Honolulu, in southeast Oahu, is Hawaii’s state capital. The imposing Aloha Tower lighthouse greets arriving visitors with its Gothic architecture, while Ala Moana Park, with its serene beach, offers a break from the city’s bustle. History is the everywhere here, and you can step into the past at iconic sights such as Pearl Harbor, or explore the restored 19th-century homes in the Mission Houses Museum.
Head to one of Honolulu’s beachfront cafes to sample pokē, a lightly spiced raw-fish salad, washed down with a freshly made tropical-fruit smoothie, before watching a smoldering sunset from an idyllic vantage point on palm-fringed Waikiki Beach.
What to see & do in Honolulu
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10 Best Things to Do in Honolulu
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii: America’s volcanic archipelago. The best things to do in Honolulu include soaking up the sun on the beach, hiking dramatic natural monuments and marvelling at waterfalls in lush tropical rainforests.
Set on the southern shores...
Food and dining in Honolulu opens the door to a rich fusion of multicultural influences. You can experience Hawaii's farm-to-table regional cuisine, head for a barefoot fish taco stand, and wander through surfer-friendly towns that focus on the freshest seafood dishes. Many of the restaurants here offer influences from China, Japan, the Philippines, and of course, American mainland culinary tradition to create a truly unique fusion of food and culture.
Some...
Honolulu is a hub of regional cuisine that combines traditional Hawaiian flavours with inspiration from many other cultures. You’ll find all the best foods in Honolulu, from staple Spam recipes to delicious seafood dishes. No matter your taste, Honolulu’s cuisine...
Honolulu is filled with diverse and delicious restaurants that reflect every facet of Hawaiian culinary culture. You can get everything you want to eat from seafood to poke, fruit desserts, and Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you want to sample...
Honolulu offers some of the best shopping experiences in Hawaii, whether you’re on the hunt for brand-name fashions or looking for unique local arts and crafts. Taking advantage of Honolulu’s mild tropical weather, many shopping centres have open-air layouts with lush gardens and rows of palms. Some malls are within easy reach of downtown Honolulu, while there are plenty of...
Nightlife in Honolulu seems to never end, as everything from craft-cocktail lounges to trendy nightclubs come to life after the sun sets. The iconic image of Hawaiian nightlife involves tiki bars, and, of course, these can be found on just about every corner, with the tropical cocktails and umbrellas to match. Check out places like the La Mariana Sailing Club and Arnold's Beach Bar for some of the more popular...
After dinner in Honolulu, you’ll have your choice of things to see and do. From enjoying live music and cocktails at a bar or club to spending time with the family watching fireworks on the beach, there’s something for everyone....
Here are the best luaus in Honolulu for you and your family to experience a grand Hawaiian cultural celebration. Luaus are a special tradition and are a big part of Polynesian life. The communal feast is simply among the best...
The common mistakes people make when visiting Honolulu are generally innocent misconceptions that those planning a visit to this popular Hawaiian city may have. These include being unaware that it’s quite a big city – the largest on the Hawaiian...
A Honolulu vacation means soaking up Hawaiian sunshine on palm tree-lined beaches by day and romantic evenings watching the sun dip into the Pacific Ocean. So grab your surfboard, book your Honolulu hotel and step into a true tropical paradise.
Golden beaches
Of all Hawaii’s beaches, none is more famous than Waikiki Beach, a narrow 1½- mile stretch bordered by high-rise Honolulu hotels and watched over by Diamond Head mountain. When the waves are high, sun-tanned surfers paddle out into Waikiki’s Mamala Bay, making for great entertainment even for those preferring to watch from their beach blankets. Between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu Ala Moana Beach offers smaller crowds and calmer waters for swimming, while Hanauma Bay, on Oahu’s easternmost shore, is popular with snorkelers.
Island romance
Stroll the stalls of Chinatown’s open market, gathering up fresh-cutorchid bouquets or plumeria leis (typical Hawaiian garlands). Waikiki Beachis a favourite spot for couples to take surfing lessons or for just soaking up some sun. Reserve space at a classic Hawaiian luau partyand learn to hulaat resorts throughout Honolulu. For a more laid-back evening, dine at 5-diamond La Mer in Waikiki, famous for French preparations of Hawaiian ingredients and sunset views of Diamond Head. End your romantic Honolulu vacation sipping mai tai cocktails in a beachside hotel, overlooking a brilliant red sunset.
Polynesian past
A visit to downtown Honolulu reminds visitors of Hawaii’s history as an independent nation. The ‘Iolani Palace, America’s only imperial residence, highlights Polynesian history through its Victorian galleries and sparkling royal jewellery collections. Across the street, the King Kamehameha I statue stands before the Kawaiaha’o Church, built from 14,000 coral blocks, and Mission Houses Museum, where New England missionaries settled in 1820. For a taste of more recent history, visitors can take the short bus ride to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, which marked the beginning of America’s involvement in the Second World War.
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