How to Spend a Fun Weekend in Honolulu: adding Oahu to a Hawaii Trip

Highlights of a Weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii

So why would we say that you should plan a weekend in Honolulu when you have so many other wonderful options across the different Hawaiian Islands? Well, long story short: Honolulu offers the great things about a city with the awesome things about Hawaiian nature all around it. Add to that historic sites, both for the Hawaiian people and the USA as a whole, and it’s a fascinating place to visit. Honolulu is indeed a large city, complete with a freeway, but it’s also just steps to nature and the beach.

It’s funny to wake up in the morning in Honolulu and go for a walk to the beach and enjoy the sunrise and the waves crashing and then walk back to your Waikiki neighborhood hotel along Kalakaua Ave past the Gucci and LV stores… but your day is redeemed when you head out for a hike at one of the beautiful craters or the dense forest. You can escape the mass consumerism within a five minute drive and it’s amazing. Not every beach near Honolulu is developed and not every hike is jam packed or requires a reservation.

Also, I find that a lot of people visiting Honolulu, whether for a weekend or for their whole trip to Hawaii, aren’t going for some of the lesser known sights and activities, but are there for a Waikiki trip, maybe with a day trip up-island, so beyond the main drag, Oahu and the Honolulu area are really beautiful and fun to visit. Yes, there are tours that leave from Oahu and take droves of visitors to popular spots like the Kualoa Ranch or Dole Pineapple Farm, but there are some wonderful hidden gems to enjoy on your own, including local tour operators who do fun boat trips or niche island tours. You’ll find all kinds of non-Waikiki things to do for a weekend in Honolulu.

Note: Like with many cities, Honolulu has a great pass program that combines lots of paid activities into one ticket for a lower price. The Go City pass is a great idea for a weekend in Honolulu, as you can choose how many days you want the pass for.

Get the Honolulu Go City pass here!

Weather When you Visit Honolulu

Being Hawaii, Honolulu is extremely temperate. A hot day usually is in the mid to high ’80s and a cold day is usually in the mid-70s. also, knowing that it’s Hawaii, you have to know that rain is going to roll in randomly throughout the day. we’ve had light rain in the morning and heavy rain in the afternoon and vice versa. There are times when we’re out on a hike and a cloud will roll past us and we’ll get a little bit wet and then 2 minutes later the sun is scorching us. Basically, when you are packing for any type of trip to Hawaii, but specifically Honolulu, you want to make sure that you have quick drying clothes that can keep you nice and cool.

I never worry about being cold when we are are on Oahu or Kauai, which is very different from how we pack for the Big Island or Maui. on the big island and Maui. We often do hikes that really take us up in elevation either out on Haleakala or Mauna Kea, but on Oahu we tend to stay in a zone that doesn’t get too chilly. One thing that always surprises me about Oahu is how windy it is. I mean it’s not like Chicago, but Honolulu on any given weekend can have a nice consistent breeze with some good gusts. As you head over to the east side to Wawamalu (Sandy Beach) or Waimanalo, there’s a solid breeze over there too. And then if you’re hiking, as you hit the peaks of your hike, that wind really kicks up. It’s not a bad thing and it doesn’t make it so it’s too cold, but it’s just something to know. if you’re wearing hats make sure they fit properly.

Where to Stay for a Weekend in Honolulu

We all know that Hawaii is a more expensive destination to visit, but Honolulu is one of the more expensive cities we’ve ever been to. when you’re planning your budget for a weekend trip to Honolulu, keep in mind that just like in the lower 48, a weekend is going to bring a premium price. if you are adding on a few days in Honolulu or on Oahu in general, you can get some better deals midweek.

I like that Honolulu itself has lots of national travel brand hotels because it’s easy to either use points or earn points while we’re there. We are big advocates for traveling with points and Honolulu makes that easy. And as cheesy as it sounds staying just off of Waikiki, it’s actually really smart. It’s nice to have a walking distance beach and lots of food options. Also, it’s easy to exit from the east end of Waikiki to activities like Diamond Head or if you want to go over to Hawaii Kai. Traffic can be a pain from this end of Waikiki if you need to get to the other end, like if you have a boat trip going out of one of the marinas, but for every other activity on the edge of Honolulu, it’s a great location.

