Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Waikiki, Hawaii. #Top Attractions

Spread the love!

Organizing a trip to Waikiki, Hawaii, right now? Check out our curated list of the best things to do in Waikiki, Hawaii, and the best places to visit in Waikiki, Hawaii, below. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3 travel company that brings the best travel ideas to travelers.

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana Center Waikiki Hawaii
Ala Moana Center, Waikiki, Hawaii / つんつん / Flickr

You must shop in the Ala Moana Center for an enjoyable and fantastic Hawaiian shopping experience!

With over 350 stores and eateries for shopping, the Ala Moana Center is among the largest mall in Hawaii.

Because the mall routinely features Hawaiian cultural events, and much of its shopping districts are Hawaii-based or exclusive to Hawaii, your money will be supporting local companies.

The open-air plaza in the mall, surrounded by palm trees and glass shopfronts, provides an upscale feel.

If you crave Hawaiian food, you can eat in the food court, which has dozens of eateries, including fine dining.

A visit is worthwhile even if you do not spend much or on a budget that is worth trying unique Hawaiian staples and shopping around local businesses.

If you seek some entertainment, check out the calendar to see what hula dances and other fun events are happening this weekend.

This mall has so much to offer; you will be in for a treat!

Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States

Ala Wai Golf Course

Ala Wai Golf Course Waikiki Hawaii
Ala Wai Golf Course, Waikiki, Hawaii / Tony Webster / Flickr

Those golf enthusiasts wanting to play golf can play at the Ala Wai Golf Course in Hawaii.

Located in the heart of Honolulu, just steps from Waikiki, the Ala Wai Golf Course began as a public golf course in 1931, designed by Donald MacKays.

This golf course’s longest tees are 6208 yards.

It stands now as a beautiful golf course with a stunning view of the Diamond Head, the Koolau Mountains, and the Honolulu skyline.

The splendor of the surroundings may distract you from the game.

Golfing in Waikiki may be a pleasure when surrounded by mountains and volcanic craters.

It has 18 holes and offers carts, clubhouses, and club rentals to amateur and professional players.

There is also a BBQ and a snack bar on-site for when you are hungry between games.

It is possible to schedule a tee time, but not that easy. It is advisable for any visitors playing golf to arrive early or late in the day when there are fewer people for the best opportunity.

It is not often you get a hole-in-one on a golf course like this!

Address: 404 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Aloha Tower

Aloha Tower Waikiki Hawaii
Aloha Tower, Waikiki, Hawaii / Joel / Flickr

The Aloha Tower is one of the top attractions in Hawaii.

If you want a breathtaking view of Hawaii, see the Aloha Tower.

This tower is a unique historical landmark for being one of the tallest buildings in the world.

In 1926, They built this 184-tall building for its various government departments. 

However, it got damaged during the Pearl Harbor incident in 1941; they soon rebuilt it to be the iconic tower it is today.

Anyone visiting this tower only needs fifteen minutes to go west of Waikiki, near Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu.

Besides just learning about the tower, expect to go around as the Aloha tower has other areas to check around, such as its port with shopping districts and dining marketplace.

Since the Aloha Tower is considered a symbol in Hawaii, expect to hear “ALOHA” when visiting this tower.

In addition, you can also visit the Aloha Tower’s Observation Deck, Marketplace, The Start of Honolulu, and more.

The Aloha Tower is a must-go if you want to look around and feel greeted “ALOHA.”

Address: Aloha Tower, 155 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States

Planning to travel to Hawaii? Maui and Kauai are places you should not miss when in this state! Take time to notice these cool things to do in Maui, Hawaii and the fun things to do in Kauai, Hawaii.

Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum Waikiki Hawaii
Bishop Museum, Waikiki, Hawaii / Mike W. / Flickr

If you are intrigued by some cultural landmarks, the Bishop Museum, otherwise known as the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is a sight to behold.

It is a culturally significant location dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of Hawaii, especially the ancient rulers who established the foundation for the island.

This museum is great for learning about biology, geography, and zoology.

The exhibits include the Kahili Room, Hawaiian Hall, and Science Adventure Center. The exploding volcano in the Science Center will captivate both adults and children.

It has traditional Polynesian tattoos from award-winning Hawaiian surfers that are among its iconic exhibit here in the museum.

