Most tourists will agree that the best part of Honolulu is Waikiki. Waikiki has so much to offer that we have decided to do a top 10 Waikiki attractions separate from our top 10 Hawaii attractions, covering everything from dining, shopping, museums, nightlife, beaches and more.
With so many attractions and activities in Waikiki, make sure you allow enough time to take an ocean stroll along Waikiki Beach, or visit Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum or the Iolani Palace. To end the perfect day, enjoy sunset drinks at Duke’s Canoe Club. We can offer saving on tours and activities that visit the top 10 Wikiki attractions.
Oahu Luaus
You have quite a few great choices when it comes to luaus in Oahu. Germaine’s Luau, Paradise Cove Luau, Alii Luau and the Royal Hawaiian Luau offer a traditional Hawaii style luau and are rated among the top 10 Hawaii attractions. All of the Hawaiian luaus are oceanfront with the exception of Alii Luau. Most Hawaiian luaus offer a traditional lei greeting and an emu ceremony. No top 10 Hawaii luau is complete without the hula dancers. Oahu luaus are a fun and exciting way to spend and evening with friends and family. We offer great luau packages for all ages.
Pearl Harbor Memorial
Another top 10 Waikiki attraction is the USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, marks the resting place of 1,102 sailors killed on the USS Arizona during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was the attack on Pearl Harbor that led to the US involvement in WWII. The memorial, dedicated in 1962 is visited by more than 1 million people annually. This tour is great for everyone. We can set you up with a knowledgeable travel guide for a few extra bucks.
Waikiki Beaches
Waikiki Beach is usually the first thing that comes to mind when anyone thinks of Hawaii. Waikiki is not simply one beach, but a series of beaches that are great for swimming and other water related activities. On the beautiful Waikiki Beaches you can swim, snorkel, canoe or surf. And if you have always wanted to learn to surf and never got around to it, well Waikiki surf lessons are excellent, as the waves are perfect for learning. You may want to even try the popular Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The areas towards Diamond Head offer great recreational facilities and parks.
Diamond Head Crater
Kapiolani Park is the site of historic Diamond Head. The most famous volcanic crater in the world is Diamond Head, located on the South-east Coast of O’ahu at the end of Waikiki overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant “brow of the tuna” and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The name Diamond Head came about during the 1800’s when sailors thought the calcite crystals were diamonds because they glistened in the sunlight. The crater itself has been extinct for 150,000 years; it is 3,520 feet in diameter and has a 760-foot summit.
Honolulu Zoo
So you have dragged the kids shopping, out to eat, and now it’s time to enjoy a real kid friendly treat. The Honolulu Zoo is just a short 5 minute walk from Waikiki going towards Diamond Head. Over 750,000 people visit the Honolulu Zoo annually and it offers over 1,230 animals. Kids of all ages will enjoy this top 10 Waikiki attraction.
Iolani Palace
The Iolani Palace is a terrific Waikiki attraction. The palace is open for individuals and groups Tuesday through Saturday. The hours vary depending on the type of tour package you choose. Every Friday outdoors you can catch the Royal Hawaiian band giving a free concert between 12-1:00pm weather permitting. One of the most popular Hawaii attractions, the Iolani Palace is a great opportunity to see a beautiful palace that is the only official state residency of royalty in the United States. It is a great way to learn more about Hawaii’s heritage and history.
Bishop Museum
Holding the World’s greatest collection of natural and cultural artifacts from Hawaii and the Pacific, the Bishop Museum is a perfect place to get a grasp on Hawaiian life and culture. This Romanesque lava-rock structure was founded by the Hawaiian princess, Bernice Pauahi. It was her will to pass on the cultural artifacts to many generations to come. The Bishop Museum houses Polynesian art, the last grass shack in Hawaii, feather capes of Kings, and even the skeleton of a 50-foot sperm whale. The museum is perfect for learning about Hawaiian culture and is great for a half day excursion.
Waikiki Shopping
Shopping itself in Hawaii could be considered a top 10 tourist attraction. It’s hard not to shop when you’re in Hawaii, and Waikiki is no exception. It all starts in the hotel lobbies. They all offer stylish clothing from swimwear to high quality resort clothing. In Waikiki you can browse the various boutiques of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, which is just across the street from the Liberty House and the International Marketplace. Then head on over to Ala Mona Center. The Ala Mona Center offers a huge variety of high end stores and boutiques. When you have covered its assortment of stores and restaurants you can hit Aloha Tower Marketplace, a harbor front complex of shops food and entertainment. There is no shortage of shopping in Hawaii and you can find everything you need and want from designer labels to authentic Hawaiian arts and crafts. You may want to dedicate an entire day or two just to shopping in Hawaii.
Waikiki Dining
The best part of any vacation is dining out. Enjoying local cuisine and learning the history behind the delicious dishes that are served, it can be a wonderful experience. While visiting Waikiki dining at Duke’s Canoe Club Restaurant is a must. This is one of the most popular places on Waikiki. You can hang out with all the surfers watching the sunset over Waikiki in this casual oceanfront eatery. The food is great, the atmosphere relaxing and this is a very interesting spot because it opens right onto the sand. Duke’s Canoe Club Restaurant commemorates a great Hawaiian Olympic swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku. There are many other wonderful places to dine in Waikiki and don’t forget to attend a traditional Hawaiian luau. There is no shortage of food, fun or entertainment on any of the Hawaiian Islands.
Waikiki Aquarium
A great family friendly top 10 Waikiki attraction is the Waikiki Aquarium. This is a great place to visit after you hit the Honolulu Zoo since they are so close in proximity. This is the third oldest public aquarium in the US, founded in 1904. Situated beside a living coral reef on the Waikiki shoreline, the Waikiki Aquarium is home to more than 3,055 organisms of 464 species of marine plants and animals. Each year, over 350,000 people visit this amazing top 10 Waikiki attraction.
Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific
The National Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as Punchbowl, is a lava ash tuff cone crater that exploded nearly 150,000 years ago. The crater is a burial ground for approximately 35,000 victims from a combination of the wars, Vietnam, the Korean War, and World War II. As well as the known individuals that are buried here, many soldiers aren’t identified. A remembrance to the many that went missing in World War II are also honored in the Courts of the Missing. The Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific is a place to reflect the meaning of war and to honor those that sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.
The Waikiki Shell
The Waikiki Shell is an outdoor entertainment venue located in the Waikiki area of Honolulu, Hawaii. The Waikiki Shell seats 2,400 and the lawn area has a capacity for an additional 6,000 people. The Waikiki Shell is located in the Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head.
Honolulu Parks
Kapiolani Park was created by King Kalakaua in the 1870’s. This beautiful 500-acre park is listed on the State’s Historic Register as many of its exceptional trees date back over 100 years. Local families and tourists alike enjoy the shady picnic sites and open grassy areas perfect for sporting events. The Royal Hawaiian Band provides free concerts every Sunday afternoon in the Kapiolani Bandstand.