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101 Free Activities on Oahu
Oahu is an affordable, family-friendly tropical destination
with over a hundred things to do, see and experience for free,
or for less then $10 per person. Discover the sights, sounds, art,
culture, history, nature and adventure of the island of Oahu.
Find all the family fun without all the spending.
Art, Culture and History
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Visit the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM), one of the few state
sponsored art museums in the country, and view the finest collection
of works from Hawaii's best artists.
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Learn about the history of Waikiki on the Waikiki Historic Trail
walking tour.
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Return to Hawaii's nostalgic boat days past and enjoy the Aloha
Waikiki Hawaiian Hula show by Tihati at DFS Galleria and send an
email postcard to family and friends.
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Explore Hawaii's maritime history, from voyaging canoes to the
Matson steamships, at the Hawaii Maritime Center.*
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Visit "Hyatt's Hawaii" at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa
to see displays of Hawaiian arts and crafts and memorabilia.
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Discover the history of surfing through photos and memorabilia on
the walls of Duke's Canoe Club at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
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Walk through Chinatown for a fascinating look at noodle factories,
herbal shops, markets and gift shops or take a guided walking tour
hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
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Attend one of the many arts and craft fairs held at Thomas Square,
Kapiolani Park and Ala Moana Beach Park.
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Witness the culture and beauty of the islands as you watch a
traditional torch lighting and hula performance on the beach of
Waikiki near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at sunset.
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Stop in at the lei stands that line Maunakea Street and see
firsthand how the intricate leis are created.
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Explore the history of Waikiki through old pictures and
collectibles that line the grand staircase in the lobby of
the Sheraton Moana Surfrider.
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Learn about Princess Kaiulani, Hawaii's last and most beloved
princess, on the Princess Kaiulani Historical tour at Sheraton
Princess Kaiulani Hotel.
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Visit Hilo Hattie, The Store of Hawaii, and enjoy free juice,
entertainment, food samples and craft demonstrations.
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Experience the tranquility of the Valley of the Temples and
watch the peacocks show off their colors.
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Take a scenic drive over the Pali Highway stopping at the
historic site with panoramic views at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.
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Visit the ancient fishponds in Heeia and Kahaluu on the
windward side.
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Learn about the colorful history and diverse culture of Hawaii
in a contemporary, family-friendly format at the Native Hawaiian
Arts Culture Center at Kalia in the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa.*
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Travel around the world through the diverse art exhibits at
the Honolulu Academy of Arts.*
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Walk through the Mission Homes Museum to see how the first
missionaries lived when they came to Hawaii.*
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Learn more about taro and enjoy storytelling, music, dancing,
arts and crafts and a farmer's market at the Pacific Island Taro
Festival at Windward Community College in August.
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Visit Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, a monument built
to honor the men who died on the USS Arizona the day World War II began.
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Discover the people and faces of Hawaii and the plantation
era at the Hawaii Plantation Villages.*
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Experience a bit of Polynesia at the mini Polynesian Cultural
Center display at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
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Visit the Contemporary Museum on the third Thursday of every
month for free admission.
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Honor soldiers from the Spanish American War to Vietnam at
the Memorial of the Pacific National Memorial Cemetery, formerly
known as Punchbowl.
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Step back in time to the Waikiki of yesteryear on the
historical tour at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider.
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Visit the Father Damien Museum and discover the history of
Kalaupapa, Molokai.
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Learn about the history of pineapple in Hawaii through the
multimedia "James Dole Story" at Dole Cannery Square.
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Ascend to the top of Aloha Tower, Honolulu Harbor's famous
clock tower, which at one time was the tallest building in Honolulu.
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Take a self-guided tour of Oahu's historic heiau
(places of worship).
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Visit Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil
and Queen Emma's summer palace.*
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Visit Fort DeRussy Beach where in addition to picnic tables,
volleyball courts and excellent surf, you'll find Battery Randolph
Museum on the military grounds.
