Waikiki Beach, Hawaii Things To Do & Attractions

Escape to the white sands of Waikiki Beach. Climb to the breathtaking summit of Diamond Head. Explore exciting Waikiki attractions like the Waikiki Aquarium. Shop at Waikiki’s Luxury Row and Waikiki Beach Walk. Surf and dive in the aquamarine waters of the Pacific. Feast and dance at an authentic luau. Discover Honolulu, Chinatown and the history of Pearl Harbor. With its colorful culture, natural beauty, exciting dining and nightlife, and playful attractions, Waikiki Beach is a captivating vacation destination that will free your spirit of aloha!

Honolulu, Hawaii Attractions

Waikiki Beach/ Waikiki Beach Walk.

One of the most breathtaking vacation destinations in the world, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful 2-mile white sand beach fronted by shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife. Relax on the sparkling sands of Waikiki with a mai tai, and enjoy swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, and catamaran and outrigger canoe rides in the aqua waters of the Pacific Ocean. The beach offers picnic areas, concession stands, and snorkeling and body board rentals. Stroll along the beautiful Waikiki Beach Walk for waterfront shopping, dining, entertainment and activities. Swim, surf, shop, eat, play and delight in the wonders of Waikiki! Visit http://www.waikikibeachwalk.com/

Diamond Head State Park.

Towering over the southeast coast of Oahu and Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Park is an extinct volcanic crater and Hawaii’s iconic natural landmark. Created over 300,000 years ago, Diamond Head’s saucer-shaped crater spans 3,520 feet. Hike the challenging trail from the crater, up the inside wall of the extinct volcano, to the 760-foot volcanic summit and savor jaw-dropping views of the Oahu coast – from the white beaches of Waikiki Beach to Koko Head. Visit http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/.

Waikiki Shell.

Located across from Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head for a backdrop, the Waikiki Shell is a tropical outdoor amphitheater for outdoor concerts and shows, as well as convention events, meetings and receptions. This magnificent shell-shaped venue with its large stage, advanced sound and lighting, and green lawns, is an amazing setting for twilight concerts and entertainment under the stars. The stadium seats 1958 people, with an additional capacity of 6,000 on the lawns. Within the Shell grounds and near the ocean is a smaller amphitheater, home of the daytime hula show, and Diamond Head Greens, a tree-lined lawn that hosts theme parties, receptions, banquets and weddings. Visit http://www.blaisdellcenter.com/venues/waikikishell.html.

Kapiolani Park.

Hawaii’s largest and oldest public park, Kapiolani Park offers 500 beautiful acres of recreation and relaxation. Listed on Hawaii’s Historic Register, the park features 100-year old trees, beautiful scenery, shady picnic spots, soccer and sport fields, tennis courts, an archery range, and a 3-mile running trail that is part of the Honolulu Marathon Course. Created by King Kalakaua in the 1870s, Kapiolani Park is the site of Diamond Head, Honolulu Zoo, Kodak Hula Show, and the Waikiki Shell – home to outdoor concerts and shows. Enjoy free concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band every Sunday afternoon at the Kapiolani Bandstand.

Waikiki Aquarium.

Located next to a living coral reef, Waikiki Aquarium exhibits 3,500 marine animals and aquatic plants, representing 500 species from Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Explore the breathtaking coral reef exhibit, look into the eye of a zebra shark or giant octopus, and see reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, living corals, sea jellies, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Gaze at the graceful sea jellies in the Ocean Drifters Gallery. Face the giant sharks in the Hunters on the Reef exhibit. Check out the Edge of the Reef Exhibit and touch the sea life found along Hawaii’s rocky shoreline. Join the aquarium’s shark adventures, reef walks, and diving and snorkeling trips. Visit www.waquarium.org

Honolulu Zoo.

Set in beautiful Kapiolani Park,Honolulu Zoo is Hawaii’s oldest zoo and features over 1,000 animals, mammals, birds, reptiles and exotic wildlife. Explore naturalistic animal exhibits of the Pacific Islands, African Savannah, Tropical Rainforest, and Kabuni Reserve. Encounter a Sumatran tiger, Asian elephants, zebras, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, Hawaiian nene goose, and the first Galapagos tortoises born in captivity. Pet cows and llamas at the Children’s Zoo, join the Dinner Safari and tour the zoo at night with flashlights. Visit www.honoluluzoo.org.

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial/ Battleship Missouri Memorial.

The history of Hawaii comes to life at Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor. Tour the legendary USS Arizona Memorial, commemorating the soldiers and crew who perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Take a guided tour of the sunken hull of Battleship USS Arizona and the museum, featuring WWII history exhibits and a documentary film. Celebrating US victory and the end of WWII, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum with exhibits, memorabilia and activities that tell the history of the world’s most famous battleship. Walk the Surrender Deck of the Mighty Mo, the site of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces. Visit http://www.nps.gov/usar/ or www.usmissouri.com.

Iolani Palace.

A National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace was the royal palace of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Tour this magnificent European-style palace and discover the history of Hawaiian royalty. Explore the Palace’s gorgeous grounds and beautiful galleries containing Hawaiian crown jewels, ancient regalia, and historic portraits and photographs. Enjoy picnics and free Friday concerts in the beautifully landscaped courtyard or unique shopping in the Palace Shop. Visit www.iolanipalace.org.

