Hi,

I am coming to Honolulu for Spring break March 2011 with my roommate. We're both 21 year old girls from Univ of Iowa (our hometown is Chicago) and are looking for recommendations of things to do, nightlife, restaurants, etc. We have been to Waikiki before (our senior year of high school) and have checked out a few places, but weren't of age, so this trip will be different. We're not looking for a crazy spring break, but are looking for a place to have a good time. We're staying at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Hawaiian Village.

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

for nightlife do you like bars or nightclubs or both? most tourists only really go out in waikiki and there are some other really good spots to hit. you'll just have to cab it back. as for restaurants, hawaii has some of the best asian food in the country. you might also want to go to a luau. you have to try surfing. you can learn to surf by taking lessons from the beach boys right out in front of waikiki.

will you have a rental car? there are a ton of things to do outside of waikiki.

do you like outdoor activities?

Drive up north (Waimea, Sunset, Pipeline, Haleiwa)
to see the surfers, waves, sights and enjoy the vibe.

We were planning on renting a car at least for a day or two. We definitely want to take some surfing lessons, and drive up north to experience places that we haven't been. I've been to Waikiki once, this will be my roommate's third trip. We've done a luau before but I feel like that's a quintessential Hawaiian trip thing to do. Can you give me some spots outside of Waikiki that you enjoy? We're more of the bar type girls, although I'm sure nightclubs will definitely not be out of the question. And I would love to do some hiking. We need to get a work out somewhere!

I dunno I always just stay around Waikiki and Honolulu. I find so much to do and see there, 4 trips so far and I've yet to get out around the rest of the island. I love walking all around Waikiki (that's usually my 'hiking'), spending time at the beach, the parks, the hotel pool, taking The Bus around. One fun tour I took was of Doris Duke's ShangriLa Estate, thru the Honolulu Academy of the Arts. I've never gone to a luau.

If you are going to have a car, don't miss Lanikai beach. Do you enjoy snorkeling?

Suze, what's your impression of Chinatown in Honolulu? I went there with high expectations but was so disappointed. I must've missed something.

Gina, I've not been to Chinatown. What I have heard seems very much like your impression, so I just haven't made a special point of getting there.

We've never snorkeled before but would love to try it. Any favorite restaurants or night spots?

here's a few favorites from my last trip:

ME Korean BBQ, 151 Uluniu Ave. at the Royal Grove hotel. Scrambled eggs, 3 strips of bacon (or spam or portuguese sausage), wheat toast or 2 scoops rice $4.25. Full plate BBQ chicken dinner $8.50, 2 scoops rice, 4 vegetable sides. Self-serve, patio dining only.

ShoreBird at Outrigger Reef $12.95 breakfast buffet, ocean view. Three kinds of pastries, white bread, papaya, pineapple, canned peaches, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, portugese sausage, corned beef hash, poached white fish, fried rice, ham, turkey, juice, coffee, tea.

Eggs & Things at 343 Saratoga is known for breakfast, I've yet to try it as there was always a line when I went, and it seemed a bit more expensive than everywhere else.

Seaside Bar & Grill, 2256 Kuhio, 2 pancake, 2 bacon, 2 scrambled egg special $3.75. Daily omelet special $6.95. Cocktails available.

Blue Water Shimp Co. at the International Market food court. ~$12.95 for shrimp scampi or mac nut crusted opaka-paka. with green salad, small piece corn on the cob, sauteed vegetables, 2 scoops rice.

Keoni by Keos, 2375 Kuhio for Thai and seafood, nice atmosphere, good service. Mahimahi was good, the mashed potato side was fabulous.

Barefoot Bar at Dukes at sunset and a glass of wine and live hawaiian music was lovely.

The bar at Hau Tree Lanai at New Otani, again very nice for a couple mai tais at sunset.

Old Saigon pho noodle shop at 2270 Kuhio was very good. I had a stir-fry of shrimp, squid, vegetables & a Tsingtao beer for $21 plus tip.

Restaurant in the courtyard at Moana Surfrider, under the huge banyan tree.

Food court in the basement of Ala Moana mall, I liked Lahaina Chicken very much.

Great suggestions! Thank you!

I am a current university of hawaii at manoa student, I know some good spots on and around campus if your looking for the "college" style spring break.