Honolulu & Waikiki Beach, Hawaii Attractions

Honolulu, Hawaii, is an enchanting vacation destination with endless things to do and see. With exciting attractions, gorgeous beaches, museums, historic landmarks, and wonderful shopping and dining, Honolu and Waikiki Beach will captivate your spirit and enchant your soul. Lounge on the white sands of world-famous Waikiki Beach. Learn to surf in the blue waves of the Pacific. Shop, eat and play at the Waikiki Beach Walk. Climb to the towering summit of Diamond Head. Explore Honolulu’s Chinatown and Pearl Harbor. Enjoy family fun at the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. Sip a mai tai at a beachfront bar and look for the green flash when the sun sets into the horizon. When you stay at the Maile Sky Court, you’ll be surrounded by the action of Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu & Waikiki Beach Things To Do

Waikiki Beach & Waikiki Beach Walk.

Located on Oahu’s southeastern coast, Waikiki Beach is one of the most enchanting beaches in the world. Fronted by waterfront restaurants, shops, entertainment and nightlife, this gorgeous 2-mile white sand beach is a wonderful spot for lounging on the sparkling sands and swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, catamaraning and outrigger canoeing in the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. Waikiki Beach offers picnic areas, concession stands, surf lessons, and body board and snorkeling rentals. Walk along the lively Waikiki Beach Walk for waterfront shopping, dining, entertainment and activities and savor the breathtaking seascape. Visit http://www.waikikibeachwalk.com/

Diamond Head State Park.

Towering over Oahu’s beautiful southeast coast and Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Park is an extinct volcanic crater and Oahu’s most symbolic natural landmark. Formed 300,000 years ago, Diamond Head’s saucer-shaped crater spans 3,520 feet across. Hike the challenging trail from the crater floor and walk two sets of stairs up the wall of the volcano to the 760-foot high volcanic summit. Breathe in mesmerizing vistas of Oahu’s striking coast – from Waikiki Beach to Koko Head. Visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/.

Waikiki Shell.

Across from Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head in the distance, Waikiki Shell is tropical outdoor amphitheater for open-air concerts, shows, and events. Boasting a large stage, advanced sound and lighting, and green lawns, this shell-shaped concert venue is a beautiful setting for twilight concerts and entertainment under the stars. The amphitheater seats 1,958 people, and the lush lawns seat 6,000. Closer to the ocean, the Shell grounds offer a smaller amphitheater that features a daytime hula show, Diamond Head Greens, and a tree-lined lawn for theme parties, receptions, and banquets. Visit http://www.blaisdellcenter.com/venues/waikikishell.html.

Kapiolani Park.

Hawaii’s oldest and largest public park, Kapiolani Park offers 500 beautiful acres of relaxation and recreation in Waikiki Beach. Created by King Kalakaua in the 1870s and listed on Hawaii’s Historic Register, the park features lush scenery, 100-year old trees, shaded picnic areas, soccer and sport fields, archery range, tennis courts, and a scenic 3-mile running trail that is part of the Honolulu Marathon Course. Kapiolani Park is the site of Diamond Head, Honolulu Zoo, Kodak Hula Show, and the Waikiki Shell – home to outdoor concerts and shows. The Royal Hawaiian Band gives free concerts every Sunday at the Bandstand.

Waikiki Aquarium.

Set alongside a living coral reef, Waikiki Aquarium exhibits over 3,500 marine animals and aquatic plants – representing 500 species – from Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Explore the breathtaking coral reef exhibit and see living corals and giant clams. Gaze into the eyes of a zebra shark or giant octopus. See colorful tropical fish, reef sharks, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Explore the Edge of the Reef Exhibit and touch sea life found along Hawaii’s reefs and rocky shoreline. Marvel at the graceful sea jellies in the Ocean Drifters Gallery. Face giant sharks in the Hunters on the Reef exhibit. The Aquarium also offers tours, events, camps, and activities, including shark adventures, reef walks, diving and snorkeling trips and the Aquarium After Dark Tour. Visit www.waquarium.org.

Honolulu Zoo.

Third oldest zoo in the country, the acclaimed Honolulu Zoo exhibits over 1,000 animals, mammals, birds, reptiles and exotic wildlife from around the globe. Set in Kapiolani Park, the zoo presents naturalistic exhibits of the African Savannah, Pacific Islands, Tropical Rainforest, and Kabuni Reserve. Encounter a Sumatran tiger, Asian elephants, zebras, crocodiles, komodo dragons, Hawaiian nene goose, and the first Galapagos tortoises born in captivity. Pet cows and llamas at the Children’s Zoo. Enjoy the Dinner Safari and explore the Honolulu Zoo at night with flashlights. Visit www.honoluluzoo.org.

