Rent a car to drive through this incredibly lush botanical garden with breathtaking views of the Ko'olau mountains. You'll want to stop to take pictures along the way, and consider packing lunch for a scenic picnic. It's free to enter!
Explore this iconic ranch, home to the set of Jurassic Park. You can book tours ranging from ATV rides (Vince's favorite!) to horseback riding, and movie site tours. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time. Fun fact: this was the runner up for our wedding venue!
Visit this historical site including the option for a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. Make sure to reserve tickets online in advance as they often sell out.
Hawai'i's largest museum dedicated to Hawaiian culture and history.
Held every Thursday 4-7pm and Sunday 8am-12pm, rain or shine. Here you'll find local vendors selling fresh island fruits and vegetables, delicious prepared foods and handmade crafts. Great for breakfast and casual Sunday exploring.
If you're looking for souvenirs, this is a must do! The swap meet is home to tons of local vendors selling everything from aloha shirts, handmade crafts, and local foods. Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 8am-3pm. Most vendors accept card payment, but bring some cash for the entrance fee ($2/per person) and smaller stalls.
This scenic lookout point offers incredible panoramic views of O'ahu's windward coast, with views of Kāne'ohe, Kāne'ohe Bay, and Kailua. A quick but memorable stop on your drive over the Pali Highway.
No trip to O'ahu is complete without a drive up the North Shore. Grab breakfast at The Sunrise Shack or lunch from the famous Kahuku shrimp trucks, head over to Matsumoto's Shave Ice for a sweet treat, and take a scenic drive around to look at the waves at Waimea Bay or the Pipeline.
One of O'ahu's most picturesque beaches with white sand and turquoise water, with an amazing view of The Mokes. Parking is limited, so go early and find a side street close to the beach. Grab an açaí bowl at Lanikai Juice before heading to the beach, and then some lunch at Kalapawai Market or Buzz's nearby.
One of O'ahu's best spots for snorkeling. Reservations are required, so book in advance as they book up fast.
This is an easy hike through a lush rainforest, ending in a stunning waterfall. The trail can be muddy, so wear good shoes and leave a towel in the car for the drive home.
This is a moderate but steep hike with panoramic views of Lanikai Beach and Kailua, including The Mokes. Make sure to go early morning to beat the heat.
For advanced hikers, this is an challenging and iconic hike with a steep incline that offers incredible end views of Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the coastline of eastern O'ahu.
An easy-to-moderate paved hike up the crater, ending with stunning panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the Pacific coastline. Reservations are required and book up quickly, so make sure to reserve in advance.
A popular, easy, and paved 2.5-mile roundtrip hike on the easternmost point of O'ahu, offering stunning panoramic views of the Pacific coastline.
An iconic Hawaiian plate lunch spot known for its hearty, affordable meals and its role in local culture. Great for a quick, casual bite that's truly local-style. Torie's pick: Shoyu chicken plate, with a Slush float to drink. Vince's pick: Boneless chicken with gravy plate, extra mac salad.
Hawai'i's local supermarket and a must-stop for poke fans. They have a fresh poke counter with so many options for poke and poke bowls (remember to add furikake)! Perfect for a beach lunch or quick dinner. Our favorites are Shoyu Ahi and Spicy Ahi.
Serving authentic Hawaiian comfort food. A casual, no-frills spot loved by locals for dishes like kalua pig, poi, lomi salmon, and haupia.
Serving classic Hawaiian food with a modern touch. Known for their laulau, kalua pig, and lomi salmon. Their Kaka'ako location is convenient if you're staying near Waikiki or downtown.
This is Vince's favorite place to eat on the island! It always had a line, but it's busy for a reason, and moves reasonably fast. Serving fresh, hand-pulled udon noodles with customizable toppings and tempura sides. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
A classic local fast food chain serving Hawaiian plate lunches and comfort food like kalua pork, loco moco, and spam musubi.
A local takeout spot serving some of the best poke bowls on O'ahu. Fresh, flavorful poke made to order with traditional Hawaiian seasonings. Perfect for a quick, authentic local lunch.
A local favorite spot serving fresh poke and other Hawaiian favorites.
Serving traditional Hawaiian food in a cozy, historic roadside spot. It's a local favorite with delicious laulau, hand-pounded poi, haupia ice cream and more.
If you need a quick breakfast or late night bite, Zippy's is the place for you. A beloved local diner, they serve everything from saimin and loco moco, to fried chicken. Torie’s pick: Zip Min, Vince's pick: Korean Fried Chicken.
Home to Hawai'i's iconic malasadas (warm Portuguese-style donuts coated in sugar). This is the original bakery location in Kapahulu and always has a line, but it moves quickly. There are a few other mobile pop-ups around the island if another location is easier for you. Torie and Vince's favorite is the original malasada, but be sure to try their filled options with flavors like haupia or custard.
A beloved local bakery known for their cream puffs, butter rolls, and classic local breakfast plates. A must-visit for sweet treats and old-school diner vibes. Torie’s picks: Miso Butterfish and poi donuts.
A local shave ice shop serving ultra-fine shave ice with a large variety of syrups.
A North Shore staple, this shave ice shop is a popular destination for tourists. Expect a line, but it moves fast.
A local shave ice shop serving huge portions and unique flavors like creme brulee or li hing mui. Loved by locals for its old-school feel.
A popular local coffee shop with delicious drinks, acai bowls, and breakfast. The Kapolei location near our room block also offers boozy brunch and happy hour. Perfect for a delicious casual meal!
The largest open-air shopping mall in the world, where you can find a mix of chain and local stores, with extensive food options. Torie's favorite local stores are Soha Living, Mahina, Hilo Hattie, Hawaiian Island Creations, Homecoming Honolulu, Laine, Local Motion, and T&C Surf Designs. For men's aloha shirts, check out Reyn Spooner, Kahala, and Tommy Bahama.
This is our favorite town on O’ahu! Start off with a delicious breakfast at Cinnamon's (order the Guava pancakes and Crab Cake Benedict), and spend the rest of the day checking out local stores or grabbing shave ice at Island Snow. Torie's favorite shops are Soha Living, Bikinibird, Mahina, Aloha Kira, Bookends and Gillia Clothing. End the afternoon with casual lunch at Fatboy's.
Find a huge collection of vintage and aloha shirts- there’s over 15,000 styles to choose from. This is a must visit for anyone looking for a perfect aloha shirt to take home. After shopping, head next door to Rainbow Drive-In for a hearty meal.