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ValueTips:O'ahu •
100 Free (or Low-Cost) Things to Do
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Honolulu
Believe it or not, you can honeymoon on O‘ahu and be busy all the
time—while spending little money. Below you'll find 100 things to do
here that are mostly free; when they're not, they're extremely low in
price (indicated with a *). The activities below cover a wide range of
sights, sounds, art, culture, history, nature, and adventure.
1.
Visit the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM), one of the few
state-sponsored art museums in the country, and view the finest
collection of works from Hawai‘i’s best artists.
2.
Learn about the history of Waikīkī on the
Waikīkī Historic Trail
self-guided
walking tour. You can download a free map/guide from the
non-profit
Native Hawaiian
Hospitality Association website.
3.
Explore Hawai‘i’s maritime history, from voyaging canoes to the Matson
steamships, at the Hawai‘i Maritime Center.*
4.
Visit “Hyatt’s Hawai‘i” at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Resort & Spa to
see displays of Hawaiian arts and crafts and memorabilia.
5.
Discover the history of surfing through photos and memorabilia on the
walls of Duke’s Canoe Club at Outrigger Waikīkī on the Beach.
6.
Walk through Honolulu's Chinatown for a fascinating look at noodle factories,
herbal shops, markets and gift shops or take a guided walking
tour hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
7.
Attend one of the many arts and craft fairs held at Thomas Square,
Kapi‘olani Park and
Ala Moana Beach Park.
8.
Witness the culture and beauty of the islands as you watch a
traditional torch lighting and hula performance on the beach of Waikīkī
near the
Duke Kahanamoku statue at sunset.
9.
Stop in at the lei stands that line Maunakea Street in downtown
Honolulu and see firsthand how these intricate lei are created.
10.
Explore the history of Waikiki through old pictures and collectibles
that line the grand staircase in the lobby of the Moana Surfrider, A
Westin Resort.
11.
Learn about Princess Ka‘iluani, Hawai‘i’s last and most beloved
Princess, on the Princess Ka‘iulani Historical tour at Sheraton Princess
Ka‘iulani Hotel.
12.
Visit Hilo Hattie, the Store of Hawai‘i, and enjoy free juice,
entertainment, food samples, and craft demonstrations.
13.
Experience the tranquility of the
Valley of the Temples and watch the
peacocks show off their colors.
14.
Take a scenic drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the historic site
with panoramic views at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout.
15.
Visit the ancient fishponds in He‘eia and
Kahaluu on the windward side.
16.
Learn about the colorful history and diverse culture of Hawai‘i in a
contemporary format at the Native Hawaiian Arts Culture Center at Kalia
in the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa.*
Also See: Hawaii
Index |
Big Island |
Kauai |
Lanai |
Molokai |
O'ahu |
ValueTips:
Big Island,
Kauai,
Maui,
O'ahu
17.
Travel around the world through the diverse art exhibits at the
Honolulu
Academy of Arts.*
18.
Walk through the Mission Houses Museum to see how the first missionaries
lived when they came to Hawai‘i.*
19.
Learn more about taro and enjoy storytelling, music, dancing, arts and
crafts, and a farmer’s market at the Pacific Island Taro Festival at
Windward Community College in August.
20.
Visit Pearl Harbor and the
USS Arizona Memorial, a monument built to
honor the men who died on the USS Arizona the day before World War II
began.
21.
Discover the people and faces of Hawai‘i and the plantation era at the
Hawai‘i Plantation Village.*
22.
Learn how to make traditional Hawaiian quilts and lei using fresh
tropical flowers at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
23.
Visit The Contemporary Museum—the
state's only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art—on the third Thursday of every month for
free admission.
24.
Honor soldiers from the Spanish American War to the Vietnam War at the
Memorial of the Pacific National Memorial Cemetery, formerly known as
Punchbowl. Famed World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle is buried
here, along with dozens of Medal of Honor recipients.
