Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Suggestions for things to do in and around Honolulu?

Suggestions for things to do in and around Honolulu?

Old Oct 7th, 2011, 02:12 PM
  #1  
JES
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Suggestions for things to do in and around Honolulu?

I'm going to Hawaii at the end of the month (October) and would love some recommendations on what to do and where to do for day trips from Honolulu? Best beaches, vantage points, towns to explore, historic destinations, best shopping?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
JES is offline  
Old Oct 7th, 2011, 02:24 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Best beaches outside Honolulu - Kailua and Lanikai on the east, and the north shore beaches (Sunset, Waimea) on the northwest.

Shopping - there really isn't any outside of Honolulu.

Views - top of Diamond Head (about a 45-min. Hike to the top from the parking lot), Pali lookout, the drive across the center of the island (I think it's the H-3).

fun towns to "explore" - Haleiwa (don't miss Shave Ice at Matsumoto or the place next door)
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2011, 04:49 AM
  #3  
JES
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That's great, thanks so much sf!
JES is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2011, 04:50 AM
  #4  
JES
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you have any good restaurant recommendations?
JES is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2011, 05:20 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pearl Harbor is also something to see if you're not planning on it already
Kayla_Dawn is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2011, 07:02 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.chowhound.com for restaurants
Placename is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2011, 04:42 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm
dusty56438 is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2011, 07:37 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Hau Tree Lanai at New Otani for a fancy dinner
Shorebird at Outrigger Reef for their buffet breakfast
ME Korean BBQ at Royal Grove for cheap fresh meals all day
Ono Hawaiian a funky dinner with local style food
Rainbow Drive-Inn for 'plate lunch'
and the "Food Courts" at International Marketplace, Ala Moana, Royal Hawaiian shopping centers

(I have a 'cheap eats Waikiki' thread under my profile here on Fodor's from my last trip)
suze is offline  
Old Oct 10th, 2011, 06:50 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
www.shangrilahawaii.org is a very interesting tour that include Doris Duke ShangriLa estate and the Honolulu Academy of the Arts.
suze is offline  
Old Oct 10th, 2011, 11:00 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
we rented a car for just one day and were able to drive all the way around the island stopping here and there. Went to the Pineapple plantation, Haleiwa, Waimea, then around the other side and back to Honolulu. Worth the time to see more than just the million souvenir shops in waikiki.
oregonmom is offline  
Old Oct 10th, 2011, 10:28 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also recommend Shangri La. Beautiful home, incredible Islamic art and interesting history. Tickets are available on line or directly from the Honolulu Academy of arts. USS Arizona memorial and the Mighty Mo are great day trips, Bishop Museum to learn the history of the islands. Spending the day on North Shore is a great day trip. There is also a hike Waimea Velly and Waimea Falls Park ([email protected] 808-638-7766 to learn of several hikes) - you can take the city bus to get there but it takes well over an hour each way. Queen Emma Summer Palace.
Shar is offline  
Old Oct 11th, 2011, 01:07 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is an interesting Farmer's Market in the parking lot of Kapiolani Community College, right across the from the parking lot for Diamond Head. You might plan an early visit and get breakfast there (opens at 7 a.m. on Saturday, and long lines form for the food booths right away), then go across the street for the hike up Diamond Head.

If you'll be in Honolulu the last week of October, you might catch the tail end of the Hawaii International Film Festival (http://www.hiff.org), which always has a line up of top international films.
Leburta is offline  
Old Oct 11th, 2011, 07:59 AM
  #13  
JES
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
These are some great suggestions, thank you!
JES is offline  
Old Oct 15th, 2011, 11:35 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aloha!

I will be island bound at the same time but this trip is to Maui. I will miss my usual stops in Oahu, my happy place is Lanikai Beach (see my profile pic!) We also make a point of having at least one sunset cocktail at the Banyan Tree bar at Sheraton Moana Surfrider, be sure to check out the hotel lobby.

We also make a dinner stop at Chibo in the Royal Hawaiian shopping center. They have okonomiyaki which is hard to find outside of Japan. http://www.chibohawaii.com/

We have had a couple of great dinners at 3660 On The Rise which is a short drive to the Kahala area. It has been three years since I have been there but I just checked and it is still getting good reviews on Yelp and TA. The location isn't special but the food was wonderful.

We like to take a drive up the road to Mount Tantalus for a spectacular view of Honolulu and Diamond Head. http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahusights/ss/tantalus.htm

The Byodo-In temple is also a great place to stop if you are driving around the island. Very lush and serene. http://www.byodo-in.com/

Have a great trip!
SeeHag is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2011, 07:33 PM
  #15  
JES
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
These are great recommendations, thank you Seehag! We're off tomorrow!
JES is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2011, 08:14 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have a great trip!
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 20th, 2011, 08:14 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have a blast! Next week for me!
SeeHag is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Neuman605
United States
8
Feb 7th, 2013 11:09 AM
MaiTaiMary
United States
12
Sep 20th, 2010 07:56 PM
Darryll1
United States
9
Feb 4th, 2008 06:47 AM
shelbyl1
United States
8
Jan 3rd, 2004 05:49 AM
hawaiihoneymoon
United States
4
Mar 13th, 2003 10:26 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -