Honolulu Academy of Arts and Shangri La, Oahu

Not far from Downtown Honolulu, the Honolulu Academy of Arts has been sharing the arts with Hawaii since 1927. With a permanent collection of over 38,000 pieces, this is Hawaii's largest general fine-arts museum.

Stroll from gallery to gallery past open-air courtyards and ponds. Explore one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world as well as impressive collections of Western, European and Polynesian art. If you feel like seeing a film, visit Doris Duke Theatre, which plays an impressive array of foreign and independent films. After browsing the galleries, take a break and stop at the Pavilion café and have lunch in the beautifully landscaped courtyard.

Beginning from the Academy of Arts you can also take a guided tour of Shangri-La, one of Hawaii's most architecturally significant homes. With an impressive seaside view of Leahi (Diamond Head) , Shangri-La holds 3,500 objects of Islamic Art collected by worldly heiress Doris Duke. Tour richly decorated rooms that transport you to Morocco and Egypt, stunningly juxtaposed with magnificent outdoor views of palm trees and the Pacific.

The Honolulu Academy of the Arts even mixes a little nightlife with the arts on the last Friday of every month. At the monthly ARTafterDARK event, dance and mingle with young professionals and art lovers on a night that looks like an art gallery opening but feels like a block party. Browse the extensive exhibits, listen to live music, and grab food and drinks from vendors at the Pavilion Café. Each ARTafterDARK event has a fun art-inspired theme, from "Jet Set" (music and art from Japan, Rio and Paris) to “About Face” (Portrait art and 80s music). Open from 6-9 pm on the last Friday of the month, ARTafterDARK is the perfect start to your weekend. Your journey to another world begins at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Learn more about the Honolulu Academy of Arts.