Honolulu Usa 7 Day Itinerary

Honolulu, Hawaii 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Waikiki Beach

  1. Check-in at your hotel (recommended: The Modern Honolulu or Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach)
  2. Explore Waikiki Beach, relax, swim, or try surfing lessons.
  3. Lunch at Duke’s Waikiki - famous for its Hawaiian cuisine and beach ambiance.
  4. Stroll down Kalakaua Avenue, visit the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, and enjoy street performers.
  5. Dinner at Hula Grill Waikiki, offering fresh seafood with beautiful sunset views.
  6. Catch a traditional Hawaiian dance show at the Polynesian Cultural Center or Waikiki’s own Paradise Cove Luau.

Day 2: Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial

  1. Breakfast at Kona Kompany, serving delicious Hawaiian-style breakfast dishes.
  2. Take a boat tour to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
  3. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, and Battleship Row.
  4. Lunch at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Café or USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.
  5. Afternoon at leisure to explore more of Pearl Harbor or return to Waikiki for relaxation and shopping.
  6. Dinner at Alan Wong’s Restaurant, featuring award-winning Hawaiian cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Day 3: Diamond Head Hike and North Shore Exploration

  1. Early breakfast at Cinnamon’s Restaurant in Kahala Mall.
  2. Morning hike up Diamond Head Crater (allow 2 hours round trip).
  3. Lunch at Ted’s Bakery in Kaneohe or Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck on the North Shore.
  4. Spend the afternoon exploring the North Shore, visiting Waimea Valley, Dole Plantation, or Haleiwa town.
  5. Dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s, offering fresh seafood with great views of the surf.

Day 4: Downtown Honolulu and Iolani Palace

  1. Breakfast at Morning Star Bakery in downtown Honolulu.
  2. Visit the Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue, and the State Capitol building.
  3. Lunch at Nico’s Pier 36, overlooking Honolulu Harbor.
  4. Afternoon visit to the Bishop Museum or the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives.
  5. Dinner at The Pig and the Lady, featuring Vietnamese-Creole fusion cuisine.
  6. Enjoy live music at local bars and eateries in Chinatown (e.g., Downbeat Diner & Lounge or The Manifest).

Day 5: Hiking and Beaches

  1. Breakfast at Olive Tree Café in Kailua town.
  2. Morning hike Lanikai Pillbox Trail for stunning views of the Mokulua Islands and Kailua Beach Park.
  3. Swim, snorkel, or paddleboard at Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach.
  4. Lunch at Buzz’s Original Hawaiian Style Cafe in Kailua.
  5. Afternoon visit to Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail and blowhole for dramatic views of the coastline.
  6. Dinner at Roy’s Waialae Avenue, famous for its fusion cuisine creations.

Day 6: Explore East Oahu

  1. Breakfast at Koko Head Cafe in Kaimuki or Town restaurant on Waikiki beach.
  2. Drive along the scenic coastal route, stopping at Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach (be aware of large waves).
  3. Lunch at Makaha Sands Beach Café or Ono Seafood restaurant in Kapolei.
  4. Afternoon visit to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for snorkeling or explore nearby Hokuloa Park.
  5. Dinner at MW Restaurant, featuring innovative Pacific Rim cuisine with stunning views of Waikiki.

Day 7: Last Day in Honolulu and Departure

  1. Breakfast at Café Kaila or Le Jardin du Roy in the hotel.
  2. Spend your last morning shopping for souvenirs, relaxing on Waikiki Beach, or visiting any remaining attractions.
  3. Lunch at a favorite spot before heading to the airport (e.g., Helena’s Hawaiian Food, famous for its plate lunch).
  4. Departure from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) with unforgettable memories of Honolulu!

Things to Know:

  • Rent a car or use public transportation (TheBus) to get around the island.
  • Respect Hawaiian culture and traditions, learn about the Hawaiian language, and leave no trace when enjoying nature.
  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen, as regular sunscreens can harm coral reefs.
  • Hawaiian time is HST (UTC-10).
  • Tip generously in restaurants (15-20%) and for taxi or ride-share services (20%).