Looking for a one-stop destination for families? Look no further, because Oahu is the ideal vacation spot for families. The island of Oahu offers a wealth of unique, affordable and energizing options for the whole family. Fun-filled activities for kids and culturally enriching experiences make Oahu an exciting destination for families.
Attractions and Activities
Atlantis Submarine Adventures
Families can create life-long memories while exploring Hawaii’s mysterious undersea world aboard an exciting Atlantis submarine tour. Both parents and children will be thrilled with sights of sunken ships and hundreds of exotic fish on a one and a half hour journey to the great depths of adventure.
(808) 973-9811 or www.atlantisadventures.com
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Affectionately known as the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri allows families to learn about life at sea aboard the world’s last battleship. Guided tours of the WWII battleship are offered daily and invite visitors to explore Mighty Mo’s high-tech galleys.
(808) 455-1600 or www.ussmissouri.org
Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center
The Children’s Discovery Center, across from the Kakaako Waterfront Park in downtown Honolulu, offers children of all ages a “window to the world,” allowing them to explore and discover things about themselves and the world around them through interactive activities. Four major galleries and five hands-on interactive exhibits include: “Fantastic You,” which helps children discover the wonders of the human body; “Your Town,” a community in which children can play “grown-up” for a day; and “Hawaiian Rainbows,” which helps children to learn about what makes living in Hawaii special.
(808) 524-5437 or www.discoverycenterhawaii.org
Dole Plantation
The Dole Plantation “grows fun” for the whole family by offering a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities at their Central Oahu location. Attractions such as the Pineapple Express and the Plantation Garden Tour provide fun, interactive learning experiences for kids and adults. Families can also race through Dole’s Pineapple Garden Maze, the world’s largest maze, or browse the plantation center, which offers hundreds of unique pineapple souvenirs and delicious pineapple-themed food dishes.
(808) 621-8408 or www.dole-plantation.com
Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii
Make a splash with family and friends at Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii, which offers 25 acres of beautifully landscaped water rides and amenities. The tropical water park offers something for the whole family with a variety of age-appropriate slides, making it the perfect place to enjoy safe, secure and extreme fun under the sun. Experience the many thrilling rides including the “The Shaka” - a four story half-pipe; “Waianae Coasters” - more than 320 feet of coiling tube slides that drops, dips and twists down a four-and-a-half story cliff; “Raging River”- a white water rafting experience; and “Da’ Flowrider” - an artificial wave machine that allows people to feel the thrill of surfing. “Keiki Kove” is an interactive children’s fun pool, full of waterfalls, mini-slides, and animal floaties.
(808) 674-9283 or www.wetnwildhawaii.com
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Families can make the most of their Hawaiian vacation by heading to Hans Hedemann Surf School, which offers surfing lessons for anyone with a desire to surf. Parents and kids become students together as they discover the fundamentals of surfing and water safety. Friendly local instructors offer hourly private, semi-private and group lessons off the North Shore and Waikiki. Hans Hedemann Surf School is the perfect opportunity for families to learn about one of Hawaii’s most popular pastimes.
(808) 924-7778 or www.hhsurf.com
Honolulu Zoo
Located between the slopes of Diamond Head and Waikiki, the zoo is a place the whole family can enjoy. The Honolulu Zoo is the 42-acre home to 905 different animals from the tropics including komodo dragons, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians and a variety of African animals. Kids can also enjoy meeting domestic animals up-close at the Keiki Zoo and participating in various activity stations held throughout the zoo. For a relaxing family outing, the zoo hosts free weekly concerts in the summertime.
(808) 971-7171 or www.honoluluzoo.org
Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club
As one of the most historically significant destinations on Oahu, Kualoa Ranch offers a wide variety of outdoor activities and scenic tours for the whole family. Set on 4,000 acres of paradise on the windward side of the island, Kualoa Ranch aims to preserve, protect and enhance the natural beauty of the land while sharing its unique Hawaiian culture. Activities include horseback rides, ATVs, ranch and movie set bus tours and a treetop canopy zipline tour.
(808) 237-7321 or www.kualoa.com
Outrigger Catamaran Rides
Families can enjoy dramatic views of the beautiful skyline of Waikiki and Diamond Head aboard the smooth-sailing 45-foot long catamaran. Cruises are offered daily and can include snorkeling excursions, sailing cruises and sunset voyages. Parents and children can enjoy spotting green sea turtles and Humpback whales during the winter months.
