Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii Travel Itinerary
So, I’m going to be flying to Honolulu this Friday, so at Wendy’s request I’m collecting a big list of possible things to do while we are there! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted in this category; it feels good!
USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The national memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. Experience history through the national memorial’s program tour, museum, and wayside exhibits.
Directions: The #20 and #42 bus will take you to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center
Times: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 7 days a week
Waikiki Beach
Hawaiian for “Sprouting Water”, this is one of the most famous beaches in the world. The two mile stretch of white sand coast is fronted by hotels and tourist facilities. The area is excellent for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, catamaran and outrigger canoe rides. You can read more about Waikīkī beach on Wikipedia!
Polynesian Cultural Center
Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center, located about one hour’s scenic drive from Waikiki, is the top paid Hawaiian attraction for a reason. Our seven native villages give visitors the rare chance to participate in the daily adventures of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures. Add Hawaii’s most authentic luau and the world’s largest Polynesian night show and you’ll see why every trip to Hawaii should include a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Yes, it’s for tourists, but even my mother said to go!
When: Pickup from hotel around 12:30
Where: The other side of the island
Star of Honolulu Dinner Cruise
Be pampered at the exclusive Captain’s welcome reception on the top deck, 7-course French style dinner served to your own private table in our Art Deco Super Nova Room, super premium beverages and live Jazz entertainment!
When: 5:30 – 9:00 PM
Where: Call (808) 983-STAR (7827) to reserve
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma is both a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District (the first of several established in the State of Hawai‘i). Visitors are required by law to refrain from mistreating marine animals or from touching, walking, or otherwise having contact with coral heads. Hanauma is known for its abundance of Green sea turtles, also known as the Honu. Hanauma Bay is a breeding ground for the turtle because of its abundance of foods, protection from predators, and other unknown reasons.
When: 6:00a.m. until 7:00p.m. except on Tuesdays
Where: Number 22 bus from Waikiki; runs down Kuhio Avenue
More fun: Call 1.866.268.7459 to rent bumper boats, jet skis
HOOMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN
Settled close by the exquisitely beautiful Pali of Windward Oahu, this enormous garden possesses some of the most exotic vegetation across the greatest expanse I’ve ever seen. We were disappointed in Oahu’s terrain until we went to Kaneohe. We came upon this park by accident. What a beautiful area. This garden had some of the best pictures of our trip.
When: 9 AM to 4 PM
Where: 55 or 56 will stop on Kamehameha Hwy.; it’s a 2-mile walk to the visitor center
Diamond Head
Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi. Diamond Head Trail is 1¾ miles to the rim and takes about 1½ hours. There is NO shade, so schedule an early hike!
When: 6 AM to 6 PM
Where: From Kuhio Avenue, take Bus #22 or Bus #58
The Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo covers 42 lush, shady acres at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. The zoo features some special exhibits such as the Nene (the Hawaii state bird), native Hawaiian forest birds, and the highlight of the zoo, the Kabuni Reserve. The African savanna covers 12-acres where animals roam freely behind disguised barriers in 30 different habitats.
When:9:00 am to 4:30 pm daily
Where: Downtown, call (808) 971-7171
Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium, founded in 1904, is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawaii since 1919, the Aquarium is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. Our exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Over 2,500 organisms in our exhibits represent more than 420 species of aquatic animals and every year, roughly 350,000 people visit the Waikiki Aquarium.
When: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Within walking distance
Waikiki Parasailing
Parasail with Xtreme Parasail. The highest flight you can buy in the state of Hawaii. Without a doubt the BEST and LONGEST way to enjoy your flight in the air. If you’re going to do it, get the most out of 1,000 feet of line!
When: Call 808.737.3599 for information
Where: Pickup from hotels
Cirque Hawaii
Cirque Hawaii has exploded on Waikiki’s entertainment scene with all the joie de vivre that can be expected from a show patterned in the tradition of the wildly popular and purely magical Cirque du Soleil performances of Las Vegas and international fame. Mounted by two former Cirque du Soleil performers, the Waikiki show features a troupe of 34 award-winning aerialists, acrobats and dancers from around the world.
When: 1.808.922.0017
Where: 325 Seaside Avenue / Honolulu Hawaii 96815
A few miscellaneous things to do around the city:
I’ve got a couple more things to post here, but it will have to wait till I get back from work! Did you know Hotel – Hotels.nl is dedicated to providing the best prices and the easiest and most accurate online bookings for hotels in Amsterdam and Holland?
| This entry was posted on Monday, June 18th, 2007 at 4:51 am and is tagged with honolulu oahu hawaii, uss arizona memorial, star of honolulu dinner cruise, wayside exhibits, outrigger canoe, authentic luau, polynesian cultural center hawaii, premium beverages, pacific cultures, boogie boarding, final resting place, star of honolulu, travel itinerary, world war ii, jazz entertainment, polynesian cultural center, native villages, arizona memorial, december 7 1941, island star. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback. |
Something you’ve surely missed out is a visit to a beautiful beach – my favorite is Makapu’u on the far east coast. Though Hanauma bay is also well worth a visit.
That's a beautiful presentation although in my opinion Hawaii doesn't need further presentations, it's a gorgeous place to, just like “Heaven on Earth”. Who wouldn't want to go to Hawaii just once? I know I do, almost every year I read the reviews with Hawaii hotels just to make sure I'll make the right choice when I go there.
You have a great list of attractions and activities on Oahu, plus some great pictures! Waikiki Beach is a little crowded, I would recommend seeing Lanikai Beach in Kailua, also the Turtle Bay Resort for lunch or dinner. If you are going to the Polynesian Cultural Center, please try their Luau package if possible. Another great place to visit is Sunset Beach on the North Shore.
Awww… it looks so pretty! I’m jealous!
Amazing! Let us know how the parasailing goes. I did one a few years ago in New Hampshire but all I was looking at at 200 feet was trees and cows. I can’t imagine how cool Hawaii would look from up there. Is it really 1000 feet?