25.
Step back in time to the Waikīkī of yesteryear on a historical tour of
the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort. Opened in 1901, it's the city's
oldest hotel and is often referred to as "The First Lady of Waikiki."
26.
Visit the Father Damien Museum. In the center of Waikiki (130 'Ohua
Street), it's dedicated to Father
Joseph De Veuster,
the Belgian missionary famed for his care of patients
with Hansen's disease (leprosy) on Moloka'i. Father Damien eventually
contracted the disease himself and died from it. Entry is free.
27.
Learn about the history of pineapple in Hawai‘i through the multimedia
“James Dole Story” at Dole Cannery Square.
28.
Ascend to the top of Aloha Tower, Honolulu Harbor’s famous clock tower,
which at one time was the tallest building in Honolulu.
29.
Take a self-guided tour of O‘ahu’s historic heiau (places of worship).
30.
Visit ‘Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, or visit
Queen Emma’s summer palace.*
31.
Visit Fort DeRussy Beach where in addition to picnic tables, volleyball
courts and excellent surf, you’ll find
Battery Randolph Museum on the
military grounds.
32.
On
the first Friday of every month, art galleries in downtown Honolulu open
their doors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at no charge. This event is
wildly popular.
33.
Find inner peace at the Byodo-In Temple, which houses a large Lotus
Buddha. Be sure to ring the Peace Bell before entering the temple,
ensuring your happiness and longevity.
34.
Tour the Waikīkī Aquarium and discover the marine life of the Hawaiian
waters and the South Pacific.*
35.
Snorkel among the brightly colored reef fish of
Hanauma Bay and look for
Hawaii’s state fish, humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a.*
36.
Meet the komodo dragon and other inhabitants of the
Honolulu Zoo.*
37.
Race through the “World’s Largest Maze” at
Dole Plantation on the way to
the North Shore and afterwards enjoy their signature Dole Whip.*
38.
Keep your eyes open for humpback whales off Makapu‘u on O‘ahu’s South
Shore or Ka‘ena Point on the northwest side of the island from November
through April.
39.
Boogie board at the locals’ favorite spot in Waikīkī, “The Wall,” or at
Waimānalo Beach on the island’s windward side.
40.
Hike to
Mānoa Falls beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
41.
Count the waterfalls along Highway 3 (H-3) after a beautiful refreshing
rain.
42.
In
the summer, snorkel at Shark’s Cove on the North Shore, a marine
conservation zone with a cove filled with fish, coral formations, and
lava caves. Dont Worry: it's uncommon to actually see a shark here.
43.
Hike to the top of
Diamond Head, Hawai‘i’s most famous landmark.*
44.
Sit
under a tree at
Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park and watch the ships and surfers
go by or roll down the hill with childlike abandon.
45.
Nap
under towering trees at
Fosters Botanical Garden.*
46.
Hike up to the Makapu‘u lighthouse on the trail at
Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline Park, passing Madame Pele’s chair and
following the dramatic cliff-lined coast.
47.
Drive to the windward side of the island to the charming towns of
Kailua
and Lanikai to discover why the soft, white sand of these beaches makes
them two of the world’s best beaches over and over again, according to
Dr. Beach.
48.
Visit the Oceanarium Restaurant at Pacific Beach Hotel, where an
incredible three-story, 280,000-gallon saltwater fish tank holds
hundreds of Hawai‘i’s tropical fish.
49.
Swim alongside the honu (turtle) in front of the Sheraton Waikīkī, at
the Turtle Bay Resort or at many of O‘ahu’s 125 beaches.
50.
Wear reef shoes and in low tide walk to
Goat Island in
Lā‘ie to explore
the tide pools teeming with life.
51.
Hike the Maunawili Trail on the Pali Trail or one of many other
well-marked trails throughout O‘ahu.
52.
Pick wild ginger, hibiscus and plumeria along the side of the road and
wear them in your hair.
53.
