Things to Do in Honolulu

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Honolulu is a tourist hotspot. While the resorts, beaches and nightlife have all been streamlined for tourists, there are other places where visitors can feel welcome and have a good time. As a city, Honolulu is a unique blend of modern attractions, urban landscapes, and Hawaiian culture.

Here are the best activities in the surprising city of Honolulu:

Budget

USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Memorial (Pearl Harbor). Today, Pearl Harbor is a reminder of Hawaii's strategic importance during World War II. The Pacific theater was opened when Japan bombed the harbor in 1941. The Arizona Memorial is built over the hull of the sunken ship. It is the final resting place of nearly 2,000 men who were killed when the ship sank. This is not a lighthearted tourist attraction, but one of the most notable historic places in Hawaii, if not the entire US.

The city's beaches are its biggest tourist attractions. While Waikiki is the beach that everyone knows because of its crowds, resorts and surfing waves, there are other places to visit as well. Sandy Beach is mostly used by locals. It has a lively body boarding scene. Kuhio Beach is the quieter twin of Waikiki Beach. Again, it is mostly visited by locals, but many beach purists find the lack of a tourist scene to be quite refreshing.

Value

Waikiki Aquarium (2777 Kalakaua Ave) is one of the oldest aquariums in the US. The collection of marine life from the South and Central Pacific is unmatched. And, with prices relatively cheap (adults $9, but kids only $2-$4), this is one of the better values as far as tourist attractions go. The nearby Honolulu Zoo has an impressive collection of outdoor exhibits. The price for a children's admission is only $1.

Looking to escape Hawaii's heat? The Ice Palace (4510 Salt Lake Boulevard) is an indoor ice skating rink that offers skating lessons. Experienced rink rats can simply pay a small fee, lace them up, and go for a skate.

Splurge

Bishop Museum (1525 Bernice Street) is probably the most impressive exhibit hall in Honolulu. Founded in 1899 by a member of Hawaii's royal family, Bishop seeks to inform and celebrate the history and culture of Hawaii. From a volcano exhibit to natural history specimens to cultural artifacts, the museum's collection is very diverse. As a not-for-profit enterprise, the museum also funds archeological digs and cultural research.