Nature and Adventure
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Tour the Waikiki Aquarium and discover the marine life of
the Hawaiian waters and the South Pacific.*
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Snorkel among the brightly colored reef fish of Hanauma Bay
and look for Hawaii's state fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa.*
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Meet the komoda dragon and other inhabitants of the
Honolulu Zoo.*
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Race through the "World's Largest Maze" at Dole Plantation
on the way to the North Shore and afterwards enjoy their signature
Dole Whip.*
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Keep your eyes open for humpback whales off Makapuu on Oahu's
South Shore or Kaena Point on the northwest side of the island
from November through April.
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Boogie board at the local favorite spot in Waikiki called
"The Wall" or at Waimanalo Beach on the windward side of the
island.
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Hike to Manoa Falls beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
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Count the waterfalls along Highway 3 after a beautiful refreshing rain.
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Visit the newly renovated DFS Galleria Waikiki and stroll
through The Tube, a 65,000-gallon two-story, walk-through saltwater
aquarium and the Waikiki Walk, a promenade of shops with old Hawaii
architecture.
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Hike to the top of Diamond Head, Hawaii's most famous landmark.*
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Sit under a tree at Kakaako Waterfront Park and watch the
ships and surfers go by or roll down the hill with childlike abandon.
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Nap under towering trees at Fosters Botanical Garden.*
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Hike up to the Makapuu lighthouse passing Madame Pele's
chair and following the dramatic cliff-lined coast.
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Drive to the windward side of the island to the charming
towns of Kailua and Lanikai to discover why the soft white sand
of these beaches makes them two of the world's best beaches over
and over again according to Dr. Beach.
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Visit the Oceanarium Restaurant at Pacific Beach Hotel,
where an incredible three-story, 280,000-gallon saltwater fish
tank holds hundreds of Hawaii's tropical fish.
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Swim alongside the honu (turtle) in front of the Sheraton
Waikiki, at Turtle Bay Resort or at many of Oahu's 139 beaches.
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Wear reef shoes and in low tide walk to Goat Island in
Laie to explore the tide pools teeming with life.
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Hike the Maunawili Trail on the Pali Trail or one of many
other well-marked trails throughout Oahu.
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Pick wild ginger, hibiscus and plumeria along the side of
the road and wear them in your hair.
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Watch the Friday night sail boat races from Magic Island at
Ala Moana Beach Park.
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Feel the awesome power of Waimea Bay in the winter months
as you watch the magnificent winter waves, and in the summer as
you swim in the calm turquoise waters.
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Explore the knee-deep tide pools and the wonders of the
snorkeling of Shark's Cove, named for its shape not its inhabitants!
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Build sand castles for fun family competition or watch as
the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Architecture hold
their sand castle building contest in February.
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View world-class surfing competitions at Banzai Pipeline,
Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay on the North Shore.
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Watch the sunset from high atop Tantalus as Honolulu city
lights begin to twinkle in the dusk.
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Watch the windsurfers at Kailua Beach or Diamond Head lookout.
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Enjoy views from Magic Island of boats and outrigger canoes
with Diamond Head and Waikiki as the backdrop.
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Feel the sea spray from the blast of the Halona Blow Hole,
just around the bend from Sandy Beach.
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Watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa's
wildlife specialists feed the animals, including the hotel's
very own penguins and flamingos.
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Take a walk along the beach at sunrise and see the ocean
come to life with early morning surfers and swimmers.
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Explore the USS Bowfin, a World War II submarine and
imagine what life on board must've been like for her 80-man crew.*
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See the daredevil hang gliders make their way off Makapuu Point.
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Hike along the many trails through the bright green scalloped
cliffs of the Pali.
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Trek up to the summit of Koko Head at sunset for sweeping
views of the South Shore.
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Keep your eyes and ears out for Hawaii's colorful birds in
Kapiolani Park, Moanalua Gardens and other parks throughout the island of Oahu.
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Drive into the heart of Manoa Valley and hike along the
trails of the Lyon Arboretum.
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Catch a ride on an outrigger canoe with the Waikiki beach boys.*
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See Oahu from the ocean aboard a catamaran sunset cruise off
the beach of Waikiki.*
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Hike above the leeward side along the Aiea Heights Loop Trail
overlooking Pearl Harbor.
