Things To Do
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is Hawaii’s #1 visitor attraction, has 6 island villages representing the unique island cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. Set on 42 acres along Oahu’s North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center has a lagoon that hosts daily canoe tours. Our award-winning Ali’i Luau featuring our 'Onipa'a show honoring our last monarch. Visit our Hukilau Marketplace to shop for various Hawaiian and island-themed centered handiworks, clothing, jewelry, and treats. End your day by attending our show “Ha: Breath of Life”, featuring traditional song and dance, fire-filled performances, dramatic special effects and the power of surround sound.
Kualoa Ranch
Located on the windward side of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch is a private nature reserve & cattle ranch. On the ranch's northern half is Ka'a'awa Valley, a popular TV and movie location where Jurassic Park, Lost & Hawaii Five-0 were filmed. Proud to be in TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame for being the best of Hawaii tours & activities for the last 6 years in a row (2013-2019), Kualoa offers O’ahu’s best tours and activities. Kualoa is also rated Number one by Hawai’i Magazine and the StarAdvertiser’s Readers Choice Awards for 2017, 2018 & 2019. In 2018, Kualoa was ranked number 4 on Trip Advisorʻs list of “Top Trending Worldwide Attractions”
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Sea Life Park Hawaii is where the heart meets the sea. Get ready to be inspired by our amazing marine animals during a show or by observing them in their habitats. If you're looking for a more unique experience, you can swim with Dolphins, Sharks, Sea Lions, or Hawaiian Rays.
Trident Adventures Hawaii (Snorkeling & Scuba Diving, Helicopter Jumps, Fishing)
Trident Adventures is a Navy SEAL owned and operated company. Its primary focus is creating a safe environment with an impeccable crew that offers unique adventures that no other company in Hawaii offers. The owners, Steve and Jim, took the “fun” parts of being a Navy SEAL and created a company around that, leaving the “painful” stuff behind. We offer a vast array of activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, skin diving, helicopter jumping, live fire gun range shooting, hunting, night vision training, etc…. Josh has scuba dived ship wrecks and reefs with Trident Adventures. Very knowledgeable and fun staff. Highly recommend!!!
Dolphin Excursions Hawaii
Dolphin Excursions specializes in safely leading small groups on dolphin and whale watching excursions in Oahu. We take you on an ocean safari aboard our state-of-the-art 34-foot rigid inflatable boat with our lifeguard certified crew.
North Shore Shark Adventures (Swim with Sharks)
Shark or “Mano” in Hawaiian, is still central to the culture of the native Hawaiians and is featured in many legends. Hawaiians today still revere the shark and honor them as ancestral familial Gods of long ago. They are one of many central figures in Hawaiian mythology and are featured in countless legends throughout the Pacific. The shark God Kamohoali`i guided his sister Fire Goddess Pele on her journey as she escaped a feud with her sister which resulted in the creation of the Hawaiian Islands. We will take you on a journey to see one of the many forms of sharks, the descendants of Hawaiian folklore, and witness their agility and gracefulness as they glide by just inches away from you. All this and a breathtaking view of Oahu’s North Shore are part of the Hawaii shark tour.
Ko Olina Golf Club
Ko Olina Golf Club, recognized as one of Hawaii's best golf courses, offers a challenging 18-hole championship course with exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens, and no parallel fairways.
The Arnold Palmer Golf Course at Turtle Bay Resort
Acres of breathtaking coastline. Two championship courses. One Turtle Bay. People in the know, know to choose us. From Golf Digest to the Champions Tour to the LPGA Tour to the Hawaii State Open to Golf Channel’s The Big Break. Those who make their living seeking out the world’s best golf destinations have consistently chosen Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu.
Dole Plantation
We love to get Dole Whip with pineapple chunks! A fun stop with a train & maze activity
Paalaa Kai Bakery
Snowpuffs are a must have creamy, flakey, chocolatey pastry when heading to the north shore!
Liliha Bakery
Liliha Bakery is a full-service bakery and diner that has built a loyal following since opening its doors in 1950. Since day one, Liliha's commitment to baking fresh cakes and pastries with local ingredients has been of utmost priority.
