Things to Do in Honolulu
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Honolulu, USA — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Waikiki Beach + Diamond Head
Iconic Hawaii beach + the volcanic Diamond Head crater (USD 5 entry + USD 10 parking, 1-hour climb). Both free + iconic.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
WWII USS Arizona memorial. Free entry (timed ticket required at recreation.gov). 3-4 hours. Sobering + essential.
Iolani Palace + Downtown Honolulu
Only US royal palace (Hawaiian Kingdom 1882-1893). USD 27. Adjacent Hawaii State Capitol + Aloha Tower. Free walking around the area.
North Shore (full-day)
Big-wave surfing capital. Sunset Beach + Waimea Bay + Hale'iwa town. 1 hour from Honolulu. For 8+ hour layovers: rental car day trip.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Honolulu across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Honolulu
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Honolulu and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse HonoluluJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Honolulu.Eat here first
Plate lunch at Rainbow Drive-In (Hawaiian classic). Poke bowl at Ono Seafood. Shave ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice (North Shore). Spam musubi from any 7-Eleven. Loco moco at Rainbow Drive-In.
Local tip
HNL is 6km from Waikiki — TheBus + Skyline rail (USD 3 with HOLO card) is the cheap option. Uber/Lyft (USD 35-55) is faster + more reliable. For 6+ hour layovers in Waikiki: Diamond Head hike + beach + plate lunch is achievable.
Where to stay
Hotels across Honolulu — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.