Nuuanu Pali Lookout
The Nuuanu Pali Lookout may be located only five miles from downtown Honolulu, but the gorgeous vistas and the 1,000-foot perch that looks down on Kaneohe, Kailua, Honolulu, and various other parts of the islands will make you feel as though you’re as far removed from society as you can possibly be-in a good way. Catch views of the University of Hawaii, the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, and revisit the site of the Battle of Nuuanu in 1795, when King Kamehameha I wrested control of Oahu’s factions in to one government. Best of all, there are no hours you have to keep and no admission to the reserve, unless you’re driving, and that’ll run just $3.
Aloha Tower
The Aloha Tower, heart of Honolulu since 1926, is the welcoming grounds for container vessels and cruise ships, and so much more. With dozens of shops and restaurants, from Hooters to a specialty magnet store, as well as a full ongoing calendar of events, you could literally spend your entire vacation inside its walls and be just fine. Of particular interest to those wanting to experience the beauty of Oahu, the tenth-floor observation deck is a must-visit. Open every day from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. PST, admission is free, and the views stretch as far as the eye can see.
Pearl Harbor Tours
Dec. 7, 1941, transformed Pearl Harbor from a standard military post in Oahu to a place of sorrow, and eventually, a rallying cry for the triumph of Allied Powers during World War II. A multitude of ships were attacked that day, but it was the U.S.S. Arizona that sustained the greatest casualties at 1,177. The Arizona is still visible from the surface of the water, and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is built over its final resting place as a testament to the men buried below. A throat-tightening experience if there ever was one, it is the centerpiece of the Pearl Harbor Tours experience. The complete Pearl Harbor Tour runs $119.99 and lasts from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST every day, excluding Christmas.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
If you came to Hawaii for snorkeling, then it’s likely you’ll stumble across the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, because the location has a sterling reputation for it. Situated in the flooded-out remnants of a volcanic crater, the preserve is just a 30-minute drive from Waikiki and home to deep blue waters and a kaleidoscope of undersea life. Admission to the Preserve is $7.50 per person with a $1 charge for parking. If you are aHawaii resident or a child under the age of 13, you get in free, but regardless, it’s a small price to pay for one of the best sights on all the Hawaiian Islands.
Skydive Hawaii
Skydive Hawaii is Oahu’s premier location for scheduling a 12,000- to 20,000-foot jump. You want to see Hawaii like few have ever seen it before? Then book a tandem for $225 (or get the Internet special for $150). Group rates are also available, and if you’re over 200 pounds, it’ll cost you an additional $2 per pound over the 200-pound mark. Hotel shuttles are available at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m., every day.
Le’ahi Diamond Head State Monument
Every day, from 6 a.m.-6 p.m., you can hike or drive through perhaps the most famous site in all of Hawaii, the Le’ahi Diamond Head State Monument, a 475-acre land crater, created more than 300,000 years ago from a single explosion. Whether hiking, sightseeing, or nature-walking, the $1 walk-in, $5 drive-in, fees are easy to manage, and the immaculately kept premises make it an ideal place to spend a day picnicking and enjoying time with your family or that special someone.
Dole Plantation
Since 1989, the Dole Plantation has been known across the world to tourists and locals as “Hawaii’s Pineapple Experience.” And while that’s true, the facility has a lot more than that to boast about. From thePlantation Garden Tour to the Pineapple Garden Maze and the Pineapple Express Train Tour, the kids will love this experience, and so will you. The Visitors Center is open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., daily, and admission is free, though you’ll have to ante up for the activities. The Express runs $8 for adults, $6 for children; the Maze is $6 for adults, $4 for children; and the Garden Tour is $5 for adults and $4.25 for children.
Iolani Palace
If you’re a history buff, the Iolani Palace should claim a place on your vacation itinerary. The building has survived 130 years and counting in downtown Honolulu, and is on the National Register of Historic Places as the former home of the Polynesian monarchy, prior to the Hawaiian Islands annexation into the United States. The Palace is available to visit, and can be booked for group events. If you’re just a tourist passing through, you’ll have to drop by from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. PST, Monday through Saturday, for guided tours, which run $20 per person or self-led/audio tours, which run $12 per person. Iolani is open on the occasional Sunday.
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