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Oahu attractions
The island of Oahu is the most visited island in the state of Hawaii. Most people who plan a Hawaii vacation stay in or around Waikiki, which is a neighborhood of Honolulu. Oahu attractions range from natural sights like waterfalls, rainforests and beaches, to man-made attractions, such as museums, shows, historic buildings and temples. Oahu sightseeing is fun for people of all ages and interests since there is something for everyone. Below is a list of some of the best things to do on Oahu.
Oahu things to do and see
| ALA WAI CANAL |
| It may be hard to believe, but where the bustling tourist centre of Waikiki now stands, ninety years ago was swampland and rice paddies, with waterlogged fish and duck ponds, not to mention millions of mosquitoes over the stagnant waters. In the mid-1920s however, the land was drained and reclaimed, and the Ala Wai canal was formed. Read More |
| ALOHA
STADIUM SWAP MEET |
 The
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is the largest flea market
in Hawaii. Tons of goods are being offered, ranging
from T-shirts, luggage, coconut syrup, local antique
collectibles, Hawaiian items, sarongs, jewelry,
electronics, music, fruits and so much more. At
$1 per shopper you get to experience the best treasure
hunt you’ll ever have.
Read More |
| ART
ON THE ZOO FENCE |
 For
more than 50 years, artists have been displaying
their works on the east side of the fence of the
Honolulu Zoo. The exhibition, known as Art on the
Zoo Fence. Here, one can freely view amazing artwork
and meet Hawaii’s artists in person.
Read
More |
| BISHOP
MUSEUM |
 Here
is a destination that’s not only entertaining, but
also enlightening. The Bishop Museum is Hawaii’s
largest museum with an extensive collection of Hawaiian
artifacts, documents and photos about Hawaii and
other Pacific cultures.
Read
More |
| BYODO-IN
TEMPLE |
 The Byodo-in
Temple sits in a peaceful location
called the Valley of Temples, with the 2,000-ft Koolau Mountains of Oahu providing a magnificent
natural backdrop. Inside the temple is a
gigantic statue of Buddha, the largest wooden
Buddha made in the last 900 years.
Read
More |
| CHINAMAN'S
HAT |
 Mokolii,
also known among locals as Chinaman’s Hat because
of its shape, is a popular spot for taking pictures
on Oahu’s windward coast. The small island is located
at the north end of Kaneohe Bay, offshore of Kualoa
Regional Beach Park.
Read
More |
| CHINATOWN |
 Mostly
described as one of Oahu's most exciting and
mysterious neighborhoods, Honolulu’s Chinatown
showcases a unique and colorful part of local
history that makes it an interesting stop on
anyone’s itinerary.
Read More |
| DIAMOND
HEAD |
 Diamond
Head is one of the most famous landmarks on Oahu.
It has once been an active volcano, but hasn’t spewed
any ashes for more than 150,000 years. The extinct
crater and lookout point at the peak of it is a
popular hiking destination for many.
Read More |
| DOLE
PLANTATION |
 Take
a walk through history, commune with nature and
enjoy great outdoor views. You can do all these
and more at the Dole Pineapple Plantation in central
Oahu, a site attracting close to a million visitors
per year. The sprawling complex gives visitors a
peek into the daily grind at the world’s leading
pineapple grower.
Read
More |
| DUKE
KAHANAMOKU STATUE |
 A
popular statue in Waikiki and one of the most photographed
spots is the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Duke (1890-1968)
is perhaps the most remembered and respected Hawaiian
surfer, a champion Olympic swimmer and a master
of canoeing – a true Hawaiian hero and waterman.
Read More |
| FOSTER
BOTANICAL GARDEN |
 Encompassing
almost 14 acres, Foster Botanical Garden is a serene
oasis and home to more than 10,000 species of rare
tropical plants from all over the world. The garden
is located just a few blocks from the business district
in downtown Honolulu.
Read More |
| GOAT
ISLAND (MOKUAUIA) |
 Contrary
to its name, there are no goats on Goat Island,
only nesting seabirds. The island is close enough
to the beach so it’s possible to swim right over,
especially during low tide when the water is only
about two to four feet deep. It is a seabird
sanctuary, situated at the southern end of Malaekahana
Bay.
Read More |
|
HALE O LONO HEIAU |
 Located
in Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore, the Hale
o Lono Heiau is dedicated to Lono, the God of
agriculture. It was built between 1470 A.D. and
1700 A.D. Human sacrifices didn’t happen here
regularly. However, sometimes fish and human
offerings were made to ensure a good harvest and
fishing season.
Read
More |
|
WET'N'WILD HAWAII |
 One
wouldn’t think Hawaii, with its hundreds of
islands scattered over 1,500 miles of water,
would ever need a water park. But it’s got one!
Formerly known as the Hawaiian Waters Adventure
Park, Wet'n'Wild Hawaii encompasses 25 acres of
water rides and other wet attractions.
