Hawaii attractions

Consider it Hawaii’s very own Hollywood Walk of Fame. On the Big Island, Banyan Drive loops around Hilo’s Waiakea Peninsula, a short stretch of road that courses beneath roughly 50 magnificent banyan trees, each planted between 1933 and 1972 by celebrities, from George Herman “Babe” Ruth to King George V. Catch some shade here, and you’ll stand amid Hilo history.

The childhood home of King Kamehameha I, this is the Big Island of Hawaii’s “Valley of the Kings.” Forming a deep natural amphitheater that’s washed by the sea and waterfalls, the Waipi’o Valley is a natural wonderland marked by rainforests and empty hiking trails. Cliffs thousands of feet high plunge to the valley floor, where a curved black-sand beach meets the sea.

Often referred to as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,” Kawaiaha’o Church forms part of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site. Established under Kuhina Nui (Queen-Regent) Kaʻahumanu I in the year 1820, it was uniquely built from about 14,000 slabs of coral rock weighing 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) each, sourced from an offshore reef in southern Oahu.

Part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, the USS Oklahoma Memorial pays tribute to the USS Oklahoma and the 429 marines and sailors that perished when the USS Oklahoma sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Dedicated on December 7, 2007, the memorial is located on Ford Island, next to its former berth.

This historic surf town is the hub of Oahu’s colorful North Shore. Minutes from world-class waves, funky Haleiwa is the go-to spot for surfers to fill up at the food trucks before hitting the water. But it’s not all about the waves. Visitors to Haleiwa find plenty of cool boutiques, galleries, and restaurants among the surf shops.

The white-sand strand at Oahu’s Kailua Beach Park is a popular spot to watch the sunrise, and early risers are often out running the beach or swimming in the relatively calm waters before dawn. As it gets a good amount of wind, the beach is also a top destination for windsurfers, catamaran sailors, and kite surfers.

Located on the northeast coast of Maui, this wayside park is a popular stopping point on the Road to Hana. Spanning 8 acres (3 hectares), the forested area is home to native Hawaiian plants and birds, several hiking trails, and scenic views of the coast and the Ke’anae Peninsula.

Explore the Big Island’s cowboy heritage at Parker Ranch, one of the oldest and largest ranches in the United States. Set on rolling green pastures near Waimea, the ranch offers a window into Hawaii’s paniolo (cowboy) culture through historic homes, scenic drives, and sweeping views of Mauna Kea. Take in this blend of history, landscape, and local tradition on a self-guided tour or via full-day island excursions that include stops or drives at the ranch.

Located at the end of a long and rugged dirt road, Polihale State Park is a remote beach on Kauai’s westernmost edge with excellent snorkeling, camping, and stargazing. Adventuresome visitors are drawn to the park’s wild and secluded nature and it’s one of the best spots in Kauai to watch the sunset. Ancient Hawaiians believed that Polihale was the departure point for the afterlife.

Mākena offers a more untouched side of Maui, and it’s a must for nature lovers seeking space, scenery, and adventure. Just south of Wailea, this dry volcanic stretch of coastline is where travelers can still catch a glimpse of the island’s past. Whether you’re snorkeling with sea turtles, watching the waves crash at Big Beach, or hiking across lava fields in the Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve, Mākena feels worlds away from the island’s busier resort zones.

On an island surrounded by snorkeling opportunities and vibrant sea life, the Maui Ocean Center offers a deeper look into local marine ecosystems. Surround yourself with colorful fish, stingrays, and sharks in an aquarium tunnel, learn about rare Pacific corals and Native Hawaiian culture, and get up close with creatures you may not spot in the wild.

The tumbling Manoa Falls is a 150-foot (46-meter) waterfall that you discover at the end of a moderate 1-hour hike close to Downtown Honolulu. This 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) route is one of Oahu’s most accessible hikes, thanks to a paid parking lot, gravel path, and its well-marked trail. While it is no longer possible to swim in the pool at its base, views of Manoa Falls are well worth the effort of the hike—just be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

The shriek of the Honolulu Zoo’s population of endangered white-handed gibbons is a familiar morning sound to Waikiki’s regular surfing contingent. The sprawling 42-acre (17-hectare) zoo, located in Kapiʻolani Park near Waikiki Beach, is home to more than 900 species, including many animals (and plants) found only in Hawaii. In addition to seeing the animals, you can check out daily zookeeper talks, a petting zoo, and animal feedings.

Molokai may be about a third of the size of Maui, but don’t judge it by its humble size. The small island packs a big punch in terms of natural beauty, and what it lacks in ritzy resorts it makes up for in pristine white-sand beaches and untouched sea cliffs. It’s often considered the most Hawaiian of islands, thanks to its predominantly Native Hawaiian population.

A prize of the Garden Isle, the dual curtains of Wailua Falls cascade into a glistening pool that’s surrounded by lush tropical forests and—if you catch it at the right moment—dancing with rainbows. The postcard-perfect falls got their fame when they were featured on the TV show Fantasy Island, and they’re now on the must-visit list of many Kaui vacationers, especially those who want to admire one of the island’s natural waterfalls without hiking.

Saddle Road is the most direct route between Hilo and Kona, but that’s not why most people take it. The drive shows off the Big Island’s diverse ecosystems as it crosses lava flows, pastures, and moonlike landscapes, cresting an elevation of 6,600 feet (2,011 meters). While the road used to be rough and unpaved, it’s now in good driving condition—but you’ll still want to take it slow and savor every minute.

