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After visiting Hawaii many times, I thought I’d write about Oahu. It’s one of the most popular islands to visit, and there are a lot of things to see and do.
Whether you want to enjoy beautiful scenery, hike, or do touristy things, I have you covered. Our favorites include all of the above, and they’re things we’ve actually done.
I’ll also share what to know from our experience, and photos from our adventures. This might help you plan your trip!
Things to Do in Oahu
Chances are, you wouldn’t be able to hit all of these in one day, so pace yourself. And, most of these activities are outdoors, but you’ll go indoors for some, too.
So remember to grab your good walking shoes, a sun hat, and a water bottle. The sun is way more intense in Hawaii than on the mainland!
Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
If you’re staying on or near Waikiki Beach, you’ll be in Honolulu. You could explore that area during your whole trip and still not see everything.
From doing beach activities to hiking, you’ll have plenty to choose from. And you might not need to rent a car.
I like to balance my vacations by alternating days. One day I’ll stay in Honolulu, and the next I’ll explore beyond the area.
There’s so much to see over there, I wrote a blog post about it. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Honolulu, check it out.
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, the views are 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 our visits. 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.
I wrote a blog post about our visit, so you’ll want to check it out 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.
We visited the Buddhist temples, watched the Japanese Koi fish, and walked the grounds. The grounds are open daily, and the entrance fee is low.
When we arrived, there were barely any parking spots. So, you might have to wait for an opening.
You’ll want to check out my blog post before you go. I share more details about our visit there.
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.
We 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 donut, too!
Waimea Valley Nature Preserve
North Shore, HI
We found 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.
We 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. We didn’t stay that long because we had a reservation elsewhere.
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.
We took the Jungle Expedition Tour because everything else was booked out.
We arrived early and were first in line, but a lady working there said “families” get to board the jeep first. Well, we got separated.
The jeep tour took us to interesting places in the woods. We made some stops and walked around.
Our tour guide was great, but it was difficult to hear him. Someone watched a movie on his phone during the whole tour—ugh.
Polynesian Cultural Center
North Shore, HI
I’ve visited the Polynesian Cultural Center quite a few times. I learned about the 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.
When we went, they gave us a 3-day pass 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.
We 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.
“Good. What should I order then?”
“I don’t know, but I’m getting coconut and strawberry.”
And it 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. We always rent a car because we like to drive around and explore.
If you are staying in a hotel, check to see if they have a shuttle. 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.
Final Thoughts
Many times, I come to Oahu with plans to just relax on the beach all day. But there are so many things to do and see, so you might want to get out and explore a little.
I’ve taken many trips to Hawaii and still have many places to discover. I can’t wait to explore more of the island and add to this list.
More Travel Adventures
I have many other related posts that may interest you on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- For more, see things to do in Honolulu for places in that area.
- If you’re staying around Waikiki, I have a post on things to do over there.
- I’ll show you beautiful views in Hawaii from Oahu to Maui.
- If you hop over to Maui, you can visit Haleakala National Park, where I stood above the clouds.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: April 2, 2025
