Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Oahu

"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."

"This 1.7-acre park is located on a peninsula just south of town and offers spectacular views of an iconic landmark- an offshore islet complete with a beautiful arch in the middle, as well as the Mokualai Islet Seabird Sanctuary. Take some time to marvel at the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs as you ponder the legend of “Laniloa the Mo’o” (giant lizard) and his role in the formation of the small islands in the area. (We’ll leave you with that teaser so you can read about the legend once you get there- it’s located on a granite plaque mounted on a 6-ton lava rock.) Simply put, the views here are phenomenal and not to be missed."

"Crashing surf, a lava arch and a slice of Hawaiian folk history await at Laʻie Point. The tiny offshore islands are said to be the surviving pieces of a moʻo (lizard spirit) slain by a legendary warrior. To get here from the highway, head seaward on Anemoku St, opposite Laʻie Shopping Center, then turn right onto dead-end Naupaka St."

"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!"

"Located a few miles north of Honolulu, Sea Life Park is a great place for aquatic adventures. It mixes elements of a zoo, aquarium, natural park and wildlife sanctuary, and the results are a rollicking good time for all. What are the best activities in Sea Life Park?"

"< Potential add on: Sea Life Park Hawaii is just around the corner from Makapuu Lookout. They offer marine life shows and exhibits plus hands-on experiences with dolphins. For reviews of Sea Life Park see this link to TripAdvisor."

"Sea Life Park Hawaii is an aquarium, bird sanctuary, and marine wildlife park located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a roughly 25 minute drive from Waikiki Beach. 4.8 / 5 (8)"

"Not only can you enjoy the fine sand between your toes and the incredibly blue water at Sandy Beach Park, you can also grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks parked in the car park. If you love Mexican, Leilani’s Island Tacosshould be your next stop. 2 HUGE tacos full of flavour for only $10!"

"Continuing on Highway 83, make a stop at Kualoa Beach Park for a beautiful view of Mokoli’i, which is also known as Chinaman’s Hat. < Potential add on: Kualoa Ranch offers activities including horseback riding, ATV tour, zipline tour, ancient fishpond and garden tour and a movie site tour. You could easily spend an entire day here taking their tours. The movie site tour may be of particular interest for fans of LOST, Hawaii Five-0, 50 First Dates and Jurassic Park."

"Huge extended-family groups gather for weekend picnics on the wide, grassy field that fronts the narrow white-sand beach here. There’s good swimming, with magnificent mountain scenery as a backdrop and Mokoliʻi Island offshore to delight. Stroll south along the beach to ʻApua Pond, a brackish 3-acre salt marsh on Kualoa Point that’s a nesting area for the endangered aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt). Many bus tours stop here for comfort breaks."

"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!"

"A post shared by Hawaii Forest & Trail (@hawaiiforest) on Feb 22, 2019 at 9:04am PST. Another challenging yet promising adventure is the Aihualama Trail, where once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a picturesque and breathtaking view of the mountainous area against a blue sky. If you are lucky, the fog that appears from time to time makes it a picture-worthy spot and most importantly, makes the hike much more bearable and fruitful."

"Hawaii State Art Museum is a popular museum housed in the Capitol District building of Honolulu and holds the status of Hawaii Capital Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. With some unique exhibits showcasing contemporary artwork and artifacts, Hawaii State Art Museum allows the visitors to explore various Hawaiian art forms with free admission to the museum. There are three permanent galleries housed in the museum for Hawaiian Art and 132 artistic sculptures created by 105 renowned artists."

"0 km from city center 47 out of 58 places to visit in Honolulu. Hawaii State Art Museum is a popular museum housed in the Capitol District building of Honolulu and holds the status of Hawaii Capital Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. With some unique exhibits showcasing contemporary artwork and artifacts, Hawaii State Art Museum allows the visitors to explore various Hawaiian art forms with free admission to the museum."

"I can literally spend hours in the Nohea Gallery, perusing the endless creations made by over 400  Hawaiian community artist being represented in this special Oahu shopping gallery. I’ve personally taken a liking to the Norfolk Pine wood bowls that illuminate beautifully in the light. I personally bought a few of these wooden bowls for my own home."

"Other popular attractions in the Honolulu area include the Ala Moana Center (a large, open-air shopping mall), Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Punchbowl Crater (site of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) and an assortment of golf courses. Day 2 – North Shore Road Trip"

"This Center celebrates and educates the public about the ever-evolving Japanese-American experience in Hawaii. It offers a wide range of programs, classes, festivals and exhibitions throughout the year."

"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!"

"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."

"With deep-blue waters, a varied coastline and a mix of lava and white sand, Pupukea, meaning ‘White Shell,’ is a very scenic stretch. The long beach encompasses three areas: Sharks Cove to the north, Old Quarry in the center and Three Tables to the south. The waters off Pupukea Beach are all protected as a marine-life-conservation district."