1. Hawaii Children’s Discovery Centre
Let your kids roam around and explore. They’ll learn new things and have fun doing it.
On a day when the weather outside isn’t ideal for playing, take your children to the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Centre located south of the city centre. With exhibits designed to engage all five senses, it’ll be an enjoyable and educational trip for the whole family!
Six senses-igniting exhibits await guests at the museum. “Fantastic You” helps children understand how the body works. In “Your Town”, kids can learn about their community through pretend play as firefighters or mechanics. Also, “Your Rainbow World” is an exhibition that teaches about customs in other cultures around the globe. Read more.
2. Hawaii State Art Museum
If you’re looking for an immersive experience in Hawaiian art, the Hawaii State Art Museum is the perfect place for you. With a constantly rotating selection of both permanent and temporary exhibits, there’s always something new to check out. Plus, the museum is conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Honolulu – it’s definitely not one to be missed! This museum also is a treasured museum of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
There are three primary galleries in the museum, each one focusing on different cultural traditions of Hawaii through Hawaiian artists. The collection as a whole features various artistic movements, styles, and types of media, but it all comes together to show how multiculturalism has influenced local art. Some noteworthy pieces include those by Tadashi Sato, Toshiko Takaezu, and Satoru Abe. Read more.
3. Ala Moana Shopping Centre
Find designer brands at Ala Moana Shopping Centre
If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, head over to Ala Moana Shopping Centre. You’ll be able to find all the same high-end brands that you love, without having to fight the crowds in town. Plus, with our convenient location just 9 minutes away from downtown, it’s easy to get here by bus or car.
At Ala Moana, you can find a plethora of famous brands like Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Chanel. If those aren’t your style or you’re looking for something more comfortable, try J. Crew or Madewell instead. On top of everything else, the shopping center has an amphitheater where they have concerts and hula dances open to the public.
4. Pearl Harbour Aviation Museum
Discover interesting facts about aviation and World War II
The Pearl Harbour Aviation Museum is an excellent choice for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located on Ford Island, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu, the museum chronicles the story of World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor through displays of iconic aircrafts paired with first-hand accounts.
Hangar 37, the original shelter from the blast, is now one of museum’s exhibit spaces and features 9 displays of aircrafts and memorabilia, flight simulators, as well as a store. Although Hangar 79 is primarily the restoration wing, it holds many cherished planes too such as the Flying Tigers display and a Japanese A6M2-21 Zero. Not to mention, the Boeing N2S-3 Stearman that former president George H.W. Bush trained back in his day can also be found here. Read more.
5. Honolulu Museum of Art
Come and see the amazing Asian and Pan-Pacific art at the Honolulu Museum of Art.
The Honolulu Museum of Art is a perfect place for those who enjoy looking at and/or taking part in art. It not only has exhibits, but also offers guided tours, workshops, gallery classes, and children’s creative activities; many people find what they’re passionate about here. The museum holds an expansive collection of Asian and Pan-Pacific art that’ll definitely amaze you – it’s located southeast of the city centre.
Housing 50,000 pieces, the museum has art from many centuries and genres. The 18th century works are by expedition artists such as John Webber and Robert Dampier . In addition are paintings , watercolours , prints , photographs , and drawings from renowned artists like Isami Doi, Georgia O’Keeffe , Ansel Adams, Madge Tennent among others. Read more.
6. Bishop Museum
Experience the Polynesian way of life at the Bishop Museum.
The Bishop Museum is a 5-minute drive from downtown and contains an impressive history and science collection centred around Polynesian culture. The museum also has the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Centre, which is geared towards children. If you’re even remotely interested in learning about this fascinating culture, the Bishop Museum should definitely be on your must-see list.
The museum charms tourists with top end-style exhibits of––you guessed it––island arts, culture, and natural history. With a planetarium, an entomology research centre, and vast libraries, the campus has something for everyone–particularly those intrigued by the Kaimiloa Expedition exhibit. The latter features artefacts and samples from when scientists explored various parts of the Pacific that used to be off-limits. Read more.
7. Hawaii Theatre
Planning a fun night or date night? Why not book tickets to see a show at the Hawaii Theatre.
This grand theater has been standing since 1922 and continues to host excellent stage shows, concerts, and other performances throughout the year. The best part is that it’s located only minutes from the city centre.
Tour goers can explore the theater’s beautiful interior, which features Moorish ornamentation, Byzantine and Corinthian touches, beaux-arts architectural details, a gilded dome, and an art gallery. A guided tour of the theater is also available to help you understand its importance and background. Read more.
8. Film Museum
If you’re a lover of old foreign films, the Film Museum is the perfect spot for you.
The Film Museum, located in Kaimuki southeast of downtown, is a unique cinema and museum hybrid that plays all sorts of movies–from new releases to classics. If you’re looking for something different and enjoyable, this hidden treasure is definitely worth checking out.
The theater provides a relaxed and comfortable experience with Barcaloungers for most of its seats although it is limited. You can also plan your trip in advance by checking the film schedule that is sent via email. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the rental spot while you’re there! They have an extensive collection of rare and obscure videos and DVDs available for rent. Read more.
9. Diamond Head Theatre
Experience a live performance today at Diamond Head Theatre.
The theatre offers more than just music and comedy shows; it also has stage productions and performing arts classes. Plus, the added bonus of being situated on the slope of Diamond Head makes it only a 14-minute drive from the city centre. The historic establishment has been running since 1915.
Not only does the Diamond Head Theatre offer six mainstage productions and musicals each season, but they also provide acting, voice, and dance classes for both children and adults. You can easily take a look at their entire schedule online before making your final travel plans.
10. Fun Factory
If you’re looking for a fun-filled activity to do with the kids, look no further than playing some adrenaline-pumping arcade games!
Say goodbye to rainy days stuck indoors–Fun Factory is the perfect arcade for your family, with video games, prizes, and redemption games. Several locations near Honolulu so surely you’ll never be out of options.
Fun Factory is the perfect place for a day or night out, no matter your age. With classic arcade games, skill games, kiddie games and more, there’s something everyone will love. Plus, you can collect tickets as you play to redeem for prizes in our redemption centre later. Different ticket packages are available depending on how long you want to play or how many tokens you need.
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