Favorite local spots for poke, plate lunches, Dim Sum, Korean BBQ, shaved ice, bakeries, bars, and more! Ask Liz and Jamie for guidance.
This family-friendly beach is perfect for relaxing and swimming. It's known for its ultra-fine white sand, gentle waves, turquoise water, and views of the Mokulua Islands. This is also an ideal place for sunrise. Lanikai a VERY popular beach (for good reason). We recommend going earlier in the day to find your spot and avoid parking issues. There are no public restrooms here.
This secluded cove near Makapuʻu Lighthouse has calm, shallow water and exceptional visibility for swimming and snorkeling. Park at the Makapuʻu Lighthouse lot and walk to the start of the trailhead. To the right, you’ll find an unpaved, rocky path that slopes down and toward the water. Follow the trail, keeping left at any forks. Eventually, the path splits and leads to the sandy cove or the rocky shoreline. From the rocks, you jump or climb into the water. Don't dive, and be careful on the slippery rocks.
Hanauma Bay is perfect for relaxing on the beach and swimming or snorkeling in clear waters. This is also a family-friendly beach. You can also hike Hanauma Bay Trail along the ridge to explore the lava rock formations. This is the only beach park with a fee ($25) as it's a nature preserve.
This paved 2.5-mile (4 km) hike on Oahu’s southeastern tip is family-friendly. You'll pass WWII pillboxes, views of the ocean and coastline, the lighthouse and, on especially clear days, neighboring islands Molokai and Lanai.
This is a 1.8-mile (2.89 km) round-trip trail in Kailua, and ends at WWII pillboxes that overlook Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands. Some sections are steep. This is a great sunrise hike, but can get busy. The trailhead is opposite the Mid-Pacific Country Club. Obey the parking signs - you can only park on the left side of the street in Lanikai.
This 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike takes you through a bamboo forest, open fields, and into a another forest before reaching a waterfall and swimming hole. Great for older kids. Be prepared for mud! This is the neighborhood Liz grew up in. The address leads to the trailhead.
This 1.6-mile (2.6 km) hike has a steep incline, with old railroad tracks and eventually, panoramic views of the southern coast, Hanauma Bay, and Hawaii Kai. This hike is exposed to the sun so better to start early!
This intermediate 5-mile (8 km) roundtrip hike with switchbacks through a pine forest, a challenging staircase climb, and panoramic views of the Windward side, Koko Head, and Diamond Head. This is a more difficult hike, not family-friendly. The address leads to parking near the trailhead.
This beachside ranch has various activities and tours, including horseback riding, ziplining, UTV Raptor Tours, tours of the Jurassic Park film sets, and more. There's also a great snorkeling spot right across from the entrance!
This was the private home of Doris Duke and contains 4,500 artworks and collected items. You start at the Honolulu Museum of Art and ride a bus to the property for this guided tour. Only available Thursday - Saturday. NOTE: if you do this tour you will also get free access to HoMA the same day.
A great collection of Hawaiian, South Pacific, and Asian art.
Tour the Hawaiian Kingdom's palace and the home of Hawaii's last monarchs.
Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.
Join a tour hosted by acclaimed shark diver Ocean Ramsey to explore the local aquatic life!