Location: Waikiki
Top Things to do in Waikiki
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Top 10 Museums in Waikiki, 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.
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1. Galleria Provenza
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Galleria Provenza is an intimate artist owned gallery where you can often meet the artist Kristine Provenza and see her at work in the studio. Kristine has won many awards for her hula and wedding portraits and has recently become well known for her wave paintings. Also represented in the gallery are local fine art photographers and world renowned sculptors Kim Duffett and Jerry Vasconcellos.
2. 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.
3. Peter Lik Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
4. Lucoral Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By jennleighthorne
This place is amazing! It is the only museum type cultural attraction that is walking distance - so close to the beaches- it's right there! Great place to go when you don't have tons of time- you could view the place in 30 min or linger for an hour! Great for solo or fun for kids. I am so glad I didn't miss out on this place! What's really neat is how authentic it feels and the owner is warm and wonderful! You can experience a casual, self-guided tour through the gallery and view tons of gemstones, pearls, coral, rocks etc! There are some exceptional and uniquely ancient pieces in the collection that will blow your mind! To top it off, you can peruse the small store of on-site made jewelry. The prices are very affordable and the range includes gift worthy items and fine jewelry to treat yourself. (I purchased authentic gold/pearl drop earrings and I treasure them)! The thing about the jewelry they sell is it is seriously the ONLY place on the island you can shop in peace for yourself or gifts- you can linger and enjoy without being hassled- and with crazy good prices! Don't miss this stop! It's not like any other attraction on the island. It's well-loved, and though not fancy- it's absolutely worth a visit!
5. Nohea Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Nohea Gallery is a community resource bringing Hawaii's artists and artisans and people who appreciate real made in Hawaii art and crafts. At Nohea Gallery you will find original paintings by some of Hawaii's best-loved artists, koa bowls, boxes, frames and furniture made locally with great care, blown glass, ceramics, and a wonderful assortment of locally made jewelry from island girl chic to classic Hawaiian wedding rings. We celebrate the artists of Hawaii and welcome you!
6. Aloha Pearl Harbor Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 380 reviews
Come immerse yourself in history and learn about “the day that will live in infamy” as you enjoy one of the country’s historical treasures... Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. You will enjoy panoramic views of Pearl Harbor, the Ko’olau Mountains, and the US Navy Pacific Fleet as you walk through interesting museums, speak to veterans that are among the handful of remaining survivors, and watch the Pearl Harbor Documentary exclusive to the Memorial. Then, prepare to board a US Navy ferry boat to enjoy a cruise around Pearl Harbor and visit the USS Arizona Memorial. There, you'll see the wall of names, the black tears of the Arizona, and the ghostly ship lurking in the depths below the platform. After Pearl Harbor, your amazing guides will take you to see the Punchbowl National Cemetery and the statue of King Kamehameha the Great before heading back to Waikiki. Aloha Pearl Harbor only uses premium limo style buses with ac.
Reviewed By ampresti - Fort Mitchell, United States
Fantastic tour! Bought on Groupon which was incredible value!! “Cousin Nate” was an awesome driver/tour guide, and mmmm... the malasadas!! :)
7. National Geographic Fine Art Galleries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Located within International Market Place. National Geographic Fine Art Galleries, Honolulu, presents fine art photography through exclusive limited editions embodying the rich heritage of National Geographic and National Geographic Magazine. Behind every one of our iconic images is an amazing story.
Reviewed By BaliloverNewYork - Cortland, United States
As a 30+ year subscriber to Nat'l Geog, I had to venture into this gallery. WOW, the wall-sized photographs were breathtaking. Many of them I recognized from reading the magazine, but to see them up close & personal was quite a treat. The photos are beautiful and often thought provoking leaving one with the pleasure one feels after going to an art museum exhibit. The associate director, Irmena, was a joy to talk to for her expertise and a clear love for photographing our big, beautiful world. While we couldn't afford a purchase, we came away fully satisfied with these artistic photo treasures.
8. Art In Motion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
9. King's Guard Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 32 reviews
A museum, opened in January 2003, that celebrates the history and traditions of the King's Guards, the award-winning rifle drill team that performs its ritual drill exhibitions each night at 6:15 p.m.sss
10. Art Gallery Rafal Maleszyk
Contemporary art gallery in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii offers work by Rafal Maleszyk as well as family portrait photography by his wife Lili Lopez.
