We are going 3 days to Waikiki after visiting Kauai for 1 week. We are travelling with a toddler and we want to do some beach and sightseeing also. Husband likes to snorkel and I wouldn't mind driving around to see the sights. I have a few questions for the ones who have been there.

1- do we need to rent a car (hotel charges $12/day parking) or can we just walk or take bus to everything?

2- What is a must-see on the island - outside Waikiki - will it be the same scenery as in Kauai?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Bellezza, you're going to two of my favorite islands. I'm jealous. For three days on Oahu, I would get a car, particularly with a toddler. There's buses to go everywhere BUT it's much slower and less convenient than having your own car. Both islands are gorgeous ... you have more lush, green, natural beauty on Oahu, (as you'll find on Kauai), when you get out of Waikiki and travel round the island ... just depends on where you go. (Waikiki is beautiful, too, in it's way ... ) I would certainly visit Pearl Harbor early one morning. Go to alternative-hawaii.com, and look at all Oahu has to offer! Have a lovely trip!

Pearl Harbor is a must as is the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri. That could be 3/4 day. For snorkeling, go to Haunama Bay but very very early in the morning. Head up to the north shore to see the huge waves, see the pineapple farms, punch bowl cemetery and the palace. There is also a sea world type place on the east side of the island...away from Waikiki that we've not visited but looked good for little ones.

Yes, you need a car. The Bus is no fun and would be doubly no fun with a toddler.

Like others have said, it's much more convenient to get a car, especially if you're planning to get out of Waikiki and see the rest of the island. If your husband likes to snorkel, definitely go to Hanauma Bay. But go early! Kailua Beach is a must too. Amazing beach!

Actually I disagree & think The Bus is plenty "fun" and it is very easy to get around within Honolulu.

But for outside the city and traveling with a toddler, yes a rental car would probably be easier.

But you definitely *could* walk or bus to everything & save money. There's even a special "beach bus" route that runs down to Huanama Bay. www.thebus.org has a page that shows what you can bring on a bus including strollers, beach matts, etc.

By the time you end up paying for RT airport tranfers, you're looking at almost $40. You can get a car rental for just a little more and though you have to pay for parking, the time you save having your own transportation and comfort with your toddler will be well worth it. We have taken the bus and rented a car and honestly, thought it was cheap, we didn't quite feel like sitting on the bus while it stopped at every single corner taking 3 times as long to get to Pearl Harbor was very fun. It's easy to use and cheap, but a lot of valuable time is spent, especially if you only have 3 days.

You can visit Hanauma Bay early one morning for a couple of hours and then do the drive to the windward and north shores, absolutely beautiful and you won't believe you're still on Oahu. The little one might like the train ride at Dole. If this is possibly your first, and only visit..Pearl Harbor would be good too.

Have a great time!

I agree with renting a car.

You won't be able to do most of this, but it's easier for me to cut and paste the entire thing than to pick and choose things.

List of things to do on Oahu
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu.

Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.

Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $40, but I prefer the buffet package ($55) or the luau buffet package ($75). The evening 'Horizon' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.

Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.

Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city. If you have time, take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.

Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website: http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm

Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe.

Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming.

Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.

Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.

Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).

Hike to Manoa Falls: (Free) You can drive right up to the trailhead and park for free. Or you can pay a few bucks in a nearby lot to have someone "watch" your car. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest also bamboo there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet.

Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.

Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/

North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove & Chun's Reef. Chun's Reef has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove and Chun's Reef in the summer.

Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.

Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits and carp feeding pond.

Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.

Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.

Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.

Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples). Check brochures or get info on-line. Search: oahu botanical gardens

Other: Sea Life Park, Zoo, Aquarium, Dinner cruise, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.

Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.

Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining & entertainment

Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days. Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free).

Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.

Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites: www.outrigger.com www.sheraton.com www.ohanahotels.com, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.

Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at www.entertainment.com. They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping. Expires November 1.
Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.

Phone Cards: If you don't have a cell phone, the best phone cards right now can be found at Costco or Sam's Club. Right now they are only $.03/m, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no monthly charge. Can be used from pay phones ($.25 or eight units surcharge from pay phone), hotels, homes.

The thing about having a car is that I don't think you can see or do ANY of the things on the other side of the island unless you have car. Are places like the Byodo Temple, Dole Plantation, Chinaman's Hat, Kailua Beach, North Shore, Puuanu Lookout Point even accessible by bus??

Yes, BigJim, they are accessible by TheBus. It goes all around the island ...

yes you can get there but it takes a LONG time!

My favorable experience with using The Bus was for getting around IN town. From Fort DeRussy down to the Zoo and Queen Kapolani park. From Waikiki beach to Ala Moana mall and back. Into Honolulu Academy of the Arts and back to my hotel... like that.

Also I was solo on my most recent trip. With 2+ people a car rental makes even more sense.

OK. Whenever I've driven around the island, I don't think I recall ever seeing any buses.

The zoo and aquarium would be fun for your toddler to see. At the zoo he or she could run around and burn off energy. Kapiolani Park is a nice spot for a picnic. These areas are right in Waikiki.

The Children's Discovery Museum is another place to look into that could amuse a child. It's small and very kid friendly I have read. Haven't been there myself.

If you do go to beach, remember to sunblock your child. Nothing is worse than a surnburn.

You could make do with the bus or walking within Waikiki itself. Not sure which end of Waikiki you will be at. Car would be better option outside of Waikiki. I wouldn't bus to Hanauma with the toddler. That bus gets very crowded.

Have fun.

I vote for car. Even if you have to pay for parking. Other posts are right consider what you spend for airport transfers and public transportation vs car rental and parking. With limited time, and especially with a toddler, a car is your best use of limited time. Sure taking a bus with the "locals" can be fun, but will take too much effort and time to do what you want to do. Since you've made the investment to go all the way to Hawaii, go all the way.

Wow, thanks for all the info. Dusty, that was very ususeful info also. I will make sure to print this out and carry it with me.

I think we will probably rent a car for a day or two, probably just on a daily basis, to avoid parking fees. Plus our hotel has a very small parking area and was told it's very hard to get parking there, it's always full.