
Honolulu, Hawaii
Private 45 Minute Helicopter Tour with Romantic Landing
If you're looking to add to the romance of your Hawaii trip then this romantic helicopter ride is right up your alley.
★ 5.0 (4 reviews)
From $3,240
Top 10 Things to Do in Honolulu
Planning a trip to Honolulu? This 2026 guide covers the top 10 things to do, from iconic outdoor experiences to local attractions worth adding to your itinerary.
Use this list to compare highlights, discover what makes Honolulu unique, and find tours that match your travel style.

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Use the links below to open each attraction in Google Maps.

Honolulu, Hawaii
If you're looking to add to the romance of your Hawaii trip then this romantic helicopter ride is right up your alley.
★ 5.0 (4 reviews)
From $3,240

Honolulu, Hawaii
Swap the big, crowded tour buses for a private and personalized experience of Oahu.
★ 5.0 (93 reviews)
From $800

Honolulu, Hawaii
Get away from the Oahu buzz with this whirlwind volcano-chasing tour.
★ 4.8 (272 reviews)
From $589.99

Honolulu, Hawaii
Explore Hawaii’s island of Oahu by air on this helicopter tour.
★ 4.8 (810 reviews)
From $540

Honolulu, Hawaii
Visit Pearl Harbor’s most important sites without the hassle of securing separate tickets or coordinating multiple admissions.
★ 4.7 (557 reviews)
From $225

Honolulu, Hawaii
See three of Oahu's most important cultural attractions in just one day with his small-group tour.
★ 4.8 (1109 reviews)
From $199.99
1. Experience Waikiki beyond the hotel strip
Waikiki is Honolulu's best-known visitor district, but its significance goes beyond resorts. Walk the public shoreline, learn about Duke Kahanamoku and Hawaiian surfing traditions, and notice how beaches, parks, historic hotels, and the Ala Wai define the neighborhood. Early morning is particularly good for walking before heat and crowds build.
2. Hike Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head, or Leahi, is a volcanic tuff cone at the eastern edge of Waikiki and one of Honolulu's defining landforms. The summit route climbs through exposed terrain and historic military infrastructure to broad coastal views. Check current Hawaii State Parks reservation requirements before visiting, carry water, and avoid treating the short distance as an effortless walk in midday heat.
3. Visit Iolani Palace and the historic civic district
Iolani Palace was the royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchy and is fundamental to understanding the political history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and its overthrow. Give the site enough time for interpretation rather than using it as a photo stop. Nearby landmarks make downtown Honolulu a coherent history-focused walking block.
4. Spend time at Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum is one of the strongest places to build context for Native Hawaiian and wider Pacific history, culture, and natural science. It is especially valuable early in a trip because the collections help explain landscapes, traditions, and historical events encountered elsewhere on Oahu. Allow several hours rather than trying to combine it with too many distant attractions.
5. Visit Pearl Harbor's memorial sites thoughtfully
Pearl Harbor is an active harbor and military landscape as well as a collection of historic and memorial sites. The USS Arizona Memorial and related visitor experiences require more planning than a casual roadside stop, and some components have separate operators or ticketing. Use official federal information for current reservations, security rules, and access.
6. Explore Kakaako and the waterfront
Kakaako provides a contemporary counterpoint to Waikiki and historic downtown, with murals, food, new development, and waterfront spaces layered over an older industrial district. Walk a defined area rather than driving from mural to mural. The neighborhood also illustrates current questions about redevelopment, housing, and public shoreline access in urban Honolulu.
7. Hike or walk in a Koolau-backed valley
Mānoa and other inland valleys show how quickly Honolulu changes from dry or developed coast to wetter tropical mountain terrain. Trails can be muddy and conditions can change after heavy rain, so use current land-manager information rather than relying on generic trail summaries. This landscape contrast is one of the most revealing experiences in the city.
8. Treat the North Shore as a separate day trip
Haleiwa, Waimea, Sunset Beach, and the North Shore are not Honolulu neighborhoods. A North Shore day requires substantial driving and has its own seasonal surf, traffic, and safety considerations. If you go, build the day around that region rather than presenting it as another Honolulu attraction.
Honolulu works year-round, with tradeoffs by season and location
Three to five days gives enough time for Waikiki, cultural and historic sites, one substantial outdoor experience, and a carefully chosen day beyond the urban core.
Waikiki is a neighborhood within Honolulu, not a separate city.
No. The North Shore is a separate region of Oahu and should be planned as a substantial excursion rather than a Honolulu neighborhood stop.

