Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Oahu

"The USS Missouri Battleship Memorial is also worth visiting while you are in Pearl Harbor. If you’d like more military and history insights of Pearl Harbor, you might consider visiting the USS Bowfin and the Pacific Aviation Museum."

"Together with the Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri' s presence in Pearl Harbor perfectly bookends America's World War II experience,…"

"After that, make your way to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s a bit expensive, but I highly recommend the tour that includes the luau and night show."

"Visit Oahu’s number one paid attraction, where you’ll experience the food, fun, and adventure of six Pacific islands, all in one place."

"A wide arc of sand drapes around the jewel-colored waters of Kailua Bay, with formidable volcanic headlands bookending either side and interesting little islands rising offshore. It’s ideal for long, leisurely walks, family outings and all kinds of aquatic activities like kitesurfing and windsurfing. The beach has a gently sloping sandy bottom with usually calm waters; it’s excellent for swimming year-round, especially in the morning. The wind can blow any time but generally kicks up in the afternoon."

"Just up the road is another one of the most popular Instagram spots on all of Oahu; Kaiula Beach Park. Drive safely, as the road will take you up a scenic drive with views of the most inviting beach you’ve ever laid eyes on. Not becoming distracted by the siren call of Eden out your window will be one of the most difficult things you will have to do during your time on Oahu!"

"Take a 12 mile drive northeast to Kailua Beach to find exciting waterfront activities. A crescent-shaped, 2.5 mile stretch of glorious bright-blue ocean and sandy beach, Kailua Beach is the place for all sorts of sports from windsurfing to kayaking. Kayak or paddle board out to the protected seabird sanctuaries of Flat Island and the Mokulua Islands."

"This Shintō shrine was built by Japanese immigrants in 1906. It was confiscated during WWII by the city and wasn’t returned to the community until the early 1960s. Ringing the bell at the shrine entrance is considered an act of purification for those who come to pray."

"SNACK ON FRESH PINEAPPLE AT THE DOLE PLANTATION If you're planning on visiting North Shore, be sure to stop for fresh pineapple slices at the Dole Plantation—it's on the way!. They also have Dole Whip (you know, the same yummy concoction you can buy outside the Tikki Room at Disneyland) but after learning all about pineapples and how to pick the perfect one, I couldn’t pass up a big ‘ole cup of the juicy fruit in its natural form. My favorite part of this experience was learning that it takes two years for pineapple to harvest fruit—TWO YEARS."

"After all that deliciousness, make pit stops as suits your interests and on the way back down to Honolulu, see if there’s time to squeeze in the Dole Pineapple Plantation off of Highway 99 which closes at 5PM. It’s a little bit of a tourist trap, but still fun just the same, especially for the kids. The pineapple maze is lots of fun as is the Pineapple Express that takes you around the grounds. Most likely you won’t have much time though, so I’d recommend checking out the Dole store and indulging a bit more with their pineapple soft serve."

"As nighttime soon approaches it’s time to make your way through central Oahu down the Kamehameha HWY towards Waikiki but not without one last stop at theDole Plantation. I mean, sure some may say this is a “tourist” trap but it was still worth the stop if anything just for the Dole Whip Icecream!. Did you know… In 2008, Guinness World Records named Dole’s Pineapple Garden Maze the world’s largest maze made up of 14,000 colourful Hawaiian plants. Operating hours are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm."

"If you don’t like sand and prefer to stay away from the ocean, Kaka’ako Waterfront Park is the place for you. At first it won’t seem like much, but as you walk east along the path to the very end is a great view of Honolulu and Diamond Head. This is also a great place for surfers so you might see a few wipe outs while you’re there as well."

"Looking for a place to try some traditional Hawaiian food during your visit?. Then head to Highway Inn in downtown Honolulu. (Hawaii Magazine named this spot the best Hawaiian food restaurant in town)."

"Wish I could rate this place higher but it just did not live up to the hype or high ratings. I don't know anything about authentic hawaiian food so ..."

"Cumin lamb, dan dan noodles, mapo tofu: With a chef from Sichuan Province, Legend Seafood Restaurant’s new sister eatery at Chinese Cultural Plaza is getting good buzz among Chinese food aficionados."

"If clubbing isn’t your thing, go to the best dive bar on the island, Arnold’s Beach Bar. Arnold’s is at the end of Waiks off of Saratoga road so you may have to walk a bit, but it’s definitely worth it. They serve pitchers of Kona and Maui brew company, it’s dirty, it has a lot of charm, and there are a decent amount of local (white) people to interact with."

"Arnold’s Beach Bar in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood calls itself “the last tiki bar” in the area. It’s a bit off-the-beaten-track, tucked away in a back alley, but Arnold’s is definitely worth seeking out. Here, customers enjoy some of the best drinks in Honolulu, from the Mai Tais to the margaritas."

"This is a well-hidden bar that is perfectly located for a quality time of relaxation and fun. The prices are unbeatable and so is the lovely music too. The umbrella drinks here are very cheap and so are the hotdogs."

"People visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii|© Phillip B. Espinasse / Shutterstock. This memorial commemorates the stories of the Pacific War, including the events of Pearl Harbor, the internment of Japanese-American citizens and the occupation of Japan. A main part of the memorial is the USS Arizona monument, which marks the resting place of 1,102 sailors and Marines who were killed on the battleship during the surprise attack in 1941."

"Make your way over to Pearl Harbor and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument by car and spend the rest of the morning exploring the various exhibits that will get any World War II buff excited. Make sure you get tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial Tour right when you get there which consists of a 25-minute documentary film and a boat trip out to the Memorial."

"You can visit the Pearl Harbor Museums, the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, Pacific Aviation Museum and plenty more. It was a very moving experience and definitely worth the visit."