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Honolulu

Honolulu Waikiki & Oahu Travel Guide

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Overview

Here in Honolulu, away from the crowded haunts of Waikiki, you get to shake hands with the real Hawaii. A boisterous Polynesian capital, Honolulu delivers an island-style mixed plate of experiences.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Interior of Bishop Museum, main gallery with sperm whale hanging from ceiling.

    Bishop Museum

    Honolulu

    Hawaii’s version of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the Bishop Museum showcases a remarkable array of cultural and natural history exhibits…

  • iolani palace honolulu hawaii usa

    ʻIolani Palace

    Honolulu

    No other place evokes a more poignant sense of Hawaii’s history. The palace was built under King David Kalakaua in 1882. At that time, the Hawaiian…

  • The Honolulu Museum of Art

    Honolulu Museum of Art

    Honolulu

    This exceptional fine-arts museum is among the best of its kind anywhere. The collection is effectively a 'best of' summary of major art movements…

  • Hawaii State Art Museum, Foundation on Culture and the Arts, gallery, paintings, sculpture, adult adults woman women

    Capitol Modern

    Honolulu

    With its vibrant, thought-provoking collections, this public art museum brings together traditional and contemporary art from Hawaii’s multiethnic…

  • Buddha Statue Daibutsu Replica The Great Buddha of Kamakura Foster Botanical Gardens Honolulu Oahu Hawaii. Oldest botanical garden in Hawaii established 1853. 1866021444 foster botanical garden, buddha statue, colorful, daibutsu, daibutsu replica, foster, hawaii, hawaiian, landmark, tropical

    Foster Botanical Garden

    Honolulu

    Tropical plants you’ve only ever read about can be spotted in all their glory at this spectacular botanic garden, which took root in 1850. Among its…

  • Honolulu, HI / USA - January 26, 2020: People explore Chinatown in Honolulu. The neighborhood is known for its market, great food, and cool nightlife. 1211188750 loca

    Chinatown Markets

    Honolulu

    The commercial heart of Chinatown revolves around its markets and food shops. Noodle factories, pastry shops and produce stalls line the narrow sidewalks,…

  • Honolulu: Hawaii, Oahu, Honolulu, skyline view of downtown Honolulu, Diamond Head and Waikiki beach from Tantalus Lookout. Oahu known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to about two-thirds of the population of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital, Honolulu, is on Oahu's southeast coast. 855553966 tantalus lookout

    Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside Park

    Honolulu

    The best free view in Honolulu! At this hillside park, sweeping views extend from Diamond Head on the left, across Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, to the…

  • The Lady Columbia statue, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

    National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

    Honolulu

    Northeast of downtown Honolulu is a bowl-shaped crater, nicknamed the Punchbowl, formed by a long-extinct volcano. Hawaiians called the crater Puowaina (…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city, packed with culture, fine-dining options and enough shopping to keep you busy for an entire vacation.

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Best Time to Visit

Here's the scoop on when to find the most festivals, the smallest crowds, and the perfect beach weather in Honolulu, plus what's happening month to month.

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Transportation

As Hawaii's favorite beach hub, Honolulu can get busy. Here are our tips for getting around, to help you explore the sights and find a calm stretch of sand.

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Free Things to Do

Honolulu is full of free things to do, from markets and museums to beaches and stunning scenic drives.

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Day Trips

Thanks to Hawaii's geography and quick, reliable flights, Honolulu's neighboring islands and the Ko’olau Mountains make for easy day trip destinations.

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