Traditional arts, outdoor adventures and urban cool await in the heart of Hawaii, with beaches and lush green hillsides always nearby
Your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Honolulu, Oahu. Find more travel inspiration for more amazing cities here.
Even if you’ve never been to Oahu, you’ve likely seen the North Shore’s monster waves and the Koolau Mountains’ rippled cliffs in films like Jurassic Park and TV series such as Lost. But this island is more than a backdrop: With traditions and cuisine rooted in ancient culture, museums showcasing historic artifacts and contemporary works, and concert halls and outdoor spaces playing host to festivals, Oahu has some serious main-character energy.
Formed by volcanic eruptions, the island is an easily explorable 44 miles long and 30 miles across—but packs in a lot of history. Settled by Polynesians around 500 C.E., conquered by King Kamehameha I in 1795, annexed by the U.S. in 1898, and attacked by Japan during the Second World War, it has had a tumultuous journey.
Today, in a place where hula and the Hawaiian language were once outlawed, Oahu is experiencing a cultural resurgence. From Grammy award-winning Hawaiian music to menus highlighting taro and other culturally significant foods, to signage displaying original Hawaiian place names, you’ll find symbols of resilience—and resistance.
Honolulu’s open-air airport terminal greets visitors with an amuse-bouche of sculptures, murals, and gardens—a celebration of the environment and cultural diversity that you’ll see across Oahu.
Traditional Hawaiian hale (houses) were made of wood and other natural materials, and designed to allow natural air circulation. Today, you can feel the breeze blowing through open-air lobbies and halls of historic hotels, like The Royal Hawaiian, and the world’s largest open-air shopping center at Ala Moana. You’ll find native koa wood incorporated into modern buildings, such as the Hawaii State Capitol, which also features a sky-framing, open-air atrium.
Temples, shrines, churches, chapels, and heiau (Hawaiian sacred sites) sprinkled around Oahu reflect the variety of spiritual practices and structures, and some, like the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe, modeled after a larger Buddhist temple in Japan, invite visitors of all faiths to pause for a contemplative moment.
In Kaka‘ako, you’ll find an al-fresco gallery of murals, credited with transforming this monochrome industrial neighborhood into a colorful cultural hub. Nearby, ’Iolani Palace, a restoration of the royal residence, stands as a symbol of Hawaiian heritage and the only building in the world designed in American Florentine style.
Time your trip for a First Friday, and go gallery-hopping around Chinatown after browsing the Honolulu Museum of Art’s collection of more than 50,000 artifacts and works of art from around the globe. For some of the best contemporary Hawaiian artists, check out Capitol Modern, formerly known as the Hawaii State Art Museum. Engage with Oahu’s living arts with a theater performance at Kumu Kahua Theatre or through hula and ukulele lessons offered at the Royal Hawaiian Center and to guests at ‘Alohilani Resort and many other hotels.
Fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. Waikiki is a 25- to 45-minute drive and the North Shore is about 45—longer if there’s traffic. Rental cars and rideshare options, such as Uber and Lyft, are available at the airport (rentals should be reserved in advance). Shared shuttles to Waikiki are also an option; there are service desks at baggage claim, but booking ahead is advisable to guarantee your spot. The cheapest way to get to downtown Honolulu or Waikiki is route 20 on TheBus, but it will take around an hour.
Tipping is customary for services, including restaurants, bars, hotels, guides, and drivers—15% for adequate service, 20% or more for excellent service, and $2 per bag for bellman. Although English is widely spoken, you will hear and see the Hawaiian language. Using basic Hawaiian phrases, such as “mahalo” (thank you) is appreciated. Reef-friendly sunscreen is a must; sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in Hawaii.
TheBus is the cheapest way to get around, but not the quickest. It’s good for short distances within the city but not ideal for longer trips around the island. Determine what parts of Oahu you plan to visit, then look at bus routes to decide if it’s suitable for you. Drivers do not carry change, so you must bring the correct amount or load a HOLO card in advance. During rush hour, you may find standing room only.
Rental cars offer the most freedom to travel around the island, but can be pricey and sometimes sell out, so it’s best to reserve in advance. Parking in Honolulu and Waikiki can be challenging and expensive; rideshare services are a good alternative to driving in these areas. Biki bike rentals are also available for short jaunts around town; download the Biki app or buy the subscription online.
TheBus is wheelchair accessible and also welcomes service animals. People with disabilities who are unable to use TheBus may be eligible to use TheHandi-Van (contact TheHandi-van Eligibility Center for more info). Several popular beaches on Oahu provide all-terrain wheelchairs, including Ala Moana Beach Park, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and Kuaola Regional Park. AccessSurf offers swimming and surfing programs for those with physical or cognitive disabilities. Many hotels, tours, museums, and other sites can accommodate a variety of needs but it’s best to inquire well in advance. For example, sign language interpreters can be arranged at the Bishop Museum with two weeks’ notice.
