Top 30 Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Honolulu, Hawaii

July 16, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2093 Views

Honolulu is the capital of the State of Hawaii in the United States of America. It is situated on the southwest coast of O’ahu island. Some of the best things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii include exploring volcanic craters, coastal sights, beaches, nightlife, festivals, war history, Polynesian culture, ocean cruises, adventure sports, art and food. The biggest attraction of Honolulu is its geography. The city sits on an island with a beautiful coastline. This coastline in turn was built from volcanic eruptions which created a varied terrain of plains, cliffs, peaks and craters. The majority of the best places to visit in Honolulu, Hawaii are situated along the coast.

The city is surrounded by some of the most charming beaches. Alongside these sandy pieces of heaven are coastal cliffs, reefs and bays which add to the glamour of Honolulu vacation. The coastline is made even more attractive owing to various adventure sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, boat cruises, whale spotting, marine wildlife tours and other such Honolulu activities.

It is also famous for being the site for the Pearl Harbour attacks during the Second World War. The site of these attacks has been converted into museums, monuments and memorials. The warships and airplanes associated with Pearl Harbour are also major Honolulu tourist attractions and can be explored at the site. There is also sunken debris of fallen war machines at the bottom of the ocean, but you will need to scuba dive to see these Honolulu attractions.

It is also one of the best places in Hawaii to learn, witness and experience the Polynesian culture. There are cultural centers, recreated villages, events, shows, workshops and museums dedicated to the Polynesian people. There are also a lot of interesting things to see in Honolulu hailing from different cultures and a blend of different cultures. The city is also a major financial, cultural, political, trade and business hub of Oceania. The splendor of the city will be apparent during Honolulu sightseeing. Its position in the Pacific Ocean attracted people from different ethnicity and cultures. You will see this in architecture, art, music, decor and food. The city is truly a melting pot.

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Table of Contents

Top 30 Tourist Places to Visit in Honolulu, Hawaii

1. Waikiki Beaches

Situated on the southern shore of the city, Waikiki beaches have a life of their own. Besides the beautiful sandbars and magnificent views of the ocean, this place is the venue for some of the best things to do in Honolulu Hawaii. It is well known for resorts, entertainment, nightlife, dining, street food, water sports, shopping, events, strolling and a lot more. You can easily spend an entire day just exploring the shore and attractions around it.

2. Polynesian Cultural Center

This cultural museum comprises six villages, each dedicated to a different Polynesian island and its people. Besides learning, this center is also one of the best places to visit in Honolulu Hawaii for a genuine cultural experience. There are several events, activities and performances which give an immersive experience of different Polynesian cultures during your Honolulu vacation. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

3. Pearl Harbour

This harbour is definitely the most well-known among Honolulu attractions. It is the largest natural harbour in Hawaii with a long history of pearl harvesting. It is also very well known for the “Attack on Pearl Harbour” during the second world war. There are a lot of things to see in Honolulu which is associated with and located around Pearl Harbour. This includes a monument dedicated to fallen soldiers, memorials dedicated to several battleships, ford island, an aviation museum and a museum dedicated to pearl harbour. You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore this place.

I suggest you should go for Guided Tour of Pearl Harbour.

4. Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head is an inactive volcanic mountain with a huge crater at its summit. It is one of the most recognizable natural Honolulu tourist attractions. There is about a mile’s hike required to reach the summit and it is well worth the effort. The view in all directions is absolutely breathtaking. You will need 2 hours from Honolulu sightseeing to explore this mountain.

If you are healthy and fit then I suggest you should go for Hiking Trip of Diamond Head State Monument.

5. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

This Bay was born in the crater of an ancient volcano and is one of the most pristine coastal spots in Hawaii. Owing to the delicate ecosystem, the number of visitors here is limited. It is also popular for several fun Honolulu activities like snorkeling and beach activities. The coral reef and marine life are also major attractions of this bay. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying Hanauma Bay during Honolulu travel.

6. Adventure Sports

Hawaii has a beautiful coast, pristine bays, lush wilderness and daunting mountains around it. There is no shortage of adventurous top things to do in Honolulu Hawaii. Some of the most popular ones are Surfing, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Marine Wildlife Tours, Kayaking, Helicopter Rides, Beach Sports, Hiking, Trekking, Sailing and more. The majority of these outdoor activities to do in Honolulu are centered around the coastal belt, especially the bays. You can also enjoy leisurely and luxurious boat cruises if you want to explore the ocean a little calmly.

Here below we have listed some of the suggestions for adventure activities to do in Honolulu:

7. Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design

This museum exhibits the collection of Doris Duke Foundation of Islamic Art. The exhibits hail from Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and Europe. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Honolulu for those interested in art, history and culture. The exhibits include artworks in various forms such as paintings, engravings, carvings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture, glass, wood and so on. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Honolulu.