If you are spending longer on the island of Oahu, you may want to consider staying in Honolulu proper, but look at some of the other hotel and resort options around the island. If you want a weekend in Honolulu, staying off Waikiki really as our top pick simply for the convenience of it.

Things to Do for a Trip to Honolulu

We always say with any destination we enjoy, there is so much more to do than just what we’re recommending. A city like Honolulu that is both diverse and with nature just at its edge means that you can find ample things to do beyond our top picks if you want to extend your stay. I like to write about cities for a weekend because it gives a great base of activities for the city-minded people, but don’t for a moment think that Honolulu is IT for Oahu. If you are able to have more days on-island, do it!

PS, even though we don’t have beach time explicitly noted for the things to do during your weekend in Honolulu, of course you need to add it! There are some wonderful beaches all around the southeastern part of Oahu including Waimanalo, Lanikai, Kaneohe Bay…

Hawaiian History at Iolani or Queen Emma’s Palace

When you’re on the Big Island of Hawai’i it’s very easy to spot moments and landmarks in Hawaiian history, but that’s not as obvious when you’re spending the weekend in Honolulu. There are some markers around town and some public art, but not as much as you see all along the Kona Coast. Two great places to visit to add some history to your time on Oahu are the Iolani Palace and Queen Emma’s Summer Palace. I love when we get to share historic sites with our kids because it gives them context to many of the stories they hear and sights they see.

Hawaii was and IS a kingdom that was colonized. The Native Hawaiian people have a pre-colonial history and an entire dynasty of monarchs that are celebrated for their leadership, their influence on their people, and their stance against colonization even with modernization. The largest of the remaining royal residences, the Iolani Palace is remarkable and fascinating to tour. Smaller but absolutely worth visiting, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace is another site that’s more off the beaten path and is very interesting to visit, especially with kids. It’s not a grand home, but the antiques and artifacts on exhibit are beautiful and important in Hawaiian history. If you can make the time for it, visit the Queen Emma’s Palace on your weekend in Honolulu.

TIP: if you’re also visiting the Big Island of Hawai’i, the Hulihe’e Palace in Kailua-Kona is another great spot to visit.

Hike the Rail Trail at Koko Crater

Since we live at the beach, visiting Hawaii always turns into a hiking trip for us. The Koko Crater trio is awesome and very unusual in terms of what we would normally choose for hiking. if you’ve got just a weekend in Honolulu, this is definitely a top pick for how unique it is and the amazing views you get at the top. And you might read some reviews of the trail that call it moderate in terms of difficulty. but I’ll tell you, it’s actually a really hard Trail.

The Koko Crater Trail heads up the mountain from the park below along an old rail line that went directly to the top. The stairs of the hike, because you are walking on railroad ties as stairs the entire way, provide solid footing all the way up, but it really is exhausting doing an all-stairs hike. It’s extremely tiring, but as you get to the top of the Koko Crater Trail, the views over Hawaii Kai and the Hanauma Bay Preserve and beyond are just amazing. Amazing. At the very top, you get to see all the way out to Diamond Head and Honolulu, and then to the north looking out over Lanikai and Waimanalo. when you do finally make it to the top of the Koko Crater Trail, take time to enjoy the view and let your legs rest.

The hike down is actually more difficult than the hike up. As somebody with fragile knees, I really felt it on the way back down to the park. Doing this hike with kids was way more fun than I expected. Something about the never-ending stairs going straight up a mountain really inspired them to hike hard and have a great attitude the entire time. If you only have one weekend in Honolulu, add this hike and make sure you get there early enough that you don’t get caught in a swarm of hikers.

Visit the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse

You know me, I will find a lighthouse anywhere and make a point to visit it. The Makapu’u Point Lighthouse is a really beautiful station set on the rocks east of Honolulu. It’s actually a fully paved trail all the way up to the point. Once you get to the point above the lighthouse, there are stairs that continue up to different viewing platforms that allow you to look down on the Makapu’u Lighthouse and north to the beaches.

