Best Things to Do in Honolulu on Vacation | Travel Tips by Flytographer

Maritel's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Helena's is hands down our favorite local spot in Honolulu! We make sure to get in a few meals there every time we visit. Best Hawaiian food and customer service on Oahu!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Lanikai Pillbox hike was a favorite activity for our family. Our two boys enjoyed the trek up the mountain and enjoyed the views from the pillbox! Waimea Valley was another amazing destination. We enjoyed the short hike to the waterfall and swimming in the waterfall is a MUST! So refreshing and exciting! They also have the BEST Spicy Bloody Mary's at the bar!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

Bring lots of snacks and sunblock to the beach! Take the kids hiking too! It's a great way to get their energy out and be with nature.

Visited Honolulu in April

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Tara in Honolulu for Flytographer

Darcy's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Roy's was incredible food and the atmosphere was amazing!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Pearl Harbor was hands down the most moving experience!

What is the best tip for celebrating your anniversary in Honolulu?

Enjoy it all, spend some time relaxing and enjoying each other too!

Visited Honolulu in April

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Suzana's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We loved visiting Duke's, Uncle Bobo's, Mokeypod and Island Vintage Shaved Ice. All the places were wonderful, service was top notch and we will be back for sure!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

We had the experience of a lifetime with Hawaiian Parasail! The entire trip, with photos from the boat, was something we would have done everyday we were there.

What is your best travel tip for Honolulu?

Spend time exploring all over the island; go to the North Shore and eat lunch, hike Diamond Head, paddleboard on the beach!

Visited Honolulu in April

Photo Shoot Location: Sandy Beach (East Shore)

Daniella in Honolulu for Flytographer

Katie's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We loved Bali Oceanfront! Incredible view at sunset, amazing service, delicious food. We also really liked Pau Hana Place, Leonard’s for malasadas, and the fresh fruit stands.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

We loved the hike at Waimea Falls, the UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch, Kailua beach is gorgeous, and we snorkeled with turtles at Paradise Cove. Diamondhead Hike was beautiful but more difficult than we expected.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

We traveled from CST, so were five hours ahead of Honolulu time. Plan your days starting early, because it likely won’t feel as early, and you will be able to see and do so much more!

Visited Honolulu in March

Photo Shoot Location: Paradise Cove

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Terah's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Nalu cafe is the place we went back to over and over! Fresh, delicious, healthy food/juices/smoothies and bowls

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Snorkeling with turtles at paradise cove in Ko’Olina

Visited Honolulu in February

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Cheryl's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We loved the bar at the Rumfire at the Sheraton Waikiki and the Beach Bar at the Moana Surfrider for drinks. The Hula Grill was our favorite restaurant - great food and gorgeous view.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, riding mountain bikes through Kualoa Ranch, hiking Diamond Head, and visiting Pearl Harbour were just a few of our favorite experiences.

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Honolulu?

Hop on a catamaran for a sunset cruise off Waikiki Beach, and be sure to rent a car to get out and explore the North Shore and other parts of Oahu.

Visited Honolulu in February

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Sheralyn's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Ted’s bakery. Such delicious food and desserts!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Kualoa ranch and Polynesian cultural center

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

If you have a picky eater definitely stop at local store or target to get some of their favorite snacks/foods. Although you can find similar quick bites in Honolulu, it’s not always at every corner like it is on the mainland (states). Definitely pack a light jacket if going during rainy season, the high winds can make it feel a few degrees colder however will not always last all day. Pack some good grip sneakers if planning on sight seeing, not every location is paved and some can be easy to fall for younger kids.

Visited Honolulu in February

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Natalie in Honolulu for Flytographer

Summer's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

53 by the sea. View was amazing from the 2nd floor

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Aiea loop, Diamond head hike before the sun rises

What is the best tip for celebrating your anniversary in Honolulu?