Hanauma Bay.

Located along the southeast coast of Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park. The crescent shaped cove, protected from ocean waves, is one of the island’s top scuba diving and snorkeling spots with a rich coral reef and diverse population of marine life. Divers can explore the bay floor, the crater of an ancient volcano, or swim through the reef into deep water. The curved sandy beach at Hanauma Bay is a beautiful place for sunbathing, swimming, and picnics. Discover the scenic hiking trails along the coastline and ridge overlooking the bay and enjoy the breathtaking lookouts. Visit http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/welcome.htm

Bishop Museum.

Founded in 1889, Bishop Museum houses the largest collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal heirlooms of Princess Bishop, last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family, as well as millions of artifacts, photographs and documents about Hawaii and Pacific island cultures. The largest museum in Hawaii and the leading natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, Bishop Museum is acclaimed for its cultural collections, research and educational programs. The magnificent Polynesian and Hawaiian Halls feature one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. The Museum also runs the Hawaii Maritime Center on Honolulu Harbor. Visit http://www.bishopmuseum.org.

Downtown Honolulu & Chinatown.

Downtown Honolulu features Hawaii’s significant treasures, attractions, museums and historic landmarks. Enjoy walking tours of downtown from Aloha Tower Marketplace, with harborside shops and restaurants surrounding historic Aloha Tower. Explore the Hawaii Maritime Center, which chronicles Hawaii’s ocean history, Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, State Capitol Building, Mission House Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts from the first Protestant missionaries, and the Kamehameha statue in front of Honolulu’s old judicial building. Honolulu’s Chinatown is an 8-block maze of shops, galleries, ethnic eateries, bars, temples, historic buildings, lei stands, antique dealers, fresh produce vendors, and herbal shops. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii offers guided walking tours of Chinatown.

Polynesian Cultural Center.

Set on 42 acres of Oahu’s North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center represents Polynesian culture through eight native villages, fun exhibits and activities of the South Pacific nations. Enjoy an authentic Polynesian adventure as you walk by a lagoon, volcano, waterfalls, and lush greenery on the tropical landscape. Experience the activities, customs, crafts, games, and war rituals of each South Pacific island. Enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine and entertainment at the Alii Luau – Hawaii’s most authentic luau – see the spectacular evening show, Ha: Breath of Life featuring Polynesian songs and dances in the Pacific Theater, and catch the Coral Reef Adventure film at the IMAX Theater. Visit www.polynesia.com.

Waikiki Beach Shopping

International Market Place.

A lively open-air market in the heart of Waikiki, International Market Place features over 200 shops, carts, kiosks, artisan stands, and restaurants. A Honolulu tradition built around a century-old banyan tree, International Market Place is a fun shopping spot filled with souvenirs, jewelry, gifts, clothes and artisan crafts. Meet local craftspeople and snap a photo by the waterfall. Stroll over to the International Food Court for local and international cuisine and live Hawaiian music and hula performances. Visit www.internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com.

Ala Moana Center.

Hawaii’s premier shopping destination, Ala Moana Center features everything from haute couture to local souvenirs. This massive open-air shopping mall features over 290 luxury stores, shops, salons and restaurants. Surrounding department stores like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, you’ll find Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Betsey Johnson, Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Escada, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, J. Crew, Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co. Ala Moana Center also offers wonderful restaurants and bars, an international food court, entertainment, shopping events and the Pearl nightclub. Visit www.alamoanacenter.com.

Waikiki Beach Walk.

Shop, dine, sip and play at Waikiki Beach Walk. Stroll along this colorful waterfront promenade lined with shops, art galleries, restaurants, spas, and bars. Browse for Hawaiian keepsakes, trendy fashions, and local crafts and arts, surrounded by the stunning seascape and ocean breezes. From island chic to trendy fashions, Waikiki Beach Walk offers over 50 shops, including Quicksilver, Alter Ego, Honolua Surf Co., and Sunglass Solutions.  The Walk offers 15 wonderful restaurants and bars like Roy’s Waikiki, Yard House, Coconut Willy’s and Ocean House Restaurant, and an outdoor plaza with live music. Visit www.waikikibeachwalk.com.

Royal Hawaiian Center.

Located along three gorgeous blocks in Waikiki Beach, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is a popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The Center features 150 luxury and lifestyle shops and restaurants on four levels, offering a variety of merchandise and cuisine from around the world – from haute couture to hot dogs. Discover trendy boutiques, such as Cartier, Fendi, Kate Spade, bebe and Juicy Couture, sports shops, jewelry stores, craft shops and fantastic restaurants like Doraku Sushi and Beachwalk Café. Enjoy free live entertainment and complimentary music, hula and culture classes in The Royal Grove. Visit http://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com

Luxury Row.

For fabulous fashion in Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach, Luxury Row at 2100 Kalakaua Avenue is an high-style shopping destination with the world’s finest luxury retailers and chic designer boutiques. Discover the hottest fashions and trends at upscale boutiques, including Chanel, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Hugo Boss, Bottega Veneta, Tod’s and Yves Saint Laurent. This renowned travel destination also offers fun shopping and art events. Visit http://www.2100kalakaua.com.