Popular Gardens in Oahu

"Let me start by saying we rarely bother photographing man-made nature, such as botanical gardens. There is nothing inherently wrong with it, but it feels a bit inauthentic; it’s like building a wildlife photography portfolio by going to a zoo. With that said, the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens are absolutely worth the trip!"

"In one day, you can drive this 100-mile path with some beach hopping, but you might have to cherry-pick between the longer activities like the hike, Waimea Valley and the Polynesian Cultural Center if you don’t want to feel rushed. Depart early from Honolulu for your drive north through the farmlands and mountain views of the center of the island, to stretches of empty beachfront and the northwest terminus of the highway at Kaena Point. If you want to do some hiking, the Kaena Point Trail is a 3.5-mile, out-and-back path from the end of the road to the remote western point of the island inaccessible to vehicles."

"Next head to Waimea Valley to see Waimea Falls and swim in the pool at the bottom. This is a beautiful and sacred place and could definitely warrant a few hours of your time – we spent about an hour and a half there."

"Tour Waimea Valley where you can learn about Hawaiian culture, admire a beautiful variety of trees, shrubs and plants and enjoy a swim at a waterfall. (See this link for TripAdvisor reviews of Waimea Valley.)"

"Located in Makiki Heights, the second location of the museum is the Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House, which is a true hidden gem. Visit Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House is included in the ticket to a visit Honolulu Museum of Art the same day. Both the museums are quiet places, peaceful and beautiful but they are different in many other ways."

"A super popular choice for Fast Food delivery in Honolulu is Smoothies from Mr. Tea Cafe, which is described as “Cool and refreshing. Try any flavor with boba or lychee jelly”."

"La'ie Beach Park is known for the white soft sand and its surf zone. Not known by many, and not yet a popular destination for tourists, you can enjoy this lesser known place in all of its glory. The ticklish sand, the brilliant blue waters, the playful waves and the solitude is a setting that heals all!"

"Starting 2 miles above downtown Honolulu, a narrow switchback road cuts its way up into the Makiki Valley's forest reserves and climbs almost to the top of Mt Tantalus (2013ft), aka Puʻu ʻOhiʻa. There is a a profusion of tropical plants along the way, as vines climb to the tops of telephone poles and twist their way across the wires. This 8.5-mile circuit is a two-way loop called Tantalus Drive on its western side, Round Top Drive to the east."

"The Puu Ualakaa State Park is located in Round Top Forest Reserve. It is known for the views in the Tantalus Lookout."

"Located in Makiki Heights, the second location of the museum is the Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House, which is a true hidden gem. Visit Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House is included in the ticket to a visit Honolulu Museum of Art the same day. Both the museums are quiet places, peaceful and beautiful but they are different in many other ways."

"A short walk downhill from the UH Campus Center, the John Young Museum of Art features 20th-century Hawaii painter John Young’s collection of artifacts from the Pacific islands, Africa, Asia and Mesoamerica, mostly ceramics, pottery and sculpture. The museum has a lovely outdoor courtyard and hosts excellent special exhibitions – often with Hawaii themes."

"4 km from city center 51 out of 58 places to visit in Honolulu. John Young Museum of Art is an exemplary museum for exploring Asian, African, and Mesoamerican artworks. It is located in Krauss Hall of the University of Hawaii and features the art work of John Chin Young who was a famous Chinese sculpture."

"Located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, this museum features an outstanding collection that includes ceramic sculptures, wood carvings and bronze pieces dating back to ancient times."