Are you heading to Hawaii? Perhaps to the island of Oahu?
Travis and I recently got to visit Hawaii, and it was awesome to say the least. The Army sent him there to take a class for a week, and I wasn’t about to let him go without me! So we got me a plane ticket too, and off we went to a place I’ve always wanted to go!
We had six days to do everything we wanted, and I was surprised that we fit everything into one week! During the day, I would go explore on my own while Travis was in class. I would pick him up in the evenings and we’d adventure out together. After our time in Oahu, I came up with six things I think everyone should do while visiting this island. You don’t want to miss out on these activities!
Here are 6 things to do in Oahu.
1. Visit Waikiki
Waikiki is a great beach with areas that don’t have a ton of waves. They have lots of surf board and paddle board rentals. This area is very touristy, but it’s a great spot. Lots of shopping here too. Farther down the street you can find all the big brand name stores like Gucci. This area has lots of other attractions too like a zoo and aquarium.
(Tip: Some of the shops off the main strip have better prices for souvenirs and beach items than the stores right along the strip, so take a little walk before purchasing anything.)
2. Visit North Shore
North Shore was my favorite area by far. I loved the beaches at North Shore because it was much less crowded. There are also lots of little shops and art galleries, as well as great restaurants to try. This area has bigger waves, so you have to be careful while swimming. I recommend going over to Waimea Bay for a great beach experience. They even have a big rock you can climb and jump off, restrooms, and showers for washing all that sand off.
(Tip: Parking for the beaches can be a pain. The earlier you come the better parking you’ll be able to find. A lot of people just park on the sides of the roads and walk over to the beach.)
3. Visit Pearl Harbor
Of course Pearl Harbor is on the list. At this memorial you can walk through battleships, a submarine, and the well-known Arizona Memorial. This spot can take a full day if you want it to, or you can keep it down to a couple hours. It all depends on how much you want to see and how long you want to spend at each spot.
(Tip: Decide beforehand which areas you want to go to, and buy your tickets all at once when you first arrive. You can get a discount and it will make sure you get good times for some of the tours. Also, you are not allowed to bring purses or bags into Pearl Harbor, so leave them in the car and save yourself from having to purchase a locker.)
4. Visit a Waterfall
You’re in Hawaii so a waterfall is a must. There are lots of waterfalls to see on Oahu, including Waimea Valley. This is the one Travis and I went to, and we loved it. There’s a 3/4 mile walk through beautiful foliage to the waterfall. Once you arrive, you are allowed to swim up to the waterfall. It was cold, but so beautiful. This is also where many movies and TV shows have been filmed such as Lost and George of the Jungle.
(Tip: Bring walking shoes for the hike to the waterfall and a swimsuit to take a dip in the water. There are changing rooms available, so you can change back and forth between outfits.)
5. Go to a Luau
When I thought of Hawaii, I pictured beaches and a luau complete with a full pig. Going to a luau was something I really wanted to do, and I’m so thankful we were able to go. We recommend going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It had the best reviews online and even locals told us it was the best luau. We loved it. The food was fantastic, and the shows were so fun. Plus, you get a real flower lei to wear around your neck.
(Tip: If you are military, buy your tickets for the luau on post to get a great discount and even upgraded seats. Our seats were awesome and we saved a ton of money.)
6. Visit Dole Plantation
If you love pineapple, Dole Plantation is the place for you. Take a train ride through the plantation to learn how pineapples are grown. I had no idea how they grew, so I learned a lot. Did you know it can take 2 years for one pineapple to grow? Crazy! They have the world’s largest maze, so if you love getting lost check that out! 🙂 They also have a huge market area full of everything pineapple and a large garden where you can tour all the beautiful flowers of Hawaii.
(Tip: Don’t worry about trying to buy tickets online. I could never get it to work, but I showed up and got tickets without any problem. The train runs every 10 minutes and everything else is self-guided, so you should have no problems getting in.)
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Have you been to Hawaii? What would you add to this list?
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As someone who lives on the island, you missed the really great spots by sticking to the touristy stuff. Try getting off the beaten path and living like a local. It will be far more enjoyable, and you’ll never know what will happen.
Great advice Heather! Do you have any local spots you recommend?