Must See Sights and Landmarks in Oahu Area

"The USS Missouri Battleship Memorial is also worth visiting while you are in Pearl Harbor. If you’d like more military and history insights of Pearl Harbor, you might consider visiting the USS Bowfin and the Pacific Aviation Museum."

"You can visit the Pearl Harbor Museums, the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship, Pacific Aviation Museum and plenty more. It was a very moving experience and definitely worth the visit."

"Frequently appearing on many a ‘Best Attractions in Hawaii’ list, this spectacular 42-acre open-air park highlights traditional lifestyles and habitats of native Polynesians via several villages, each representing a particular culture. Visitors of all ages will enjoy stepping back in time to life in native Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, the Marquesas, and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Each village features its own traditional arts and crafts, educational displays, hands-on activities such as spear throwing and canoe paddling, and more."

"You'll see coastal views of beaches and undeveloped valleys before entering Laie, where the Polynesian Cultural Center and Mormon Temple are located. Stop in Kahuku, the next town, for shrimp at any one of its food trucks, before driving to Ehukai Beach Park, also known as the renowned surf spot Banzai Pipeline."

"After that, make your way to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s a bit expensive, but I highly recommend the tour that includes the luau and night show."

"If you’ve never been to Japan, I recommend fitting a stop at Byodoin Temple into your Hawaii itinerary. It’s a replica of the original Byodo-in Temple in Japan and commemorates the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii."

"Make a scenic stop at Byodo-In Temple. Continuing on Highway 83, make a stop at Kualoa Beach Park for a beautiful view of Mokoli’i, which is also known as Chinaman’s Hat."

"Known as Mauna ʻAla, or Fragrant Hills, in Hawaiian, this is the final resting place of Hawaii's two prominent royal families, the Kamehamehas and the Kalakauas. Completed in 1865 for Prince Albert, it's adjacent to the public Oʻahu Cemetery. The mausoleum is home to the remains of almost all of Hawaii's monarchs, their consorts, and various princes and princesses."

"The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii is the final resting place for members of the Kamehameha Dynasty and the Kalakaua Dynasty. These 2.7 acres, completed in 1864, house the somber tombs of the royal families as well as a small chapel in the Gothic Revival. Located in the lush Nuʻuanu Valley, it’s just next to the public O’ahu Cemetery."

"Formerly the governor’s residence, this colonial-style mansion was built in 1846 by US sea captain John Dominis. The captain’s son became the governor of Oʻahu and married the Hawaiian princess who later became Queen Liliʻuokalani. After the queen was released from house arrest inside ʻIolani Palace in 1896, she lived here until her death in 1917."

"Built by Queen Liliuokalani’s father in the 1840’s, the Washington Place served as the Hawaii State governor's mansion before getting converted to the present day museum. This place became Queen Liliuokalani’s home after she married John Dominis. She died here in 1917."

"While the paid attractions and demonstrations around the Island Villages here close by early evening, the Hukilau Marketplace and its food kiosks, shops and Polynesian Football Hall of Fame are open late. There’s also a luau and evening show, but you’ll have to reserve tickets ahead of time and arrive early for the dinner seatings."

"Kissaten Café at Ala Moana can be found in Honolulu, Hawaii. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight fare is offered, along with a children's menu. The restaurant is bright and modern with spacious dining and a comfortable atmosphere."

"Kalihi If you’re really hungry around lunchtime, Sugoi’s huge bento box lunches might be just the thing. The garlic chicken bento is a signature dish that is popular for a reason. There’s something about the “secret sauce” that’s magical -- and they even bottle it now, too, so you can buy it and put it on everything you cook."

"Art-filled coffee shop that transforms into a bar and club at night Another stalwart of the neighborhood’s new nightlife scene, this espresso bar and cafe by day and cocktail bar-cum-club by night has been slinging drinks for a decade and still packs in a cool crowd (be warned about the sardine-like situation on First Fridays). The industrial-style space’s brick walls are lined with rotating art exhibits and you can catch both full-on bands and visiting DJs from around the country on weekend nights. If brown liquor’s your thing, don’t miss the impressive whiskey selection."

"One of the top places to eat in Honolulu and all of Hawaii, Roy's has risen to the top under the masterful tutelage of chef Roy Yamaguchi, who skillfully fuses European and Asian cuisines, this establishment has earned a reputation for lively ambience, attentive service, and incredible food. A devotion to impeccably fresh ingredients and a penchant for artistic presentation characterizes the menu, whose temptations include steamed Hawaiian onaga, tri-peppercorn-crusted ahi, and ginger-steamed Chinese chicken. There's also steak, lamb, pasta, pork, and duck."

"There are over 20 locations of Roy’s across the U.S., but Roy Yamaguchi’s original location in the residential neighborhood of Hawai‘i Kai is still the most special. The service makes guests feel like family, and the food is always reliable and comforting. Look out for Roy’s classic seared misoyaki butterfish and meatloaf with tempura onion rings."

"Open since 2007, Roy’s Waikiki is a high-end Hawaiian fusion restaurant with a contemporary ambiance. Well-known chef Roy Yamaguchi attributes his early appreciation of food to his parents. His father was a military man who was born and raised on the island of Maui, while his mother was born in Japan."