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Learn about the different varieties of pineapple at the Dole
Varietal Garden located outside of Wahiawa.
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Find the four Wizard Stones on Waikiki Beach and learn about
the legend behind them.
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Walk along Waikiki Beachwalk to take in breathtaking views
of Waikiki Beach.
Sights and Sounds
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Listen to the Royal Hawaiian Band at Iolani Palace on Fridays from
12:00-1:00 p.m. and at Kapiolani Park on Sundays from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
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Relax harborside at Aloha Tower Marketplace and listen to the island's
most popular entertainers from the marketplace's waterfront stage as
boats, barges and cruise ships float past.
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Fly a kite or eat a plate lunch at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Then stroll
through the park and see all of the activities from soccer games to craft
fairs to exercisers and music.
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Enjoy "Sunset on the Beach," as Kapahulu Pier is transformed into an
outdoor movie theater, with live entertainment, food booths, and free
Hollywood movies.
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Make a stroll through International Marketplace, a bazaar of clothes,
jewelry and souvenirs from the island's colorful merchants set under
the shade of a large banyan tree.
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Stop by Ala Moana Center's Centerstage, the hub for more than 500
performances annually, from keiki (children) hula to rock, from chorale
music to street dancing.
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Close your eyes and relax to the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra during
its fall pre-season concerts around the island.
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Take ukulele or hula lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
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Enjoy food, entertainment, a parade of decorated beds and a race down
Kalakaua Avenue for the fastest bed at the annual International Bed Race
Festival in April.
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Enjoy the colorful parades that float down the streets of downtown
Honolulu and Waikiki during the Aloha Festivals, King Kamehameha
Celebration, Honolulu Festival and Chinese New Year celebrations.
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Marvel at the "Honolulu City Lights" which illuminate the sky from the
financial district to downtown celebrating the holidays in December and
then stop in Honolulu Hale to enjoy the display of decorated Christmas trees.
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Listen to Hawaii's best local entertainers performing in the hotels and on
the streets of Waikiki.
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Take a self-guided tour through Manoa, Kapahulu and Kaimuki, some of
Honolulu's oldest and most charming neighborhoods.
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Pick a team to root for at a polo match at Waimanalo Polo Grounds.
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Meet Hawaii's local fishermen at the early morning Honolulu Fish Auction
at Kewalo Basin, where the fresh catch is displayed and auctioned off to
the island's chefs and merchants daily at 5:00 a.m.
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Enjoy one of over 100 festivals and events throughout the year that
celebrate culture, community, music and art, such as the AT&T Hawaii
Dragon Boat festival, Chinese new year lion dances, Hawaiian rodeo,
ukulele, slack key guitar and hula festivals to name just a few.
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Cheer on the runners competing in the annual Honolulu Marathon.
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Watch top local, national and international athletes compete in any of
the dozens of sporting events such as the Hawaiian Mountain Tour, Tin
Man Biathlon, Waikiki Roughwater Swim and Tour O' Hawaii Cycle Classic.
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Experience the most spectacular views of Waikiki at night from the
Hanohano Room at the Sheraton Waikiki.
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Spend a day at the Children's Discovery Center.*
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Learn more about Hawaii's melting pot of cultures at any of the Chinese,
Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Korean festivals held throughout the year.
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View the work of local artisans at the Art Mart along the fence of
the Honolulu Zoo.
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Experience the fun and excitement of the Aloha Festivals' Downtown and
Waikiki Hoolaulea Celebrations in September.
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Sit in on a Sunday service conducted in the Hawaiian language at
Kawaiahao Church.
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Admire the architecture and say a prayer at any of Honolulu's many
spectacular churches: St. Andrews Cathedral, Central Union, St.
Clements, Lutheran Church of Honolulu.
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Watch in awe as the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa host
fireworks explode into beautiful colors on Friday evenings in
remembrance and celebration of King Kalakaua's Jubilee.
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Enjoy the free AT&T Hawaii's Wildest Show summer concert series held
weekly at the Honolulu Zoo from June through August.
* Items marked with an asterisk are not quite free,
but they cost less then $10 per person.
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Related Links
Oahu Island - Main Menu
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
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