Things to Do in Hawaii

1. Iolani Palace, Hawaii

The ‘Iolani Palace was the royal residence of many rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and it is also the only royal palace on United States soil.

The residents began with Kamehameha II and ended with Queen Lili’uokalani. The palace is now a National Historic Landmark. It has been restored and is currently operating as a historic house museum. The palace is located in downtown Honolulu, Oahu and offers two tour options. Guests can choose to go on a docent led tour or a self-led audio-guided tour.

Both tour options see the same parts of the palace – both the first and second floors. Guests of both types of tours can explore the basement gallery on their own after the tour.

There is an introductory video shown every half hour in the barracks. Online reservations at iolanipalace.org are recommended to secure a spot.

364 King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, Phone: 808-522-0822

2. Battleship Missouri Memorial

The Battleship Missouri is a U.S. Navy ship that was named after the state of Missouri. The ship, also known as “Mighty Mo” or “Big Mo,” was the last Navy battleship to be commissioned by the United States.

The ship has historical significance, as it was the site where the Japanese surrendered during World War II. This momentous occasion that took place on September 2, 1945 marked the end of the war.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial offers tours twice a day and opportunities to learn and explore more on your own. At the time of writing, some sections of the battleship were closed for renovation.

63 Cowpens Street, Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808-455-1600

3. Ka’anapali Beach

Ka’anapali Beach consists of a three-mile stretch of white sand fronting some of the most popular hotels in Maui. Ka’anapali was the first planned resort in Hawaii and has been used as an example for resorts around the world.

There are five world-class hotels and six luxury condominium villages that face the beach.

The shopping complex Whalers Village is also located on the beach.

The village has a selection of shops and restaurants as well as a whaling museum and Hawaiian entertainment. Ka’anapali is famous for the cliff-diving ceremonies that happen each day off of the northernmost cliffs of the beach, a spot known as Black Rock.

2525 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, HI 96761, Phone: 808-661-0011

4. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a nature preserve and botanical garden located along the Hamakua Coast’s 4-mile scenic driving route off of Hawaii’s Route 19.

The botanical garden is a living museum featuring a large, exotic collection of plants from around the world.

The botanical garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants that come from more than 125 different plant families.

The garden is located in a 40-acre valley that serves as a natural greenhouse and provides protection from the wind.

There are nature trails that wind throughout the valley’s natural rainforest past several waterfalls and across streams.

21-717 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Papaikou, HI 96781, Phone: 808-964-5233

5. USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Hawaii

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is a Balao-class submarine that was deployed in the United States Navy and named after the bowfin fish. The sub has been open to the public since 1981. The museum and park are located conveniently in Pearl Harbor, next-door to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Visitors to the site can tour the museum on their own with an audio-narration device. The narration tells the stories of life aboard the submarine during World War II. The museum contains artifacts and exhibits related to submarines and their place in U.S. military history. There is also a memorial to those submarines and submariners who were lost during the Second World War.

11 Arizona Memorial Drive, Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: 808-423-1341

6. Dolphin Quest

Dolphin Quest is a dolphin-encounter experience for the whole family. They offer programs for children starting at age 2. Toddlers, young children, and their parents can participate in a 10-minute meet and greet with a dolphin. Older children, teens, and adults can have even closer encounters, including what they call Sea Quest, a 1 hour and 45 minute guided snorkel and swimming experience with Hawaiian fish and sea turtles that is then finished off with 40 minutes of swimming with dolphins. In addition to their location on Hawaii’s Big Island, Dolphin Quest has a second location at the luxurious Kahala Hotel and Resort in Oahu as well as a location in Bermuda.

69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, Phone: 808-886-2875

7. Limahuli Garden

The Limahuli Garden and Preserve is a nature preserve and botanical garden located on Kaua’i’s north shore. The garden lies in a tropical valley and contains three different habitats, including the Makana Mountain ridge, the Limahuli Stream, and inland areas of the Ha’ena State Park. The stream features an 800-foot waterfall. The garden contains a large number of native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plants. It has won several awards from the American Horticultural Society as the best botanical garden in the U.S. The garden is open to the public, but the 13 acres of nature preserve land is not open to visitors.

58301 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, HI 96714, Phone: 808-826-1053

8. Allerton Garden

Allerton Garden is a botanical garden created by Robert and John Gregg Allerton. The garden, also known as Lawa’i-kai, is located on Kaua’i’s south shore between the McBryde Garden and the Pacific Ocean. The garden is comprised of 80 beautiful acres and lies in a valley crossed by the Lawa’i stream. Allerton Garden includes pools, miniature waterfalls, garden rooms, fountains, and statues, and it is open to visitors. Guests can choose a docent-guided, self-guided, or specialty tour when they visit the garden. Tour options are available that combine a visit to Allerton Garden with adjacent McBryde Garden for even more outdoor fun.

4425 Lawai Road, Koloa, HI 96756, Phone: 808-742-2623

9. Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is a major player in the growth and sale of Cattleya orchids, and has been for more than thirty years. The blooming orchids, which can be seen on display at the gardens, number more than 500 at any given time. The orchids come from a number of different varieties, including Oncidiums, Miltonia, Dendrobiums, and many others. Besides the orchids, the gardens sell other flowers and tropical flower arrangements to individuals and retailers. The gardens have a handicap-accessible showroom and gift shop. The showroom has many orchids and tropical plants on display. Visitors are able to tour the property’s greenhouse.

11-3051 Volcano Road, Volcano, HI 96785