Book with Flytographer to capture the beauty of the island

Visited Honolulu in January

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Rawan's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Cinnamon’s at Ilikai for breakfast- delicious pancakes (guava chiffon was a group fave)

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Snorkeling in Turtle Canyon was an amazing experience. The island circle tour through E Noa Tours was beautiful- Momi our tour guide was hilarious and so pleasant!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

Kids love the beach- get some water shoes for the rocks in the water to protect their feet. Go to Walmart and stock up on snacks and beach toys/ floaters. You can go to the ABC markets but they’re almost double in cost.

Visited Honolulu in December

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Cherise's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We really enjoyed, Momosan Restaurant. We loved their sushi and the Ramen! For coffee and breakfast we loved Vintage Island Coffee!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

We loved sitting in the garden at the Royal Hawaiian Center while drinking our morning coffee--it was also beautifully decorated for Christmas.

What is the best tip for celebrating your anniversary in Honolulu?

Have breakfast at the Kahala Hotel and Resort and enjoy looking at the ocean while you eat, then you can go see dolphins up close or reserve a time to swim with them which is on the grounds of the resort.

Visited Honolulu in December

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Lisa's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Dukes

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Snorkeling with turtles and fish, walking the shops, renting a car to drive around the island and see the surfers & North shore! Fun exploring along the way!

Visited Honolulu in November

Photo Shoot Location: Paradise Cove

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Sarah's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We loved Noe at the Four Seasons. Phenomenal food, amazing service.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

We loved walking around the North Shore and snorkeling.

Visited Honolulu in November

Photo Shoot Location: Paradise Cove

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Brittany's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Everything at Eggs and Things was delicious, we ate there multiple days. Mimosas brunch at The Deck was also great!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

Keiki Kingdom was a great break from the heat and still burn the kids in energy. Very clean and fun for all.

Visited Honolulu in November

Photo Shoot Location: Ala Moana Beach Park (South Shore)

Natalie in Honolulu for Flytographer

Courtney's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

KuaAina Burger, North Shore!

Visited Honolulu in October

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Maroun's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Culture, landmarks and food.

Visited Honolulu in October

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Daniella in Honolulu for Flytographer

Nicole's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Our favorite spot that we found on the island was called The Blind Ox. It is a speakeasy that features premium cocktails and tapas. While it is on the pricier side, it is 100% worth it. The cocktails are perfectly crafted and so unique! We were able to sit at the bar and watch them make them and what a show! For more of a beach front location, you can't go wrong with Monkeypod! Try one of their Mai Tais - they are topped with a whipped lilikoi foam and they are our favorite ones we've ever had, on and off the island.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Kualoa Ranch was one of our favorite locations in Honolulu. We took the ziplining tour and it was so cool! The tour is about 3 hours total in length and you get to zipline 7 different times with small hikes in-between each zip. The views were spectacular! Snorkeling is also a must! We got swim right next to a sea turtle which was quite an experience.

Visited Honolulu in October

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Amanda's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Marugame Udon - affordable, quick even when there was a line, very delicious!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Kamaka ukulele factory tour was a neat experience for the musically inclined!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

Bring help! Honestly it's tourist friendly so kids are welcome and expected everywhere but personally I wouldn't have been ready to do it with just us and our kids since they're still pretty young 🤪.

Visited Honolulu in October

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Kacee's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Giovanni’s shrimp truck is a must and the best one I tried! Haleiwa’s Joe’s for dinner and an amazing dinner view (don’t forget to order the prime rib and share it because it is a 2 inch cut of meat about 10-12 inches in length!)

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Driving around the north shore! Such a beautiful scenery! Snorkeling with turtles!!

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Honolulu?

Pack lots of outfits that you don’t wear on the daily because you’ll have lots of photos to look back on. Make the extra effort to get ready and wear those outfits!

