Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Check out this list of the top 15 activities in Hawaii, USA that you won’t want to miss! From strolling around and exploring parks, all the way up through sightseeing tours and historical landmarks – we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
The Best Thing To Do in Hawaii
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (17294)
- Phone: +1 808-422-3399
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Top 15 Things To Do Hawaii, USA
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Address: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (10701)
- Phone: +1 808-985-6000
- Website: Link
- Reviews:
My boyfriend & I come here ALL the time to explore, get exercise, and get outta the house! Worth it to get the yearly pass if you’re local. Don’t know the prices for a one-time pass, but worth it IMO if you’re spending the day there. Weather can shift suddenly, and even on warm days, it’s good to bring a light jacket – just in case.
The landscapes & plant life are not only diverse, but otherworldly. Fans of hiking will not be disappointed, as there are trails for all levels of experience here. Just so, so beautiful!
By Jessica Hull, LMT, RCR (7 months ago)This is so worth it, even to drive through.My s.o. and I got a car pass for $30 just to drive through during our 1day trip, and it was so worth it. The views are incredible, and it is so hard to believe, even with visuals, what Mother Nature is capable of doing.
There are so many hikes available and so many places to see. The 20-mile drive through the Chain of Craters was absolutely breathtaking. We are eager to return to do some of the hikes and really dive into the history of this beautiful part of the island.
The drive throughout was worth the price, and with the receipt, you can enter the park for the next week – this shows the endless activities and sightseeing there is in the park.
By Viv (a month ago)What a unique treat to see an active volcano up close! The trails were not difficult to walk and the parking was fine (we were there early in the AM). Multiple places to view the volcano and many places for good pictures. The summit was very open and as you progress downward it becomes like a tropical jungle. Then you can finally get down to the eruption area (1 mile walk each way on an abandoned roadway) or even hike the bottom of the crater. Definitely worth the price of admission. From the airport area by Kona it will take about two hours to get here … plan accordingly.By Bryan Brendley (7 months ago)Went last night and got some epic views of lava! So when you enter the park turn left towards the
signs that say four craters (about 4-5mile drive) and park in the parking lot. There were still a lot of people around 11pm. The road is 90% paved so stroller friendly. Yayy! We have a baby so this was awesome to roll through. The last few hundred feet is gravel so you’ll need to either carry your stroller or take baby out and carry but it’s a really short walk to the viewing area about 3min walk. It was a 1mile hike each way so 2 miles round trip and flat throughout with very little steepness so definitely doable for everyone! Also pro tip if you go at night you don’t have to pay the entrance fees which are $30 per car, cheaper for walking or bikes as well. I’ve posted the admission pricing for you to view.We also ended up going straight first from the entrance to the lookout area where you can only see the red steam in the sky which is not as cool as the actual lava flow from the four craters lookout but they have a parking lot right in front if you want to check it out so no extra walking. Hope these tips help. Have fun!
By Ammara T (10 months ago)We stayed two nights at the historic “volcano house” in the national park. Nothing but praise for the accommodations, the staff, the dining. Last stayed here 15 years ago, and it shined through Covid 19. This is a special place on earth. Beauty in the rough. We were lucky to see active volcanic steam and even some red lava. A wonderful place on so many levels. If you have never been to an active volcano, please make this your first!By Alan MacFarlane (a year ago)
Haleakalā National Park
- Address: Hawaii, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (9396)
- Phone: +1 808-572-4400
- Website: Link
- Reviews:
This was my first time at this national park and it was absolutely breathtaking. Loved the hiking and multiple trails. Honestly it wasn’t that crowded on Thursday in April from my experience with other national parks. I would suggest not going on weekends because I think it would be more crowded. Loved the restrooms and parking spots available to visitors. They actually had working toilets and open parking spaces. It’s the little things at national parks. Yeah, I would just look at the photos to see how beautiful this national park is and you be the judge. I would recommend experiencing the rainbow 🌈 bridge and hiking the sliding sands trail. Sling sands is like this mars environment experience. I would highly recommend this national park if you are in Maui!By Brian Copes (9 months ago)It’s a long drive up, so be prepared for winding roads. It’s $30 for a regular car and they only take credit/debit, no cash. The view is absolutely stunning when you get the summit or various view points. It was a nice day when we went, but I would check the weather report before venturing to the summit.
The views is breathtaking and stunning. We went in the afternoon, but it would have been great to go during sunrise (requires a reservation) or sunset.
By Kevin G (Sincerity) (4 months ago)Views of the crater are beautiful. The road up the mountain is not as bad as some reviews make it out to be: there is one (fairly wide) lane in each direction, smoothly paved with pretty good shoulders on both sides in most places and a double yellow line marking the center. But watch out for bicyclers on the drive — there are loads of them.By Andrew Slatton (3 months ago)No wonder this is one of the most visited places in Hawaii.This place is not to be defined just by the sunrise views. It is absolutely stellar during other times of the day too. Don’t skip this just because you didn’t get a sunrise reservation. Go visit this place at any point and you won’t be disappointed.