Watch the Friday night sail boat races from
Magic Island at Ala Moana
Beach Park.
54.
Feel the awesome power of Waimea Bay in the winter months as you watch
the magnificent winter waves, and in the summer as you swim in the calm
turquoise waters.
55.
Explore the knee-deep tide pools and the wonders of the snorkeling of
Shark’s Cove—named for its shape, not its inhabitants!
56.
Build your own sand castle at any time of the year. Or, in February, watch as the
University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Architecture hold its sand
castle building contest.
57.
View world-class surfing competitions at Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach,
or Waimea Bay on the
North Shore.
58.
Watch the sunset from high atop Tantalus Crater as Honolulu city lights begin
to twinkle in the dusk.
59.
Watch the windsurfers at
Kailua Beach
Park, about 15 miles from Waikiki on the island's windward side.
60.
Enjoy views from
Magic Island
of boats and outrigger canoes with Diamond
Head and Waikīkī as the backdrop.
61.
Feel the sea spray from the blast of the Hālona Blowhole, just around
the bend from Sandy Beach. One of the screen's most famous kisses—Burt
Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity—took place
at the Blowhole.
62.
Watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s wildlife
specialists feed the animals, including the hotel’s very own penguins
and flamingos.
63.
Take a walk along the beach at sunrise and see the ocean come to life
with early morning surfers and swimmers.
64.
Explore the USS Bowfin, a World War II submarine; imagine what life on
board must’ve been like for her 80-man crew.*
65.
See
the daredevil hang gliders make their way off Makapu‘u Point.
66.
Trek up to the summit of Koko Head at sunset for sweeping views of the
South Shore, or go earlier and enjoy the
Koko Crater
Botanical Garden.
67.
Keep your eyes and ears out for Hawai‘i’s colorful birds in
Kapi‘olani
Park, Moanalua Gardens, and other parks throughout the island of O‘ahu.
68.
Drive into the heart of Mānoa Valley and hike along the trails of the
Lyon Arboretum.
69.
Catch a ride on an outrigger canoe with the Waikīkī beach boys.*
70.
Hike above the leeward side along the ‘Aiea Heights Loop Trail
(in
Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, overlooking
Pearl Harbor).
71.
Learn about the different varieties of pineapple at the Dole Varietal
Garden located outside of Wahiawā.
72.
Find the four Wizard Stones on Waikīkī Beach and learn about the legend
behind them.
73.
Stroll along the new Waikīkī Beach Walk to take in breathtaking views of
Waikīkī Beach.
74.
Learn about Hawai‘i’s culture while listening to popular local musicians
as part of Waikīkī Beach Walk’s Hawaiian music concert series, Na Mele
No Na Pua, “Music for the Generations.” The Embassy Suites will
host the concert series, as well as a permanent, extensive exhibit
showcasing Hawai‘i’s rich music history.
75.
Listen to the Royal Hawaiian Band at
‘Iolani Palace on Fridays from 12 -
1 p.m. and at Kapi‘olani Park on Sundays from 2 - 3 p.m.
76.
Relax harborside at Aloha Tower Marketplace and listen to the island’s
most popular entertainers from the marketplace’s waterfront stage as
boats, barges and cruise ships float past.
77.
Fly
a kite or eat a plate lunch at Kapi‘olani Park in Waikīkī. Then
stroll through the park for a look at activities ranging from soccer
games to craft fairs to live entertainment.
78.
Enjoy “Sunset on the Beach,” as Kapahulu Pier is transformed into an
outdoor movie theater, with live entertainment, food booths, and free
blockbuster movies shown on a 30-foot screen.
79.
Take a stroll through International Market Place, a bazaar of clothes,
jewelry and souvenirs from the island’s colorful merchants set under the
shade of a large banyan tree.
80.
Stop by Ala Moana Center’s Center Stage, the hub for more than 500
performances annually, from keiki (children) hula to rock, from chorale
music to street dancing.