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

America’s valor in the Pacific is alive at the USS Arizona Memorial at Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor. Tour the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place for many of the ship’s crewmen who lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Spanning the mid-section of the sunken battleship, the Memorial features a museum, movie theaters, a bookstore and gift shop, exhibits chronicling the attack, and the shrine room with the names of those who perished on the USS Arizona engraved on a marble wall. The USS Arizona Memorial museum highlights the attack via dramatic photographs, battle artifacts, exhibits and memorabilia. Start your tour with a documentary film on the Pearl Harbor attack and take the audio tour narrated by Ernest Borgnine. Visit http://www.nps.gov/usar.

Iolani Palace.

A National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace was the royal palace of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. Tour this magnificent European-style castle and discover the history of the last royal monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Tour the Palace’s beautiful galleries lined with Hawaiian crown jewels, ancient regalia, and historic portraits and photographs. Enjoy picnics and free Friday concerts in the stunning courtyard or find treasures and souvenirs in the Palace Shop. Visit www.iolanipalace.org.

Hanauma Bay.

Located on Oahu’s South Shore, Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park. Sheltered from the ocean waves, the crescent-shaped cove is Oahu’s most popular snorkeling and scuba diving spot – a coral reef with rich marine life. Divers can touch the bay floor, the crater of an ancient volcano, or swim out along the reef to deeper waters. Enjoy swimming and sunning on the peaceful sandy beach. Walk the scenic hiking trails along the coastline and ridge to breathtaking lookouts overlooking the gentle bay. Visit http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/welcome.htm

Bishop Museum.

Hawaii’s largest museum houses a collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal heirlooms of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop – last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family- and artifacts, photographs and documents about Hawaii and Pacific Island culture. Founded in 1889, Bishop Museum is the leading cultural and natural history institution in the Pacific, acclaimed for its extraordinary cultural collections and research. The striking Hawaiian and Polynesian Halls feature one of the largest natural history collections in the world. Visit the Museum’s Hawaii Maritime Center on Honolulu Harbor. Visit http://www.bishopmuseum.org.

Downtown Honolulu & Chinatown.

Downtown Honolulu features Hawaii’s significant treasures, historic landmarks, museums and attractions. Enjoy walking tours from Aloha Tower Marketplace, with shops and restaurants on Honolulu Harbor surrounding historic Aloha Tower. Explore the Hawaii Maritime Center, which highlights Hawaii’s ocean history; Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on US soil; Mission House Museum, with artifacts from the first Protestant missionaries; State Capitol Building; and the Kamehameha statue in front of Honolulu’s old judicial building. Discover Honolulu’s Chinatown, an 8-block labyrinth of temples, historic buildings, shops, galleries, ethnic eateries, bars, lei stands, antique dealers, produce vendors, and herbal shops. Join a guided walking tour at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Waikiki Beach Shopping

Royal Hawaiian Center.

Spanning three blocks in Waikiki Beach, Royal Hawaiian Center is a popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The Center features 150 luxury and lifestyle shops and restaurants on four levels, offering fashions, jewelry, crafts and cuisine from around the world – from haute couture to hot dogs. Discover trendy boutiques, such as Cartier, Fendi, Kate Spade, and Juicy Couture, and fabulous restaurants like Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Doraku Sushi. Enjoy free culture, music, and hula classes in The Royal Grove. Visit shttp://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com

International Market Place.

A Waikiki Beach shopping tradition, International Market Place is a colorful open-air market with 200 shops, carts, kiosks, artisan stands, restaurants and bars. Built around a century-old banyan tree, International Market Place is a maze of souvenir, jewelry, apparel, sunglass, surf, gift, clothes and artisan crafts shops and bamboo-colored stalls. Shop for t-shirts, sandals, wood carvinsg, kites, surfboards, pearls, tapestries, and souvenirs – from wooden tiki statues to grass hula skirts. Hear stories told by local craftspeople and snap a photo by the waterfall. Dine at the International Food Court serving a variety of cuisines and featuring Hawaiian entertainment. Visit www.internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com.

Ala Moana Center.

Hawaii’s largest shopping destination, Ala Moana Center features everything from designer apparel to local specialties. This massive open-air shopping mall features over 290 luxury stores, shops, and restaurants. Anchored by Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, the Center houses Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Betsey Johnson, Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Escada, Fendi, J. Crew, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tiffany & Co. Ala Moana Center draws locals and visitors alike with its array of dining and nightlife options, including Morton’s Steakhouse, and Pearl nightclub, along with numerous entertainment and shopping events. Visit http://alamoanacenter.com.

Waikiki Beach Walk.

Shop, eat, and play at the Waikiki Beach Walk. This vibrant beachfront promenade is lined with shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Shop for Hawaiian souvenirs, trendy fashions, local arts and crafts. From island chic to fashion funk, Waikiki Beach Walk offers 50 shops, including Alter Ego, Sunshine Swimwear, Quiksilver, Honolua Surf Co., and Sunglass Solutions. The Walk offers 15 restaurants and bars, including Roy’s Waikiki, Yard House, Ocean House Restaurant, Kani Ka Pila Grill, and Coconut Willy’s with Oahu’s hottest DJs and live bands. Enjoy live music and cultural events on the Walk’s outdoor plaza. Visit www.waikikibeachwalk.com.