{"id":129095,"date":"2023-11-26T00:06:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T08:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=129095"},"modified":"2026-02-26T06:04:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:04:03","slug":"things-to-do-in-honolulu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Unique Things to Do in Honolulu, as Recommended by Locals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nestled on the island of O`ahu, Honolulu is the heartbeat of Hawai`i \u2014 a tropical paradise and cosmopolitan gem offering a kaleidoscope of experiences that capture the essence of the Aloha State. Here, the aloha spirit and stunning landscapes blend to captivate its visitors. You&#8217;ll find the iconic shores of Waikiki Beach with its rhythmic sway of palm trees and the azure embrace of the Pacific Ocean. You&#8217;ll also find a vibrant tapestry of history and culture at every turn. Especially in its delicious local fare!<\/p>\n<p>A word of advice \u2014 when preparing for your trip, bring your flip-flops and board shorts, but plan for big-city excursions, too! Many new visitors assume that Honolulu is a smaller city (a common misconception), but it&#8217;s actually quite urban. It&#8217;s also highly walkable, so be ready with a good pair of walking shoes, sunscreen, and a water bottle!<\/p>\n<p>Also, it&#8217;s important to show respect by taking the time to learn a little about Hawaiian history, culture and values. Meet the locals and support local businesses. And never (<em>never<\/em>) leave litter around or take home pieces of the island like coral, volcanic rocks, sand, or seashells. Not only is this important to preserve the island\u2019s natural resources, but in many cases, it\u2019s illegal.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/apartments-for-rent\/honolulu-hi\/\">renting an apartment in Honolulu, HI<\/a>, settling down in your own home, or simply visiting as a tourist, there are many things that you can do here. To give you the inside scoop, we asked locals to give us their insights and tell us their favorite hidden gems in Honolulu. Here&#8217;s what they told us:<\/p>\n<h2>1. Go For an Island Hike<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-129098\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/lulumahu-falls-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"lulumahu falls honolulu\" width=\"696\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/lulumahu-falls-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/lulumahu-falls-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,346 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/lulumahu-falls-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,531 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/lulumahu-falls-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,104 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One must-do in Honolulu is to go on a hike! O`ahu is filled with beautiful scenery, and we here have the unique opportunity to walk a short (or long) distance to see an incredible, rewarding view at the end,&#8221; shared Alexia Kihano-Yoshimura, owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifywithlex.com\/\">Simplify With Lex<\/a>, a Hawai`i-based home organization service.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are hiking opportunities all over the island, including the `Ehukai Pillbox trail on the North side, Kokohead Railway trail on the East side, Ma`ili Pillbox trail on the West side, and the centrally located Lulumahu Falls, to name just a few. Some hikes offer beautiful views of the ocean, some have views of the Honolulu city skyline, and some even have a swimmable waterfall at the end! There are even low-impact walks around the island&#8217;s botanical gardens, such as Wahiawa Botanical Garden or Foster Botanical Garden. Often, you&#8217;ll be able to encounter and learn about native plants and trees during your walk as well. Spend some time outdoors here in Honolulu, and you&#8217;ll be greatly rewarded.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>2. Enjoy Some Local Fusion Food<\/h2>\n<p>Kihano-Yoshimura also had some great suggestions for where to find the best local fare. &#8220;There are so many delicious restaurants around the island to fit any budget,&#8221; she says. Local foods are usually a fusion of many different cuisines, so you get a mix of many different tastes from all around the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you&#8217;re in the heart of Honolulu in Chinatown, The Pig &amp; The Lady is an awesome Southeast Asian spot with a great atmosphere for date night. If you&#8217;re on the East side of O`ahu in Kaneohe, there&#8217;s Adela&#8217;s Country Eatery, which serves delicious plate lunches with Filipino and Hawaiian influences. They were also placed on Yelp&#8217;s national top 100 restaurants list!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t go wrong with the classic plate lunch like the well-known chili, fried chicken, mac salad, and rice plate from Zippy&#8217;s, with locations all over the island. Don&#8217;t forget dessert. The best is Leonard&#8217;s malasadas! A malasada is a mouth-watering Portuguese deep-fried donut sprinkled with sugar. You can get it plain or filled with custard, haupia (coconut), and more! Leonard&#8217;s has food trucks around the island with a storefront located in Honolulu. There&#8217;s so much delicious, memorable food Hawai`i has to offer!