'Iolani Palace
'Iolani Palace is the restored royal residence of Hawaii's monarchy in downtown Honolulu, known for guided tours, royal rooms, palace grounds and nearby civic landmarks.
Oahu Attraction Guide
Oahu Attractions
Oahu attractions include famous landmarks, historic sites, scenic lookouts, cultural destinations and natural wonders found across the island. From iconic places you've seen in photos to lesser-known spots worth a stop, these attractions help tell the story of Oahu's history, landscapes and local culture.
Attraction directory
Oahu Attractions
Browse Oahu attractions, from scenic lookouts and historic landmarks to family-friendly stops, cultural sites and memorable places to visit.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Ala Moana Center is Honolulu's huge open-air shopping center near Waikiki, known for local boutiques, luxury brands, dining, Centerstage shows and easy access from Ala Moana Beach Park.
Ala Wai Canal
Ala Wai Canal borders Waikiki and separates the resort district from nearby Honolulu neighborhoods, with paths, bridges, mountain views and rowing activity.
Aloha Tower
Aloha Tower is a historic Honolulu Harbor landmark from 1926, known for its clock tower, harborfront setting and connection to Oahu's passenger-ship era.
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Aloha Tower Marketplace is a Honolulu Harbor waterfront spot beside Aloha Tower, now centered on HPU campus spaces, dining, events, cruise access and harbor views.
Art on the Zoo Fence
Art on the Zoo Fence is a weekend Waikiki art tradition along the Honolulu Zoo fence, where local artists sell paintings, prints and photography near Kapiolani Park.
Byodo-in Temple
Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe is a peaceful Windward Oahu landmark with Japanese-inspired architecture, koi ponds, gardens, a sacred bell and Ko'olau mountain views.
Diamond Head
Diamond Head is Oahu's famous volcanic tuff cone above Waikiki, with a reservation-required summit trail, crater views, old military features and sweeping Honolulu scenery.
Dillingham Airfield
Dillingham Airfield, now Kawaihapai Airfield, is a North Shore aviation landmark near Mokuleia, known for gliders, skydiving, military history and mountain views.
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Dole Plantation in Wahiawa is a central Oahu pineapple attraction with the Pineapple Express train, garden maze, plantation gardens, country store and Dole Soft Serve.
Duke Kahanamoku Statue
The Duke Kahanamoku Statue stands at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, honoring Hawaii's Olympic swimmer, surfer and ambassador of aloha beside one of Oahu's busiest shorelines.
Goat Island (Mokuauia Island)
Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia Island, is a small offshore seabird sanctuary near Malaekahana with reef flats, beach views and strong ocean-safety considerations.
Halona Blowhole
Halona Blowhole is a southeast Oahu lava-tube lookout where waves can send sea spray above the rocks, with parking, ocean views and a safe viewing area.
Hawaii Convention Center
Hawaii Convention Center is a major Honolulu event venue near Waikiki with open-air design, meeting spaces, gardens, art and Ala Wai views.
Hawaii State Capitol
Hawaii State Capitol is downtown Honolulu's open-air seat of government, known for symbolic island architecture, reflecting pools and nearby civic landmarks.
Hawaii State Library
Hawaii State Library is a historic Carnegie-funded landmark in downtown Honolulu, next to Iolani Palace and home to Hawaii and Pacific research collections.
Hawaii Theatre
Hawaii Theatre is a restored 1922 performance hall in downtown Honolulu near Chinatown, known for ornate architecture, concerts, comedy, films and touring shows.
He'eia State Park
He'eia State Park is a windward Oahu coastal park on Kane'ohe Bay, known for fishpond views, picnic areas, event space and Ko'olau mountain scenery.
Honolulu Hale
Honolulu Hale is Honolulu's historic city hall, known for Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, civic history and its downtown setting near Iolani Palace.
Honolulu Harbor
Honolulu Harbor is Hawaii's main commercial harbor, a historic waterfront beside downtown Honolulu, Aloha Tower and the cruise ship piers.
Honolulu Zoo
Honolulu Zoo is a 42-acre Waikiki attraction near Kapiolani Park, known for tropical paths, animal habitats, Diamond Head views and royal park history.
International Market Place
International Market Place is an open-air Waikiki shopping and dining center on Kalakaua Avenue, known for its banyan tree, upper-level restaurants, free hula shows and central location.
Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline
Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline protects one of Oahu's most dramatic southeastern coastal areas, with lava-rock cliffs, ocean views and the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail.
Kahuku Farms
Kahuku Farms is a North Shore farm stop with an outdoor Farm Cafe, garden paths, local products and farm tours along Kamehameha Highway near Kahuku.
Kaneohe Sandbar
Kaneohe Sandbar is a shallow offshore sand flat in Kaneohe Bay, known for turquoise water, boat tours, kayaking, reef views and Ko'olau mountain scenery.
Kapiolani Park
Kapiolani Park is Waikiki's large oceanfront green space near Diamond Head, with lawns, walking paths, sports fields, banyan trees and beach access.
Kawaiaha'o Church
Kawaiaha'o Church is a historic coral-block church in downtown Honolulu, known for Hawaiian Kingdom history, royal connections and its setting near Iolani Palace.
