Oahu, Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the United States. That’s right, Hawaii is part of the USA, if you didn’t already know. With that said, visiting Hawaii can feel like traveling to a foreign country. If you’re looking for ideas on things to do in Hawaii, this blog post is for you.

Free Map of Things to Do on Oahu

Access this free interactive map of top attractions, beach parks, hikes, and places to eat in Oahu, Hawaii by clicking here.

A list of Places to Visit on Oahu, Hawaii, along with popular and lesser-known hiking trails. CLICK HERE to see more videos and details.

Day 1 - Waikiki Beach

Easily the most recognizable part of Oahu is Waikiki. Full of hotels, restaurants, shops, and gorgeous beaches, Waikiki is the main tourist district of Oahu. If you’re not seeking a touristy vibe, this is exactly what you want to avoid. However, if this is your first trip to Hawaii, you should definitely visit Waikiki. Better yet, spend a night or two in a hotel, such as the Alohilani Resort.

Check out our vlog below to get an idea of what staying in a Waikiki hotel is like.

What to do in Waikiki

Waikiki is relatively small and walkable, so if you’re staying in this district, you can likely walk to a lot of attractions. If you love shopping, don’t miss the International Marketplace and Ala Moana Shopping Center. The latter is a longer walk, but worth the visit if you’re in need of food. On the base floor of Ala Moana, you’ll find Foodland, a local grocery store chain, and Shirokiya Japan Walk for all of your Asian food cravings. But speaking of Japanese food, Waikiki has its own Japanese alleyway in the form of Yokocho, so don’t miss that either.

Day 2 - National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and Byoddo-In Temple

On your second day in Oahu, hop into your rental car (we highly recommend getting one) and go for a drive. Your first stop is the National Memorial of the Pacific, known locally as Punchbowl Cemetery. This large memorial is located inside an extinct volcano. It is the final resting place of thousands of World War II servicemen. But even if you don’t have family buried here, visiting Punchbowl is worth it for the breathtaking view of Diamond Head and downtown. It’s one of the best lesser-known photo spots in Hawaii.

Next, head over to the windward side of the island and check out Byodo-In Temple. This stunning Buddhist temple is located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It is a replica of a similar temple located in Uji, Japan. While there are no resident monks or a dedicated congregation, the temple is open to the public at no charge. It makes for an incredible photo backdrop.

From the Byodo-In Temple, you have several options. If you crave a beach day, there are two relatively close options. The first is north to Kualoa Beach Park, where you can get an excellent view of Chinaman’s Hat island. The famed Kualoa Ranch is also in the vicinity if you want to go for a rustic horseback ride and see some of the filming locations for films such as Jurassic Park and TV shows such as Lost.

Another option is to go south to Kailua Beach Park. The water here is crystal clear and gorgeous, but that means parking can be sparse due to its popularity. There’s also a trailhead to the Lanikai Pillbox hike, which leads to a breathtaking view of Kailua Bay.

If parking is too hard to find in Kailua, don’t push it — parking enforcement is serious in these parts. Instead, keep heading south. You’ll hit a string of other beach options such as Bellows, Waimanalo, and Makapu’u Beach Parks. This is a very scenic driving route that will eventually take you to the Halona Blowhole, famous Hanauma Bay (a great place for snorkeling), and Koko Crater Railway Trailhead (one of the hardest hikes in Oahu). If you follow Kalaniana’ole Highway, you’ll end up back in Waikiki and Honolulu.

Day 4 - Polynesian Cultural Center

One of the most quintessential experiences that every first-time visitor to Hawaii should have is a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) This cultural theme park is an all-day affair, so plan to be there right when the doors open at 12:00pm. You’ll still have a hard time doing every activity offered at the PCC. There are 6 Pacific Island villages that give you immersive experiences to make you feel like you’re on the old tropical islands of Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga.

Best of all, there is a stunning and very photogenic midday Canoe Pageant and an optional authentic evening luau. The day ends with an award-winning show, Ha: Breath of Life. Overall, this might seem like a cheesy affair, but it’s a very fun day for all ages and a must-do if you have never been to Hawaii before.

Day 5 - North Shore

Oahu’s North Shore is probably the most famous for its monstrous waves and the corresponding world champion surf competitions held there. But the giant waves are only here in the winter. If you visit at any other time, the waves aren’t that bad and are fairly easy to swim in. Laniakea Beach (aka Turtle Beach) is a great stop to watch surfers or check out the local green sea turtles that tend to congregate here.

From there, head west into historic Haleiwa town. This old school charming town has gained a popular reputation over the years and has become very crowded with tourists. But again, if you haven’t been to Hawaii before, it’s worth a stop here. Definitely stop by Matsumoto Shave Ice to cool down with this classic local treat. Continue further south and you’ll find one of two locations of Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. This popular stop offers several local shrimp plate options and is a must-do while on the North Shore.

From Haleiwa (or Laniakea Beach), head north toward Waimea Valley and Pupukea. There are some classic North Shore surfing beaches here including Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach, and a great place for a delicious coconut creme pie. Ted’s Bakery is best known for their chocolate haupia (coconut) creme pie, but there are other tasty flavors including macadamia nut creme pie, lilikoi cheese pie, and strawberry guava creme pie. Grab a slice, or take a whole one to go.

After Pupukea, you can continue on to Turtle Bay Resort and venture further to Laie (where the Polynesian Cultural Center is). Or you can backtrack towards Haleiwa to the Dole Plantation. This historic pineapple plantation is now an attraction featuring a train ride, tropical gardens, and the world’s largest maze (made of pineapples, of course). There’s also a giant gift shop and lots of Dole Whip to finish off your day with a sweet treat.

Day 6 - West Oahu

For your final day, head to the “second city” of Oahu, Kapolei. Located about 40 minutes away from Waikiki, this part of west Oahu has seen lots of development over the past few years. There are shopping centers and hotels, most notably the Ko Olina Resort located a few miles further west. This is where you’ll find the Disney Aulani Resort, a Four Seasons hotel, lots of timeshares, a golf course, and 4 protective coves for safe swimming (best for children or those who don’t swim well).

If Ko Olina’s parking lots are too crowded or you’re seeking a more rugged scene, head further west to Kahe Point, also known as Electric Beach due to its proximity to a large power plant. This beach appeals more so to locals and has lots of waves for bodyboarding and surfing. It’s also significantly less crowded than Ko Olina and has more public parking. Driving further west to Waianae and Makaha, you’ll find more open beaches and even a hike out at Kaena Point.

In Conclusion

There you have it! An itinerary for a full week of travel ideas on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Would you add anything else to this list? Let us know in the comments below!