Honolulu is situated on the he Polynesian island of Oahu at the center of the North Pacific Ocean. Apart from being the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is also the fiftieth and American youngest state. Its location in the tropics implies that the weather is always warm and the surface is always up. This city offers a perfect mix of culture, nature, sports as well as shopping all in one place. With America’s royal palace located at its core as well as Pearl Harbor just nearby, there is a lot you will discover from this city.
You can start your tour by going to the Bishop Museum where you will get information on Polynesian voyages that came to this city many years back. The people of Hawaii as well as the first Europeans to settle here were fascinated about that the majestic profile that the Diamond Head Volcano has, and up to today it is still an attraction. You can take a short trail to circular rim and enjoy the commanding views of the island as well as the picture-perfect coastline.
You can also climb up the Aloha tower and from there you can enjoy seeing the developments in Honolulu that have led to it becoming a modern urban Centre. It is a meeting place for Hawaiian business men and women. Tourists are also popular in this city but they are mainly interested in watersports and beaches. Whichever time of the year, you can go there for swimming, standup paddle-boarding among many other fun activities.
You cannot miss to see Lolani Palace which is a National Historic Landmark and the only state residency of royalty in the United States. It was built for King David Kalakua and his queen Kapi’olani way back, around 1893, but it has now been heavily restored. It includes priceless objects as well as beautiful decorative touches that you will definitely like.
Another famous attraction in Honolulu, Hawaii is the Capitol District. If you have a few days to spend in this state, make sure that you spend one of them here. It is concentrated with historic landmarks, a palatable Asian marketplace, alluring shops, restaurants and galleries as well as a neighborhood of fragrant lei stands. When you just want to sit and contemplate, this place will offer you an ample store of shady mini-parks as well as cool retreads on hand.
Waikiki Waterfront is another must-see when you are in Honolulu, Hawaii. It covers two miles from Ala Wai Bridge to the splendid Diamond Head. This is the epitome of the Hawaiian dream because it offers you vibrant nightlife as well as gentle surf in the ocean. On the street that leads to this oceanfront, there are storied hotels, parks and numerous attractions that will capture your attention. There are beautiful plantings spread up the street and along Waikiki beach, there are nice seating areas as a well as a waterfall that is a very good ‘photo op’ spot.
You should not forget to pass by Honolulu Academy of Arts. It is the sole general art museum in Hawaii that was founded back in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, the electric collector who had a home that was crammed with over 4,500 pieces of artwork. It comprises a total of 30 art galleries. It features a gracious stucco-and-tile style that was erected on the site of Cooke’s original house. You will love the Asian paintings inside this art museum.
Kane’ohe, which is at a commuting distance from Honolulu, is another place that you should make an effort to see when you are in Hawaii. It is the gateway to the North Shore as well as its country-style life. It is inhabited mostly by native Hawaiians and it has a host of many historic sites. Some of the differences that you will note the moment you reach there include many pickup trucks, parked vehicles selling Hawaiian foods and fresh fish as well as a slower pace.
Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu is also a great destination for fun and enjoyment. You can go surfing, canoeing, or you can just relax on the beach. It is a beautiful white sand beach that is great for both kids and adults. Whether you would like to play sports in the sand or you would rather just lay back and watch the sunset, this is the place where you need to be. It is just a short distance from Waikiki. It is more family oriented and much less crowded.
