cultural and historical site to learn about the island is Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center. It is well known for its historical attack during World War II when Japan attack and destroyed the harbor. This site is the place where you can still see the remaining harbor where US's army defended the territory of Hawaii during the war. Nowadays, the harbor is one of the most interesting sites to visit in Oahu.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Site commemorating the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, featuring USS Arizona Memorial, museum & galleries.

Address : 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA

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The Byodo-In Temple

Replica of a historic Japanese Buddhist temple featuring manicured grounds & meditation sites.

Address : 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Oahu is from mid-April to early June or between September and mid-December.

LANDMARKS

If you want to visit the historical landmarks in Honolulu, you can visit Battleship Missouri Memorial. It is the USS Missouri (BB-63), the last battleship that commissioned by the US army and the site where the Japan surrendered and the sign of the end of World War II. It is located in the heart of Pearl Harbor Memorial and one of many historical monuments that displays the World War II era.
Aloha Tower is another historical landmark that shows the Hawaiian old story. The tower is a retired lighthouse that shows the official state of Hawaii as part of United States. Nowadays, the lighthouse is one of the most visited landmarks in Honolulu.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

Historic battleship, which was the site of the official Japanese surrender in WWII, offers tours.

Address : 63 Cowpens St, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA

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Aloha Tower

Built in 1926, this landmark 10-story lighthouse is one of Hawaii's most recognizable buildings.

Address : 155 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

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BEST HOTELS AND RESORTS

Holiday Inn Express Waikiki is a 2-star resort located in the south coast of Oahu. It is situated on the surf beach tourist hub and eatery spots of the city. This hotel offers comfortable rooms and complete amenities with nearest bars, restaurants, up-scale dining spots, and beautiful beach. It is one of the recommended place to stay in Honolulu.
Park Shore Waikiki Hotel is a modern hotel with tower building located in the seafront of Honolulu. The hotel is also adjacent to both Kuhio Beach Park and Kapioloni Park. The comfortable rooms with ocean views will add the best experience to your stay.

Holiday Inn Express Waikiki

Modern hotel in high-rise building with bright rooms, some with ocean views, plus a hot tub & pool.

Address : 2058 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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Park Shore Waikiki Hotel

Contemporary high-rise with Diamond Head Monument views, plus a pool, live music & in-room massages.

Address : 2586 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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BEST RESTAURANTS

Paia Fish Market Waikiki is a seafood restaurant serving numerous delicious cuisines of varied seafood from locals. You can get into this place and get your best food for dinner. They also serve good drinks to get your best dinner served.
Duke's Waikiki is a popular option for casual dining and breakfast in Honolulu. It is situated on the laid-back surf and turf beach where you can enjoy the good atmosphere of the beach. It is the best place you can stop off at when you're needing a comfortable place to eat.

Paia Fish Market Waikiki

Try the freshness of seafood which served raw or baked in relaxed atmosphere.

Address : 2299 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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Duke's Waikiki, Honolulu

Popular option known for its beachfront location, surf 'n' turf, tiki vibe & umbrella drinks.

Gorgeous ocean views with live music makes their patio one of the top places to eat.

Address : 2335 Kalakaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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BEST SOUVENIR SHOPS

Honolulu Zoo Gift Shop is a souvenir shop where you can buy various gifts, crafts, handicrafts, and many more. This place provides all you can get from the interesting sides of Honolulu. The staffs are nice that they will help you to get your best gifts.
Nani Aloha Shirt Outlet is another place to find your best souvenirs in Honolulu. The wide collections of crafts, t-shirts, and many more available at reasonable prices. It is a recommended place to shop for souvenirs.