A personal list for visiting friends
I put together this page for friends visiting Honolulu and Oahu who want a few ideas. I am not the best at this, but these are things I like, things I have tried, and ideas other people have shared with me. I will keep adding to the list over time.
Gregg Tarter · Updated July 2026
An easy way to get on the water with small kids without making everyone swim or snorkel. The ride is usually short, shaded, and low-effort.
A good option for mixed ages and some mobility needs, but boarding still requires a step or short transfer. Call the operator before booking if anyone uses a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.
The lagoon in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village is calm, easy for kids to play in, and a simple place to wait for the Friday-night fireworks. The show is quick and free. Yes, it is the Hilton—but this is still one of the easiest family wins in Waikiki.
Fireworks are normally Friday evening; confirm the current time before walking over.
Very touristy, and also genuinely fun for kids: a real submarine ride with reef and marine-life views. It leaves near Hilton Hawaiian Village, which keeps the logistics manageable.
Children must meet the operator's minimum height requirement, currently 36 inches. There are stairs and boarding requirements, so check accessibility before buying tickets.
I went to this and thought it was really fun. It is an intimate comedy-and-magic show at Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio Avenue, and it works for families as well as adults.
The full experience is about two hours and seats are limited.
The zoo is quaint, pleasant, and easy—especially with younger kids who do not need every outing to be epic. It is right at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, beside Kapiolani Park.
Go earlier for cooler weather. The city currently lists daily entry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with grounds closing at 4 p.m.
Even quainter than the zoo, but nice for a short, calm outing. It focuses on Hawaiian and Pacific marine life and sits right on the water beyond the zoo.
Best treated as an hour-or-two stop, not a giant all-day aquarium.
A relatively easy beach near the aquarium and Kapiolani Park. It can be a good change from central Waikiki, and sometimes a Hawaiian monk seal rests here.
If a seal is present, stay behind barriers and give it at least 50 feet of space—150 feet for a mother and pup. Never touch, feed, chase, or crowd wildlife.
A low-commitment evening idea: authentic music and hula outdoors at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, close to the Duke statue.
As of July 2026, the official schedule is Saturday from 6:30–7:30 p.m., weather permitting, with no July 4 show. Schedules can change.
My strongest treat recommendation. Get the local-style sherbert at the Waikiki scoop shop inside the Hyatt Regency's Kings & Queens shops, across from the Duke statue and very close to the beach.
The Waikiki shop currently lists daily hours of 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; flavors rotate.
An easy, inexpensive stop for musubi and quick snacks. Good for breakfast, beach food, or feeding kids without turning lunch into an event.
Fresh udon, tempura, and a line that usually moves. It is popular for a reason and works well when everyone wants something quick and satisfying.
We eat at DECK. and find it easy and calm. It is on the third-floor pool deck of the Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, directly by the Honolulu Zoo, with an open-air view toward Diamond Head. This is a convenient meal before or after the zoo without trekking back through Waikiki.
It serves breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Zoo parking is across the street, but the city lot has a four-hour limit.
The International Market Place is a relatively new, open-air shopping and dining complex in central Waikiki, rebuilt around its large banyan tree. It is an easy place to wander, cool off, find food, or let a group split up for a bit.
Cat Café MOFF is still open on Level 2 as of July 2026. It offers timed visits with the resident cats; check the current price and hours before going.
Royal Hawaiian Center is another easy central-Waikiki stop. We enjoy TsuruTonTan on the third floor: udon served in comically large bowls, generous portions, and enough choices to make it straightforward for a family meal.
We usually treat it as a walk-in option rather than planning around reservations. It is currently open daily, but expect a wait at busy meal times.
The little Island Vintage Shave Ice kiosk outside Royal Hawaiian Center is easy to spot and the shave ice is good, but the line can take forever. In my opinion, consider another option when it is backed up—or keep walking down Kalākaua Avenue to Asato's in the Hyatt Regency instead.
The kiosk is on Level 1 of Building B. Lines vary, but this is not my choice when everyone is already tired or impatient.
The classic view close to Waikiki. The summit trail is short but steep, hot, and stair-heavy—not my pick for limited mobility or very small kids. Non-Hawaii residents need advance entry and parking reservations.
My rainy-day or too-much-sun choice. It is the best single stop for Hawaiian and Pacific history, with a science center that gives kids something hands-on.
A meaningful Honolulu stop for learning about the Hawaiian monarchy. Better for older children and adults who can slow down and listen than for toddlers who need to run.
An easy area with useful variety in one place: a long beach, the calmer protected lagoon at Magic Island, big lawns, walking paths, and room to spread out. It works well when some people want beach time and others would rather walk, picnic, or stay on the grass.
It is beside Ala Moana Center—the massive, mostly open-air mall with hundreds of shops and restaurants—and close to Ward Village, a relaxed residential neighborhood where locals live, walk, eat, and spend time. You can combine the park with shopping or an easy meal without driving across town again.
This is a personal, evolving list—not a definitive Oahu guide. Hours, prices, weather, ocean conditions, and schedules change, so check before heading out. If you want more ideas, contact me.