Hawaii attractions

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.

Ali’iolani Hale (House of Heavenly Kings) was built in 1874 as a royal palace but never used as such. Instead, this government office building houses the Supreme Court of Hawaii and is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can admire the exterior architecture and explore the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center inside.

Honaunau Bay, locally known as Two Step Beach, is widely regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island. The shallow, calm water makes it a perfect place for kids and beginner snorkelers, while divers favor the bay’s deeper areas. The possibility of spotting bright tropical fish and the occasional sea turtle or dolphin makes it well worth braving the crowds.

The Menehune Fish Pond (Alekoko) is one of Kauai’s most intriguing landmarks. According to legend, the pond was built in a single night by the Menehune—a mythological race of tiny people believed to have inhabited Hawaii long before the arrival of Polynesian settlers. Whether or not you believe the story, there’s no denying the site’s beauty, where calm waters meet green hills just a short ride from Lihue.

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.

With a natural wading pool for young swimmers, soft sand, and lifeguards, Poipu Beach Park is one of Kauai’s most popular family-friendly beaches. Beyond the sun and sand, you'll want to visit Poipu Beach to try to spot one of Hawaii’s endangered monk seals, which often sunbathe on the shore. In winter, you might spot humpback whales off the coast, too.

Perched on Kauai’s rugged northern coastline, the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding cliffs. This historic beacon has guided ships since the early 20th century, but today it draws travelers with its panoramic vistas, dramatic seascapes, and abundant birdlife. Watch for red-footed boobies and wedge-tailed shearwaters, or look out to sea to spot humpback whales breaching offshore in season.

Curvy, cozy, and impossibly green, the Hāmākua Coast is a verdant time portal on the Big Island’s northeastern side. Often referred to as the “Hāmākua Heritage Corridor,” this 50-mile (80-kilometer stretch of two-lane road passes through small, historic towns and offers beautiful scenery around every hairpin turn.

On an island brimming with natural beauty—and state parks, for that matter—Koke‘e State Park stands out for its high-elevation hiking trails, a small natural history museum focused on native plants and local history, and the great highlight: sweeping views of Waimea Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

Thanks to its rich history and prime location on one of Hawaii’s most populous islands, Honolulu Harbor bustles with cruise ship passengers, local Hawaiians, and travelers from all around the world. Here, you can experience everything from luaus, boat tours, shopping, and dining to giant cargo ships and the Aloha Tower.

The Waikiki Aquarium is the second-oldest public aquarium in America and is home to more than 3,500 marine animals, with a special focus on coral reef ecosystems. The aquarium highlights Pacific marine life and conservation and is run by the University of Hawaii, which offers a number of guided aquarium tours and special programs that are open to the public.

Kilauea Iki crater is one of the most visited spots in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and its most popular hike cuts across the floor of the crater—a walk into the heart of an active volcano. Though today the crater looks tame from above, steam vents still rise from areas with moisture, and the otherworldly terrain of the crater floor is unique among others in the Hawaiian chain.

Tucked into the hillside just outside Hilo, Kaumana Caves offers a glimpse into the Big Island’s volcanic past with no ticket required. Formed by a Mauna Loa lava flow in 1881, this lava tube feels raw and untouched, with mossy skylights and cooled formations that lend a sense of adventure around every corner. Less crowded than Thurston Lava Tube in Volcanoes National Park, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure spot for travelers craving a more rugged underground experience.

Situated along a lava-crusted portion of the Big Island’s western shoreline, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is an outdoor archaeology museum. Beyond beaches and hiking trails, the park preserves parts of an early Hawaiian village, some of which have been meticulously restored. At the center of the park are two fishponds and a fish trap that date back nearly 800 years.

Honolulu’s Bishop Museum focuses on Hawaii’s rich natural and cultural history. It is home to the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts, including items from the Hawaiian royal family and religious relics. With exhibits ranging from science to natural history and Polynesian culture, the museum is worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about Hawaii’s ancient roots.

Sunsets and water sports draw visitors to Maunalua Bay on Oahu’s south shore. The reef and scenic coastline attract kayakers, paddlers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. If you’re looking for a place to go parasailing, this bay is a popular pick. If you prefer dry land, pack a picnic and plan to coincide your visit with a golden hour at sunset.