King Kamehameha Statue
The King Kamehameha Statue stands in downtown Honolulu across from 'Iolani Palace, known for its gold cloak, lei-draped ceremonies and Hawaii history.
Koko Head Crater
Koko Head Crater is an East Honolulu volcanic landmark known for the steep Koko Crater Railway Trail, dry slopes, ocean views and Hawaii Kai scenery.
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a private windward Oahu nature reserve and working ranch known for guided valley tours, movie sites, Koolau mountain views and Hawaiian history.
Kuilima Point
Kuilima Point is a North Shore shoreline area near Turtle Bay, known for ocean views, rocky edges, resort paths, tidepools and quiet coastal scenery.
Lanai Lookout
Lanai Lookout is a southeast Oahu roadside viewpoint on Kalanianaole Highway, known for lava cliffs, blue ocean views, neighbor island vistas and winter whale watching.
Lanikai Pillbox Trail
Lanikai Pillbox Trail is a short, steep ridge hike above Lanikai and Kailua, known for ocean views, the Mokulua Islands, sunrise photos and limited neighborhood parking.
Makapu'u Lookout
Makapu'u Lookout is a southeast Oahu roadside viewpoint with sea cliffs, Rabbit Island views, Makapu'u Beach scenery and nearby lighthouse trail access.
Makua Valley
Makua Valley is a rugged leeward valley on Oahu's Waianae Coast, known for steep ridges, cultural history, military access limits and views near Makua Beach.
Mokoli'i Island
Mokolii Island, often called Chinaman's Hat, is a small offshore islet near Kualoa with Windward Oahu views, reef flats and strong ocean-safety concerns.
Mokulua Islands
Mokulua Islands are two protected windward Oahu seabird sanctuary islets off Lanikai, known for kayak views, reef-fringed water and strict wildlife rules.
North Shore Soap Factory
North Shore Soap Factory is a Waialua Sugar Mill shop where Hawaiian Bath & Body natural soaps, skincare products and small factory tours share the scent of Oahu's North Shore.
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout is a wind-swept Oahu viewpoint above Pali Highway, known for Ko'olau cliffs, windward coast views and the 1795 Battle of Nu'uanu.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is one of Oahu's most meaningful historic places, with the USS Arizona Memorial, waterfront exhibits and nearby museums connected to December 7, 1941.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie is a large cultural attraction with island villages, hands-on demonstrations, canoe presentations, dining options and the HĀ: Breath of Life evening show.
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park is a forested Tantalus lookout above Honolulu, known for sweeping views from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, picnic shelters and the short 'Ualaka'a Trail.
Punchbowl National Cemetery
Punchbowl National Cemetery, officially the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, rests inside Puowaina crater above Honolulu and honors U.S. service members with memorial courts, quiet lawns and wide city views.
Rabbit Island
Rabbit Island, also called Manana Island, is a protected seabird sanctuary off southeast Oahu best viewed from Makapuu and Ka Iwi viewpoints.
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is an open-air Waikiki shopping and dining destination with cultural activities, restaurants and Kalakaua Avenue access.
Royal Mausoleum
Royal Mausoleum State Monument, also known as Mauna Ala, is a sacred Nuuanu Valley burial place for Hawaiian royalty.
Sea Life Park
Sea Life Park is a southeast Oahu marine life attraction near Makapuu with animal talks, encounters, ocean views and Aloha Kai Luau.
Tropical Farms
Tropical Farms is a windward Oahu macadamia nut outlet with samples, coffee tasting, local gifts and a relaxed country-store setting.
Waialua Estate
Waialua Estate connects visitors with North Shore coffee, chocolate, cacao and Old Waialua Sugar Mill history in a casual local setting.
Waikiki Aquarium
Waikiki Aquarium is an oceanfront Waikiki attraction near Diamond Head with Pacific marine life, live coral, reef fish and conservation exhibits.
Waikiki Shell
Waikiki Shell, officially Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, is an open-air concert venue in Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head, with reserved seats, lawn space and Waikiki access.
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is a North Shore cultural and botanical garden destination with paved walking paths, Hawaiian sites and Waimea Falls.
Wet'n'Wild Hawaii
Wet'n'Wild Hawaii is a Kapolei water park with slides, a wave pool, lazy river, children's areas, cabanas and seasonal hours that should be checked before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top attractions on Oahu?
Popular Oahu attractions include Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch, Waikiki landmarks, scenic lookouts, cultural sites and family-friendly stops.
Are Oahu attractions good for families?
Yes. Oahu has many family-friendly attractions, including museums, beaches, lookout points, gardens, parks and historic places with easy visitor access.
Which Oahu attractions are best for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors often choose Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, scenic coastal lookouts and North Shore stops to get a broad feel for the island.
Do Oahu attractions require reservations?
Some attractions, tours and popular historic sites may require reservations or timed entry. Always check current rules before planning your visit.
Can you visit several Oahu attractions in one day?
Yes, but traffic and parking can affect timing. It is best to group attractions by area, such as Waikiki, Honolulu, Windward Oahu or the North Shore.