Read More |
| HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER |
| With more than 60% of the building open to the sky, the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu gives a similar vibe to the culture of Hawaii, free and welcoming. The contrast between high beams and open space is reminiscent of palm trees, waves and Polynesian sailing canoes. Read More |
| HOOMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS
|
| Situated on lush 400 acres (1.6 sq. km) in Kaneohe, at the foot of the majestic Koolau Mountain Range, Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens on Oahu is a peace peaceful park that is home to hundreds of plant species, divided into geographical regions as diverse as the Philippines, Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Tropical America, Polynesia, Melanesia and Hawaii. Read More |
| HONOLULU
ACADEMY OF ARTS |
 Founded
in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, the Honolulu Academy
of Arts is an art museum located near downtown Honolulu,
featuring a collection of over 50,000 works. The
museum’s major strengths are European and American
paintings, graphic and decorative arts and the arts
of Asia.
Read More |
| HONOLULU
HALE |
 Honolulu
Hale is the official seat of government of the city
and county site of the chambers of the Mayor of
Honolulu and the Honolulu City Council. The
building is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places with the United States Department of Interior.
Read
More |
| HONOLULU
ZOO |
 The
Honolulu Zoo, located right across from popular
Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, is home to
hundreds of animals from around the world. Not
only is it the largest zoo within a 2,300-mile
radius, but it’s also the only zoo in the U.S.
that had its origins in a grant given by a king.
Read
More |
| IOLANI
PALACE |
 The
Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, was built as
a seat of government by the “Merry Monarch” King
David Kalakaua, Hawaii’s final king and the
first monarch to travel around the world
visiting other sovereign states. Not only is it
an architectural masterpiece, but it had
electricity and telephones four years before the
White House did.
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More |
| KING
KAMEHAMEHA STATUE |
 Kamehameha
I was one of the most beloved of Hawaii’s heroes.
He conquered the Hawaiian Islands, unified them
and established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810.
The King Kamehameha Statue stands proudly in
front of Aliiolani Hale in downtown Honolulu.
Read
More |
| KAPIOLANI
PARK |
 Kapiolani
Park was given to the people of Hawaii from King
Kalakaua in 1887. He named the 130 acres of land
after his beloved wife, Queen Kapiolani. There are
picnic sites, open grassy areas, 100-year-old trees,
tennis courts, soccer fields and a 3-mile jogger's
course with aerobic exercise stations.
Read
More |
| KAWAIAHAO
CHURCH |
 Located
in downtown Honolulu, Kawaiahao Church was the first
Christian church in Hawaii, built between 1836 and
1842. It features a New England style architecture.
For its construction, about 14,000 slabs of coral
rock were digged out by hand from offshore reefs
on Oahu’s south coast.
Read
More |
| KING'S
VILLAGE |
 King’s
Village is a very unique place – a shopping center
unlike any other – located in the heart of Waikiki.
The old and narrow cobblestone paths, colorful small
houses and unique shops have a European atmosphere.
Yet King’s Village also depicts Honolulu as it might
have looked like at the turn of the century.
Read
More |
| KUALOA
RANCH |
 Family-owned
since 1850, visitors can take part in a wide
variety of activities and educational programs
at Kualoa Ranch, such as horseback rides, ATV
tours, movie tours, a Jungle Expedition, a
Hawaiian Fishpond & Garden Tour, hula lessons
and a snorkeling excursion to Kaneohe Bay with a
picnic on a “secret” island.
Read More |
| MANOA
FALLS |
 The Manoa Falls trail on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, is one of
the most popular hikes in the Honolulu area, mainly
because it’s easily accessible from Waikiki, either via
car or city bus, and it’s classified as an “easy” hike.
A short drive out of Waikiki towards Manoa Valley and
you can be surrounded by a tropical bamboo and
rainforest.
Read More |
| MISSION
HOUSES MUSEUM |
 Visit the Mission Houses Museum
in Honolulu to get an idea how the missionaries
lived on Oahu during Hawaii's “missionary”
period from 1820 to 1863. The settlement was
built in 1831 and three of the original
buildings still remain on the site in downtown
Honolulu.
Read More |
| MOKULUA ISLANDS
|
| The Mokuluas are twin islands located offshore at Lanikai Beach on Oahu’s windward coast. Both islands are seabird sanctuaries protected by the state of Hawaii, but the beach on North Mokulua is open to the public during the day. Read More |
| NUUANU
PALI LOOKOUT |
 The
Nuuanu Pali Lookout is located on a 1,186-foot
high mountain pass perched before
3,000-foot peaks. From up here you’ll
enjoy a nice bird’s eye view of the towns of
Kaneohe and Kailua, Kaneohe Bay, Chinaman’s Hat
Island, the magnificent Koolau Mountain Range
and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Read More |
| PEARL
HARBOR |
 Pearl
Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, is a significant
historical location. It was here where the
Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet on
December 7, 1941, which led the United States to
enter World War II. Today, Pearl Harbor
(including the Arizona Memorial) is the
most-visited destination on Oahu.
Read More |
| POLYNESIAN
CULTURAL CENTER |
 In
a nutshell, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a
42-acre (170,000 mē) open-air park, a living
museum, which showcases eight Polynesian island
nations and cultures in eight traditional
villages. By walking through this top Oahu attraction, you can
learn about eight Polynesian cultures in just
one day, without having to fly across the
Pacific.