&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>3. Marvel at Iolani Palace<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-129099\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/iolani-palace-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"iolani palace honolulu\" width=\"696\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/iolani-palace-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/iolani-palace-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,296 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/iolani-palace-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,455 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/iolani-palace-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,89 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can have a great cultural experience at Iolani Palace in Downtown Honolulu,&#8221; said Kihano-Yoshimura. &#8220;Iolani Palace was home to Hawai`i&#8217;s monarchy. King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. Built in 1882, the palace was their residence, but also where they held functions, received dignitaries from around the world, and entertained lavishly. Now, the palace is open to the public to view and learn about its rich cultural significance to Hawai`i.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are many tours available on different days. The self-led audio tour is available almost always and allows you to explore the palace at your own pace while listening to pre-recorded audio. The docent-led tour is available at certain times and is led by volunteer docents who guide you around the palace, sharing details of its history. There are also other specialty tours available at certain times, like the Kalakaua Legacy Tour, the Fashion Fit for Royalty Tour, and more.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Good to know:<\/strong> The palace is open Tuesday-Saturday (except for certain Holidays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Admire Some Hawaiian Art<\/h2>\n<p>Shaolin Low, founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wovenbyshaolin.com\/\">WOVEN by Shaolin,<\/a> a local home d\u00e9cor and gift store, gave us a family-friendly suggestion for a day trip in Honolulu. &#8220;As a family, one of our cherished activities in Honolulu is visiting the Honolulu Museum of Art, a multicultural gem nestled near the city&#8217;s capital. It&#8217;s a captivating journey through diverse art forms and cultures, showcasing a wide array of traditional and contemporary artworks. This experience isn&#8217;t just cultural but deeply inspiring, influencing my product selection for our home decor and furnishings studio.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>5. Take Some Professional-Grade Pics<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-129100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-side-view-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"diamond head in background honolulu\" width=\"696\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-side-view-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-side-view-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,297 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-side-view-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,456 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-side-view-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,89 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One fantastic and distinctive experience you should try when in Honolulu is having a couples or family photo session,&#8221; says Kyler, co-owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kai-photo.com\/\">Kai-Photo<\/a>. &#8220;Honolulu&#8217;s stunning natural landscapes, including its beautiful beaches and iconic landmarks, offer an ideal setting for creating lasting memories with your loved ones.&#8221; Kyler recommends Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head specifically for the best Hawaiian backdrops.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Visit Diamond Head State Monument<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-129101\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"diamond head crater honolulu\" width=\"696\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,297 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,456 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/diamond-head-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,89 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of Honolulu\u2019s most treasured natural landmarks, Diamond Head is a 300,000-year-old dormant volcano crater surrounded by a hiking trail to the summit where you\u2019ll find unbelievable ocean views. <strong>Good to know: <\/strong>The facilities on the crater floor are ADA accessible, but the trail to the summit is not. The hike along the trail ranges from easy to challenging (especially the stairs that take you all the way to the top), so be sure to come prepared with appropriate footwear, a hat and sunscreen, and plenty of water \u2014 you\u2019ll definitely get thirsty on the way up!<\/p>\n<h2>7. Visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-129102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/pearl-harbor-memorial-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"pearl harbor memorial honolulu\" width=\"696\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/pearl-harbor-memorial-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/pearl-harbor-memorial-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,297 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/pearl-harbor-memorial-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,456 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/pearl-harbor-memorial-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,89 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps one of O`ahu&#8217;s most well-known and busiest attractions, Pearl Harbor is a must see. There, you&#8217;ll learn not only about how the events unfolded and changed the course of world history, but you&#8217;ll also understand how they impacted Hawai`i&#8217;s spirit and culture. However, keep in mind that tickets go fast. Also, the shuttle that&#8217;ll take you into the harbor can only accommodate so many people at a time, so book early (before you leave the mainland is best) and get there early!