There are unique paintings, portraits, murals to explore, and hundreds of flora and fauna specimen collections. The archives’ endless shelves will appeal to writers.

The museum accommodates royal tours ideal for anyone interested in Hawaiian culture and history and to view gorgeous landmarks and treasures.

Consider going to the Bishop Museum to learn more about Hawaii.

Address: 180 N Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States

Breakout Waikiki

Breakout Waikiki, Waikiki, Hawaii
Breakout Waikiki is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Can you spare 60 minutes of your time? 

If yes, come challenge yourself to see if you can escape from one of Breakout Waikiki’s live-action escape rooms.

Breakout Waikiki is Hawaii’s and the world’s top-rated live-action escape game.

Breakout Waikiki, with five games in all, is a great place to see who can survive an apocalyptic circumstance.

It involves having a terrific group of people that cherish quality time and shared adventures.

Crack the code & solve the puzzles. Can you make it on time?

It is an intriguing game as an escape room with themed rooms for all sizes of events. It’s an excellent activity for a family or group outing or team development.

From railway sabotage to mind-controlling surgeons with illicit test subjects, each game will test your skills as a puzzle master.

Another fact to go here, former US President Barack Obama visited Breakout Waikiki on a press tour, making it the first official visit by an acting president!

This 60 minutes escape room is a must-try to play!

Address: 227 Lewers St #112, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Wondering where to go this holiday? Try Hawaii. Check out cool travel ideas in Oahu and Honolulu. You should not miss out on the fun. Check out on best things to do in Oahu, Hawaii and the best things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Chinatown

Chinatown, Waikiki, Hawaii
Chinatown is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Did you know that Hawaii has its own Chinatown, one of approximately 50 in the United States?

Hawaii’s Chinatown, one of the largest of its kind, grew up with the influx of immigrants working on the island’s sugar plantations in the 1800s.

It is located between North Beretania and Nu’uanu Streets, reaching into Honolulu Harbor.

In this bustling community, dim sum is served with suckling pig and coconut cocktails, creating a unique “fusion” of two cultures.

There are buffets, tea shops, religious institutions, and open-air vegetable markets to explore around Hawaii’s Chinatown.

This area has farmers’ markets, herbalists, and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners.

Secular churches, neon-colored restaurants, laundromats, and lush green rooftop gardens are all on the menu.

Japan, Vietnamese, and Malaysians are among Chinatown’s many Asian and Polynesian populations.

You may eat exquisite cuisine, snap beautiful photos, and make new friends from different places worldwide.

If you still don’t know what to do in Waikiki, head to Chinatown!

Address: 100 N Beretania St, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96817, United States

Diamond Head

Diamond Head Waikiki Hawaii
Diamond Head, Waikiki, Hawaii / Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

One of Waikiki’s most recognizable landmarks is Diamond Head Crater, an extinct volcano that sits on the city’s eastern edge.

Known in Hawaiian as Le’ahi, the Diamond Head is a 300,000-year-old volcanic crater in Hawaii’s heart of hollowed-out seawalls.

With over 475 acres, the Diamond Head is so large that you could spend your whole vacation exploring it yet not see anything.

On the beach, you can only see the shape of the crater. 

You can see the crater itself at Diamond Head State Monument.

Before traveling via a tunnel constructed into the rim, the road to Diamond Head Crater ascends the eastern slope of the rock.

During the 1900s, they once said that sailors discovered crystals atop Diamond Head and mistaken them for diamonds.

From the crater floor to the mountain, a historic hiking trail ascends along a relatively steep road that eventually converts into stairs and provides a stunning view over Waikiki.

Once there, you’ll have a beautiful bird’s eye view of Hawaii’s cliffs, jungles, and rivers.

This crater is a sight to behold in Hawaii!

Address: 18th Ave. Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815, United States

Foster Botanical Gardens

Foster Botanical Gardens, Waikiki, Hawaii
Foster Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Is there a garden in the heart of the urban city of Honolulu?

Yes!

Located in the center of Honolulu, the Foster Botanical Gardens is a tropical garden approximately Highway 92 south of Smith Street.

The Foster Botanical Gardens is well-known for its mature and exceptional collection of tropical plants. 

It started in the 1850s with a planter named Dr. William Hillebrand, who created this 14-acre garden.