8. USS Arizona Memorial

This memorial is one of 5 locations of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. The monument is built on top of the sunken remains of USS Arizona ship. The memorial is dedicated to the soldiers and fallen heroes of the attack. You should get here early because this is one of the most popular places to see in Honolulu and hence gets crowded really fast. You will need about an hour for this tour.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of USS Arizona Memorial with Pearl Harbour and City Tour.

9. USS Missouri Battleship

This battleship is nicknamed Mighty Mo and is well known for being the official site of Japan’s surrender, an event that marked the end of World War II. Hence, a visit to this ship is must-do in Honolulu. The ship is docked at Pearl Harbour and you can extensively explore the ship to learn about its workings, its history and its role in the war. You will need an hour or so from Honolulu sightseeing to tour this battleship.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket of USS Missouri Battleship in advance.

10. Iolani Palace

This neoclassical palace was built in 1882 for King Kalakaua. This palace serves as the residence of Hawaii royalty. It is also one of the best places to visit in Honolulu Hawaii to learn about the political history of the region. The palace is also renowned for its architecture and decor elements. You will need 2 hours to tour this palace.

11. Lyon Arboretum

This botanical garden is spread over an area of 194 acres and is situated inside a rainforest. The garden is home to more than 5000 types of plants originating from Hawaii and Polynesia. You would need an hour or two from Honolulu sightseeing to tour this garden.

12. Koko Crater Railway Trailhead

This trail extends for 1,050 steps and leads you to the wonderful Koko Crater. The view from atop this mountain is one of the best things to see in Honolulu. Atop the mountain, you will also come across Koko Crater Botanical garden which houses several plant species native to Hawaii, Africa and Madagascar. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this crater during Honolulu travel.

13. Honolulu Museum of Art

This museum exhibits Asian Art and delves into the cultural influence of Asia on Hawaii. You will get to see artworks and artifacts hailing from Japan, China and Korea. The museum is well known among Honolulu tourist attractions for its collection of European and American art as well. The museum also exhibits Hawaiian Art from the 1700s onwards. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

14. Aloha Tower

This tower has been welcoming people on Honolulu Harbour since 1926. It was originally built as a lighthouse, but was camouflaged as a clocktower during World War II. The tower is also popular among Honolulu attractions for the observation deck, which gives you a great view of the city and the harbour. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this tower when you visit Honolulu.

15. Ala Moana Center

This is the largest open-air shopping center in the world. Besides shopping, it is also known for several fun things to do in Honolulu such as street food, live music, performance arts, entertainment and dining. You will need at least an hour to tour this shopping center.

16. USS Bowfin

The ship and the museum are dedicated to the 52 submarines and crew members of the USA which were sunk during World War II. This ship is one of the most popular places to see in Honolulu on Pearl Harbour site. You can explore the ship as well as the submarine. You will need about 2 hours for this tour.

I suggest you should book your Admission Ticket of USS Bowfin in advance.

17. Bishop Museum and Planetarium

The Bishop Museum is dedicated to Polynesian Art and Artifacts. It is one of the best places to go in Honolulu to learn about the historical, cultural, political and religious aspects of Hawaii. The museum also contains J Watumull Planetarium. Besides the cosmos, the planetarium has shows about pre-history and Polynesian culture as well. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this place.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket of Bishop Museum in advance.

18. Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

These 3 historical properties hail from the 19th century and showcase the lives of early missionaries. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.

19. Moana Falls Trail

This trail is a two-mile hike culminating with the sight of a 150-foot waterfall. It is among must-do things in Honolulu for nature lovers. This trail and the waterfall is also a Hollywood movie star having been featured in blockbuster films like Jurassic Park and the Hunger Games. You will need about 2 hours from Honolulu travel for this trail.

You can book round-trip transportation of Moana Falls Trail and do a self-guided hike.

20. Honolulu Beaches

Blessed with a long coastline and a varied landscape, there are a variety of beaches in Honolulu. Aside from being pristine, the coastline is also the hub for a variety of adventure, entertainment and leisure activities. Some of the best Honolulu beaches are Kailua Beach, Magic Island, Sandy Beach, Waialae Beach, Kahanamoku Beach, Hanauma Bay, Ko Olina, Sans Souci Beach, Diamond Head Beach and Ala Moana Beach. You can easily spend an entire just exploring different types of beaches during your Honolulu vacation.

21. Halona Blowhole

These coastal cliffs are considered one of the most dangerous places to see in Honolulu. The currents are strong and wave crash into the cliffs with significant force, hence the name blowhole. It is a place to be admired from a safe distance, from where it looks majestic. If you are here at the right time, you will get to witness the migration of humpback whales, turtles and birds. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place.

