Honolulu

If Oʻahu is the heart of Hawaiʻi, then Honolulu is its racing pulse. In this cosmopolitan capital city, you’ll find everything from historic landmarks to fine dining to world-class shopping. Home to the majority of Oʻahu’s population, Honolulu stretches across the southeastern shores of the island, from Pearl Harbor to Makapuʻu Point, encompassing world-famous Waikīkī Beach along the way.

Video: Day With a Local on Southern Oʻahu

Follow along for a day filled with food, art and fun in Honolulu and along the South Shore of Oʻahu

Arts & Culture in Honolulu

The Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum is Hawaiʻi’s largest history museum and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, with one-of-a-kind artifacts numbering in the millions.

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Honolulu Museum of Art

The Honolulu Museum of Art is Hawaiʻi’s largest fine arts museum. You can also tour Shangri-La, the stunning cliffside home of heiress Doris Duke, which now houses a notable collection of Islamic Art.

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ʻIolani Palace

The only official state residence of royalty in the U.S., ʻIolani Palace’s grounds and galleries are now open to the public as a museum.

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Capitol Modern (formerly HiSAM)

HiSAM exhibits and interprets the art and culture of Hawai‘i. Visit the three galleries and the sculpture garden on the ground floor and discover Hawai‘i on an eclectic journey through paintings, sculpture, and textiles. Enjoy curator-led tours on Friday afternoons.

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Food & Dining in Honolulu

From barefoot fish tacos at Duke’s Beach House in Waikīkī to the eclectic food scene in trendy Chinatown, Honolulu has something for every taste. Sample fine Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine at local institutions like Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Roy’s Waikīkī or Chef Mavro. Explore Honolulu’s residential neighborhoods and eat like a local with plate lunches, poke and fresh produce from the city’s many fantastic farmers markets.

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Landmarks & Attractions

Waikīkī

One of the most recognizable beaches in the world, Waikīkī was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Today, millions of visitors visit these shores every year.

Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head)

Take an easy hike to the top for panoramic views of Waikīkī, Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

Downtown Honolulu

Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown are Oʻahu’s centers for government, business and arts,with dining and nightlife around every corner.

Kapahulu

Kapahulu is a small neighborhood next to Waikīkī where you find eclectic shops and some of Honolulu’s best local food.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific honors sacrifices of America’s Armed Forces.

Kapi‘olani Park

Walk, run, cycle, do yoga, or attend a concert in this 160-acre oasis named after Queen Kapi‘olani that sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean just below iconic Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head).

King Kamehameha I Statue

Just across from ‘Iolani Palace, the bronze statue honors the ruler who unified the Hawaiian Islands. On the Friday closest to Kamehameha Day (June 11), the statue is draped with dozens of handmade 30-foot fresh flower lei (flower garlands).

Hanaiakamalama (Queen Emma Summer Palace)

In the Nu‘uanu Valley north of Downtown Honolulu, discover the mid-19th century summer retreat of Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV, and their son Prince Albert. This charming Greek revival home is filled with family possessions, memorabilia, and family portraits, enabling visitors to feel an intimate connection to the former inhabitants.

Shopping in Honolulu

Honolulu Shopping

Whether you’re looking for Hawaiian-made handicrafts to remember your trip by or stocking up on high-end fashion labels you can’t find at home, Honolulu is a shopper’s paradise. Free trolleys shuttle visitors between Waikīkī and Ala Moana, where there are more than 290 shops and 80 dining options.

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Shopping in Waikīkī

The shopping has become almost as famous as the beach at Waikīkī, where you’ll find everything from local boutiques at the Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikīkī Beach Walk to haute couture labels like Chanel and Gucci on Luxury Row.

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