Set along Maui’s lush northwest coast, Kapalua is a luxury resort community framed by white-sand beaches and marine reserves. Here you’ll find upscale accommodations such as The Ritz‑Carlton Kapalua and Montage Kapalua Bay, world-class golf courses, top-tier restaurants, high-end boutiques, and scenic trails that hug the shoreline. It’s a laid‑back, yet refined, destination for travelers in search of relaxation and refined aloha hospitality.

A must-see for nature enthusiasts and photographers, Kauai’s Fern Grotto is a fern-covered lava cave on the south fork of the Wailua River. Once off-limits to all but Hawaiian royalty, the natural geological formation is now accessible, but only by boat as part of a river cruise. Boats dock at the Fern Grotto landing, where a short nature trail leads through the dense rainforest to the grotto viewing platform.

La Perouse Bay is a cut of crescent-shaped coast bordering the ’Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve on the south shore of Maui—at the very end of Makena Alanui Road. Marked by rugged lava fields, the bay draws visitors looking to snorkel and hike the King’s Highway—also called the Hoapili Trail—an ancient walking path once reserved for Hawaiian royalty.

Along the Big Island’s lush Hamakua Coast, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a gorgeous rainforest nature preserve that promotes education, ecology, and simple time in nature. The beautifully maintained living museum hosts thousands of native Hawaiian and international plant species, river-fed streams and waterfalls, easy paths for walking, plus a variety of wildlife, including birds, crabs, mongooses, and fast-moving geckos.

Situated on a hill overlooking Kealakekua Bay, St. Benedict’s Painted Church is a small yet beautiful church known for its lavishly painted interior. An active Roman Catholic parish, the church welcomes visitors and is also listed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.

If you fancy a little retail therapy while exploring Oahu—or just forgot to pack your bathing suit—head for Waikele Center, west of Honolulu. This sprawling open-air shopping complex houses an enticing selection of brand-name retailers and restaurants.

Set on the scenic slopes of Haleakala Crater in upcountry Maui, Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm is a must-see for garden lovers. The bluff-top estate bursts with blossoms, including 20 varieties of lavender, plus other Mediterranean and native Hawaiian plants backed by ocean views. Explore the garden to admire the various species cultivated here, plus browse the lavender-laced treats and other products at the farm store.

Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery is an 80-acre (32-hectare) organic sugar cane farm paired with the world’s only vodka distillery that uses deep ocean mineral water. An upcountry Maui gem on the slopes of Haleakalā, you can visit for a guided tasting that showcases its sustainable farming and solar-powered production, plus take in sweeping views of Maui’s north and south shores.

Swap Oahu’s saltwater for slides at Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii, the island’s only water park and a favorite escape for both locals and visitors. Set amid lush tropical scenery in Kapolei, the park offers everything from high-speed rides and surf simulators to lazy rivers and wave pools. It’s the perfect way to cool off, unwind, and add a splash of fun to your Hawaiian getaway.

Wailea is South Maui at its most polished: think luxury resorts, championship golf courses, and calm, turquoise water ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Travelers come here to unwind, explore the ocean, or join tours to nearby spots, including Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. Wailea offers a relaxed yet refined base for exploring the island, with cultural experiences, coastal trails, and sunny weather.

With its gorgeous cliffs, deep valleys, and pearlescent beaches, the Na Pali Coast is considered among the most scenic spots on Kauai, if not all of the Hawaiian islands, but getting there requires some serious effort—no roads directly access the coast. Fortunately, this beautiful stretch of Hawaiian nature is easily visible from Kokeʻe State Park's Kalalau Lookout, which overlooks the Kalalau Valley to the ocean beyond.

Located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hulihee Palace once served as the vacation home of Hawaiian royalty in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the two-story lava rock and stucco home houses a museum of Hawaiian artifacts downstairs while showcasing original furniture and details upstairs.

On the northernmost point of Kauai, the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to see seabirds such as the Laysan albatross, the red-footed booby, and the Hawaiian goose, the state bird. While birding is the main attraction for many people, there's plenty more to do at the refuge, from whale-watching to photography.

Tracing the northernmost portion of the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kohala Coast boasts Hawaii’s most desirable characteristics, from white-sand beaches lined with resorts to lush mountains bursting with wildlife and waterfalls. Go beyond nature to explore the island’s culture and history at restored temples and ancient villages.