If you’re a bird watcher, this is a really great hike because at the end you get to see the beautiful tropicbirds, also called also called koa’e. I didn’t see any of the red-tailed tropicbirds, the koa’e ‘ula, But there were plenty white tropicbirds nesting on the cliffs below us. This is kind of a long Trail even though it is paved, so be prepared with water and your camera. Also, because a lot of cloud systems will form on the ocean just to the east of the island of Oahu, this is a great spot to see storms come in and you might even get caught in one. But like I said, the rain is fleeting and you’ll love the views.

Do the Iconic Diamond Head Hike

I think most people who have come to Honolulu for the weekend or as part of a bigger Hawaii trip have done the Diamond Head hike. If you haven’t, it really is a must, both because of the challenge and because it does provide such a wonderful iconic view. Reserving your entry time in advance, Diamond Head State Monument is both an extinct volcanic crater and a former military installation. You enter the crater through a tunnel, and then are surrounded by the crater walls which makes it quite warm and dry inside.

The hike up Diamond Head is pretty challenging. Like the Koko Crater, there’s a lot of stairs and vertical gain, and like the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, it is paved nearly the the entire way. This is a very popular hike, so this is not one of those remote ones where you will encounter only a few people. While you might not be hiking in a line of tourists, you definitely will encounter plenty of hikers along the way, which is why they have timed entry. The actual hike itself is a challenge as you zigzag up the crater wall and up through the old bunkers. at the top. there are viewing platforms that give you the most amazing view of the city of Honolulu with its turquoise Waters and coves, and then looking back towards Koko Crater and up the East Coast of the island as well. Another highlight for me, because you know I love lighthouses, is the beautiful view of the Diamond Head Lighthouse below. It just adds to the photography opportunities.

The kids really enjoyed this hike, again because I think they like a good challenge, and they loved finding the bunkers when we were nearly at the top. This is a favorite weekend activity in Honolulu, so plan appropriately and plan in advance. like everyone else, you’re going to want some shave ice or something refreshing at the end of it, so make sure you have a little time to grab a snack while you’re in the crater before exiting.

TIP: after you’ve completed the Diamond Head hike, if you’re heading back into Honolulu, drive along the coast instead of through the neighborhood. This will give you a chance to get in some more beautiful views and you get to drive past the Diamond Head Lighthouse. You cannot tour the lighthouse, but it’s pretty to see and there are a couple of beach parks you can stop at.

Enjoy a Snorkeling Tour from Honolulu

One of our favorite things to do when we visit any island in Hawaii is to snorkel and see wildlife underwater. If you have just a weekend in Honolulu and don’t want to drive to the North Shore of Oahu on your own, there are lots of snorkeling tours available from the city. Just off the banks of Waikiki is one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu where the honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) love to hang out.

Snorkeling tours bring visitors here multiple times a day, so there are lots of tour options (and if you’re doing the Go City pass there are some included on it). One of the great things about doing a snorkeling tour vs going out on your own is that you can access places off shore that you generally can’t just swim to on your own. The currents off Oahu are strong, so having the safety and resources of a snorkeling tour company is a big win. Yes, there may be quite a few people on your snorkeling tour or you may choose one that’s also a booze cruise, but just read the details of the tour before booking. Choose the one that is a size of group you’re comfortable with and with the vibe you want. THIS ONE to the Turtle Canyons is my pick!

Visit the Waialae Neighborhood for Great Food

Even if you only have just the weekend in Honolulu it’s easy to break away from the downtown core and Waikiki area, especially if you want a good meal. I love the Waialae neighborhood, just ten minutes from downtown, for great restaurants and cool shops. There is lots of parking (metered or paid lots) or you can easily get an Uber up the hill to the neighborhood.

There are so many good places to eat all around Oahu, and one of our favorites that we’ve been to in several locations (it’s a local group), Kono’s, has a location here. It’s a great breakfast or lunch spot and they’re really a solid choice. The Waialae neighborhood has lots of different types of food and for better value than you get on Waikiki, so this is a sure-fire way for a family to make their weekend in Honolulu a little more tasty and more budget friendly.

