Honolulu

Hawaii's most iconic landmark — a 300,000-year-old volcanic tuff cone rising 232 m above Waikiki. The 2.4 km round-trip summit trail delivers sweeping 360° views across Honolulu, the Ko'olau Range, and the Pacific Ocean.

The only royal palace on American soil — the official residence of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani. A beautifully restored Florentine-style palace that tells the poignant story of the Hawaiian Kingdom's overthrow in 1893.

The world's most famous beach — a 3 km arc of white sand backed by the glittering Waikiki skyline with Diamond Head in the background. Crystal-clear, calm water perfect for first-time surfers and families, with gentle waves broken by a reef.

A lush 2.4 km jungle trail through Manoa Valley leading to a dramatic 24 m waterfall in a mossy amphitheatre of bamboo, gingers, and towering trees. One of Oahu's most accessible and rewarding short hikes.

A legendary James Beard Award-winning institution since 1946 serving traditional Hawaiian plate lunches — pipikaula short ribs, lomi salmon, poi, and kalua pork. Cash only and worth every minute of any queue.

Chinatown's most celebrated restaurant — Andrew Le's Vietnamese-influenced fusion cuisine with phenomenal pho, creative small plates, and a lively open kitchen. A favourite of locals and visiting chefs alike.

A no-frills Kapahulu classic since 1952 serving the most authentic Hawaiian plate lunches on Oahu — tender kalua pig, chicken laulau, haupia pudding, and lomi-lomi salmon. Strictly local, brilliant quality.

Honolulu's most acclaimed fine-dining restaurant from Top Chef alums Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush. A sophisticated open kitchen serving local Hawaii ingredients in a creative, globally influenced tasting menu format.

Honolulu's most iconic local drive-in since 1961 — the plate lunch spot that every islander grows up eating at. Mixed plate with two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and your choice of protein.

One of the most atmospheric bars in the world — an open-air oceanfront terrace at the legendary Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach. Live Hawaiian music, hula dancing, and Diamond Head glowing at sunset.

Honolulu's most celebrated craft cocktail bar — a moody, intimate Chinatown spot run by one of Hawaii's finest bartenders. Rotating seasonal cocktails made with local spirits, Hawaiian produce, and house-made ingredients.

A stylish rooftop pool bar at the Sheraton Waikiki with sweeping panoramic views across Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Signature rum cocktails, live DJs, and an electric Waikiki atmosphere at sunset.

Honolulu's most beloved specialty coffee shop, tucked in Manoa Valley. Single-origin local Kona and Ka'u beans brewed with serious care, alongside exceptional housemade pastries and açaí bowls.

Honolulu's most iconic shave ice shop since 1940 — ultra-fine ice shaved to a snow-like texture and drenched in your choice of house-made Hawaiian fruit syrups. A quintessential Hawaii experience.

Hawaii's most spectacular snorkelling beach — a protected marine sanctuary inside a collapsed volcanic crater, teeming with green sea turtles, parrotfish, and hundreds of tropical reef species in brilliantly clear water.

Consistently rated among the world's top beaches — a sweeping 3.2 km arc of powdery white sand on the windward coast with turquoise, calm water, and views of the Mokulua Islands. Perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming.

America's most visited military memorial — the USS Arizona Memorial floating above the sunken battleship, the mighty Battleship Missouri (where WWII ended), the submarine USS Bowfin, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. A profoundly moving half-day.

Hawaii's top-rated attraction — an extraordinary living museum on the North Shore run by Brigham Young University Hawaii students from across Polynesia. Six village islands representing Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, and Aotearoa, plus an evening luau and spectacular Broadway-calibre show.

The legendary North Shore of Oahu — home to the world's most famous big-wave surf breaks (Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay) and the charming surf town of Haleiwa. Shrimp trucks, acai bowls, and the authentic aloha spirit away from Waikiki's crowds.

A spectacular 45–60 minute doors-on or doors-off helicopter flight circling the entire island of Oahu — over Diamond Head, the Ko'olau cliffs, the Windward Coast, the North Shore surf breaks, and Pearl Harbor from the air.