Leonard's Bakery and Malasadas
Gotta try the lilikoi malasada!!!! Josh's favorite. They have multiple locations, just google. Leonard Rego Jr. Leonard's Bakery is a Portuguese bakery in Honolulu, Hawaii, known for popularizing the malasada. The fried pastry, slightly crispier and chewier than a doughnut and with no hole, is known as a cuisine of Hawaii.
Purvé Donut Stop
Kristina's favorite: Unicorn butt sneeze / Josh's favorite: O Face These donuts are made fresh to order right in front of you! Awesome names, better tasting donuts. If you have any self control please quickly throw that nonsense out the door. You NEED donuts in your life like this. Come try PURVE DONUTS TODAY
Island Snow Shave Ice Hawaii
Made famous by Past President Obama, island snow has a great shave ice treat on a warm September day in Hawai'i. In 1979, Island Snow was born. Its unusual offering combined authentic Hawaiian shave ice with a premium locally made clothing line. Through these quality products, Island Snow embraces it’s Hawaiian roots and perpetuates Kodama’s dream to share the Aloha with you and your ohana.
La Birria Taco Truck
One of our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE things to eat! Birria Tacos (tacos de birria) consists of the braised meat inside a corn tortilla that's been pan-fried in the fat that sits at the top of the birria. The Birria Tacos are then filled with melty Oaxacan cheese (quesillo), cilantro, lime and white onion. And a small bowl of consomé is served on the side for dipping
Cafe Maharani Indian Restaurant
Our favorite Indian restaurant on the island. Josh loves the butter chicken (medium spice)!
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
Garlic shrimp plate...another must have! Kristina gets a shrimp scampi plate with sauce all over the rice & hot sauce on the side! Josh prefers not to eat shrimp and opts for nearby crepes. CASH ONLY.
Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck
Kristina would choose this truck over Giovanni's...but Giovanni's recently opened a Haleiwa location, which is much closer! CASH ONLY.
Foodland Poke Bowl at Any Foodland
Josh's personal favorite is spicy ahi tuna poke bowl with furikake, no toppings, and a side of shoyu. Go to any Foodland to get a poke bowl.
Buho Cocina y Cantina
Roomy, modern rooftop restaurant & open-air bar featuring locally sourced Mexican eats & cocktails.
Duke's Waikiki Restaurant Bar
Grab a cocktail and watch the sunset or listen to live music outside on the patio at Duke's! Duke's Waikiki is THE beachfront destination for fresh, island inspired coastal cooking including a daily selection of some of the best fresh Pacific seafood and hand cut premium steaks. ... Or take a mid-day break and come right in from the beach for either the Duke's lunch buffet or order from the Barefoot bar menu.
Bar Leather Apron Cocktail Bar
Bar Leather Apron is all polished wood and tattooed bartenders wearing – you guessed it – leather aprons. The menu is split into four sections: signature drinks, classic/modern cocktails, highballs and most interestingly, farm-to-table creations made using organic, seasonal, local ingredients. Open Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-10:30 pm. Reservations are hard to come by. A must see for the mixed drink enthusiast.
Maui Brewing Company
Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Company is Hawaii's largest craft brewery known for quality & innovation. MBC is based on Maui, with its grid-independent production brewery, full-service restaurant and tasting room in Kihei, as well as restaurants in Lahaina (Maui), Kailua (Oahu), and Waikiki (Oahu).
Waikiki Brewing Company
Besides distribution throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Guam, we have four locations serving up a variety of delicious food, cocktails, and of course our award winning beers.
Kona Brewing Company
Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island is the site of our brewery and first restaurant. The brewpub opened in November 1998. In true Aloha spirit, we opted to make it out of locally-sourced materials, and we even built a 2,000 square-foot outdoor lanai that lets you kick back and breathe in the fresh island air.
Kō Hana Distillers
Just a couple of our favorite things here...rum tasting & brick oven pizza! They sell local honey as well! KōHana Distillers is a vertically integrated rum distillery based in central Oahu. KōHana grows heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane that thrived 800 years before the plantations ever existed. The hope is to allow people to experience heirloom varieties again.