When his wife died in 1930, she bequeathed the land to the City and County of Honolulu to be kept in public use.

Eventually, it grew from a beginning heritage to the famous Foster Botanical Gardens it now is with over 4,000 plants.

It is an excellent place for the whole family to see tropical birds.

As a tourist garden, it offers visitors a nice getaway from the city’s bustle.

It is worth just enjoying a quiet stroll through the Foster Botanical Gardens.

Address: 180 N Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States

Hawaii Convention Center

Hawaii Convention Center Waikiki Hawaii
Hawaii Convention Center, Waikiki, Hawaii / Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

The Hawaii Convention Center’s architecture makes it a must-see.

The Hawai’i Convention Center is a place excellent for global affairs.

That sense of place, the correct mix of East and West, history and modernity, is present in this building’s robust open-air architecture.

The complex is in Honolulu, near the ocean.

Hawaii’s largest and most prestigious conference center has a 1.1 million square feet total meeting area.

In addition to having an exhibition hall of over 200,000-square-foot, a two-tiered theater, a 35,000-square-foot ballroom, and 47 breakout rooms, the conference center is impressive.

If you want to look around, check out the tropical rooftop garden with panoramic views and new moveable sports courts for contests and teambuilding events.

There’s always something fresh to look forward to, from high school proms to high-tech corporate conferences and many other things.

Now there is a conventional center worth a visit!

Address: 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Hilton Hawaiian Village

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Hawaii
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Hawaii / Loren Javier / Flickr

Among the city highlights to enjoy in Hawaii, the Hilton Hawaiian Village deserves special mention.

Hilton Hawaiian Village is Waikiki’s sole genuine resort destination, located on the beach’s vast stretch.

Even people who aren’t staying there can enjoy things like the fireworks show they have every Friday night.

But if you want to spend a little more on your Hawaiian vacation, this is one of the best hotels in the city.

It has nice rooms, but many things to do, including food tours, surf lessons, luau shows, sailing trips, adventures to see sights, and many other places.

You could spend your whole vacation swimming in private pools or pamper by spa and salon workers.

Their fireworks show can be seen from many places on Waikiki Beach, making it one of the free things to do in the city.

As a guest, all you have to do is watch the show from their lagoon.

It is a worthwhile destination with a lot to offer!

Address: 2005 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu Zoo Waikiki Hawaii
Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki, Hawaii / Joel / Flickr

The Honolulu Zoo is one of the best things to do in Hawaii.

If you have a soft spot as an animal lover, visit the Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki.

King Kalakaua built this zoo as a gift to the public in the 1800s.

The zoo is committed to conservation and entertainment, so your money is well spent.

The Honolulu Zoo is a 42.5-acre, beautifully maintained, municipally owned, and operating zoo and botanical park.

It is a small building with a lot of animals in it. Each animal has its habitat or place built to look like its natural environment.

Exotic birds and animals from all over the world were on show during his fairs and festivals.

The zoo has lots to offer to learn about exotic animals here in Hawaii.

Tours and exhibits are available after hours, as are “twilight tours” of the zoo.

The Honolulu Zoo may not be the largest or flashiest, but it has a rich history and a great mission.

With good values and many animals makes, a visit here is worthwhile.

This place is worth a visit if you love animals.

Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

House Without a Key

House Without a Key, Waikiki, Hawaii
House Without a Key is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Out of the many Hawaiian places to eat, the House Without Key has a bizarre name but is unique for its exquisite food.

It is a popular restaurant for cooking Hawaiian culture food.

Charlie Chan built it in 1925 and based it on the novel “House Without a Key.”

This indoor/outdoor restaurant is renowned for its appetizers, beverages, and Hawaiian entertainment. Visitors can drink mai tais and watch hula dancers.

It has a delectable menu filled with unique courses such as Asian pear tartare, seared scallops, and many other dishes worth dining.

Though what has made this restaurant famous for more than 130 years?

For those wanting the ideal drinking spot in Hawaii, check out their Kiawe Tree, which is more than 1400 years old, to have a delectable drink in a particular place near Hawaii’s beautiful sundown. 

Based on a tale novel, this is a restaurant that brought it to life to satisfy you with exceptional cuisine.

Address: 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace Waikiki Hawaii
Iolani Palace, Waikiki, Hawaii / Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

Have you ever thought about whether the United States has any palace?

