Embrace Island Life, Explore Endless Hawaii Attractions
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Located in Honolulu, Ala Moana Center is the largest open-air shopping center in the world, with nearly 300 shops and restaurants, including Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Sears, and Nordstrom. A Japanese influence can be felt throughout the center with the beautiful koi ponds, and The Centertainment stage provides live music and dance shows. With twelve different restaurants and a food court, visitors have a wide variety of choices ranging from fast food to fine cuisine.
Honolulu Zoo
Encompassing over 42 acres, the Honolulu Zoo is home to more than 1,230 animals. With the large number of native plants at the zoo, some consider it to also be a botanical garden. The African Safari Habitat houses chimpanzees, black rhinos and lions. The Tropical Forest features an Asian elephant. Many exotic reptiles can be found in the Pacific Islands Exhibit. Children can play with the animals inside the Children's Zoo.
Kailua Beach
Consistently rated among the top beaches worldwide, Kailua Beach is a beautiful sandy destination approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki. The shoreline stretches over a half mile, and this dog-friendly and kid-friendly beach is a favorite for families. Amenities include showers, restrooms, picnic facilities, a concession stand, and a parking lot. The surf is perfect for swimming, wind-surfing, body boarding, and kayaking. Equipment rentals can be found near the beach.
Kualoa Ranch
Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, the Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 cattle ranch. Not only is it a working cattle ranch which sells 100% grass-fed, farm-fresh beef to visitors, it is also a beautiful tourist destination. Tour the sites of blockbuster movies filmed at the ranch, including Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla and the television show Lost. Numerous other tours are available for guests including the Jungle Expeditions Tour, the Legends and Legacy Tour, the Hakipu'u Hike, ATV tours, plus Horseback tours, and many other activities.
Paradise Cove Luau
The luau is a Hawaiian traditional event, which has historically celebrated rites of passage events, such as the birth of a child or a battle victory. Today, the luau is still used to celebrate graduations, weddings, birthdays, and welcome tourists to the islands. Paradise Cove has been providing luaus for over 20 years and is one of the largest and most respected and offers a spectacular 12-acre oceanfront setting.
Pearl Harbor
Millions of visitors tour Pearl Harbor each year to learn about World War II and visit historical sites and memorials. There are five historic locations within Pearl Harbor: the USS Utah Memorial, the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, Battleship Row, and Ford Island, which is home to the Aviation Museum. The newly renovated visitor center has been expanded to include 17 acres, which are managed as a national park.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Located on the north shore of Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a 42-acre cultural living museum with eight different simulated villages. Each village has hourly performances and demonstrations. Many of the center's employees are students at the nearby Brigham Young University—Hawaii. Visitors can participate in fun activities, such as climbing coconut trees, canoe races, Samoan cooking, canoe tours, and spear-throwing competitions.
Waikiki Beach
Located on the south shore of Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is a great location to spend the afternoon people watching. Famous for its long surf break, it's a popular choice among surfers around the world. More than 4 million tourists flock to Waikiki Beach every year to take in the view of Diamond Head, where they are greeted by the bronze statue of Olympic Gold Medalist Duke Kahanamoku, who has been called "The Father of Modern Surfing."
Waikiki Beach Walk
Waikiki Beach Walk is a large shopping, dining, and entertainment complex that encompasses nearly eight acres. Over 40 different retailers are located at the center, including stores selling accessories, apparel, art, gifts, health and beauty supplies, jewelry, and more. There are also many dining options, including Taormina Sicilian Cuisine, Kani Ka Pila Grill, Giovanni Pastrami, Roy's Waikiki, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, and many more.