Read More |
| PUNCHBOWL
CEMETERY |
 The
Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific,
located on Oahu, Hawaii, was built in 1948 to
serve as a resting place for soldiers of the
American Armed Forces who lost their lives
during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam
War.
Read More |
| PUU
O MAHUKA HEIAU |
 Go
to this ancient Hawaiian heiau (religious temple
site) around sundown to feel the “mana” (sacred
spirit) and a mysterious energy that will give you
goose bumps all over. The Puu O Mahuka Heiau is
the largest heiau on Oahu, covering almost two acres.
Read
More |
| QUEEN
EMMA SUMMER PALACE |
 Built
in 1847, the summer palace and home of Queen Emma
and King Kamehameha IV has been restored and offers
a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Hawaiian monarchy. Here one can view household furnishings, personal
items of Queen Emma and her family, Hawaiian quilts
and artifacts and more. Read More |
| RABBIT ISLAND |
| Rabbit Island, also known as Manana Island, is located off the southeastern shore of Oahu, about ¾ of a mile (1.2 km) off of Kaupo Beach, just northwest of Makapuu Point. It is a volcanic tuff cone island, encompassing 63 acres (0.25 sq. km) and rising to about 360 feet (110 m) at its highest point. Read
More |
| RESTAURANT ROW |
| Located near downtown Honolulu on Ala Moana Boulevard, Restaurant Row is a business as well as restaurant and entertainment complex. With dozens of restaurants, various shops and a movie theater, where you can see a movie for just one dollar, Restaurant Row is popular mainly among local residents. Read
More |
| SEA
LIFE PARK |
 Located
on Oahu’s southeastern tip by Makapuu Point, just
15 miles east of Waikiki, Sea Life Park is Hawaii’s
premier marine attraction. Here you can enjoy up-close
views of dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, penguins,
stingrays and many other marine animals.
Read More |
| STAIRWAY
TO HEAVEN |
| The hike up the Stairway of Heaven, also
known as Haiku Stairs, is one of the most
popular of Oahu's "forbidden" trails. But even
though the trail is closed today, some avid
hikers still trespass because of the view that
awaits from the top.
Read
More |
|
STATE CAPITOL |
 Located
in downtown Honolulu, the Hawaii State Capitol
opened on March 15, 1969, replacing the former
statehouse, the Iolani Palace. Unlike other state
capitols that are modeled after the U.S.
Capitol, Hawaii’s capitol architectural features
symbolize various natural aspects of Hawaii.
Read
More |
| STATE LIBRARY |
 Located
in downtown Honolulu next to the Iolani Palace,
the Hawaii State Library serves as the seat of the
Hawaii State Public Library System, which is the
only statewide library system and one of the largest
in the United States. In 1978, the Hawaii State
Library building was added to the National Register
of Historic Places.
Read
More |
| THE
CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM |
| Located in the Honolulu neighborhood of Makiki,
on a hill overlooking the city and the ocean, The
Contemporary Museum is the only museum in Hawaii
that’s devoted exclusively to contemporary art featuring
displays from 1940 to the present.
Read More |
|
TROPICAL FARMS |
 Tropical
Farms on Oahu’s windward (east) coast is a
destination that’s off the beaten path. Here you
can get many delicious and uniquely Hawaiian
goodies that simply aren't available in Waikiki,
plus you can tour the farm and learn about
Hawaiian culture, fruits and plants.
Read
More |
| ULUPO
HEIAU |
 The
Ulupo Heiau in Kailua is quite massive and required
a large workforce, which is a hint that it must
have been culturally important. The large individual
rocks all had to be carried here. One stone is recorded
to have been brought to the heiau all the way from
Kualoa, which is more than 10 miles away.
Read More |
| US
ARMY MUSEUM OF HAWAII |
 Housed
in a former weapons battery, the US Army Museum
of Hawaii is conveniently located in Fort DeRussy
Park in Waikiki and features exhibits and educational
programs that show the role Hawaii played in military
actions from its ancient beginnings and especially
during World War II and the Vietnam War.
Read More |
| WAIKIKI
AQUARIUM |
 The
Waikiki Aquarium, which is the third oldest
aquarium in the United States, averages more
than 350,000 visitors per year who are drawn to
its coral reef exhibits. Enjoy up-close views of
reef sharks, colorful jelly fish, eels, living
corals and other ocean creatures of Hawaii and
the South Pacific.
Read
More |
| WAIMEA
FALLS PARK |
 Not far from the monster waves of the famous Waimea Bay on the
island of Oahu lies a swath
of a breathtaking nature lovers’ paradise called the Waimea
Falls Park. It is a beautiful 1,800-acres
visitor attraction that is also a sanctuary for
rare birds and plants endemic to Hawaii.
Read
More |
| WAR
MEMORIAL NATATORIUM |
 Located
across from Kapiolani Park, the War Memorial Natatorium
was completed in 1927 as a memorial to the 102 soldiers
from Hawaii who were killed in World War I. Built
in Hawaiian beaux arts architecture, the memorial’s
centerpiece is the 20-foot tall entrance arch featuring
four stone eagles.
Read More |
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