81.
Close your eyes and relax to the
Honolulu Symphony Orchestra
during its
pre-season concerts around the island.
82.
Take ukulele or hula lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
83.
Stroll Kalākaua Avenue and enjoy live Hawaiian entertainment and food
from several Waikīkī restaurants at “Waikīkī by Moonlight,” a street
fair that occurs each summer.
84.
Enjoy the colorful parades that float down the streets of downtown
Honolulu and Waikīkī during the Aloha Festivals, King Kamehameha
Celebration, Honolulu Festival, and Chinese New Year celebrations.
»»Search for Festivals at Oahu's official site
85.
Marvel at the “Honolulu City Lights” which illuminate the sky from the
financial district to downtown celebrating the holidays in December and
then stop in Honolulu Hale to enjoy the display of decorated Christmas
trees.
»»Search for Christmas celebrations at Oahu's official site
86.
Listen to Hawai‘i’s best local entertainers performing in the hotels and
on the streets of Waikīkī.
87.
Take a self-guided tour through Mānoa, Kapahulu and Kaimukī, some of
Honolulu’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods.
88.
Pick a team to root for at a polo match at Waimānalo Polo Grounds,
across from Bellows Beach.
89.
Meet Hawai‘i’s local fishermen at the early morning Honolulu Fish
Auction at Kewalo Basin, where the fresh catch is displayed and
auctioned off to the island’s chefs and merchants daily at 5 a.m.
90.
Enjoy one of over 100 festivals and events throughout the year that
celebrate culture, community, music, and art, such as the Hawai‘i Dragon
Boat festival, Chinese new year lion dances, Hawaiian rodeo, ukulele,
slack key guitar, and hula festivals just to name a few.
»»Search for Festivals at Oahu's official site
91.
Cheer on the runners competing in the annual
Honolulu Marathon.
92.
Watch top local, national and international athletes compete in any of
the dozens of sporting events such as the Hawaiian Mountain Tour, Tin
Man Biathlon, Waikīkī Roughwater Swim and Tour O’ Hawaii Cycle Classic.
93.
Catch upcoming Major League Baseball players in action at the University
of Hawai‘i’s Les Murakami Stadium and Hans L’Orange Field (Waipahu)
during the fall Hawai‘i Winter Baseball season.* Ichiro Suzuki,
Jason Giambi and Michael Barrett are a few of the notable Hawai‘i Winter
Baseball alumni.
94.
Learn more about Hawai‘i’s melting pot of cultures at any of the
Chinese, Okinawan, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, and Korean festivals
held throughout the year.
»»Search for Festivals at Oahu's official site
95.
View the work of local artisans at the
Art on the Zoo Fence along the
fence of the Honolulu Zoo.
96.
Experience the fun and excitement of the
Aloha Festivals’ Downtown and
Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a Celebrations each fall.
97.
Sit
in on a Sunday service conducted in the Hawaiian language at
Kawaiaha‘o
Church.
98.
Admire the architecture and say a prayer at any of Honolulu’s many
spectacular churches: St. Andrews Cathedral, Central Union, St.
Clements, and Lutheran Church of Honolulu.
99.
Watch in awe as fireworks explode into beautiful colors on Friday
evenings in remembrance and celebration of King Kalākaua’s Jubilee at
Hilton Hawaiian Village.
100.
Drive to the North Shore for Matsumoto’s famous shave ice, or a juicy Kua
‘Āina hamburger and garlic shrimp from a roadside shrimp truck.*
»» Read about Hawaii's famed Plate
Lunches
More Info:
O'ahu Visitors Bureau
honeymoon,great
honeymoon,greatest honeymoons,honeymooners
Written material
thanks to Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau ~ Photos: Tourism
Japan (Honolulu, Diamond Head sign, sunset, shave ice); Tourism
Authority/Joe Solem (hula dancers); Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson
(ukulele players, quilts).
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