Known as the Forbidden Island, Niʻihau is a privately owned island mostly untouched by outsiders, creating a microcosm of Hawaiian history and culture. Just 17 miles (27 kilometers) off the coast of Kauai, the island’s fewer than 200 residents speak Hawaiian and live without cars, electricity, and modern amenities. Though non-residents are generally not allowed to visit, Niʻihau is a popular spot for off-shore snorkeling and diving, and flightseeing tours often view the island from above.

Mauna Loa’s status as the largest active volcano in the world doesn’t stop travelers from flocking to the rugged mountain—in fact, it attracts them. With its last eruption occurring in 2022, locals are still rebuilding the area, and visitors are limited to certain areas and trails. If you’re rugged enough to camp or hike here, you’ll be rewarded with one of Hawaii’s wildest adventures.

So named for its views of neighboring islands Lanai, Molokai, and Maui, Lanai Lookout promises some of the best panoramic ocean views on Oahu. Turn your attention away from the coastline, though, and there’s an equally stunning sight: rocky cliffs covered in volcanic ash.

Located in southeast Oahu, Koko Crater is an extinct tuff cone that attracts adventure-seekers the world over to climb. The Koko Crater Trail packs a steep ascent into a short distance: 1,208 feet (368 meters) in less than 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers) on former railroad ties from World War II. Once you reach the top, the payoff is sweeping views of nearby Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and even neighboring islands on a clear day.

Experience some of the dramatic changes brought to Hawaii by missionaries at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. Visitors can learn how New England missionaries worked with Native Hawaiians to introduce Christianity and develop a written language, public education, western medicine, and representative government.

One of the most scenic roads on the Big Island, the Chain of Craters Road stretches for 19 miles (31 kilometers) from the summit of Kilauea Volcano to sea level, a change in elevation of 3,700 feet (1,128 meters). The drive offers stunning vistas across changing landscapes, access to different volcanic features, and other interesting sites.

Set amid 1,500 acres (600 hectares) of farmland in Waikapu Valley, Maui Tropical Plantation is a working farm and agricultural theme park where more than 40 types of native plants and crops—including bananas, coconuts, sugar cane, coffee, macadamia nuts, and papaya—are grown and harvested. Located on the grounds of a former sugarcane plantation, the park offers a glimpse into Maui’s agricultural past, along with attractions such as ziplining, eateries, and shops.

Eerie and abandoned, the salt water swimming pool and stone bleachers of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial off San Souci beach was a shimmering seaside tribute when it opened in 1927. Today, some call the crumbling venue haunted and it is often featured in Island-wide nighttime ghost tours. The aging edifice, shuttered since 1979, is still worth a daytime visit, if only to peek through the bars of its towering front gate and imagine what it once was. As one of the country’s few ‘living memorials,’ the space served both as a gathering place to honor the 10,000 Hawaii service men who served during WWI and a public facility where Hawaii residents learned to swim in its 100m length. The Natatorium is credited with creating a swimming culture in the local community, and providing a peaceful practice spot for Olympians including legendary Hawaiian waterman (and five-time Olympic swimming medalist) Duke Kahanamoku. On Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, the chipping lot around the structure still occasionally hosts commemorative ceremonies honoring the structure’s original purpose. Despite its designation as a ‘national treasure’ by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, no one seems to know what to do with the Natatorium. Throughout the years, numerous plans to revive or raze the structure, adding a new stretch of white sand to Waikiki’s crowded beaches, have been passed over. Until then, it just waits.

Oahu visitors looking for a beach escape far from the crowds will find blissful seclusion at Kahana Bay Beach Park. Nestled below the Ko'olau Mountains on the east (windward) side of Oahu, this beach is one of Hawaii’s best-kept secrets. It offers opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and simply soaking up the sun and scenery.

The site of the pivotal 18th-century Battle of Kepaniwai, the Iao Valley State Monument in West Maui is today best known for the soaring Kuka‘emoku (also known as the Iao Needle). This rocky outcropping rises 1,200 feet (365 meters) into the air, resembling a cathedral spire. Take the paved 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) lookout trail, which crosses a rushing stream, to take in the vegetation-covered rock formation and visit the ethnobotanical garden, highlighting native plant species.

Located near Downtown, Honolulu’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the country. An eclectic mix of old and new, this historic neighborhood is full of bustling markets, noodle factories, lei makers, herbalists, and traditional temples alongside hip boutiques, art galleries, trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs.

The white-sand beaches and lagoons of Ko Olina, combined with spas, restaurants, and accommodations, create this leisurely Oahu getaway. Set on the island’s dry and sunny leeward side, this self-contained resort community is separated from the bustle of Honolulu (by about 17 miles, or 27 kilometers), making it ideal for a relaxing Hawaiian vacation filled with sunbathing, snorkeling, and sunsets.

Kauai gets more than 400 inches (10 meters) of rainfall every year—it’s no wonder it's nicknamed the Garden Isle. This Hawaiian island comes blanketed in Mother Nature’s most fabulous works, from lush canyons to explosive waterfalls, and none is more accessible than Opaekaa Falls. Visible from the roadside, this 151-foot (46-meter) waterfall is a guaranteed 5-star show, no admission fee required.

A small strip of land tucked behind a residential neighborhood on Oahu’s North Shore, La'ie Point State Wayside Park attracts visitors with its rugged setting and silver screen fame. Immortalized in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, La’ie Point’s cliffs look most spectacular when the waves crash against them.