Things to Do in Honolulu - Top Hawaii Attractions | OUTRIGGER

Honolulu offers more than just world-famous Waikiki Beach – though that's certainly a great place to start. From sunrise yoga sessions to sunset mai tais with Diamond Head views, Hawaii's capital delivers activities for every type of traveler. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion at Iolani Palace, underwater adventures at Hanauma Bay, or simply the perfect spot to master surfing, Honolulu packs an impressive range of experiences into its compact urban paradise.

Most attractions cluster within 20-30 minutes of Waikiki, making it easy to mix beach time with cultural exploration. Early mornings reward visitors with smaller crowds at popular spots like Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor, while evenings bring live music venues and oceanfront dining to life. With year-round temperatures between 75-85°F and trade winds keeping humidity comfortable, any time is ideal for exploring these top things to do in Honolulu.

Beach and ocean activities

Waikiki Beach remains Honolulu's most accessible playground, with its gentle waves perfect for beginners learning to surf. Faith Surf School and Gone Surfing Hawaii offer lessons starting at $89 per person for 2-hour group sessions, with instructors reporting 95% of students standing up on their first day. For a uniquely Hawaiian experience, try outrigger canoe surfing – riding the waves in traditional six-person canoes for $50-75 per person.

Beyond Waikiki, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve showcases Hawaii's underwater world through protected coral reefs teeming with over 450 fish species. Entry costs $25 for non-residents (free for Hawaii residents), and arriving before 8am helps avoid the crowds that build by 10am. The bay closes Mondays and Tuesdays for conservation. Be sure to bring reef-safe sunscreen and your own snorkel gear.

For those preferring to stay above water, catamaran sails depart from Waikiki Beach throughout the day. Two-hour sunset cruises with Holokai Catamaran include drinks for $69 adults, $45 children, offering Diamond Head views without the hike. Morning whale watching trips (December-April) cost slightly more at $89 but frequently spot humpback whales within 100 yards of the boat.

Cultural experiences and historic sites

Iolani Palace stands as America's only royal palace, where Hawaii's last monarchs lived until the kingdom's overthrow in 1893. Audio tours ($27 adults, $6 children) run Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm, revealing stories of Queen Liliuokalani's imprisonment and the palace's electric lights that predated the White House's by four years. Guided tours cost more ($33) but include basement galleries showcasing royal jewels and artifacts.

Pearl Harbor receives over 1.8 million annual visitors, making advance reservations essential. Free tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial release online at recreation.gov 8 weeks ahead and sell out within minutes. The broader Pearl Harbor Historic Sites passport ($89.99) includes the USS Missouri battleship, USS Bowfin submarine, and Pacific Aviation Museum – plan 4-6 hours for the complete experience.

For a more intimate cultural immersion, many Waikiki hotels offer complimentary Hawaiian activities. Lei making, ukulele lessons, and hula classes typically run 30-60 minutes and require no experience. Kani Ka Pila Grille hosts live Hawaiian music nightly from 6-9pm, where local musicians play traditional and contemporary island songs while diners enjoy pupus and tropical cocktails.

Outdoor adventures and hiking

Diamond Head Crater draws 3,000+ daily hikers to its 0.8-mile summit trail, rewarding the 560-foot climb with 360-degree views of Honolulu and the Pacific. Entry costs $5 per person or $10 per vehicle, with reservations required via gostateparks.hawaii.gov. The trail opens at 6am – sunrise hikers see fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Pack water and expect 45-90 minutes round trip depending on fitness level.

Less crowded alternatives include Makapuu Lighthouse Trail (2 miles round trip, paved path) offering whale watching opportunities December through April, and Lanikai Pillbox Trail (1 hour round trip) with Instagram-famous sunrise views. Both trails have no entry fees but limited parking fills by 8am on weekends.

The Honolulu Zoo spans 42 acres in Kapiolani Park, housing over 1,230 animals including the only Komodo dragons in Hawaii. General admission runs $19 adults, $11 children 3-12, with the zoo open 10am-4pm daily. The Keiki Zoo lets children interact with goats and chickens, while the African Savanna section recreates habitats for giraffes, zebras, and lions.

