Aloha Tower Marketplace
1 Aloha Tower Dr.
808-528-5700
Family friendly: Yes
Vistit historic Aloha Tower for waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment. Also, head up the elevator of Aloha Tower for a sweeping view of Honolulu.

Atlantis Submarines
1600 Kapiolani Blvd.
If you've ever wanted to ride in a submarine, you can take a tour with Atlantis Submarines. It is also a great way to see the underwater world without putting on a dive suit. The tours descend 150 feet below sea level and visit a wrecked boat, a sunken plane, and artificial reefs with colorful fish.

Dole Plantation Maze
64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy
Family friendly: Yes
Dole Plantation Maze boasts to be the world's largest maze with 1.7 miles of paths leading to six "secret stations". This is a fun diversion for children and adults alike. Located en route to the North Shore (about 45 minutes from Waikiki), the maze is open daily from 9am to 5:30pm. Allow one hour to complete the circuit.

Hawaii's Plantation Village
94-695 Waipahu St.
808-677-0110
Family friendly: Yes
Hawaii's Plantation Village is an outdoor museum that recreates the plantation lifestyle. Visitors will receive a strong sense of the plantation's harsh conditions after viewing the restored buildings that once housed Hawaii's sugar plantation workers brought to the islands from Japan, China, and the Philippines. The village is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.

Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy.
808-293-3333
Family friendly: Yes
This 40-acre complex highlights and celebrates the seven different cultures of the Pacific Islands by way of elaborate village settings and various interactive presentations. There is an IMAX Theater on site, as well as Hawaii's most extravagant luau featuring traditional music and dance from the Pacific Islands. The Cultural Center is closed on Sundays.

Sea Life Park Hawaii
4.1-202 Kalanianaole Hwy.
808-259-7933
Family friendly: Yes
This celebrated marine park features a walk-around viewing tank, interactive shows staring the park's marine mammals, a whaling museum, several shops, and many quality restaurants. Plus, Splash University offers a behind-the-scenes interactive look at the park's resident dolphins. The park is located several miles beyond Hanauma Bay and it is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Iolani Palace
364 S. King St.
808-538-1471 (general information), 808-522-0822 (reservations)
Tours of this magnificent Victorian building--the only royal palace in the United States--are offered Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 2:15pm. Tickets can be reserved by phone or purchased 30-minutes prior to tour time at the Royal Barracks on the palace grounds. Built between 1879 and 1882 by King Kalakaua, the palace was one of the first buildings in the world with both indoor plumbing and electricity. The award-winning restoration includes the royal thrones and other furnishings collected in recent decades. After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, the palace served as the executive and legislative headquarters of the provisional, territorial, and state governments. Restoration began after the new state capitol opened adjacent to the palace grounds. The palace was made available to the public in 1978. Children under five are not permitted.

Mission Houses Museum
553 S. King St.
808-531-0481
The oldest buildings in Hawaii--built in 1821 by the first group of New England Protestant missionaries to settle on the islands--the museum includes both the restored mission home and the printing house where some of the first books in Hawaiian were printed. The two-acre site, donated to the missionaries by King Kamehameha II, is within a block of Iolani Palace--significant of the close links between the missionaries and the Hawaiian ali`I (royals), who were the first social group to be converted to Christianity.

USS Arizona Memorial Museum
1 Arizona Memorial Plaza
808-422-0561
Family friendly: Yes
This memorial to the USS Arizona, is a moving and educational must-see. During the bombing of Pear Harbor, this fated battleship sank in less than 9 minutes, taking the lives of the 1100 crew members aboard. The 184-foot-long structure contains three main sections: the entry and assembly rooms; a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room displaying the engraved names of the soldiers killed on the Arizona. The exhibit is open seven days a week from 7:30am to 5pm.

Bishop Museum
1525 Bernice St.
808-847-3511
Family friendly: Yes
The Bishop Museum, founded in the 1880s by the husband of Princess Bernice Pauahi, has the world's finest ethnographic col lection of Hawaiiana, as well as one of the world's greatest collections of the artifacts of Oceania. In addition to this permanent collection, the museum offers special exhibits, including some aimed at children concerning Hawaii's cultural and natural history. There is also a planetarium with Pacific Rim oriented programing.

Blaisdell Center
777 Ward Ave.
808-591-2211
Family friendly: Yes
This arena serves as a venue for sports (basketball, wrestling sumo, etc.), hula competitions, rock concerts, the circus, and other grand-scale events.

Blaisdell Concert Hall
777 Ward Ave.
808-591-2211
Family friendly: Yes
The Blaisdell Concert Hall is home to the world-class Honolulu Symphony, the Hawaii Opera Theater, and Ballet Hawaii--whose December recital of "The Nutcracker" has become a Honolulu tradition. The Best of Broadway series, as well as performances by soloists and touring companies from around the world, are also worth seeing at this elegant hall under utilized by most visitors.

The Contemporary Museum
2411 Makiki Heights Dr.
808-526-0232
Family friendly: Yes, children 12 and over This opulent mansion is home to Honolulu's avant-garde art. There are changing exhibits on a wide range of subjects and in varied media. The beautifully landscaped grounds include a lovely sculpture garden, an excellent cafe, shop, and public library. This museum also hosts exhibits at the First Hawaiian Center in downtown Honolulu.

Diamond Head Theater
520 Makapuu Ave.
808-734-0279
Family friendly: Yes, depending on the production Diamond Head Theater is Hawaii's largest producing theater with a year-round schedule of high quality performances, including musicals, comedy, and drama. The cast is usually a mix of amateur and professional performers.

