Oahu offers a variety of activities for family vacations, business trips, or solo getaways, including visits to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, and Makapuu Point. The island also offers shopping, nightlife, and outdoor activities. Contact the Board of Tourism for more information.
Sometimes known as one of the true jewels of the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Oahu has so much to offer. Whether your trip to Oahu is a family vacation, business trip, or just a change to get away on your own for a change of scenery, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. Here are a few examples of things that should be part of any trip to Oahu.
For family vacations, a visit to the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium is a must. Although sometimes overlooked by many tourists, this attraction has the distinction of being the third oldest aquarium in the United States open to the public. The facility also sits on land that was formally under the control of Hawaiian royalty, and has been granted to citizens of the islands for their use. With programs and exhibits that chronicle the history of the Pacific and the rich variations on the area’s aquatic life, children and adults alike will find it easy to spend hours at this attraction.
No visit to Oahu is complete without visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center. Considered by some to be the most popular of all attractions, the Center showcases forty-two acres of beautifully cultivated landscape that allows visitors to learn about Hawaiian history. Besides learning about the role of the royal family in the history of the islands, tourists are also treated to traditional foods, the chance to participate in luaus, and even learn about and see island entertainment such as hula dancing.
Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial continue to draw people from all over the world. Dedicated to the memory of the more than 1,000 American servicemen who lost their lives at the site, the memorial elicits strong reactions even from visitors who weren’t alive at the time of the bombing. Nearly two million people visit the site every year.
If hiking is your thing, a trip to Makapuu Point is a must during your stay on Oahu. The hike to the point usually takes an hour each way and includes some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Many visitors choose to hike near sunrise or sunset, as the Point offers views that are especially breathtaking during those times of day.
In addition to the sites to see, Oahu also offers plenty of shopping, nightlife, and fun in the sun to complement your visit. Be sure to contact the Board of Tourism for information and suggestions for other great activities to do while on Oahu.
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