<\/p>\n<h2>8. Learn to Snorkel and Surf (Or Watch Some Pros in Action)<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-129103 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/surfing-in-honolulu.jpg\" alt=\"surfing honolulu waikiki beach\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/surfing-in-honolulu.jpg 884w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/surfing-in-honolulu.jpg?resize=500,317 500w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/surfing-in-honolulu.jpg?resize=768,487 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/surfing-in-honolulu.jpg?resize=150,95 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Communing with Hawai`i&#8217;s marine life in its natural habitat is one of the most magical things you\u2019ll do during your visit. It\u2019s best to book a tour if you&#8217;re a beginner or you aren&#8217;t completely comfortable with swimming in open water. If you are experienced, there is so much prime snorkeling around O`ahu, you may have difficulty figuring out where to begin! A quick chat with the locals or google search can point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re feeling sporty, follow in the footsteps of ancient Hawaiian royalty and try your hand at the &#8220;sport of kings.&#8221; Surfing is integral to Hawaiian culture, and there&#8217;s no shortage of places to learn. Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana are great spots for beginners, with plenty of experienced surfers to teach you the basics. If you&#8217;d rather watch, an hour&#8217;s drive (give or take, depending on traffic) puts you at the North Shore, where surfers from around the world take on its legendary waves in the wintertime.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s vital to remember that most of these areas are protected, not to mention revered as sacred spaces by many locals, so tread lightly and show respect. If you see wildlife lounging on the beach, admire from afar. Also, to ensure your safety and the safety of other beachgoers, always heed the warning signs posted around the beaches.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Meander Through Chinatown<\/h2>\n<p>Honolulu&#8217;s Chinatown has a fascinating history dating to the mid-19th\u00a0century when Chinese workers came to seek employment on the sugar plantations, eventually moving to the area and establishing what is now one of the oldest Chinatowns in the U.S. The area has seen its share of misfortune, though, both then and now.<\/p>\n<p>However, a revitalization is underway with city government initiatives and projects spearheaded by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation aiming to reduce crime and preserve the town&#8217;s arts and culture, architecture, ethnic diversity, and businesses. Despite the remarkable transformation, visitors are still cautioned to explore during the daytime.<\/p>\n<p>Now, people come for the open-air O`ahu Market, where local vendors sell exotic produce, seafood, teas, herbs, and more. The area also has fascinating traditional Chinese and Japanese shrines and temples. East Chinatown has a robust arts district centered around the Hawai`i Theatre. The theatre offers live music and entertainment, and the first Friday of the month features the Chinatown Art Walk, where galleries host open houses, providing complimentary refreshments and entertainment for visitors who&#8217;d like to meet the artists.<\/p>\n<h2>Come Visit Our Paradise<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re just visiting or looking to put down roots here, Honolulu will seduce you! You&#8217;ll create plenty of treasured memories within its bustling streets, pristine shores, and cultural landmarks, and you&#8217;re sure to make plenty of friends ready to share their love of the city. Be sure to leave your return tickets open; you may not want to leave.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nestled on the island of O`ahu, Honolulu is the heartbeat of Hawai`i \u2014 a tropical paradise and cosmopolitan gem offering a kaleidoscope of experiences that capture the essence of the Aloha State. Here, the aloha spirit and stunning landscapes blend to captivate its visitors. You&#8217;ll find the iconic shores of Waikiki Beach with its rhythmic&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":148,"featured_media":129097,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[39027,38988],"class_list":["post-129095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-resources","tag-honolulu-hi-local-guides","tag-local-guides","gallery-content-unit"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v24.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Unique Things to Do in Honolulu, as Recommended by Locals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are so many things to do in Honolulu! To help you experience the authentic life here, we&#039;ve asked locals for their recommendations.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"9 Unique Things to Do in Honolulu, as Recommended by Locals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There are so many things to do in Honolulu! To help you experience the authentic life here, we&#039;ve asked locals for their recommendations.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RentCafe rental blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-26T08:06:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T14:04:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/honolulu-hawaii-featured.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mihaela Buzec\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mihaela Buzec\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/\",\"name\":\"Unique Things to Do in Honolulu, as Recommended by Locals\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/things-to-do-in-honolulu\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2023\/11\/honolulu-hawaii-featured.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-26T08:06:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T14:04:03+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b510a69aa13be0d422865c49655573de\"},\"description\":\"There are so many things to do in Honolulu! 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