Check out the well-known Iolani Palace as a palace full of magnificence, innovation, and political conspiracy.

As a symbol of hope, the palace was built by King David Kalakaua, “The Merrie Monarch.”

This royal palace includes Hawaii’s first electric light system, flush bathrooms, and inter-house telephones.

There are royal gifts and artifacts from throughout the globe displayed in the magnificent interior with a gorgeous koa staircase.

Hawaii’s last monarchs and queens lived in the Iolani Palace until being deposed in the late 1800s.

There are galleries, drawing rooms, sitting rooms, and warm-season porches known as visitors tour the interior or external gardens.

Explore the museum’s numerous rooms filled with historical artifacts and marvel at the exquisite furnishings, ancient swords, and military types of equipment on display.

During the palace’s historical tours, people can also visit the lanai where Queen Lili’uokalani promenaded at night in 1895.

Waikiki is the only spot in the entire US where you can see a real palace.

Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States

Kepoikai II Catamaran

Kepoikai II Catamaran, Waikiki, Hawaii
Kepoikai II Catamaran is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Are you looking for a sea-thrilling adventure in Hawaii? 

Try boarding the Kepoikai II Catamaran, which sails five times a day.

Kepoikai II Catamaran is a company specializing in outdoor adventures, offering anything from small yachts to huge, party-sized catamarans.

It’s a one-hour ride on the Kepoikai II Catamaran from Waikiki Beach, with stunning views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline.

Whatever type of experience you’re looking for, they can offer it.

Anyone riding the Kepoikai II Catamaran can see the most remarkable and unforgettable scenic views from the ocean’s bobbing waves.

There will be a lot to see on a journey on the water aboard Kepoikai II Catamaran, so bring your bucket hat and binoculars.

Take a sunset cruise for a romantic date night; go whale and dolphin watching with the kids, or grab a ride to an incredible snorkeling location.

On the Kepoikai II Catamaran, you’ll have a blast sailing!

Address: 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Kuhio Beach Hula Show

Kuhio Beach Hula Show, Waikiki, Hawaii
Kuhio Beach Hula Show is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Hawaii isn’t known for its low prices, but there are many peculiar things to do, particularly in tourist magnets like the Kuhio Beach Hula Show.

The Kuhio Beach Hula Show takes place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Every week, they perform an hour-long traditional hula dance on an original hula mound, or pa hula, at Ki Beach.

The beach is near the Honolulu Zoo, along Kalakaua Avenue.

As you walk by approximately an hour away from Waikiki, you can encounter the Polynesian Cultural Center as a fantastic spot to see traditional dance and traditions around the vicinity.

The ceremony begins as people performing prepare to hold and dance with a conch shell horn, then torches and local dancers.

Six towns, each representing a Polynesian island culture, are located at the museum (Maori for New Zealand).

The site offers hands-on activities, traditional dance, halau hula performing, torch lighting, fire dancing, and classic conch shell blowing.

You’ll learn about Hawaiian culture while being awed by the performers’ skills.

Experience Hawaiian culture at its finest with the Ki Beach Hula Performance!

Address: Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Manoa Falls Trail

Manoa Falls Trail Waikiki Hawaii
Manoa Falls Trail, Waikiki, Hawaii / Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

Even if you never visited Waikiki, you should have seen the Manoa Falls Trail.

The Manoa Falls Trail in Honolulu, Oahu, is a picturesque and accessible route for anybody to take.

If you watched some iconic movies like Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, filmmakers who filmed those movies used Manoa Falls trail’s diverse setting to shoot here.

The main attraction is a two-mile trek to Manoa Falls, a stunning waterfall surrounded by tropical vegetation.

It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu, but once there, expect the surroundings to be full of lush, verdant landscapes of Manoa Valley.

Other attractions include Rainbow Valley and the Lyon Arboretum at the University of Hawaii.

The Night Marchers, a group of ghostly Hawaiian soldiers who formerly guarded monarchs and chiefs, are thought to be on this trail.

Going for a trek to the Manoa Falls Trail is a must-do activity in Waikiki.

Address: Na Ala Hele, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pearl Harbor National Memorial Waikiki Hawaii
Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Waikiki, Hawaii / Gage Skidmore / Flickr

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii.

Have you ever watched Pearl harbor, the 2001 movie film? 