(808) 922-2210 or www.sailholokai.com
Paradise Cove Luau
Paradise Cove Luau celebrates the exciting and interesting culture of the islands, offering something for the whole family with interactive games, crafts, activities, delicious Hawaiian food, and renowned dance performances. Guests share in Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage in the beautiful setting on the west side with the sun dropping into the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
(808) 842-5911 or www.paradisecove.com
Polynesian Cultural Center
The warm island spirit of aloha abounds at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii’s number one paid visitor attraction. Located on Oahu’s North Shore, the center features seven Pacific Island villages on 42 acres with hands-on cultural experiences and interaction, and boasts friendly tour guides eager to share their Hawaiian culture and heritage with visitors. Families can also enjoy a canoe pageant and an impressive luau, followed by dazzling hula performances at “Ha: Breath of Life” a spectacular evening show.
(800) 367-7060 or www.polynesia.com
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Always looking for new ways to bring the ocean world to visitors, Sea Life Park Hawaii added several new attractions to its already fascinating 62-acre marine park on Oahu’s east shore. Families can get up close and personal with the interactive dolphin adventures or swim face-to-face with stingrays. Parents and kids can also explore a 300,000-gallon tank and visit lively exhibits of sea lions, penguins, seals, turtles, and sharks.
(808) 259-2500 or www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument
Established on Oahu in 1949, the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument commemorates all World War II military veterans who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the battleship is no longer in commission, the Memorial serves as a national shrine symbolizing American sacrifice and resolve. Families can learn about the historical significance of the battleship through film viewing and guided tours. A downloadable Keiki Ranger Activity Book (for ages 3-6) and Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt (for ages 7-12) is available and designed especially for kids, helping them to embrace and enjoy history.
(808) 422-3300 or www.nps.gov/valr/
USS Bowfin Submarine & Museum
Families can explore this historic and intriguing World War II (WWII) submarine, making it easy to imagine what life on board was like as the USS Bowfin completed nine successful war patrols. Visitors can learn about the history of the ship with the Bowfin’s self-guided tours, explore the intriguing world of submarines in a fascinating museum, enjoy submarine-related films in a mini-theater, or visit the public waterfront memorial honoring American submariners lost during WWII.
(808) 423-1341 or www.bowfin.org
Waimea Valley
Located on Oahu’s scenic North Shore, the 1,800-acre valley features beautiful botanical gardens, wandering peafowl and a 60-foot waterfall. Families can enjoy interacting with the natural environment and easy access to rare Hawaiian flora and fauna in lush Waimea Valley. Parents and children can also stroll together through acres of paths and hiking trails, world-class botanical gardens and rich archaeological sites.
(808) 638-7766 or www.waimeavalley.net
Waikiki Aquarium
Famous for its collection of tropical fish, the Waikiki Aquarium features an interactive exhibit on the origins of Hawaii’s marine life and a giant exhibit with sharks and other reef predators for the whole family to explore. The Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat allows visitors to see and learn about this species of seal exclusive to the Hawaiian Islands.
(808) 923-9741 or www.waikikiaquarium.org
Wild Side Specialty Tours
On the leeward coast of Oahu, families can discover miles of uninhabited beaches, the most extensive coral systems in the state and pristine areas far off the beaten path. A husband and wife crew of this catamaran tour takes families, researchers, students, naturalists, photographers, and small groups of travelers to encounter the coastal marine life. This unique tour features one of a few known areas in the world that humans can swim with free-roaming dolphins.
(808) 306-7273 or www.sailhawaii.com
CLIMB Works Keana Farms
Families will be treated to an exhilarating ride at CLIMB Works Keana Farms located on Oahu’s North shore. Take on a course of eight dual ziplines, an ATV adventure to the ridge top, unique sky bridges and boardwalks, two rappels, and a rope climb. Guests can soar over an operational farm nestled between the North Shore’s famous beaches and lush mountains.
(808) 200-7906 or www.climbworks.com/keana_farms
Guided Tours and Cruises
Bike Hawaii
Explore Oahu’s lush valleys, cascading waterfalls and far-reaching coastlines by mountain bike, foot and boat with Bike Hawaii. The “From the Rainforest to the Reef” full-day adventure begins with a stream and waterfall hike through a privately owned tropical rainforest. The day continues with a leisurely downhill, road bike ride and ends with a relaxing catamaran cruise. Other half-day and full-day biking, hiking, sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling adventures are available.
