All Outdoor Adventures
Air Tours
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
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.
Highlights of "Honolulu"
Map preview generated from the featured coordinates for this destination.
Use the links below to open each attraction in Google Maps.
- 1. Experience Waikiki beyond the hotel stripView on map
- 2. Hike Diamond Head State MonumentView on map
- 3. Visit Iolani Palace and the historic civic districtView on map
- 4. Spend time at Bishop MuseumView on map
- 5. Visit Pearl Harbor's memorial sites thoughtfullyView on map
- 6. Explore Kakaako and the waterfrontView on map
- 7. Hike or walk in a Koolau-backed valleyView on map
- 8. Treat the North Shore as a separate day tripView on map
About Honolulu
- Location: Honolulu is in Hawaii, United States.
- Known for: Experience Waikiki beyond the hotel strip, Hike Diamond Head State Monument, Visit Iolani Palace and the historic civic district, Spend time at Bishop Museum, Visit Pearl Harbor's memorial sites thoughtfully
Top Tours
Sightseeing & City Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Private Tour Oahu Circle Island - Fully Personalized Experience
Swap the big, crowded tour buses for a private and personalized experience of Oahu.
★ 5.0 (93 reviews)
From $800
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience Departing from Oahu
Get away from the Oahu buzz with this whirlwind volcano-chasing tour.
★ 4.8 (272 reviews)
From $589.99
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu: 60 Min Royal Crown Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On
Explore Hawaii’s island of Oahu by air on this helicopter tour.
★ 4.8 (810 reviews)
From $540
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor Complete Experience Passport
Visit Pearl Harbor’s most important sites without the hassle of securing separate tickets or coordinating multiple admissions.
★ 4.7 (557 reviews)
From $225
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, Dole, and Polynesian Cultural Center from Waikiki
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
Things to Do in Honolulu
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.
Best time to visit
Honolulu works year-round, with tradeoffs by season and location
- Warm weather is normal year-round, but rainfall, surf exposure, and wind vary across Oahu.
- Winter brings the famous large surf to the North Shore while Honolulu's south shore can be comparatively calmer.
- High-demand attractions, holiday periods, and major events reward advance reservations even though there is no single short visitor season.
Travel tips
- Group sights geographically; Oahu traffic can turn a poorly planned itinerary into hours in the car.
- Use official state or federal reservation systems for managed hikes and memorial sites rather than assuming walk-up access.
- Respect Native Hawaiian cultural sites and avoid reducing Hawaiian history to decorative background for beach tourism.
- Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore are related but not interchangeable geographic entities.
FAQs about Honolulu
How many days should I spend in Honolulu?
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.
Is Waikiki the same as Honolulu?
Waikiki is a neighborhood within Honolulu, not a separate city.
Is the North Shore in Honolulu?
No. The North Shore is a separate region of Oahu and should be planned as a substantial excursion rather than a Honolulu neighborhood stop.
Learn More About Honolulu
Best Tours in Honolulu
Air Tours
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
Sightseeing & City Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Private Tour Oahu Circle Island - Fully Personalized Experience
Swap the big, crowded tour buses for a private and personalized experience of Oahu.
★ 5.0 (93 reviews)
From $800
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience Departing from Oahu
Get away from the Oahu buzz with this whirlwind volcano-chasing tour.
★ 4.8 (272 reviews)
From $589.99
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu: 60 Min Royal Crown Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On
Explore Hawaii’s island of Oahu by air on this helicopter tour.
★ 4.8 (810 reviews)
From $540
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor Complete Experience Passport
Visit Pearl Harbor’s most important sites without the hassle of securing separate tickets or coordinating multiple admissions.
★ 4.7 (557 reviews)
From $225
Air Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, Dole, and Polynesian Cultural Center from Waikiki
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
Private Surf Lessons in Honolulu
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
Oahu: Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers
Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with a visit to a traditional luau.
★ 4.6 (509 reviews)
From $178
Hiking
Honolulu, Hawaii
North Shore day,Waterfalls and Turtles Tour
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
Water Sports
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling
Explore Oahu on this full-day minibus tour with a small group and a local guide.
★ 4.9 (5270 reviews)
From $149
Honolulu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Tour
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
Oahu Deluxe Grand Circle Island Tour
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
Deluxe Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri Battleship Tour
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
Oahu: Ka Moana Lūʻau at Aloha Tower – Oceanfront Luau Show
Experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau in a scenic location.
★ 4.1 (1543 reviews)
From $135.08
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu: Germaine's Luau
Enjoy a taste of Hawaiian culture when you book this luau dinner experience in Kapolei.
★ 4.3 (847 reviews)
From $128
Sightseeing & City Tours
Honolulu, Hawaii
Premium Oahu Circle Island Tour – Small Group, No Crowds
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
Water Sports
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oahu: Grand Tour Around Island with Snorkeling
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
'Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
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
Waikiki Luau Buffet with Optional Rock-A-Hula Show Ticket
Come experience a celebration of Hawaiian cuisine, live music, and festive hula at the Waikiki Luau.
★ 4.4 (1731 reviews)
From $101
Water Sports
Honolulu, Hawaii
Scenic Full Day Circle Island Tour-Snorkeling/Breakfast/Byodo-in
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
Beachboy Valet
Guided Beachboy valet experience in Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Burial At Sea
Guided Burial at sea experience in Honolulu
Paddle Sports
Honolulu, Hawaii
Canoe Charter
Guided Canoe charter experience in Honolulu
Paddle Sports
Honolulu, Hawaii
Canoe Surfing
Guided Canoe surfing experience in Honolulu