Authentic Honolulu culture. Our favorite activities in the area give a glimpse of Hawaii's rich heritage and the experiences of an urban paradise. Find adventure around every corner!
See Iolani Palace. This majestic palace was the last residence of Hawaiian monarchs King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. The palace was reopened as a museum in 1978 and features important Hawaiian cultural and historical artifacts. Across the street are Aliiolani Hale, a historic building with the famed statue of Kamehameha the Great in the courtyard, and currently the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.
A powerful look into history, the Pearl Harbor Naval memorials include the USS Arizona, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Museum & Park, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Right around the corner are some of Honolulu's hottest restaurants and bars, where a vibrant nightlife thrives. Casual hole-in-the-wall spots, modern gastropubs, whiskey and wine bars, to pizza and diners - the choices are endless. On the first Friday of each month, patrons enjoy an art-driven block party style event where art gallery exhibitions are paired with bar-hopping.
Honolulu is teeming with notable art exhibits and museums. Nearby, you can visit Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center, Hawaii State Art Museum, and Honolulu Museum of Art with Honolulu Museum of Art School right across the street.
Less than five minutes away is Kakaako, a revitalized industrial-neighborhood area that houses a lively collection of craft beer pubs, casual eateries, and locally-owned boutiques. This energetic community is walkable, and popularly known for its iconic graffiti artwork by local and world-famous artists.
Quickly becoming a lifestyle mecca, Ward Village is a collection of restaurants, coffee shops, a cinema theater, and a variety of stores including locally owned boutiques to large-scale retailers. Also, a hub for cultural events, catch New Wave Fridays on the second Friday of every month at South Shore Market, and various community activities in the IBM building.
Just a 6-minute drive away is Neal S. Blaisdell Center - a complex with a multipurpose arena, exhibition hall, concert hall, and meeting spaces. Where there's always something exciting happening, these venues host some the biggest names in entertainment when performing in Hawaii.
Need some retail therapy? Ala Moana Center is the world's largest open-air shopping center and home to more than 350 shops and restaurants. Find anything from casual wear to luxury goods, food courts to fine dining, plus live music and entertainment.
We assembled a list of the top six things to do on Oahu, from touring Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial to exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center, with its seven authentic Polynesian villages representing traditional life in Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, the Marquesas, Tonga, Tahiti and Aotearoa (New Zealand).