Dining and nightlife

Honolulu's dining scene blends local plate lunches with upscale Pacific Rim cuisine. For authentic Hawaiian flavors, Hula Grill Waikiki serves fresh catch ($32-42) with live music and Diamond Head views from their second-floor lanai. Their famous Hula Pie – macadamia nut ice cream in chocolate cookie crust – feeds two for $15.

Duke's Waikiki, named for surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, occupies prime beachfront real estate where mai tais come with front-row sunset seats. Their Barefoot Bar offers casual dining on the sand. Sunday concerts featuring Henry Kapono pack the venue from 4-6pm.

Night owls find entertainment at Blue Note Hawaii, where national touring acts and local jazz artists perform in an intimate 300-seat venue. Tickets range $25-85 depending on the artist, with dinner-and-show packages available. For craft beer enthusiasts, Maui Brewing Company's Waikiki location claims the area's largest bar with 36 taps featuring Hawaii-brewed beers and live music nightly.

Shopping and local experiences

Waikiki Beach Walk connects over 40 shops and restaurants along a pedestrian-friendly promenade between Lewers Street and Royal Hawaiian Avenue. Free hula shows perform Tuesdays at 4:30pm, while local artisans sell handmade jewelry and artwork during pop-up markets. Stores stay open until 10pm, making it ideal for after-dinner browsing.

For unique local finds, stop by Hawaiian Aroma Caffe – Waikiki's most photographed coffee shop thanks to its 3D latte art creating foam sculptures of cats, swans, and cartoon characters ($8-12 per drink). Sunrise Shack serves acai bowls ($14-16) and "bullet coffee" blended with grass-fed butter, attracting health-conscious locals and visitors to their three Oahu locations.

Giving back while visiting, Duke's Waikiki organizes beach cleanups every month, rewarding volunteers with free breakfast. Sessions run 8-9am on select Saturdays – check dukeswaikiki.com/sustainability for dates and registration, as the 50 volunteer spots fill within days of posting.

Family-friendly activities

Families with young children find plenty of things to do in Hawaii Honolulu beyond the beach. The Waikiki Aquarium engages kids with touch tanks and daily Hawaiian monk seal feedings at 11am. Children under 4 enter free, making it budget-friendly for families with toddlers. The facility's size – viewable in 60-90 minutes – suits shorter attention spans.

OUTRIGGER properties enhance family stays with supervised kids' programs. The Coral Kids Club at OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort accepts children ages 5-12 for half-day and full-day sessions that offer cultural activities and games. Parents gain free time while kids make leis, learn basic hula moves, and hear Hawaiian stories from program leaders.

For active families, outrigger canoe rides accommodate children as young as 5 when ocean conditions permit. These 45-minute adventures cost $40-50 per person with family discounts available. Saturday movie nights at OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel screen family films poolside at 7:30pm – free for guests.

Unique experiences worth the splurge

Couples seeking memorable moments can renew vows with traditional Hawaiian ceremonies on Waikiki Beach. OUTRIGGER properties arrange beachfront ceremonies, including Hawaiian officiant, musician, leis, and professional photography. Sessinos book months ahead, especially during winter months when weather is most predictable.

Tanaka of Tokyo elevates dinner into entertainment with teppanyaki chefs performing tableside. Meals run $35-85 per person depending on protein choices, with chefs juggling knives, creating onion volcanoes, and catching eggs in their hats. Reservations are recommended.

For Italian cuisine, Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar fires Neapolitan pizzas in wood-burning ovens imported from Italy. Pizzas range $18-28, with happy hour 3-6pm offering $7 wine and draft beers.

Planning your Honolulu visit

Timing your activities makes a significant difference in Honolulu. What to do in Honolulu depends partly on when you visit – December through April brings humpback whales and bigger surf, while May through November offers calmer waters for snorkeling and lower hotel rates. Avoid the last week of April when Japan's Golden Week brings maximum crowds.

Transportation between attractions proves straightforward with options ranging from public buses ($3 per ride, exact change required) to ride-sharing services ($15-25 from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor). Many visitors find walking sufficient for Waikiki-based activities, with most attractions within a 20-minute stroll. Rental cars become necessary only for North Shore trips or circle-island tours.

Budget $150-200 per person daily for activities, meals, and transportation. Free options like beach time, hotel cultural programs, and hiking trails help balance paid attractions. Many restaurants offer happy hour specials 3-6pm with pupus (appetizers) priced $6-12 and drinks $5-8, making dining out more affordable.