If so, you’ll understand why the Pearl Habor National Memorial is noteworthy and significant as a memorial to those who have fallen.

Among Hawaii’s top destinations to visit is the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which takes only a 13-mile drive from Waikiki.

The USS Arizona Memorial offers tours of the attacks on the U.S. Pacific Fleet by the Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. 

A documentary movie is available, as are neighboring submarine and battleship exploration sites for additional reference.

It offers self-guided tours of various exhibits, exhibitions, and landmarks for any visitor to tour and visit around.

Occasionally, some of the Pearl Harbor survivors come from time to time. And when the elderly Pearl Harbor survivors come to talk about their experiences, you can feel the weight of how horrible it was for them.

It is a national legacy that you can’t miss in America!

Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States

Queens Waikiki Luau 

Queens Waikiki Luau, Waikiki, Hawaii
Queens Waikiki Luau is one of the best places to go in Waikiki, Hawaii

Known for their Hawaiian dance, the Queens Waikiki Luau is something you see for yourself in Hawaii.

The Queens Waikiki Luau is a one-of-a-kind performance to showcase Hawaii’s culture and entertainment legacy.

It is in the International Market Place, which is in the heart of Waikiki.

It includes a one-of-a-kind Polynesian performance featuring traditional dances based around the Pacific, including the classic Fireknife Dance.

The Queens Waikiki Luau shows a level of realism that is even ideal for anyone having birthdays and anniversaries!

In addition to the well-known hula dance, you’ll find workshops, demonstrations, and live music performances by local artists of the Hawaiian music and dance heritage.

Visitors can come to grab a bit of the suckling pig, which is the centerpiece of a Hawaiian-style dinner.

In Waikiki, nothing beats a real-life luau, and Queens Waikiki Luau is the place to go for one.

The luau is something you will not want to miss!

Address: 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Waikiki Aquarium

Waikiki Aquarium Waikiki Hawaii
Waikiki Aquarium, Waikiki, Hawaii / Simon_sees / Flickr

Even if Waikiki is famed for its sunny days, wet days call for indoor amusements to engage the kids in Waikiki Aquarium.

This place is an aquarium in Honolulu with over 3,500 animals and a stunning coral collection.

The aquarium exhibits feature settings and individual organisms, focusing on coral reefs’ residence and ecology.

Children will appreciate seeing sharks and groupers up close and exploring the coral farms in the aquarium. These coral farms produce colonies for other aquariums to use worldwide.

This aquarium in Waikiki is where people can find the famous monk seals, an endangered species, and countless other marine creatures found only on these remote islands.

There are other exhibits involving to see jellyfish, gigantic clams, habitats of the mangrove forest, and various deep-sea animals and invertebrates. Smartphone users may have a free audio tour.

Other activities include animal shows and aquarium-sponsored beach clean-ups.

A visit to this aquarium is a must to learn about Hawaii’s aquatic wildlife.

Address: 2777 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach Waikiki Hawaii
Waikiki Beach, Waikiki, Hawaii / Images Alight / Flickr

Since Hawaii is known for anyone to enjoy the outdoor beach, come to Waikiki Beach.

Duke Kahanamoku Beach, named after the famous Olympic swimmer, is the first beach in the west. Besides staying on the beach, the beach is near Hilton Hawaiian Village to keep you occupied.

The beach goes east to Diamond Head’s Sans Souci Beach.

Its beautiful dunes, shimming oceans, and softly swaying palm trees are picture-perfect.

It is an excellent opportunity for people to do water sports and fun activities such as swimming, surfing, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

For a more leisurely experience, consider hiring a catamaran to do all the work while sitting back and relaxing, taking advantage of the sun and ocean in Waikiki.

It is even perfect for anyone to take a stroll around the world-famous Kalakaua Avenue once you’ve had your fill of the magnificent outdoors.

You won’t need a car to go around town because there are many bars, shops, restaurants, and arcades.

Now that’s a trip that will stick in your mind!

Traveling and having fun in the USA? You have to check out this page – the best states to visit in USA for the most fun and unusual travel ideas.

You haven’t made up your mind to go to Waikiki, Hawaii, yet, have you? Check out reasons to visit Waikiki, Hawaii, at least once in your lifetime here.

Address: Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815, United States

Spread the love!