First Timer to Hawaii

My husband and I will be taking a trip to Honolulu in June, and I wanted to get some suggestions on what to do and the best way to get the most out of our trip to Hawaii. We will spend 7 nights in Waikiki. We have researched a variety of activities and can鈥檛 decide how our itinerary should look. Of course we want to visit some of the historic and popular attractions, but what we don鈥檛 want to do is spend our entire time visiting tourist attractions simply because they are tourist attractions. I like history as much as the next person, but I don鈥檛 want to spend my vacation as if I was on a school field trip and have to write a report when I get back home. After all, we are going to be on an island and I want to lounge on the beach, mingle with the locals, and have drinks by the pool. We don鈥檛 want to stick to a strict schedule; however, we want to ensure that we have some type of direction instead of wandering aimlessly. We are considering doing one activity per day; i.e. visiting historic sites one day, island exploration another, shopping another, etc. Primarily, I just want to see and do what Hawaii has to offer, but we don鈥檛 want to pack so much into our schedule that we don鈥檛 get to enjoy any of it. Any suggestions for a first time visitor to Hawaii? What are the best beaches to visit in Oahu? What about the best places to eat? How about helicopter rides; does anyone recommend doing one?

Also, can anyone tell me about the Ali鈥檌 Tower at the HHV? I鈥檝e read reviews on the HHV, and they appear to be mixed; some really like, some really don鈥檛 like, and some are in the middle, but most seem to agree that the Ali鈥檌 Tower is the preferred of the HHV Towers. Has anyone used the Spa at the HHV?

First Timer to Hawaii

There are activities than you could fit 2-3 in per day. I would consider at least having 2 days completely open and then you can do what you want at the whim.

My favorite beach is Lanikai...other great beaches in the summer are Waimea, Kailua and countless others.

First Timer to Hawaii

Some of the things take a full day, like if you want to do a circle drive around the island of Oahu. But some don%26#39;t. For example I don%26#39;t think you need an entire day dedicated to shopping. Shopping%26#39;s everywhere in Waikiki, you can fit that in among other things.

I know there are more deserted and less crowded beaches, but I don%26#39;t rent a car so spend most of my time right on Waikiki. I think it%26#39;s gorgeous.

Because your questions are so broad, and really the answer is different for each %26amp; every person, I might suggest getting one Oahu guidebook that you could read %26amp; look at the pictures. Take that along with you to help plan your days.

aloha, suze

The search bar will give you TONS of info on the ';Best things to see, eat, lounge'; or just scroll down through the last few pages on this forum! Sounds like you are willing to ';go with the flow'; which is the best way to see Oahu!

Lots of info:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29222-i37-k647862鈥?/a>

On the Oahu forum, on the left side of the page click on Before You go, Things To Do, Restaurants. lots of info written by forum members.

We just returned from our first visit to Oahu. One of our favorite days was spending the morning at Waimea Bay, we checked out the beaches along the North shore, ate delicious garlic shrimp at Ted%26#39;s bakery, and checked out the little surf shops in Haleiwa. A great day!

When we went for the first time

(and only so far). We did Pearl Harbor as a whole day activity between waiting for the Arizona, Going to the Missouri, and Air Museum, This way we wern%26#39;t pressed to be anywhere except dinner when we got back. Another day we hiked up diamond head in the late morning, came back went to the beach, and had planned our Luau that evening. North Shore was another day, just seeing the sights Shark Dive, and snorkeling. I would recomend going to Hanauma bay for half a day at least, amazing snorkeling, and I was a first timer, and had no problems. Even saw some Sea Turtles. Also most shopping is open until 9, and the intl market was open until 10 when we were there, so if you do one activity during the day you can shop after a nice dinner at Duke%26#39;s. Feel free to check out our reviews from Oahu and ask any questions. Also check out buying the entertainment guide for HI, it cost us $15 online, and we saved almost $200 in HI.