Kamehameha Highway Bridge #603 (Anahulu Stream): Photo Spot
The iconic North Shore bridge. Do it for the Gram!
Sharks Cove Tide Pools
Sharks Cove is a large set of tide pools located at Pupukea Beach Park on the North Shore of O'ahu. Largely protected by a natural breakwater, the pools are vast and calm and great for snorkeling. Pupukea is a big park with multiple beaches, coves and sections.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Waimea is famous for its 30-foot waves in the winter and is a top place to watch some of the world's best and bravest surfers. During summer, the water calms considerably and is a great destination for swimming, snorkeling and diving.
Lanikai Beach
The iconic white sand and 2 mini island backdrop of Lanikai beach. A favorite of many a tourist. Parking in the neighborhood is an option, but this address takes you to the boat harbor, then it's just a short walk south to the actual Lanikai beach. Lanikai Beach Oahu Hawaii is a destination all unto itself. It is not only described as "most beautiful" of all Oahu beaches, but Lanikai Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in the world. Surrounded by endless miles of calm tranquil aqua blue waters, it’s hard to look at it these special windward ocean waters without getting an urge to jump right in.
Waikiki Beach
Located in the heart of Waikiki, one of the most well-known beaches on the planet, this 2-mile stretch of white sand and calm turquoise blue ocean fringed by towering high-rises and boutique resorts is located on the South Shore of Oahu.
Koko Head Crater Hike
Koko Crater Tramway to Kokohead Lookout is a 1.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii that features a great forest setting and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Kaiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) Trail is a 1.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
Maili Pillbox Hike
The Pu'u O Hulu or 'Pink Pillbox' Hike is a short ridge-hike on the west side of Oahu that overlooks the surrounding suburbs and beautiful stretches of beaches, which Oahu is known for. The hike extends along the ridge between the Nanakuli and Maili suburbs and can be seen clearly from the Farrington Highway below.
Diamond Head Crater Hike
No formal address. just drive into the crater and follow the signs. Hike opens at 6 am. Diamond Head (Le'ahi) Summit Trail is a 1.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
We went here for an art exhibit on one of our first dates. Very cool place to visit. Not far from Downtown Honolulu, the Honolulu Museum of Art has been sharing the arts with Hawaii since 1927. With a permanent collection of more than 60,000 pieces, this is Hawaii's largest general fine-arts museum. Stroll from gallery to gallery past open-air courtyards and ponds.
Bishop Art Museum
Bishop Museum was established in 1889 to preserve and share the natural and cultural history of Hawai'i and the Pacific. Today, Bishop Museum houses and cares for over 25 million historical, cultural, and natural treasures. Each item in the collection has its own, special story to tell.
Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial honors the 1,177 crewmen who died as a result of the attack. The hull is both a tomb for more than 900 sailors who remain within and also serves as an artificial reef providing habitat for marine life. The USS Oklahoma Memorial honors the 429 sailors who died when the ship capsized.
Pearlridge Mall Shopping Center
Pearlridge Center is the second largest shopping center in Hawaiʻi, after Ala Moana, and is Hawaiʻi's largest enclosed shopping center, located in ʻAiea.
Ala Moana Mall Shopping Center
Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping center located in Honolulu just minutes from Waikiki, is an open-air shopping oasis. Here you'll find over 350 merchants including luxury brands, local specialty stores, fine-dining restaurants and an international food court. Spend an hour or the entire day.
International Market Place Shopping Center
International Market Place is an open-air shopping center located in Waikīkī on the island of O'ahu. It first opened in 1956 as a commercial, retail and entertainment center. ... Revenues from the International Market Place directly support The Queen's Medical Center.
Ka Makana Aliʻi Mall Shopping Center
Ka Makana Ali`i is home to select retailers like Bath & Body Works, H&M, Kay Jewelers, Macy’s, Old Navy, Reyn Spooner, SoHa Living, Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle and features many restaurants and eateries including California Pizza Kitchen, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Jollibee, Kickin' Kajun, The Cheesecake Factory, Moani Island Bistro & Bar and more! The Center offers visitors easy access and plentiful complimentary parking.