Top Things to do in Oahu
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The 10 Best Things to do in Oahu, Hawaii (HI)
The Hawaiian island of Oahu is a surfer’s paradise, with swelling waves that can reach epic heights. No wonder, then, that it’s the site of one of the world’s premier competitions, the Triple Crown of Surfing. If hanging ten isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the beautiful beaches – particularly famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Art connoisseurs will appreciate the annual Hale'iwa Arts Festival, a celebration of local crafts, painting, jewelry, sculpture, dance, and music.
Restaurants in Oahu
1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,333 reviews
A 184-foot memorial honoring the 2,388 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reviewed By Y6801YCsusanc
This is a memorial every American visiting Hawaii should not miss. Even though I read complaints posted on TripAdvisor about not being able to visit the memorial itself, it still doesn't take away from the SIGNIFICANCE. They show a movie about what led to the attack on Pearl Harbor which was well presented before going onboard a boat that takes you briefly around the harbor. There is a lot to see here. You can visit a museum detailing the history of the events happening in the Pacific at that time and what led up to the attack. You can also visit both the World War II submarine, USS Bowfin and it's accompanying memorial to lost submariners and the submarine museum; next you can visit the battleship USS Missouri and excellent museum and where the Japanese surrendered. There is also an air museum which we didn't have a chance this time to visit. Kids 12 and up would get more out of this than young children and they should be exposed to this history and never forget it. I was lucky to meet a Pearl Harbor survivor, Sterling Cale. He signed his book for us and I had my picture taken with him (no charge), so don't miss this and thank him for his service to our country.
2. Diamond Head State Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,500 reviews
A dormant volcano crater.
Reviewed By alp107
Great hike to do on Oahu! Try going early to miss the tourist runs ???? Great hike to do with kids and the whole family. Please note this is not a stroller-friendly hike. If by the time you get farther along the hike and don't feel like using the stairs (they're steep!), try the alternate (but longer) route of the ramp ways. Overall, this is a short hike with beautiful and great views of the south shoreline of Honolulu. Stay hydrated as this can be a dry climb up the half crater that is Diamond Head. ????
3. Waimea Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,245 reviews
A popular surfing area located on the North Shore of Oahu.
Reviewed By amysun2016 - Fairfield, United States
Waimea valley is beautiful. The big is big and is on the 7 miles miracle, north shore in general is very nice in the winter with big waves and you can watch surfers.
4. Hawaii Plantation Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
A sugar cane plantation village with 30 homes open to the public for viewing.
Reviewed By BoardingPass728479
Excellent tour! Very informative and interesting! The docent was very knowledgeable Great insight into the immigrants that came here to work on the sugar cane plantations and also to see the living conditions.
5. Kailua Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,987 reviews
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
For less experienced and brave swimmers, this is a perfect setting. Close to washroom facilities, with lots of parking within convenient distance and many shaded spots under the trees, this beach offers enough room for everybody to sit or walk around, without feeling crowded, even during the weekend days. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with nearby rock formations, and amazingly turquois water. As the slope into the waves is not too steep, even when the ocean is pretty rough, swimming is quite safe. The villages of Kailua and nearby Lanikai also offer many places to eat, have a good coffee or browse for souvenirs. Excellent location!
6. North Shore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,247 reviews
The northern region of Oahu is a destination in itself, offering a wide variety of natural wonders and resort activities.
Reviewed By MikeH305 - Phoenix, United States
We headed to the North Shore by the ocean route 83 and came back overland on 99. This is a great loop trip with lots of things to see along the way. Beautiful beaches and some great surf to watch especially along the north shore beaches like the Banzai Pipeline. So much better to enjoy than the city of Honolulu.
7. Nu’uanu Pali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 896 reviews
The Nuuanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout above the Pali Highway tunnels where you’re treated to a panoramic view of Oahu's Windward side with sweeping views of Kaneohe, Kaneohe Bay and Kailua. It’s also well known for strong tradewinds, forming a natural wind tunnel of sorts. It was here in 1795 that Kamehameha The Great conquered the island of Oahu in one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history. Led by Kalanikupule, the defenders of Oahu were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. More than 400 of Kalanikupule's soldiers were driven off the edge of the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below.
Reviewed By TravelGrandma10 - Huntsville, United States
There are awesome views of Kaneohe Bay and the windward side of Oahu. You have to pay a small fee to park, but it is worth it. I highly recommend this stop!
8. Lanikai Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,992 reviews
Reviewed By Scubaluvr - Coto de Caza, United States
Had a great afternoon at this beach. Cannot imagine how crowded it must be in the summer. Hard to get parking in the side roads. Take an umbrella for shade. Nice for the day
9. Byodo-In Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,808 reviews
Reviewed By VictoriaAllen - Las Vegas, United States
Byodo-In Temple is located inside the Valley of The Temples Memorial Park and is a replica of an old Buddhist temple from Japan. We went here as part of a city tour and I must say was probably my most favorite stop. The drive to the temple took us through a cemetery that had the most beautiful marble headstones and the grounds are very well-maintained. There's a gravel path that leads to either side of the temple and allows for some picturesque and tranquil views. Beautiful architecture against the backdrop of the Ko'olau Ridge takes your breath away. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese-style garden complete with a koi pond, statue of Buddha and traditional Japanese tea house. Donations are welcome for the restoration of the Buddha statue and you are asked to remove your shoes before entering (as a sign of respect) and they welcome you to light incense as an offering to Buddha. You can also purchase food to feed the koi -- a lot of fun for kids! Truly one of the best sites to see when visiting Oahu. When not visiting with a tour, there is no time limit on the length of your visit. Definitely a must see when visiting the island.
10. Ko Olina Lagoons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,739 reviews
Reviewed By bonniebO1974MY - Littlestown, United States
These lagoons are so beautiful and create a spot for enjoying the the water in a safe place. Definitely good for families with children! There is a chapel at the first one, right beside the Disney Resort where sometimes you may catch a glimpse of a wedding party!! Akso, as you approach the lagoon ares, you will pass by the golf course and please look for the black swans in the water on the course!! Wonderful and unusual to see!!!
