Aloha from Honolulu, Oahu! 🌴🌺 This was the final stop of my Hawaii cruise, and I extended my stay for a couple of days to explore the best of the city. If you’re planning a short trip and want a practical, fast-paced Honolulu travel guide, this video is designed to help you maximize your time.
To cover as much ground as possible, I picked up the Waikiki Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off pass and rode all four lines, hopping between iconic beaches, viewpoints, temples, gardens, shopping, and some seriously tasty local eats. Along the way I also sampled classic Hawaiian food and comfort favorites—think acai bowls, shave ice, spam musubi, and more.
This is a great itinerary for:
First-time visitors to Honolulu
Travelers looking for things to do in Waikiki
Anyone who wants a 2-day Honolulu plan
Cruise passengers extending their stay on Oahu
Expect: sunrise at Waikiki, Chinatown finds, botanical calm, shopping breaks, and one of Oahu’s most famous hikes to finish strong.
🌴 Things to do in Honolulu, Oahu 🌴
00:36 – Waikiki Beach
01:54 – Duke Kahanamoku Statue
03:15 – ALOH Health Bar & Cafe
04:32 – Halona Blowhole Lookout
04:50 – Foster Botanical Garden
06:13 – Kuan Yin Temple
06:24 – College Walk
06:51 – Izumo Taisha
07:14 – China Cultural Plaza
07:25 – Fook Lam Seafood Restaurant
09:41 – Ala Moana Center
10:51 – Aloha Melt
11:31 – Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
12:25 – Ala Wai Canal
12:50 – Eggs ‘N Things
14:05 – Waikiki Trolley Hop On Hop Off Tour
15:41 – Tim Ho Wan
17:02 – White Sands Hotel
18:51 – Marugame Udon
20:02 – Diamond Head Crater Hike
What you’ll see in this Honolulu travel video
✅ Waikiki Beach at sunrise — calmer, cooler, and far less crowded
✅ Duke Kahanamoku Statue — an essential Waikiki landmark and photo stop
✅ Scenic Oahu viewpoints including the Halona Blowhole
✅ Green escapes in the city at Foster Botanical Garden
✅ Cultural and historic stops in and around Honolulu Chinatown
✅ Shopping + people-watching at Ala Moana Center
✅ A tasty mix of Honolulu food from casual favorites to comforting classics
✅ The classic Diamond Head hike for one of the best views on Oahu
Planning your Honolulu trip?
Here are a few helpful ideas to pair with this video:
Combine Waikiki + Diamond Head on separate mornings for cooler temps
Use the trolley for easy neighborhood hopping if you don’t want to rent a car
Prioritize early starts for beaches and hikes to avoid crowds
Quick planning tips for your Honolulu itinerary
Short on time? A 1–2 day stay can still feel packed and rewarding if you cluster sights and use easy transport options.
Waikiki makes a great base for walkability, food choice, and transport connections.
Start early for places like Waikiki and Diamond Head to avoid peak heat and crowds.
If you’re visiting on a cruise stop or staying post-cruise, a Hop-On Hop-Off style route can make your day feel way smoother.
Honolulu food highlights we loved
We leaned hard into the local eats and iconic comfort foods:
🍧 Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
🍜 Marugame Udon
🥪 Aloha Melt
🍳 Eggs ’N Things
🥟 Tim Ho Wan
🥣 Acai bowls and other light, beach-friendly breakfasts
Food is a huge part of this Honolulu experience, and even if you’re not doing a full “food tour,” you can easily build a mini tasting route into your sightseeing days.
Is the Waikiki Trolley worth it?
For a short visit, this was a fun and practical way to simplify the logistics while still seeing a wide range of Honolulu highlights. If you prefer structure over constant planning, or you’re traveling with family, it can be a convenient option to keep the day moving without renting a car.
#honolulu #honoluluhawaii #oahu
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If this Honolulu travel guide helped, drop your favorite Oahu spot in the comments and let us know what you want to see next in Hawaii! 🌺
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