Location: Honolulu
Top Things to do in Honolulu
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii (HI)
The mere mention of Hawaii is enough to prompt visions of grass skirts and colorful cocktails with tiny umbrellas. While you will find some kitsch in Honolulu, you’ll also find art museums, bike paths, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Popular Waikiki Beach has soft sands and great surf. For majestic Oahu views scramble to the top of Diamond Head – a 350-acre volcanic crater. Historic structures like Iolani Palace and Ali'iolani Hale are worth a visit on a non-beach day.
Restaurants in Honolulu
1. Kapiolani Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,105 reviews
Many of Hawaii’s alii (royalty) lived in Waikiki and King Kalakaua selected a 300-acre track of land at the base of Diamond Head for a public park in 1867. Today, it is a gathering place that thrives with walkers, runners, tennis enthusiasts and picnickers. Grab lunch on Kalakaua Avenue and enjoy it in one of the shaded picnic areas scattered around this colorful park.
Reviewed By RaringtoGo8 - Toronto, Canada
Can't miss this huge park right beneath Diamond Head. Favorite location for local festivals in sesason.. Soccer team practices and matches for the kiddies. Honolulu zoo is right here.
2. National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,160 reviews
The resting place for more than 25,000 victims of three American Wars - World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War – this is truly the “Cemetery of Heroes.” Punchbowl was formed some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago during the Honolulu period of secondary volcanic activity. A crater resulted from the ejection of hot lava through cracks in the old coral reefs that, at the time, extended to the foot of the Koolau Mountain Range. Of special note is a monument honoring Hawaii-born astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who perished aboard the Challenger space shuttle in 1986. Also noteworthy are the Courts of the Missing, white stone tablets bearing the names of those missing in action from World War II.
Reviewed By CraigW498
our driver from the Pearl Harbour tour took us to the Punchbowl cemetery.Of any cemetery I have visited it is the most impressive .The bowl which is a long ago volcanic crater provides a feeling of seclusion and the trees are so perfectly manicured they provide a true feeling of privilege for those who are buried here . The monuments are impressive as well. The view of the city on the trip down the outside is also nice. At first I thought a cemetery was not on my agenda but I'm glad I seen this one .
3. US Army Museum of Hawaii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,092 reviews
The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is open Tues - Sat from 10 AM - 5 PM. The Museum is FREE to all with exhibits located on the first and second floor of the facility. English and Japanese audio tours are available to visitors for a nominal fee ($5). Parking is available directly across the street from the museum in the Saratoga parking lot. Validation is available at the welcome desk. Constructed from 1909-11, the Coast Artillery Battery (known as Battery Randolph) protected Oahu with its two 14-inch disappearing guns. In the early 70’s, attempts were made to tear down Battery Randolph to make way for the Hale Koa Hotel, however, those attempts proved to be unsuccessful. In 1976, the structure was repurposed into a museum focusing on depicting early Hawaiian warfare and the military’s presence in the Pacific highlighting every major military encounter throughout the 20th Century.