22. Kaka’ako District

This trendy neighbourhood is known for shopping, street food, murals, art and its general upbeat vibe. It is also known for top thing to do in Honolulu at night. There are many empty warehouses that have been converted to art studios. It is one of the best places to visit in Honolulu for artists. You will need an hour or so to explore this neighbourhood.

I suggest you should try a Hoverboarding Tour of Kaka’ako District.

23. Ala Wai Canal

This canal originates from Ala Wai harbour and extends till Ala Wai golf course. There are a lot of fun activities to do in Honolulu centered around this canal. There is a wonderful promenade which you can explore on foot, there is a park and of course a golf course. You can also enjoy Honolulu sightseeing with a boat cruise through this canal. It will require about 2 hours time.

24. Royal Hawaiian Center

This is a major shopping complex in Honolulu with a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The shopping center is also known for hosting numerous art, culture and entertainment events. You will need at least an hour to tour this complex when you visit Honolulu.

25. Nu’anu Pali State Wayside

This hike trail takes you atop the Ko’olau mountain to get a breathtaking view of the Nu’anu Valley. You also get a panoramic view of the island and the ocean surrounding it from the lookout platform. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this place.

26. Dolphin Quest Oahu – Swim with Dolphins

This wonderful facility lets you swim alongside dolphins. It is an unreal experience and among the most fun things to do in Honolulu Hawaii. It is part of the Kahala Hotel and Resort and you will need about an hour for this experience.

27. Downtown Honolulu

This area is considered the beating heart of Hawaii. It is a melting pot of cultures and people. It is also well known for its hotels, street food joints, cafes, bars and nightlife venues. You can dedicate an evening of Honolulu travel to this area.

28. Honolulu Zoo

This zoo houses over 900 species of animals brought in from around the world. It is one of the must do in Honolulu for family tourists. The zoo offers several activities which give you an interactive experience with certain animals. You will need about 2 hours to tour this zoo.

29. Atlantis Submarine Adventures

You can’t complete a Honolulu vacation without witnessing marine life and this adventure takes you underwater in a submarine to watch the sea life in its natural habitat. You are likely to see a variety of fishes, sharks, eels, coral reefs, turtles and more. You will need about 2 hours for this experience.

I suggest you must book a tour of Atlantis Submarine Adventures.

30. Makapu’u Beach Park

This trail takes you to the westernmost end of the island and encompasses several popular Honolulu attractions including a lighthouse, ocean lookout platform, tidepools, a beach and Makapu’u point. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this trail.

I suggest you should book a Self Guided Hike of Makapu’u Lighthouse with round-trip transportation.

If you are looking for more must-do things in Honolulu, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places and activities to explore on this wonderful Hawaiian island.

Things to do in Honolulu

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Honolulu

Diamond Head State Monument
Iolani Palace
Pearl Harbour National Memorial
Bishop Museum
Pearl Harbour Historic Site
Aviation Museum
Honolulu Museum of Art
Battleship Missouri Memorial
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum
Aloha Tower
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Makapu’u Lighthouse
Hawaii State Art Museum
King Kamehameha Statue
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue
Hawaii Army Museum
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historical Site
Kawaiaha’o Church
Hawaii State Capitol Building
Diamond Head Lighthouse
Ali’iolani Hale Government Building
Fort Island
Washington Place
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse
Historic Hawaii Foundation
Royal Mausoleum State Monument

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Honolulu

Diamond Head Volcano
Hanauma Bay
Halona Blowhole
Shark’s Cove
Manoa Falls
Mount Koko
Nu’uanu Pali
Lyon Arboretum
Koko Crater
Makapu’u Point
Kuli’ou’ou Forest Reserve
Lulumahu Falls
Round Top Forest Reserve
Puu Ualakaa State Park
Halona Beach Cove
Likeke Falls
Makapu’u Tidepools
China Walls Cliffs
Kane’ohe Bay
Mount Tantalus
Ka’au Crater
Kapena Falls
Spitting Cave
Kaiwi State Shoreline
Pali Notches
Moanalua Valley
Waimea Valley

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Honolulu

Kualao Ranch
Sea Life Park
Corsair Wreck Dive Site
Atlantis Adventures
Honolulu Zoo
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Ala Moana Regional Park
Waikiki Aquarium
Kapi’olani Regional Park
Makapuu Beach Park
Sea Life Park
Foster Botanical Garden
Children’s Discovery Center
Aloha Stadium
Wet and Wild Waterpark
Hawaii Kai Golf Course
Pali Golf Course
Wai’alae Beach Park
Diamond Head Beach Park
Diamond Head Luau
Fort DeRussy Beach Park
Ka Moana Luau
Moanalua Garden
Koko Crater Botanical Garden
Waikiki Starlight Luau
Kaka’ako Waterfront Park
Dolphin Quest Oahu
Paradise Cove Luau
Atlantis Submarines

