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Well, if you’re tired of shopping or want to explore beyond Waikiki and Honolulu, this is for you! After many visits, I’m giving you some things to do in Oahu.
Whether you want to visit a botanical garden, see the view from historic cliffs, or still do touristy things, I have you covered. And they’re things I’ve actually done.
I’ll share what to know, information about these places, and tips. Here we go!
Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
Wait! I know I mentioned this post is for going beyond Honolulu and Waikiki. But they’re technically in Oahu too, and Honolulu covers a lot of ground!
So I’ll mention that I wrote a blog post about things to do in Honolulu and also in Waikiki. Now on to our first stop!
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
Kaneohe, HI
The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout is about 5 miles from downtown Honolulu. To reach the places on my list, you’ll want to drive through the Pali Highway tunnels.
This is one of the most beautiful highway drives I’ve ever seen. I’ll just let you see the lush for yourself.
When you get to the lookout, it’s unreal. We’re talking panoramic views of the coastline and breathtaking scenery.
The historic Battle of Nu’uanu took place here. Every time I go to the cliffs, I experience strong wind gusts.
I wrote a blog post about it. You’ll want to check it out for more details.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Kaneohe, HI
After visiting the Pali Lookout, you might want to stop by the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. This is such a beautiful refuge.
They have all the tropical plants that you’d find in Hawaii. Plus, you can learn more about nature here.
It’s a peaceful place to take a stroll, hike, or picnic.
No reservation is needed and it’s totally free to visit. They are open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You’ll want to check out my blog post before going.
Byodo-In Temple
Kaneohe, HI
The Byodo-In Temple is one of the most peaceful places on the island. And it’s not too far away from the gardens.
Located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, you’ll find serenity. The views of the towering mountains in the background just blew me away.
Visit the Buddhist temple, watch the Japanese Koi fish, and walk the grounds. They’re open daily, and the entrance fee is low.
Get there early for parking, as you might have to wait for a spot.
You can check out my blog post before you go. I share more details about visiting.
Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail
Kaneohe, HI
Another place you’ll find in the Valley of the Temples is the Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail. But, this is not an easy stroll in the woods type of trail.
You can park in the shopping center near McDonald’s. You’ll have to walk parallel to the road to find the trailhead.
This hike was a short 2.3 miles round trip, but pretty challenging. I went through a lot of elevation and used a rope in some areas.
I was too busy trying to survive this trail to take any good pictures. It can get muddy in some places, and the mosquitoes got me.
In fact, this is where I slipped and then hit my head—hard. Ouch!
Despite all that, I made it to the end, stood on an old bunker, and saw beautiful views of Kaneohe.
Farmer’s Market
Kaneohe, HI
If you visit the botanical gardens or hike that trail, you’ll be close to Kaneohe. You might want to stop by the farmer’s market at the Windward Mall.
It’s a small mall, but they have a lot of shops and some eating places. Enter by the Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant, and you’ll find the farmer’s market.
I came here on a weekday and found locals selling fresh fruits and veggies, sweet bread, honey, and other handmade items. It was a small market with lots of people shopping.
They are open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to check the mall website for any changes.
And right outside the mall is a Leonard’s Donuts stand. So you could grab a sweet treat too!
Waimea Valley Nature Preserve
North Shore, HI
There are more botanical gardens at the Waimea Valley Nature Preserve. They also have nice hiking trails here.
You can take a short walk to see the Waimea Falls. They also have other trails through the botanical gardens.
I visited an ancient site and saw how the first Hawaiians lived. They have presentations and hands-on activities to learn about the culture.
When I return, I’ll write a whole blog post about this place, because I wasn’t able to stay long.
Kualoa Ranch
Kaneohe, HI
Kualoa Ranch is a private nature reserve with outdoor activities. They have zip lines, horseback riding, and bike tours around Jurassic Valley and Skull Island.
I took the Jungle Expedition Tour because everything else was booked out, so make a reservation for the adventure you want to do.
The jeep tour went to interesting places in the woods. We made some stops and walked around.
The tour guide was great, but it was difficult to hear him at times. I’d return to try some other activities there.
Polynesian Cultural Center
North Shore, HI
I’ve visited the Polynesian Cultural Center quite a few times. You can learn about different Hawaiian cultures through hands-on experiences.
I admit, this is one of the touristy things to see. That’s okay because if you visit Hawaii to vacation, travel, or look around—you are a tourist.
I have spent the whole day walking around and watching presentations at the cultural center. And I enjoyed myself.
On my last visit, they had 3-day passes for the price of one day. They’ve had this deal for the last few years, so hopefully it continues.
You’ll find island presentations about Hawaii, Aotearoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. I share more details about my experiences in my blog post.
North Shore
North Shore, HI
The North Shore is a great place to drive around and see surfers. And you can surf at Ehukai Beach Park or Banzai Pipeline, if that’s your thing.
On some days, many people flock here. And it might be hard to find parking as it’s a popular place.
I like to watch people ride the huge waves. It’s unbelievable how big they get in this area.
But if you want to surf around here, check the weather reports. Make sure you’re at the level to handle these kinds of waves.
The North Shore has many nice restaurants and little shops. It’s a nice place to hang out and relax for the day.
Kuilima Farm Stands
North Shore, HI
While on the North Shore, you might want to stop by Kuilima Farm Stands. They sell fruits and other tasty treats.
This is where I go for Kula Shave Ice, my favorite Hawaiian treat
Now, many places sell shaved ice, and I’ve just about tried them all. But I keep coming back to this spot.
The last time I visited, a lady behind me in line said, “Oh, do you know if this place is good? We drove all the way over here because we read it’s good.”
“Yes, I can certainly say it’s good. I’ve been here many times before,” I said.
Well, the strawberry and coconut was delicious, as usual! Plus, they have a sitting area where you can relax and take pictures of the beautiful farmland.
Travel Notes
Oahu is a popular vacation destination, so you’ll want to plan ahead and book reservations if needed.
Remember, these places will be outside of Honolulu. So you need transportation to get around the island.
Oahu has a bus system and ride-share options, or you can rent a car.
Many shuttle services and tour companies will take you to popular destinations on the island.
It takes time to drive from Waikiki Beach to the North Shore. It may look close on a map, but you’ll want to stick to the speed limits and drive safely!
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