Honolulu/Waikiki, Hawaii Top Attractions

State Park Cultural Center Honolulu Zoo Hanauma Bay Kapiolani Park

Waikiki Beach/Waikiki Beach Walk. Once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, beautiful Waikiki is a vibrant Honolulu neighborhood with stunning beaches on emerald waters, cultural attractions, world-class shopping, delectable dining, inspiring landmarks, fun festivals and events, and exciting entertainment. Experience Waikiki’s famous attractions, including Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, and Diamond Head. As the sun sets, you can shop, dine, dance, and listen to live music along Kalakaua Avenue and Waikiki Beach Walk - Waikiki’s hip shopping, dining and nightlife spot. Explore the Waikiki Historic Trail, highlighting 23 historic sites marked by bronze surfboards - from Hawaiian artifacts to weathered photos of Waikiki's surfing past in Duke's Canoe Club. The trail takes you to sights like the sacred Wizard stones of Kuhio Beach, King's Village, and the Duke Kahanamoku statue - "Father of modern surfing” - at Waikiki Beach. Surf, sun and swim at Waikiki Beach, Kuhio Beach, Duke Kahanamoku Beach, San Souci Beach and Queens Surf Beach. Beyond Waikiki, you'll discover the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor and the legendary beaches of the North Shore.

Diamond Head State Park. Hawaii's symbolic landmark, Diamond Head is a 760-foot extinct volcanic peak overlooking Waikiki's coastline that’s known for its historic hiking trail, magnificent coastal views, and history. Towering over the beaches of Waikiki, Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the broad, saucer-shaped crater formed 300,000 years ago during an explosive volcanic eruption. Hike the steep and winding 0.8 mile trail from across the crater floor to the summit of Leahi where you’ll enjoy stunning landscapes of Oahu’s southern shore. While the 2-hour walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head, the panoramas from the top reveal Honolulu’s landmarks, neighborhoods, and beaches. Be inspired by breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the green slopes of the Koolaus, and shoreline from Koko Head to Waianae. During winter, you can see passing humpback whales. Visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/.

USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor. Commemorating the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, this famous national memorial houses the sunken hull of Battleship USS Arizona. The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the U.S. Experience WWII history through Memorial's tours, museum, and exhibits. Visit http://www.nps.gov/usar/.  [Top]

Polynesian Cultural Center. A 42-acre facility on the North Shore of Oahu, Polynesian Cultural Center shares island heritage. Representing South Pacific nations, PCC features recreated villages, exhibits and hands-on activities that highlight Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Tahiti, Tonga and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). PCC’s island villages offer a unique opportunity to learn and participate in the customs and authentic activities of each island - from island games and crafts to food preparation and war training. A Hawaiian luau, a canoe pageant, an IMAX™ theater, shops and a spectacular show are all part of the experience. With its lagoon, waterfalls, lush tropical flora, and erupting volcano, the Polynesian Cultural Center captures all the magic and romance of the South Pacific. Visit www.polynesia.com.

Aloha Stadium. The largest multi-purpose arena in Hawaii, the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium in Honolulu presents exciting sports events, entertainment, concerts, car shows and fairs. Home of the University of Hawaii's Warriors football team, Aloha Stadium presents a wide spectrum of major pro and college football events such as the NFL’s Pro Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl, baseball games and soccer matches such as the Pan-Pacific Soccer Championships, and the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet - Hawaii's biggest outdoor swap meet with bargains from hundreds of vendors selling an enormous selection of goods. Visit http://alohastadium.hawaii.gov/.  [Top]

Honolulu Zoo. Located between Diamond Head and Waikiki, the 42-acre Honolulu Zoo houses over 1000 species of animals - mammals, birds and reptiles - and rare wildlife, including a Sumatran tiger, Hawaiian nene goose, Francois monkeys, giraffes, hippos, Indian elephants, spider monkeys, lions, native Hawaiian forest birds and the Galapagos tortoises, the first bred in captivity. Exhibits include the 12-acre African Savannah set against the backdrop of Diamond Head, Tropical Rainforest, Pacific Islands, Kabuni Reserve and the Children’s Zoo where you can pet llamas and cows. The"Zoo by Moonlight" guided tour offers a unique glimpse of the habits of nocturnal animals. Visit www.honoluluzoo.org/.

Waikiki Aquarium. Next to a living reef on the beautiful Waikiki shoreline, Honolulu Aquarium is the third oldest aquarium in the U.S. The Aquarium exhibits amazing marine life with 2,500 organisms - representing over 420 species of aquatic animals - from Hawaii and the tropical Pacific, and has world-acclaimed coral reef exhibits. Get up-close to reef sharks, living corals, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, graceful sea jellies, and myriads of colorful reef fish. The Aquarium offers day and night reef walks, Pacific diving/snorkeling trips and overnight Aquarium adventures featuring sharks and sea jellies. Visit www.waquarium.org.   [Top]

Hanauma Bay. Sitting between two dormant volcanic craters in southeast Oahu, this gorgeous bay is a favorite swimming spot with clear and shallow waters teeming with tropical fish and marine life, which creates a magical underwater environment to experience. With the Hanauma Bay Marine Educational Center, the marine sanctuary preserves the natural eco-system and eases the human interaction on the marine life.

Honolulu Academy of Arts. Founded by Anna Rice Cooke in 1927 to share her love of the arts with the people of Hawaii, Honolulu Academy of Arts is Hawaii's leading fine art museum, with a collection of 50,000 works. The museum’s 30 galleries features an internationally acclaimed Asian art collection, European and American painting, graphic and decorative arts. Dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and teaching of the visual arts, the Academy presents exhibitions, films, videos, performing arts, and programs relevant to Hawaii's diverse community. Explore six charming courtyards, a theater, gift shop, and Garden Café. Visit www.honoluluacademy.org.  [Top]

Kapiolani Park. A natural paradise in Honolulu at the foot of Diamond Head, Kapiolani Park is a majestic destination with 500 acres to explore. The largest and oldest park in Hawaii, llisted on the State's Historic Register, Kapiolani Park features exceptional trees that date back 100 years, and is home of the historic Diamond Head, the famous Kodak Hula Show, the 42-acre Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Shell, host to outdoor concerts and shows, Honolulu Cricket Club, Sunday Art Shows, tennis courts, soccer fields, an archery range, shady picnic sites, grassy sport areas, and a 3-mile jogger's course, part of the Honolulu Marathon, Kapiolani Beach Park and the beautiful Queen Kapiolani Rose Garden, which features a rare Hawaiian rose. The Royal Hawaiian Band provides concerts every Sunday in the Kapiolani Bandstand.

Sea Life Park. Located 15 miles from Waikiki on Oahu's beautiful and scenic Makapuu Point, Sea Life Park is an exciting and entertaining marine attraction between the Koolau Mountain Range and breathtaking Makapuu Beach. Sea Life Park features more than 4,000 marine creatures in simulated natural habitats and displays. See dolphins dance, sea lions sing, and penguins play in a magical place by the sea. Encounter a fantastic array of marine life and make amazing discoveries about our aquatic world. Swim with dolphins, come face to face with sea lions, and watch thrilling animal shows. Visit www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/.  [Top]