Location: Honolulu
Top Things to do in Honolulu
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Honolulu, Hawaii (HI)
The mere mention of Hawaii is enough to prompt visions of grass skirts and colorful cocktails with tiny umbrellas. While you will find some kitsch in Honolulu, you’ll also find art museums, bike paths, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Popular Waikiki Beach has soft sands and great surf. For majestic Oahu views scramble to the top of Diamond Head – a 350-acre volcanic crater. Historic structures like Iolani Palace and Ali'iolani Hale are worth a visit on a non-beach day.
Restaurants in Honolulu
1. Honolulu's Police Department Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By COGuest
What a hidden gem. We learned so much history; not just about policing in Honolulu, but history of Hawaii, as well. Learned about how justice was meted out back in the days of the monarchy. Great artifacts, great photos. Really enjoyed the old moonshine still on display. Old Indian motorcycle has been beautifully kept up. Our guide, Eddie, is a veteran officer who is now retired and he knows so much, What an incredible font of info! So glad we stopped by. Thank you!
2. Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
The original headquarters of nineteenth-century American Protestant missionaries, this museum explains the history of American missionaries in Hawaii.
Reviewed By R8665XYmichaelw - Raleigh, United States
An overlooked historical landmark and museum. Fascinating and extremely knowledgeable guide, Mike - Curator of Public Programs (Michigan State University history grad), provided an amazing tour and was very patient with my incessant questions. We and the two other tour members touched on many issues, some of which remain sensitive/controversial topics today. Mike didn’t shy from any of the questions, answering with aplomb and incredible detail, presenting all viewpoints. Highly recommended!
3. Iolani Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,478 reviews
Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation and political intrigue. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, walked its celebrated halls. Today, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular living restorations in all of Polynesia and immerse yourself in Hawaii’s royal heritage. E komo mai! Welcome!
Reviewed By nippys - Newcastle, United Kingdom
An excellant audio tour with lots of facts from the Hawaiian monarchy history, Lots of very interesting artifacts to see You have to wear shoe over covers to protect the palace floors, You buy your tickets from the small building in the grounds.
4. Bishop Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,774 reviews
Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai'i and other Pacific island cultures. Today, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.
Reviewed By 281patriciaq - Racine, United States
The Bishop Museum has a fascinating history and collection of artifacts dating back to the earliest contacts of the Island people with the white explorers. The feather capes and headdresses worn by the Hawaiian chiefs and kings retain their beautiful colors, and the intricate detail work and construction is lovely. The history of the Hawaiian people, and their interactions with people of other island nations is documented and explained in great detail, and serves as a wonderful education in Hawaiian history.
5. USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,903 reviews
Reviewed By samanthao520 - Cincinnati, United States
Paid for the ticket with go Oahu card It was well worth it since we did a lot on the card. Recommended to research the activities since it may come with shuttle bus to some activities and paid admission and extra with others. Well worth it for us. Pro: amazing submarine and lots to see, audio tour was amazing and a must have (it comes automatically with admission cost) Con: small and may be tight at times, the staff was waxing the floor and had to take alternate route to see everything Would return
6. Lucoral Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By jennleighthorne
This place is amazing! It is the only museum type cultural attraction that is walking distance - so close to the beaches- it's right there! Great place to go when you don't have tons of time- you could view the place in 30 min or linger for an hour! Great for solo or fun for kids. I am so glad I didn't miss out on this place! What's really neat is how authentic it feels and the owner is warm and wonderful! You can experience a casual, self-guided tour through the gallery and view tons of gemstones, pearls, coral, rocks etc! There are some exceptional and uniquely ancient pieces in the collection that will blow your mind! To top it off, you can peruse the small store of on-site made jewelry. The prices are very affordable and the range includes gift worthy items and fine jewelry to treat yourself. (I purchased authentic gold/pearl drop earrings and I treasure them)! The thing about the jewelry they sell is it is seriously the ONLY place on the island you can shop in peace for yourself or gifts- you can linger and enjoy without being hassled- and with crazy good prices! Don't miss this stop! It's not like any other attraction on the island. It's well-loved, and though not fancy- it's absolutely worth a visit!
7. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,295 reviews
One of the principal Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, our unique interactive museum is located in the battlefield hangers of historic Ford Island which were attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941, the beginning of WWII. Aircraft, such as a Japanese Zero and the Stearman in which former President George H.W. Bush soloed as the war's youngest aviator, illustrate how aviation helped stem the war. You'll view historic videos, including a movie of the beginning of the war. Enjoy the authentic gift shop, 1940s themed Laniakea Cafe, and our state-of-the-art 360 degree combat flight simulators. The mission of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is to steward America’s first aviation battlefield of World War II sharing the artifacts, personal stories, the impact and response to the December 7, 1941 attack and the Pacific region battles that followed, honoring those who have defended our freedom so we might educate and inspire future generations.
Reviewed By Keith-B-Robinson - Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
On display are a number of impressive, restored aircraft, from WWII, as well as the Korean War, the war in Vietnam and the Cold War. The Japanese Zero was very neat to see, as were the detailed, interesting exhibits on the incident on Ni'ihau, the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Guadalcanal. You may want to save visitng the Pacific Aviation Museum for a second day, because if you try to visit this at the end of a full day exploring all areas of Pearl Harbor, your brain may be mush and you might not be able to appreciate this as much as if you were fresh!
8. Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By Kamb60 - Honolulu, United States
On one of my daily hikes in Makiki Heights I came across this museum in the most unexpected place. It was early in the morning and although the the museum was not open yet the gates were open and I decided to walk through for a peak. The garden had a number of beautiful sculptures and a peak through the trees of Waikiki skyline. On another hike I fortunate to be there on a free admission day. Small but beautiful space with some great works of art.
9. King's Guard Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 32 reviews
A museum, opened in January 2003, that celebrates the history and traditions of the King's Guards, the award-winning rifle drill team that performs its ritual drill exhibitions each night at 6:15 p.m.sss
10. Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