Shopping in Honolulu

Royal Hawaiian Center
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Haleiwa Farmers Market
Ward Village Shops
Chinatown
Kaimuki Shopping Center
Honolulu Farmers Market
Hawaii Kai
Ala Moana Center
Luxury Row
International Market Place
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
KCC Farmers Market
Pearlride Center
Kailua Farmers Market
Waikele Premium Outlets
Pearlride Farmers Market
Kahala Mall
Waikiki Beach

Beaches & Islands in Honolulu

Waikiki Beach
Magic Island
Sans Souci Beach
Kuhio Beach
Ala Moana Beach
Sandy beach
Makapuu Beach
Kaimana Beach
Kuhio Beach
Kahanamoku Beach
Magic Island
Na Mokulua Beach
Wai’alae Beach
Queen’s Surf Beach
Diamond Head Beach
Fort DeRussy Beach
Kahala Beach
Kuhio Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Honolulu

Hiking
Trekking
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling
Boat Cruise
Dolphin Watching
Sailing
Surfing
Helicopter Ride
Bike Tours
Walking Tours
Kayaking
Canoe Ride
Whale Watching
Swimming with Dolphins
Speedboat Ride
Jet Ski Ride
Submarine Tour

Sightseeing in Honolulu

Chinatown
Kaka’ako District
Hahaione Street
Tantalus Lookout
Kalakaua Avenue
Ala Moana Boulevard
La Mariana
Kuhio Avenue
Lana’i Lookout
Kapahulu Avenue

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Honolulu

Leonard’s Bakery
Waiahole Poi Factory
Honolulu Beerworks
Over Easy
Waiola Shave Ice
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Hank’s Haute Dogs
Palace Saimin
Downtown Honolulu
Liliha Bakery
Moku Kitchen
Ethel’s Grill
Mai Tai Bar
Lam’s Kitchen
Barefoot Beach Cafe
The Pig and the Lady
Ono Seafood
Senia
Maguro Brothers
Fete Hawaii
Tanioka Seafood
Morning Glass

Where to Stay in Honolulu?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Honolulu. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Honolulu.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Honolulu

How to Reach Honolulu?

By Air

You can visit Honolulu through Daniel K Inouye International Airport. You can get direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Auckland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Seoul, Taipei, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City, Boston, Melbourne, Sydney and several more.

You can get buses, cabs, and rental cars from the airport to get to places to go in Honolulu.

By Road

There are buses connecting Honolulu to several cities on Oahu Island. If you want to drive to reach Honolulu by road, you should head for routes H1 or H201.

By Water

The city has a cruise port and many cruise ships make tours from the mainland USA and include Honolulu travel as part of their itinerary.

Image Reference

Waikiki Beaches – Michelle Raponi / PixaBay
Polynesian Cultural Center – cgordon8527 / PixaBay
Pearl Harbour – Monica Volpin / PixaBay
Diamond Head State Monument – Eric Tessmer / Flickr
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve – photosforyou / PixaBay
Adventure Sports – Christopher Jetton / Flickr
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design – Daderot. / GFDL / Wikimedia Commons
USS Arizona Memorial – wojoan / PixaBay
USS Missouri Battleship – Harry and Rowena Kennedy / Flickr
Iolani Palace – Varin / Flickr
Lyon Arboretum – collectmoments / Flickr
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead – Eric Tessmer / Flickr
Honolulu Museum of Art – Thomas Hawk / Flickr
Aloha Tower – Jasperdo / Flickr
Ala Moana Center – Daniel Ramirez / Flickr
USS Bowfin – Daniel Ramirez / Flickr
Bishop Museum and Planetarium – Tony Fernandez / Flickr
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives – Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Manoa Falls Trail – CraigJ / PixaBay
Honolulu Beaches – Monica Volpin / PixaBay
Halona Blowhole – Gage Skidmore / Flickr
Kaka’ako District – Haydn Blackey / Flickr
Ala Wai Canal – anokarina / Flickr
Royal Hawaiian Center – Wally Gobetz / Flickr
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside – Philip Kahn / Flickr
Dolphin Quest Oahu – Swim with Dolphins – Nandaro / Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Honolulu – David Grant / Flickr
Honolulu Zoo – Wally Gobetz / Flickr
Atlantis Submarine Adventures – Amaury Laporte / Flickr
Makapu’u Beach Park – Mary Bennett / PixaBay