You’ll have plenty of hotel options in Honolulu and some on the west side (Aulani Disney Resort, Four Seasons, Ko Olina Villas). There are also many AirBnB rentals available on the island (Psst! You’ll probably save a lot of money over getting a hotel). Get 10% off on hotels, on the Hopper app, with our discount code - kimberlyo7y7m
Nature
Lodging
Lodging
Harold Lyon Arboretum
This is just a drive up the hill past Manoa Falls. This place is definitely for the tree lovers out there as it is lush with lots of beautiful greenery and an open field of grass. *Parking– really small free lot for public use
Places
Lodging
Transportation
Dole Plantation
There is a fun maze, here, and a shop full of everything pineapple. They also do tours of the property. *Parking– free lot
Transportation
Where to Find It
Transportation
If you’re not in a hurry and want to save money, you can catch the bus to many places on the island. Public transportation isn’t extremely efficient, here, but it’s only $2.75 for two rides (if you get a transfer and use it within a certain amount of time). If catching an Uber, you’ll get quick service in Waikiki. If you’re on a less crowded area of the island, you may find times when no Uber drivers are available to come to your location. This is when also having the Lyft app may come in handy!
There are various other travel options on the island of Oahu including shuttles, taxis, the Waikiki Trolley, and more!
Parking
Where to Find It
Where to Find It
Most beach parks have free parking lots as well as restrooms (although cleanliness is hit or miss). If visiting Waikiki, try your luck parking along the Ala Wai for free. There is also a small free parking lot just west of the lagoon that is outside of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for metered parking which is $1.50/hr (some spots have a two hour limit), park at the Hale Koa for $8/hr or $72 for 24 hrs max (there is both a covered lot which gets full during big events happening at the Hale Koa Hotel as well as an outdoor lot across from the Fort Derussy Beach Park). Of course, if you’re staying at a hotel you can probably also valet. You know… if you’re fancy.
Where to Find It
Where to Find It
Where to Find It
Leis
You can find leis at many stores including Times Market, Longs Drugs, Target, and Walmart. There are also various little shops that sell them, such as in Chinatown.
Gifts
If you’re looking for gifts to bring home, you’ll have great luck finding macadamia nuts (Walmart has an entire aisle dedicated to them), aloha shirts, and other Hawaiian themed items at chain stores like Walmart, Target, and Don Quijote. There are also many gift shops in Waikiki and, of course, at various hotels and in the airport. Of course, you’ll save money by going to a chain store instead of shopping in Waikiki, at the airport, or at a hotel!
Shopping
Free/Cheap Activities & Shows
Shopping
Ala Moana Mall
As the largest open-air shopping mall in the world, Ala Moana Mall probably has every store you could ever dream of entering. From high-end stores to your basic fall-purpose shops, and everything in between. *Parking– free parking structure
Waikiki Strip / International Marketplace / Waikiki Beach Walk
Walk down Kalakaua and you will find store after store of a variety of things to buy. With Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, Game Stop and more, your shopping addiction can be tended to while you stroll through beautifully manicured sidewalks sprinkled with palm trees. *Parking– street metered parking (free after 6pm), paid lots
Hilton Hawaiian Village
This property has various cute tourist shops and a few restaurants. The best part is, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy them! *Parking– free lot near the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon/Hilton Hawaiian Village (cars are towed after 10pm!), paid parking stalls, paid lots, and street metered parking (free after 6pm)
Hiking
Free/Cheap Activities & Shows
Shopping
Manoa Falls
For the able-bodied, walk a relatively easy 20 minutes up the bamboo-covered mountain to find a waterfall (how much water there is depends on time of year). Be prepared to leave with muddy shoes and be careful; it may be slippery. For the adventurous type, take a side trail and hike all the way to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view. Also, don’t forget the bug spray. Trust me! *Parking– $5 medium-sized lot
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
This 20ish minute “hike” is beautiful and overlooks Kailua and Makapu’u. It’s paved with asphalt and has binoculars along the way for catching a glimpse of whales that may be swimming by in the distance. If you’re able bodied enough you can take the trek down the side of the mountain to the Makapu’u tidepools (not suitable for little ones)! *Parking– small free lot for public use and dirt, roadside spaces
Diamondhead
A sidewalk leads all the way to the top of the mountain and has railings part of the way. The view at the top is beautiful and there is a food truck at the bottom where you can get pineapples! *Parking– $1 lot that fills up quickly during the day.
Lanikai Pillbox
It takes approximately 20-25 minutes to walk to the first pillbox and the second one is not too far beyond the first. The view is breathtaking! *Parking– residential street parking that gets packed midday and on weekends, when the weather is good.
Free/Cheap Activities & Shows
Free/Cheap Activities & Shows
Free/Cheap Activities & Shows
Ward Village (Honolulu)
At and near the Howard Hughes building in Honolulu off of Ala Moana Blvd., you’ll find ongoing and special events open to the public. Check their website for details! *Parking– free lots near TJ Maxx, Whole Foods, and Piggy Smalls
Royal Hawaiian Center (Waikiki)
Catch weekly hula and Hawaiian entertainment in this beautiful grassy spot in the heart of the outdoor mall off of Kalakaua. There is also another place in the mall (near LUSH) where they have live entertainment for you to enjoy in between shopping in Waikiki, as well. Check out the schedule here. *Parking– street metered parking (free after 6pm), paid lots
Daily Hula Show at Ala Moana Mall. No kidding, you can catch a free 20 minute hula show at the mall at 5pm every day at the Centerstage (just a few minutes walk from the parking lot on the Kapiolani side)! Seriously, you need to check it out. The dancers are amazing and the show is really well done. *Parking– free parking structure
Fireworks
Every Friday at 7:45pm on Waikiki Beach near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, catch a fireworks show while overlooking the ocean. *Parking– free lot near the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon/Hilton Hawaiian Village (cars are towed after 10pm!), paid parking stalls, paid lots, and street metered parking (free after 6pm)
Waikiki Strip
Catch street musicians, dancers, magicians, artists, and mannequins along Kalakaua on Friday and Saturday nights. Similar to Hollywood Blvd. in California, the Waikiki Strip never fails to have random entertainment for you to enjoy while walking to a shop or restaurant. *Parking– street metered parking (free after 6pm), paid lots
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