Let me first start by saying there so much to do in Oahu. There is so much to do in Hawaii, but most people will tell you Oahu is the island that has it all–the historical element, surfing for anyone from first timer to professional, snorkeling, diving, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, a wide variety of beaches, great shopping, city life, top restaurants and more.
I shared these 6 Kid-Friendly Activities a while ago and these are still some of my favorites. In fact, my friend Amber and I did Kualoa Ranch in April with the kids and had so much fun. Diamond Head is a hike we do at least once a year because it’s kid-friendly and the views are stunning. And the Catamaran boat rides- it’s just a fun party every time!
Feel free to check out this longer Oahu Travel Guide I did a while back, but for today I want to just focus on my top 5 or so favorite activities and categories.
Hiking. There are so many beautiful hikes , but if I had to give you my top 3 they would be Diamond Head, Lanikai Pillbox, and Maile Pink Pillbox. Diamond Head is great for the whole family and the views are so beautiful all the way up. Lanikai Pillbox is also a family friendly hike, but I would say more for kids 6+. The same goes foes Maile Pink Pillbox. This is where we got engaged and where I found peace during the challenges of infertility, so it is particularly special to us. I would say it’s also ages 6+.
Iolani Palace. Iolani Palance was built in the late 1800s by the last king of Hawaii, King Kalakaua. When he passed it became the home of his sister Queen Lili’uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. Juliana and I visited Iolani Palance in 2024 and I honestly wish we had done it so much sooner. Queen Lili’uokalani did so much for Hawaii and its people and as heartbreaking as her story is, it is such an important part of Hawaii history and understanding how things were and came to be how they are today. The palace is also so beautiful and rich in history. You can get tickets here to visit.
The Beaches. Living in Hawaii you get spoiled with the beaches here. They are really some of the most stunning in the world and there are so many, each with their own unique look and beauty. I’ve noticed that whenever life feels very overwhelming or I need to change my headspace, just going to the beach for a few hours gives me that mental reset. Some of our favorite beaches are Ko Olina (right behind Aulani), Ewa Beach, White Plains, Ala Moana, Waikiki, Kahala, Lanikai, Turtle Bay, and Laniakea.
Shopping at Ala Moana Center. Ala Moana is an open-air mall with a variety of stores from every luxury designer to Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Nieman’s, etc. The main reason I mention it is because most luxury stores in Hawaii (Lousi Vuitton, Gucci, YSL, etc.) offer a discount on many if their items. I’ve been told it’s due to the tourism from Japan and exchange rate with the yen (without the discounts, visitors would pay more than at home so this evens the playing field). The bonus: US visitors receive a discounted price. While these luxury retailers offer the discounts statewide, Ala Moana has all the stores in one place.