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
Let's face it - one doesn't expect to find a military museum at one of the most famous beach destinations in the world, yet that's exactly what you'll find here at Waikiki. However, once you visit the museum, its location makes a lot of sense. Although it isn't obvious, the museum is actually on an active U.S. Army base. Fort DeRussy is mostly green space with no perimeter fences to keep people out, indeed it is mostly open to the public to enjoy, so it is pretty well camouflaged in plain sight. The museum itself is housed in what was originally Battery Randolph, a coast artillery installation completed in 1911. It is a massive reinforced concrete structure that originally housed two 14-inch guns designed to defend Honolulu from battleships. Following the rise of bombers over battleships during World War II, coast defense forts like Randolph were shutdown, their guns removed and the concrete bastions mostly demolished. The adjacent Battery Dudley here on Waikiki Beach was successfully removed in 1969, but Battery Randolph proved impervious to the wrecking ball and blasting would have been too dangerous for the surrounding city already rising up around it, so it was converted into this museum instead. The museum consists of two floors of exhibits inside the old fortress along with displays of tanks, artillery, and even a helicopter gunship outside on the roof of the battery and the adjacent grounds by the museum entrance. The galleries on the first floor provide a generally chronological history of Hawaiian defense starting with the feudal society of native Hawaiians that Captain Cook found when he first visited the 1780s through the military campaigns of Kamehameha that ultimately unified the islands in the early 19th century. The growing trade and military influence of the United States in Hawaii during the 19th and into the 20th century is also covered. Of course, being in an intact coast defense fort, the history and operation of Army's coast artillery branch in general and specifically the construction and operation of this and other coast defense installations in Hawaii are covered in great detail, although other specialties within the Army (cavalry, field artillery, aviation, etc.) are not left out. Naturally, the rise of Japanese militarism culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II is another key topic. Coverage then extends through later Pacific wars in Korea and Vietnam. Throughout, much coverage is also given to the contributions of Hawaiians, particularly its Japanese Americans, in American military history. This is particularly true as the exhibits move to the second floor and the Gallery of Heroes which covers the Hawaiian recipients of the Medal of Honor and Army Distinguished Service Cross. Also on the second floor is a separate gallery devoted to the Army Corps of Engineers and their work not only in Hawaii but around the country in general. The exhibits are quite well done, combining artifacts, models, photos, ephemera, and even interactive displays to tell the story. Audio tours are also available. Admission is free (although donations are gratefully accepted), and they even validate parking. Once you get finished looking at the exhibits, you can stop by their gift shop for souvenirs, history books, etc. We spent the better part of two hours here and had a great time.
4. Ala Moana Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,986 reviews
This gentle, protected beach has coarse sand and is ideal for swimming and water play.
Reviewed By okinawa1953 - Honolulu, United States
There are a lot of japanese honeymooners taking photos. The limousines bring from waikiki, and park on the diamond head side of magic island. There is a park and the beach. At the park, locals go for a walk or jog. At the beach, the water is calm because of the seawall, and you can see swimmers and stand-up paddle boarders, also beach goers in the sand.
5. Lyon Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 415 reviews
Part of the University of Hawaii, the Lyon Arboretum offers 194 acres and a research facility.
Reviewed By Nomad527202
Its beautiful but gets wet on the uneven trail. Lots of trees you won't see anywhere else, also beautiful flowers and orchids.
6. Puu Ualakaa State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 727 reviews
Reviewed By Creeping_Death_LA - Los Angeles, United States
I didn't have a rental car so I took the public bus to the closest stop near the park. Getting an Uber was almost impossible in that area. The hassle of getting there was well worth it in the end. The view and the surrounding area is beautiful and must be seen in person.
7. Saint Augustine by-the-Sea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
Reviewed By 661matthewy - Salt Lake City, United States
This is a beatifiul church right off the Waikiki beach so it gets lots of visiting parishioners. We attended the Aasumption of Mary Mass and the priest who was visiting from the states did a wonderful homily. The story of St Augustine is a wonderful story by itself. We have attended Mass each time we visit. .
8. Manoa Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,626 reviews
Reviewed By Studyhardallday - Waianae, United States
This place is an amazing place to visit. Beautiful hike where individuals can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy and a nice day or a picnic.
9. Magic Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 720 reviews
Reviewed By attony - Hawley, United States
We were in Honolulu for a day on our way from Maui to New Zealand and wanted to go to the beach but did NOT want to go to Waikiki. There is an artificial lagoon at the end of this park that has a lovely sand beach and a nice lagoon for swimming. It was also a great place to watch the sun go down over the ocean. Our Uber driver said the park is mostly used by locals, but we really liked it.
10. Waikiki Beach Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,598 reviews
An upscale hotel, condominium and retail development.
Reviewed By evelinh2014 - Maple, Canada
Great street with booths and vendors twice a week.Has pretty stores and great restaurants.Has a few hotel lobbies and a big ABC store, Hawaii's main tourist to go to store.You find things that are different,Also Starbucks is there and few coffee shops and a great ice cream place.
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