Visited Honolulu in September

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Daniella in Honolulu for Flytographer

Heather's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Sweet E Cafe's for the warm, inviting local vibe La Pina Cantina for their scrumptious fish and pollo asado tacos North Shore-Hale'iwa- Giovanni's shrimp truck for the local food truck scene and the fresh grilled scampi and Sunrise Shack in Kaliua for the laid back vibe and fulfilling smoothie bowls Leonard's Bakery to check out the hype of the malasadas. For someone looking to experience authentic Hawaiian food, check out Helena's Hawaiian Food

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

1. Polynesian Cultural Center was an overall favorite activity of ours. Learning about each of the six Polynesia Islands through hands on activities and demonstrations was brilliant. Their Luau was delicious. Then the Ha Breath of Life show was stunning and visually pleasing. 2. Conquering Diamond Head hike to see the panoramic view. 3. Being able to swim with a dolphin. 4. Driving along the North Shore coastline for the spectacular ocean views

Visited Honolulu in September

Photo Shoot Location: Waialae Beach Park (South Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Leslie's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Konos (the bombers were to die for) and Cinnamons (those guava chiffon pancakes are the best thing I had the whole trip!)

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Surf lessons with Faith surf school and Parasailing with Hawaiian parasail. But really we just loved boogie boarding and playing on the beach/in the ocean on Waikiki beach (especially night swimming!)

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

If Diamond Head is a must do, try and do it the first morning you get there right at 6 am to take advantage of the kids wonky sleep routine. Even though we did this for sunrise, our kids still got way too hot and tired as we finished the hike around 7:45 am. Hanauma Bay was fun, but it was a lot of stress to get a reservation and a lot waiting in line to get to snorkel for a short time. I would recommend Sharks Cove instead (it’s free) and/or turtle beach if conditions are favorable (both on the North Shore).

Visited Honolulu in September

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Wendy's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Shore Fyre - great food and live music

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Snorkeling in sharks cove was better than hanamau bay and much easier to get to do!

Visited Honolulu in August

Photo Shoot Location: Paradise Cove

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Marivic's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Monkeypod in Ko Olina

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Circle Island tour with “Real Hawaii Tours” Ko Olina Adventures catamaran Polynesian Cultural Center! Waikiki beach walk

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

Traveling with teens- alternate busy days and relaxing days

Visited Honolulu in July

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Enzo in Honolulu for Flytographer

Sue's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Mokes was truly our favorite restaurant! They had the best lilikoi pancakes - fluffy, tasty and delicious!

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Seeing the Kualoa Ridge was incredible and we are so grateful to have taken our pictures there.

What is the best tip for going on your babymoon to Honolulu?

Honolulu is a buzzing place compared to any other island we've been and so there is truly so much to do and see. When in Honolulu, expect to be walking ALOT! Everything is JUST within walking distance where it doesn't make sense to drive and try to look for parking only to pay again. Bring walking shoes or cute comfortable sandals that won't hurt your feet!

Visited Honolulu in August

Photo Shoot Location: Kualoa Beach (Northeast Shore)

Natalie in Honolulu for Flytographer

Marya's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

Kai Coffee in Waikiki - some of the best 3rd wave coffee I've ever tasted. The long lines in the morning are well worth the wait.

Visited Honolulu in August

Photo Shoot Location: Kakaako Murals (South Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Janet's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

Paina luau

Visited Honolulu in August

Photo Shoot Location: Waikiki Beach (South Shore)

Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer

Jolinn's Travel Tips for Honolulu

What are the best places to eat and drink in Honolulu?

We absolutely loved the açaí bowls and smoothies at Sunrise Shack in Waikiki.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

There were so many fun activities for our whole family in Waikiki. We loved Pearl Harbor, the Ka Moana Lu’au at Aloha Tower, Diamond Head Trail, and of course the beach!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Honolulu?

If you have young kids like we do, a stroller wagon is definitely worth traveling with. We didn’t even need car seats because we took shuttles or walked everywhere. It was so easy and wonderful!

Visited Honolulu in August

Photo Shoot Location: Waikiki Beach (South Shore)

Daniella in Honolulu for Flytographer