Hawaii Maritime Center
Pier 7
808-536-6373
Family friendly: Yes
This informative center narrates the story of Hawaii's maritime history and tradition--from the voyaging canoes and outriggers of Polynesian Hawaii, to the whaling era, China trade, and days when cruise ships made Boat Day a part of Hawaiian tradition. The Falls of Clyde, a century-old sailing ship, is permanently docked adjacent to the museum. The center is located in Honolulu Harbor next to the Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Hawaii Theater
1130 Bethel St.
808-528-5535
Family friendly: Yes, depending on the event Built in 1922 for vaudeville acts and converted soon after to a movie house, this is Hawaii's most grand theater. With a beaux arts interior that has been beautifully restored, the theater now hosts classic film festivals, live theater, off-Broadway touring shows, and avant-garde dance recitals.

Honolulu Academy of Arts
900 S. Beretania St.
808-532-8701
Family friendly: Yes
This small museum houses an impressive collection of arts from Asia, Europe, the continental Unite d States, and Hawaii. The collection includes native crafts, Euro-American furnishings, Asian sculpture, 19th-century Hawaiian art, more than 3,000 Japanese prints from the Michener Collection, as well as paintings by Van Gogh, Gaughin and other impressionists. There are also changing exhibits of local and international interest.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
11 Arizona Memorial Dr.
808-423-1341
Family friendly: Yes
After visiting the Arizona Memorial, guests will want to see the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. Tours are given of the World War II submarine that was known as the "Pearl Harbor Avenger."

Waikiki Shell
2805 Monsarat Ave.
808-591-2211
Family friendly: Yes
An outdoor venue with lawn seating, The Shell is a great place to watch under-the-stars performances of hula dancing, music by the Honolulu Symphony, and other great shows by guest artists around the world. Most performances occur during the summer months, with a few events in the spring and fall. Come early with a picnic dinner and mingle with the locals who flock to The Shell--a strong indicator of the venue's distinction and popularity.

Ala Moana Beach Park
On Ala Moana Blvd.
Family friendly: Yes
This beachfront park stretches one-mile off coast between the Ala Wai Canal and Kewalo Basin small boat harbor. Facilities include a shower and restaurant, open lawns, jogging/walking trails, and tennis courts.

Children's Discovery Center
111 Ohe St.
808-522-8910
Family friendly: Yes
The numerous high-tech games and interactive exhibits on science and government keep kids happily occupied for hours. This is a good spot to visit on a rainy day and is best for ages 5 through 14. The center is open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 1pm, and on the weekends from 10am to 3pm.

Diamond Head Crater State Monument
Enter from Diamond Head Rd., off 18th Ave.
808-523-4385
Family friendly: Yes
It's approximately .7 miles each way from the crater floor to the 760-foot summit of Diamond Head. The trail is asphalt and not too steep, until reaching the staircase that leads to the gun emplacements and bunkers atop the summit. From the summit, views of the south coast, and the Koolau and Waianae Mountains are spectacular. Since it can be a dehydrating hike, vendors sell water along the way.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Off Kanalianaole Hwy., just past Hawaii Kai
808-973-7250
Family friendly: Yes
This sea-flanked cinder cone provides a home to coral reef and reef fish. Parking is in a lot that overlooks the bay and spots are limited, so an early arrival is suggested. This is one of Hawaii's most unique coastal attractions. The bay is open from 6am to 6pm (7pm in summer), closed on Tuesdays.

Hawaii Nature Center/Koolau Trails
2131 Makiki Heights Dr.
808-955-0100
Family friendly: Yes
Environmental and educational programs for children are available in the Makiki Forest & Recreation Area. In addition, escorted weekend hikes are offered at select sites around the i sland. Call for reservations.

Honolulu Zoo
151 Kapahulu Ave
808-971-7171
Family friendly: Yes
This interesting and attractive zoo offers several first-rate exhibits, including a simulated African Savannah with free-roaming animals, as well as impressive snake and bird exhibits. Moonlight tours of the grounds are available on select nights. The zoo is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm.

Kapiolani Regional Park
200 acres at the base of Diamond Head.
808-971-2510
Family friendly: Yes
This popular park is comprised of nearly 200 acres of lawn offering access to The Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, The Waikiki Shell, The Waikiki Bandstand, The Natatorium, tennis courts, and Kaimana Beach.

Kodak Hula Show
808-627-3379
Family friendly: Yes
Held on the grounds adjacent to The Waikiki Shell, this free show is held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am to 11:15am. This particular hula presentation is marked by a playful, friendly atmosphere and includes audience participation.

Lyon Arboretum
3860 Manoa Rd.
808-988-0464
Family friendly: Yes
These 195 acres of tropical vegetation are maintained by the botanical researchers from University of Hawaii. The grounds are located in the foothills of the Koolau Mountains at the back of Manoa Valley. There are close to 10 miles of trails avialable Monday through Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Punchbowl
Punchbowl is a natural wonder, spectacular viewpoint, and sobering historical site. This extinct volcano crater draws visitors with its views of downtown and the ocean. But it's also a U.S. military cemetery and a traditional gravesite with over 25,000 bodies, including sacrifices from ancient Hawaiian times.

Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua Ave.
808-923-9741
Family friendly: Yes
A small but interesting waterfront facility with indoor and outdoor exhibits, viewing tanks, and special presentations. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Waikiki Beach
Family friendly: Yes
The Waikiki Beach itself is one of the most crowded beaches in the world, which for many people is what makes it fun.

Waikiki-Diamond Head Marine Life Conservation District
Offshore between Kapahulu Ave. and the Diamond Head lighthouse
808-587-0101
Family friendly: Yes
This coral reef, located 1/2-mile off of Diamond Head, is most easily accessed by kayak. Launch from Kaimana Beach Park, and be sure to bring snorkel gear as there's plenty of marine life to observe. Fishing is not permitted.