Honolulu, Hawaii
If you're looking to add to the romance of your Hawaii trip then this romantic helicopter ride is right up your alley.
★ 5.0 (4 reviews)
From $3,240

Honolulu, Hawaii
Swap the big, crowded tour buses for a private and personalized experience of Oahu.
★ 5.0 (93 reviews)
From $800

Honolulu, Hawaii
Get away from the Oahu buzz with this whirlwind volcano-chasing tour.
★ 4.8 (272 reviews)
From $589.99

Honolulu, Hawaii
Explore Hawaii’s island of Oahu by air on this helicopter tour.
★ 4.8 (810 reviews)
From $540

Honolulu, Hawaii
Visit Pearl Harbor’s most important sites without the hassle of securing separate tickets or coordinating multiple admissions.
★ 4.7 (557 reviews)
From $225

Honolulu, Hawaii
See three of Oahu's most important cultural attractions in just one day with his small-group tour.
★ 4.8 (1109 reviews)
From $199.99

Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii is the perfect to learn to surf, and the perfect *way* is with a pro who's chased waves for 18 years on the world circuit.
★ 4.8 (83 reviews)
From $199

Honolulu, Hawaii
Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with a visit to a traditional luau.
★ 4.6 (509 reviews)
From $178

Honolulu, Hawaii
Depart from Honolulu on a guided Oahu North Shore day trip that pairs island history with Waimea Valley's rainforest waterfall swim.
★ 5.0 (8 reviews)
From $150

Honolulu, Hawaii
Explore Oahu on this full-day minibus tour with a small group and a local guide.
★ 4.9 (5270 reviews)
From $149

Honolulu, Hawaii
Deepen your understanding of World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor with this seamless and convenient tour.
★ 4.5 (177 reviews)
From $149

Honolulu, Hawaii
Circle the Island of Oahu by coach, enjoying ocean views, rugged mountains, and fascinating history during this full-day tour.
★ 4.6 (2236 reviews)
From $145.55

Honolulu, Hawaii
Visit Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial (aka the “Mighty MO”) on this small-group tour.
★ 4.5 (156 reviews)
From $139

Honolulu, Hawaii
Experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau in a scenic location.
★ 4.1 (1543 reviews)
From $135.08

Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy a taste of Hawaiian culture when you book this luau dinner experience in Kapolei.
★ 4.3 (847 reviews)
From $128

Honolulu, Hawaii
This small-group circle-island tour of Oahu is ideal for those who want to see a lot in a short time.
★ 4.8 (1808 reviews)
From $115

Honolulu, Hawaii
With just one day, you can see 16 of Oahu’s greatest sights and still have time for snorkeling—if you hop on this tour.
★ 4.8 (11076 reviews)
From $109

Honolulu, Hawaii
A new dawn of live entertainment rises in ʻAuana by Cirque du Soleil – a Hawai‘i-inspired production featuring a cast of powerful acrobats, hilarious…
★ 4.9 (822 reviews)
From $106.59

Honolulu, Hawaii
Come experience a celebration of Hawaiian cuisine, live music, and festive hula at the Waikiki Luau.
★ 4.4 (1731 reviews)
From $101

Honolulu, Hawaii
There are many Circle Island tours on offer in Oahu but this one delivers a small-group, crowd- and traffic-free experience.
★ 5.0 (138 reviews)
From $100
Honolulu, Hawaii
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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