Things To Do
Cinnamon's Restaurant Kailua (Food - Breakfast/Lunch)
One of our fave breakfast/lunch spots on the east side of the island! Their kalbi melts in your mouth and pancakes are top tier!
Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro
One of the top places to get your pork tonkatsu fix! Such a great experience with even better food!
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
We always find ourselves coming back to Giovanni's despite trying other popular shrimp trucks on the island. The shrimp is well cooked and the seasoning is one of a kind! A must when visiting the island.
Island Vintage Coffee Waikiki
This place is without a doubt our favorite coffee spot! We have chosen to stay in hotels that are within walking distance to Island Vintage for this reason. Their selection of coffee is outstanding and their breakfast items, such as the acai bowl, ube bagel, and wagyu loco moco (at their wine bar location) are a must try! Pro tip - place your order online in advance. While it's worth the wait, their lines go out the door.
Musubi Cafe IYASUME
You can't visit Hawaii without having a spam masubi, and what better place to get top-quality masubis than at Musubi Cafe Iyasume! The black pepper spam is a fan favorite.
Rainbow Drive-In
A staple on the island for Hawaiian plate lunch! One of the first places we stop when we land, Rainbow Drive-In is a reliable spot for delicious, affordable food.
Waiola Shave Ice
One of the best places to get shaved ice! Tons of flavors and toppings at a super cheap price. We always make a stop here when visiting O'ahu!
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (Activity - Shopping)
The best place for affordable souvenirs and yummy food/snacks! Check out their website/page as hours vary.
Kualoa Ranch (Activity)
Breathtaking views with fun-filled activities for all ages! We've done the horseback riding and UTV activities and had so much fun. We highly recommend looking into their other activities and tours.
Ko Olina Lagoons (Activity - Beach)
Kid-friendly beaches, 4 lagoons with limited parking, located by the Aulani Resort.
Lanikai Beach (Activity - Beach)
Our favorite beach on the east side of the island! White sand beach with clear and calm waters! Residential parking can get limited during peak hours.
Sunset Beach Park (Activity - Beach)
Best spot for catching the sunset, large parking lot directly across the beach.
Diamond Head Crater Trailhead (Activity - Hike)
A great hike with an even better view of the island at the peak! Difficulty level is easy to medium, with most of the trail in the sun. Reservations are required so make sure to book in advance!
Koko Crater Railway Trail (Activity - Hike)
This hike is not for the weak. Despite the steep incline, piercing sun, and tricky steps, the view from the top makes it worth the struggle. Difficulty level is hard, and we definitely recommend starting early in the morning!
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail (Activity - Hike)
A great stroller-friendly, pavement trail with awesome views of the ocean. Great spot to do some whale watching! Limited parking in their parking lot. Difficulty level is easy to medium.