Clouds beneath you, crazy curvy roads, hairpin bends, 10,000 ft elevation in an hour, changing terrains, the crater on top – everything is majestic and beautiful. There are 3 visitor centers on the way with restrooms. It’s super windy on top. We made the rookie mistake of not carrying a jacket to the top since the temperature was in the 90s in the town below. NOPE. Carry a jacket/pullover. It’s in the 50s up there!! Brrrrr!
By PK Kashyap (6 months ago)Absolutely beautiful! It feels like you’re in another world when you’re up here! Everyone needs to visit here at least once in their life! If you decide to hike on one of the trails, be aware that the hike back is all uphill! It’s a serious workout, but the views are amazing! The ride up to the volcano is a adventure in its self. Beautiful but be cautious. Many tight turns! We arrived around 10am on a perfect day. There are restrooms at the top, but no food or drinks. There’s also a small store inside the info center at the top to purchase some souvenirs. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen if you decide to hike. Also a light jacket or sweatshirt because it’s very windy at times and about 25° cooler than when you started at the bottom. $30 entrance fee, but worth every penny!By Brian Cannella (4 months ago)
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
- Address: Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (4501)
Iolani Palace
- Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (4219)
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
- Address: 48-5546 Waipio Valley Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (3058)
Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
- Address: Kapaʻa, HI 96746, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (1753)
Mauna Kea
- Address: Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hilo, HI 96720, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (1177)
Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
- Address: Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hilo, HI, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (957)
Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area
- Address: 44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (825)
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
- Address: Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach, Hawaii 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (778)
Waipi’o Valley
- Address: 48-5561A Waipio Valley Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (418)
Puakō Petroglyph Park
- Address: 1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (341)
Keck Observatory
- Address: 65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (159)
Best of Hawaii Tours and Activities
- Address: 1765 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4 (101)
Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve
- Address: Mauna Kea Humu’ula Trail, Hawaii, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (40)
That’s it for our list of the best things to do in Hawaii! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers too!
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Great experience, probably what impressed me (besides the history of what happened in Pearl Harbor) is that there’s oil coming out, you really can see it and smell it. The place is very very small, it is a quick walk. Of course it is a memorial so, not sure why people take small kids here, I would go to the Missouri boat with them instead
Really enjoyed our morning in Pearl Harbor. Facilities are much improved since my last visit 16 years ago. The reservations we easy to get and definitely the way to go. After a short intro to the memorial site, they take you over to it on a boat. Just enough time on the memorial to look around, talk to the rangers and get any photos. The museums are full of info and artifacts. This site participates in the Junior Ranger program for kids. Also make sure to arrive early since parking is limited and no bags of any kind inside the gates. Definitely worth checking this historic site out.
It was humbling and an absolute honor to be able to visit Pearl Harbor.
Please be aware you should RESERVE a ticket to go visit the USS ARIZONA. Also if you want to visit Ford Island where the Memorial of the USS OKLAHOMA and USS MISSOURI are you either need to be a member of the military and have an ID proving this or have a seat on the shuttle bus, otherwise you will NOT be allowed to see them except from a distance… they are on an ACTIVE MILITARY BASE.
The museums at Pearl Harbor are very informative, and have lots of WWII history on display, please visit and learn! Also, I think you would benefit greatly from watching the short video provided BEFORE visiting the USS ARIZONA, it provides more perspective and makes more of an emotional impact on what you are seeing, what those people who were there fought and died for. Be quiet and respectful at all times while visiting this Memorial.
What an amazing experience. The passport package was the way to go as this offered the most sight seeing and the whole experience. The boat ride and memorial was sobering and impactful for myself as well as my children. The stories told by the staff were amazing and truly hit you in the heart. You can spend 3 hours to all day and be extremely happy.
So this review will primarily address the Battleship USS Missouri tour.
Arrived at Pearl Harbor National Park around noon on Friday and walked through security to purchase 2 tickets. No issues. If you have a military or veteran ID present it for a discount. Discount is only for the individual holding the card.
Drove to the Battleship on Ford Island (ensure you can do that as the Island is actively guarded and has restricted access, if not no biggie as there is a nice air-conditioned bus to take you).
We walked to the entrance. Go to the end, basically where the ship is, and turn left. Past the concession stands there is another checkpoint to enter the ship. They will take your picture there and then you proceed to the ship. If you want buy a bottle of water at one of the stores and you can bring it along otherwise no food and beverages are allowed.
As we boarded a volunteer group informs you of a free guided 3 stop tour. We opted for the tour and enjoyed it greatly.
Price seemed expensive but the experience was unique, educational, and fun.
Highly recommend if you have the time.