Hike the Judd Trail and Swim at a Waterfall

If you’ve already done the other trails we’ve recommended, you might be hiked out for your weekend in Honolulu, but if you still want to do one more, we have an easy one for you at just 1.2 miles (and it’s a loop!). This is our kids’ favorite hike on Oahu and it’s just fifteen minutes from Waikiki. The Judd Trail is a well maintained trail, albeit muddy in some spots, that winds through a variety of forest types.

You must cross a beautiful Hawaiian stream at the beginning of the trail and then it’s just a beautiful meander through the woods. A bamboo grove, banyan trees, a forest of Norfolk and Cook pines, and a wonderful waterfall make this both a fun and interesting trail. The highlight, at least for our kids, is the waterfall and splash pool. Accessible by going down a root-filled spur trail, it’s an easy in and out pool and there’s even a rock slide going into the splash pool. Unlike some waterfall swimming spots, this one on the Judd Trail has a very deep area, so it feels safer than others for jumping in and such. Hiking here is awesome!

Attend a Hawaiian Luau

We’ve been to many luaus and really do enjoy them. In Honolulu there are several to choose from, and also some hulu performances around the city on a daily basis. While a luau does typically have a high price tag, it’s an all-encompassing experience and is a wonderful way to support keeping Native Hawaiian dance and culture alive. Luaus are a combination of songs, storytelling, history, food and fun.

If you haven’t gotten to participate in one before, be sure you find time during your weekend in Honolulu to attend. Each luau is a little different in terms of the food and the storytelling. Some tell the story of the settling of Hawaii by Hawai’iloa many years ago and some tell the story of the joining of the islands to make the Kingdom of Hawaii, while others showcase the different dances and tales from several Polynesian cultures. In Honolulu you have a few luaus you can book:

• Paradise Cove Luau
• Mauka Warriors Luau
• Ka Moana Luau (included with the Go City pass)
• Chief’s Luau (transportation from hotel included)
• Waikiki Starlight Luau

There are more luaus available around Oahu, including at Disney’s Aulani and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Choose the one that’s right for your weekend in Honolulu and for your price point.

Friday Night Fireworks Sailing

Yes, every Friday night there are fireworks on Waikiki Beach and it’s actually kind of cool. In general I’m not a fireworks person, but this weekly display is fun and short, and the best way to see it is from the water. There are a few different Friday night fireworks cruises to choose from for your weekend in Honolulu, but the Na Hoku II is our pick. They go from the Kewalo Harbor which is just west of Waikiki (this is NOT the marina right next to the beach). We really like the Na Hoku II for its well maintained ship deck, the open bar (if you’re on that sailing) and the staff. Moana Sailing goes from the same marina and offers a very similar experience. It’s a fun night on the water and a great way to see Honolulu differently.

Visit Honolulu’s Botanical Gardens

There are actually a few different botanical gardens in Honolulu, and being Hawaii they are, of course, gorgeous. Our kids know that if there’s a botanical garden we’ll likely visit it, so in Honolulu they weren’t shocked to find one on our weekend itinerary (maybe surprised that there was only one). Something great about adding a botanical garden visit to your time in Honolulu is that there are some good free options. Here are three free botanical gardens in Honolulu to consider:

• Koko Crater Botanical Garden
• Lyon Arboretum
• Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

I think one of the things I like about these gardens is that they are pretty and have some nice walking trails in them. You’re not hiking when you visit, you’re walking and just appreciating the many flowers and birds. Even on a weekend in Honolulu the different gardens don’t get too busy, so you’ll enjoy the quiet mixed into your Oahu trip.

Oahu North Shore Day Trip

If you do have more time and want to see a bit more of Oahu, the North Shore is so much fun and it’s beautiful. There are great beaches, awesome snorkeling, you can watch surfers year round, and there are lots of food trucks. Towns like Haleiwa and Pupukea are nice to visit for some walking around and good food.

Shark Cove is really cool to explore with kids (easy, sheltered snorkeling) and the Waimea Valley Botanical Garden is beautiful (and there’s another waterfall you can swim in!). The North Shore is not crazy far to plan a day trip and you can truly spend a full day, early morning to nighttime here, so plan accordingly if you only have a weekend in Honolulu and want to visit. I think it’s a great addition to a more than three day trip to Oahu.