OAHU

All viewers: The pins in the embedded map below include key info, tips, and tricks, as well as details ported directly from Google Maps like contact info and ratings. FINALLY, all in one handy place! Check out the sample Day-Ish Long Itineraries below the map to help explore these great spots to the fullest. Also, just click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to port the map directly into Google Maps as its own layer for easy navigation.

Mobile viewers: This is best viewed in landscape mode. Alternatively, click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to open the map directly in Google Maps.

 
 

Overview

Oahu.PNG

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the urban center of the state. Pearl Harbor is accessible within the greater urban area. The city is well-developed and features easy beach access and lots of high-end shopping.

If you’re just looking to tour around the island, it can be sprinted through in one full day, but plan for two days for a more leisurely tour. The south shore, including Downtown and Waikiki Beach, is the most developed area of Hawaii and contains most of the whole state’s population. Other parts of the island are best accessed by car, though the outdoor sites are less spectacular than those on other islands.

Day-ISH Long itineraries

+ Local Exploration

You can cover Honolulu in one packed day, but it really depends if you're planning to check out Pearl Harbor, and how much time you plan to spend there. If you're going, start early, then work your way back south.

Pearl Harbor - This naval base and site of the attack that brought the United States into World War II is the biggest attraction.

  • There are actually four separate sites: (1) USS Arizona Memorial, (2) Battleship Missouri Memorial, (3) USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and (4) Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

  • The website is labyrinthine and offers all manner of different ticket variations and up-sell options. At the most basic, the "Passport to Pearl Harbor" is $72 USD and covers entrance to all four sites. Alternatively, they can be broken out:

    • The USS Arizona Memorial is free but requires reserving boat tickets, which are quite limited. One batch is made available online two months in advance, another online the day before, and another in-person the morning of. There are also authorized tour companies that pick up from Waikiki Beach hotels and have pre-allocated boat tickets.

    • Battleship Missouri Memorial is $29. For an additional $25 charge, the "Heart of the Missouri" tour visits the Engine Room and other special areas of the ship - only 10 spots available on each of the 6 daily tours for the additional add-on).

    • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum is $15 and includes a tour of the submarine.

    • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is $25.
  • If you're planning to visit Pearl Harbor, reserve boat tickets to the USS Arizona as early as possible. The submarine tour is a unique experience and worth it. The Missouri and Aviation Museums are geared toward WWII history buffs, and should be judged based on personal interest.

Hawaii State Art Museum - Museum geared toward Hawaiian art. Free admission. Right downtown, and worth a quick stroll through.

Kaka'ako - This hip, emerging neighborhood in the warehouse district between downtown and Waikiki Beach has lots to explore, including breweries, street art, and interesting eats. DIY brewery crawl:

  • Honolulu Beerworks - Menu is more limited than Waikiki Brewing Company, but it's got something for everyone.
  • Aloha Beer Company - Food is a little more upscale than the other brewpubs nearby. Good for snacks and splitting apps.
  • Waikiki Brewing Company - Comprehensive food menu including barbecue and local flavors. Good spot to eat while on a brewery crawl.
  • Brewseum - WWII-themed brewery paired with a WWII museum, and a tiki speakeasy to boot. Definitely the most unique of the breweries in the neighborhood. Snacks are available, but plan to eat elsewhere.

Head back to the south end of Waikiki for a little outdoor excursion and some oceanside evening drinks:

  • Diamond Head State Park - Get a great view from the rim of the crater just south of Waikiki Beach. It's a very exposed hike, so plan to rideshare as close as you can get.

  • Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand - It's a gay bar with a happy hour that goes 10AM-6PM and includes great deals on food and drinks.

  • Duke’s Waikiki - Tourist to the max, but you can finesse it with just drinks out on the front patio, where you can catch the Hilton Hawaiian Village's fireworks show (starts at 7:45PM or 8PM depending on the time of year).

  • Sansei Seafood Restaurant - Late night reverse happy hour on Friday and Saturday nights after 10PM equals half-off sushi, fun drink specials, and karaoke. Otherwise this is a fairly fancy seafood restaurant on the second floor of the Marriott.

Check the tips section of each pin for more info.

Logistics

Airport Stuff: Fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

Getting Around: You can forgo a rental car if you only plan to stay in the greater Honolulu area, and use public transportation or rideshares instead.

Where to Stay: When booking through Hotels.com or directly through hotel websites for properties in the Waikiki Beach area, be aware that there are several resort taxes and fees that get applied. There are a couple hostels where the dorms can offer some savings, but the private rooms are often comparably priced to the cheaper end of hotels.