Things To Do in Honolulu & Honolulu Airport Layover Ideas
Things to do in Honolulu if you have a Honolulu Airport Layover or Extended Honolulu Airport Stopover
If you have an extended layover at the Honolulu Airport or staying in town, why not consider getting out with some fun activities? We list a few here and there are many more on Honolulu.LayoverIdeas.com.
The HNL Honolulu International Airport is well located for enjoying a bit of Honolulu or Waikiki if you have some extra time.
Hit the Beach
Naturally, when most visitors think of beaches here, they think of the famous Waikiki Beach. As the tourist center of the Hawaiian Islands, this white sand beach, framed by hotels and Diamond Head as a backdrop, is easily the most crowded. Waikiki is popular with a wide crowd, as it's a excellent place for swimming, sunbathers, catamaran and outrigger canoes, as well as a great spot for beginner surfers and body boarders (and there are plenty of surf schools set up in Waikiki for lessons). What's remarkable is that even in Waikiki you can find a fairly quiet beach; it's just a matter of knowing where to look.
Climb Diamond Head
It's Hawai'i, so there's no shortage of natural scenery, even near the big city. For those looking for expansive vistas, Diamond Head is a good starting point - this ancient volcanic crater dominates over Waikiki and the top offers an incredible view over the city. The trail leads up into a World War II-era bunker and up some steep staircases (one of over 100 steps), so the climb can be a little rough for the average couch potato.
See the Pearl Harbor Memorials
Pearl Harbor, located in Western Honolulu, is well-remembered for 7 December 1941, a day that lived in infamy, when an attack by Japanese forces killed over 2,000 personnel and brought the U.S. military into World War II. Today the harbor, still functioning as a navy base, is the site of several memorials honoring the fallen of that day and the rest of the war. The centerpiece is the USS Arizona Memorial, which was built over the sunken hull of the USS Arizona battleship; the resting place of many who died that day. The memorial itself is accessed after an introductory movie and a short ferry ride, and lists the names of those lost as well as a chance to view the wreck.
Visit a Museum or Gallery
Of all the museums in Honolulu, none approach the size of the Bishop Museum in Western Honolulu; a complex of buildings with a large collection of Hawaiian artifacts. Much of the museum is dedicated to Hawaiian history, with a growing number of science-based exhibits, including a planetarium, a large natural history hall, and an area centered around volcanology. The museum is huge, so give yourself a few hours to take it all in.
As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to HNL Honolulu International Airport and clear security in time for your connecting flight. Enjoy your transit city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.
More Honolulu Airport Transfer & Airport Connection Options
- Honolulu Airport Information
- Honolulu Airport Distance to City Centre
- Honolulu Airport Currency Exchange
- Honolulu Airport ATM & Cash Machines
- Honolulu Airport Wireless Internet Access
- Honolulu Airport Maps
- Honolulu Airport Flights, Arrivals, & Airlines
- Honolulu Airport Taxi Service
- Honolulu Airport Onsite Hotels
- Honolulu Airport Private Transfer Services
- Honolulu Airport Shared Shuttle Transfers
- Honolulu Airport Location & Address
- Honolulu Airport Train & Subway
- Honolulu Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfers
- Honolulu Airport Shuttle
- Honolulu Airport Buses & Coaches
- Honolulu Airport Limo & Private Car Transfers
- Honolulu Airport Car Hire/Car Rental
- Honolulu Airport Other Ground Transportation
- Honolulu Airport Parking & Passenger Pickup
- Honolulu Airport Stopover & Layovers
- Closest Airports to HNL Honolulu Airport
- Honolulu Airport Services & Amenities