Every October, Oahu hosts Honolulu Pride, a month-long celebration that includes a festival, live music, arts events, performances, talks, food and drink specials, and a parade. Travelers will also find LGBTQ+ friendly restaurants, bars, and events throughout the year, such as drag shows and catamaran cruises hosted by the legendary Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand.
If there ever was a recipe for flavorful eats, Oahu’s tropical climate, mineral-rich soil, bountiful ocean, and multicultural influences could be it. You can take a global tasting tour without leaving the island: Sample ‘ulu (breadfruit) and other island-grown superfoods at KCC Farmers Market, nibble Portuguese malasada pastries at Leonard’s Bakery, slurp spicy tofu soup at hole-in-the-wall eateries like O’Kims Korean Kitchen, and sip sake at Japanese izakayas tucked along South King Street.
While relaxed vibes are the norm—yes, your sundress and slippahs (sandals) are adequate attire for many restaurants—casual dining doesn’t mean low quality. Whether you refuel with South Shore Grill’s fish tacos after a surf sesh, try a plantation era-inspired “plate lunch” of kalua pork served with poi and lomi-lomi salmon at Waiāhole Poi Factory, or sit down to a multicourse fine-dining meal featuring hyper-seasonal ingredients at Mugen, you’ll get a taste of Oahu’s terroir and heritage.
Even the umbrella drinks get an upgrade on Oahu; savor sunset mai tais made with local rum at Hau Tree and The Mai Tai Bar. Then there’s the iconic Hawaiian shave ice: a colorful, ice-based treat that makes for a fun way to beat the heat.
Turn on the radio or drop by a beach bar (perhaps joining the crowds singing along with Henry Kapono at Duke’s on Sunday), and you’re likely to hear a mix of reggae, pop, rock, and traditional and contemporary Hawaiian and “island” music featuring slack-key, ukulele, and guitars. Oahu’s favorable weather sets the stage for outdoor music celebrations, including the Hawai‘i ’Ukulele Festival, concerts under the stars at open-air venues like the Waikiki Shell, and more intimate shows at beachside spots such as House Without a Key.
Catch a performance by the Honolulu Symphony or the Hawaii Opera Theatre at The Blaisdell Center, or experience a creative blend of local culture, symphonic music, and celebrated artists like singer Paula Fuga and ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, through the HapaSymphony Series at Hawaii Theatre.
Surfing Hawaii’s “miracle” shore
If you get the feeling you’re walking or driving through a movie set while roaming around the island, you very well could be. Oahu has had much more than 15 minutes of fame.
More than 200 Hollywood movies and TV shows, including Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Jumanji, 50 First Dates, and Hawaii Five-O, have been filmed at Kualoa Ranch (shown) alone. Board a vintage bus and pose for photos among dinosaur bones on the movie tour around this private nature reserve, considered “Hollywood’s backlot.”
You can also hike from the resort to another filming location: The banyan tree at Kawela Bay, seen in the Lost series as well as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Those who watch Hawaii Five-O will recognize the Diamond Head lookout, the Rainbow Tower at Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the Battleship USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor. To reach the latter, head to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites’ visitors center where a Navy boat will shuttle you to the offshore memorial dedicated to crewman lost in the 1941 attack.
Hawaii’s largest city is an excellent base for travelers eager to experience Waikiki’s resorts and Oahu’s urban offerings. Surfers and sunseekers will love the beach access at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, while those planning to tour Chinatown and shop at Ala Moana will be pleased with Prince Waikiki’s harborfront location. Luxury travelers craving a sophisticated stay—complete with a personal butler and private Jacuzzi—should opt for Espacio. Just 25 minutes away you’ll find the intense lushness of the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden; entry is free.
This resort community attracts golfers, families keen on a child-friendly stay at Aulani, and luxury travelers who prefer Oahu’s quieter west side. Guests at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina can connect with local culture through Native Hawaiian-led activities, such as hula and lauhala weaving, and spa treatments that incorporate traditional healing practices.
Oahu’s North Shore keeps it country, offering a slower pace, fresh coconuts at roadside stands, some of the best surf breaks in the world, and more food trucks than fine dining. But you don’t have to sacrifice creature comforts; stay in style at the renovated Turtle Bay Resort.
Sunny Fitzgerald is a travel writer covering culture, adventure, slow travel, accessibility, health, wellness, and more. You can find her work in Travel+Leisure, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic.
