Traveling to Oahu, Hawaii?  Want ideas on things to do while on the island?

These are my personal tips and picks for things to do on the island of Oahu for Vistors: 

Arizona Memorial (free) - Get there early, preferably by 8:00.  Opens at 7:30 am.  If you get there after 10 am, you may be in line for a long time and may have to wait 1 to 2 hours.  The Battleship Missouri and the USS Bowfin Submarine are next door.  The entry fee for each is about $15, so you can include all three in your itinerary and visit them all in one day.  You can take pictures of them from the Arizona Visitor's Center and along the ferry ride.  While at the Arizona Memorial, you can visit the lawn area (Circle of Remembrance) for great photos.  You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour.  The Swap Meet (Aloha Flea Market) is close, only a few blocks away, at the Aloha Stadium.

Polynesian Cultural Center -  General admission fee is about $50, and approximately $80 with the luau buffet.  The evening "Horizons" show is highly rated.  It comes with all ticket options.  The higher priced ticket options get preferred seating for the "Horizons" show.  Also, the earlier you get there, the better your seating is so be sure to arrive early.  The IMAX show, Canoe pageant, Samoa and Tonga Villages, and the Canoe ride are the best attractions and are included in the general admission price.  Plan on visiting the PCC for the entire day and plan your drive accordingly as it is at least an 1 to 1 1/2 hour away from Waikiki.  The other villages are also worth a peek, but you may find that you cannot fit them all in one day.  You can go back for free for two days after the original purchase date of your ticket.  Closed on Sundays.  While on this side of the island, also make a trip to Laie Point for some beautiful rock formations jutting out of the ocean and the Mormon Temple. 

Diamond Head Summit Hike - Drive right into the crater, park and begin your hike.  ($5 per carload, or $1 per person if you walk in)  I suggest that unless you are a fit hiker, that you just drive in.  Afterall you still have an incline hike ahead of you! But you will be rewarded with an awesome 360 degree view at the summit.  The roundtriip hike will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on your pace and the number of rest breaks you take.  The best time to arrive is 8am or 4pm as you will avoid the daylight heat during this time.  Be sure to bring lots of water with you.  And you should know that there is a section that are just stairs only.  Do not be discouraged.  You're almost at the best part - the incredible view!

Punchbowl, The National Cemetery of the Pacific - (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area.  It's a short walk to the summit where you get a breathtaking view of the entire city.  If time permits, take the Tantulus/Round Top drive through the lush rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain.  It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor.  Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantulus. 

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay - Great for the entire family.  You can rent snorkel equipment there or bring your own.  Closed on Tuesdays so that the Bay can "rest."  You should get there as early as possible for the best clarity and to avoid the crowds.  If you drive in, the parking lot gets full by 9 or 10 am.  You can also take the city bus.  Admission cost is $5 per person.  Parking is $1.

Byodo-In Temple - In the Valley of the Temples.  Admission cost is $2.  It is just past Kaneohe.  Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by and can also be visited on the same day. 

Chinaman's Hat - (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past the Byodo-In temple.  Nice for pictures, swimming and picnicing. Also nearby is the Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet jsut before the Kualoa Regional Park.  Kualoa Ranch is just right across the street.

Swap Meet, The Aloha Flea Market - Located at the Aloha Stadium.  You can find almost any souvenier here at the lowest price.  All items are new and  you can find everything here from apparel to music cds as well.    Vendors wrap around the entire stadium.  Entrance fee is 50 cents.  Arrive early to avoid melting in the direct sun.  This is like an outdoor mall - no airconditioning.  Open Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. 

Manoa Falls Hike - $5 for parking at Treetops Restaurant about a mile away.  Short and fairly easy hike through the rainforest.  There is also a small bamboo forest there.  The Treetops Restaurant serves a good Chinese buffet (be sure to check my eBay store for  restaurant coupons.) so this could be a place to rest and eat after your hike.  They Lyon Arboretum is close by if you are interested in expanding your nature visit to the area. 

Makapuu Point Lighthouse - This is a fairly short and easy hike that's doable in about 1 hours time.  It's about a mile long.  During the winter months (mid November to mid April), you'll be able to see humback whales!

 North Shore Beaches - Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea, Sunset, Shark's Cove (Pupukea), Laniakea Beach.  All awesome beaches popular in the Winter months for the huge waves and surf competitions.  In the summer time, Shark's Cove is a great place to snorkel and go diving.  During the winter months, there are high surf warnings and yellow flags that signal the conditions - these conditions are not ideal for swimming due to the high surfs and dangerous surf breaks. 

Other Beaches - There are over 100 beaches on the island of Oahu alone.  Take your pick!  Here are some of my favorites:  Lanikai, Kailua, Waimanalo Bay, Sandy and Makaha.

Dole Pineapple Plantation - Just past Wahiawa, this can be a stop on the way to or on the way back from the Northshore.  This is the home to the largest human maze.  Here you will find a garden, a koi feeding pond, a souvenier shop, and a pineapple exhibit.  There is also a tram ride that takes you through pineapple fields with a commentary that provides insight into the pineapple industry. 

Kualoa Ranch - Several movies have been set here (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, and many others).  You can go on tours that take you through the ranch and hiking tours that are really fun!  Also available here are ATV rides, horseback riding and other outdoor activities.

Iolani Palace - The only palace in the U.S. It's a testament to Hawaiian and U.S. history.

Downtown Area - Aloha Tower (take the elevator to the top and take in the view), Aloha Tower Marketplace, Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Bishop Museum

Wallace Theaters - This is the perfect place to escape the heat and enjoy air-conditioning for a few hours.  It's also the biggest cheap thrill on the island.  This 9-screen theater offer $1 movies everyday.  Located in swanky Restaurant Row, you can grab a bite to eat and see a movie just steps away.  Free validated parking available.

More Places to See & Things to Do for the Whole Family - Time permitting, here's more that you can add to your itinerary that the whole family will enjoy:  Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center,  Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, and an outdoor Luau (Germaine's or Paradise Cove).

If you are planning a trip to our islands, save some time and money with these coupons for Hawaii Visitors to some of our most popular attractions!