(808) 734-4214 or www.bikehawaii.com
Navatek Sunset Dinner Cruise
Families aboard the state-of-the-art Navatek I, called “Hawaii’s smoothest cruise,” will be entertained by a show-stopping cast during lunch, dinner and cocktail cruises. All passengers can enjoy a superb dining experience that includes a delicious dinner buffet while coasting along Oahu’s beautiful coastline. Families are sure to enjoy the smooth ride and amazing views.
(808) 973-1311 or www.atlantisadventures.com
Star of Honolulu Hawaiian Cultural Lunch Cruise
The Star of Honolulu, Hawaii’s largest sightseeing cruise ship, offers families a Hawaiian lunch buffet along with the chance to whale watch from their 60 foot high observation deck. Fun cultural activities available onboard include lei making, ukulele and hula lessons.
(808) 983-7827 or www.starofhonolulu.com
Museums
Bishop Museum
Recognized as the principal museum of the Pacific, Bishop Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and natural history specimens. In addition, the museum features interactive exhibits and exciting programs for visitors of all ages, providing them with discovery, wonderment and adventure. Bishop Museum also offers families daily cultural activities, planetarium shows, sleepovers, and more.
(808) 847-3511 or www.bishopmuseum.org
Hawaii’s Plantation Village
The outdoor museum of 30 original and replica plantation homes and buildings offers families a glimpse of historic plantation life of the early 1900s through guided tours, demonstrations and exhibits. Hawaii’s multi-ethnic heritage is captured with intriguing displays of art and relics, depicting a time when sugar cane transformed the land, economy and culture of Hawaii.
(808) 677-0110 or www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org
Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM)
As one of the few state sponsored museums in the country, HiSAM, Hawaii’s newest museum, presents the largest and finest collection of work by Hawaii artists. In 1967, the Hawaii State Legislature passed the Art-in-State-Buildings Law, which established the Art in Public Places Program (APP). Hawaii became the first state to set aside one percent of the cost of state buildings to acquire and commission works of visual art. HiSAM is a “museum without walls,” allowing visitors to interact with art on a daily basis. Admission is free.
(808) 586-0300 or www.sfca.hawaii.gov
Honolulu Museum of Art
Celebrating years of activities, interactive children’s exhibitions and keiki-parent art programs, the Honolulu Museum of Art makes the world a smaller place through their extensive art collection. Kids can receive a variety of colorful Keiki Kits, entertaining them with art from around the world, hands-on sketching and other fun educational materials. Kids age 17 and under are admitted free.
(808) 532-8700 or www.honolulumuseum.org
Iolani Palace
The only royal palace in the United States, Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii’s last monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. Originally built in 1879, Iolani Palace has been painstakingly restored and is reminiscent of the grandeur of Hawaii’s monarch period. Families can enjoy a guided grand tour of the palace or stroll leisurely on a self-guided tour.
(808) 522-0822 or www.iolanipalace.org
Hawaiian Mission Houses
Families can take a step back in time and experience the social history of early 19th century Hawaii by visiting the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. New England-style saltbox homes at the museum include the Frame House, the oldest existing house in Hawaii, built in 1821. Families can explore the museum of missionary history, which includes a replica of the Ramage hand press used to print the first Hawaiian laws, newspapers, bibles, and schoolbooks. Families can also take guided tours lead by docents dressed in period costumes.
(808) 447-3910 or www.missionhouses.org
Queen Emma Summer Palace
A past era comes alive in the cool Nuuanu Valley, where the Queen Emma Summer Palace is located. The palace was built in 1849 and served as the royal retreat of King Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma. Families can enjoy strolling through the lush, surrounding gardens and revel in the area that the queen happily shared with her son, the young Prince Albert. Visitors of the historical country home can also examine Victorian and Hawaiian treasures, study rare and interesting artifacts and view personal memorabilia of Hawaii’s royalty.
(808) 595-3167 or www.daughtersofhawaii.org
Resource
Hawaii Tourism Authority / Oahu Visitor's Bureau / July 1, 2015
More Articles About Oahu
Oahu Island Travel Guide
Other Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
