7 Must-See Honolulu Neighborhoods and How To Visit

From Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the United States, to the centuries-old Kawaiahao Church—a National Historic Landmark since 1962—downtown Honolulu is a haven for historical sights. Immerse yourself in the neighborhood's rich history and culture on a 1-hour long guided walking tour, which shows you the area's highlights—including the State Capitol and the King Kamehameha Statue—through the lens of a local historian.

A resurgence in creative arts, dining, and nightlife has transformed Chinatown into one of the city's hottest neighborhoods in the past decade. During the day, visitors can explore the quaint storefronts that house everything from herbalists and antique shops to lei makers and acupuncturists. After dark, the area transforms into a playground for nightlife enthusiasts. To get a taste of Chinatown's diverse restaurant scene, take a food tour. Not only will you get to bite into some of Oahu's most popular dishes—including manapua and poke—but you'll also get a glimpse of some of the most famous open-air marketplaces.

Situated 2 miles west of Waikiki is Ala Moana Beach Park, a popular spot for Oahu residents to picnic, swim, and stand-up paddleboard in the wave-free, clear blue waters. After a morning soaking up the sun here, head to Ala Moana Center, the world's largest open-air mall, where you can shop and dine at local favorites including Ahi and Vegetable. For an epic only-in-Hawaii sunset, head to the Magic Island lagoon on the park's east edge. It offers an unobstructed view of the sun setting directly over the Pacific Ocean.

Once a warehouse district, Kaka'ako now serves as Honolulu's epicenter for arts and culture with the biannual Honolulu Night Market block parties and the eclectic shopping and dining options at Salt at Our Kaka'ako. The vibrant street murals remain the neighborhood's primary draw, however, with the best ones found along Coral, Cooke, and Pohukaina streets or during a street art tour.

Once home to an ancient Hawaiian fishpond and wetlands, Hawaii Kai is now one of Honolulu's wealthiest residential neighborhoods with enviable views that span from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean). However, a plethora of hiking trails—including the exhilarating Koko Head Crater trail—and secret beaches including Koko Kai Beach Park and Halona Beach Cove also make this eastern neighborhood a paradise for outdoorsy city slickers. Handily, Waikiki and downtown Honolulu are just a 20-minute drive away.

Manoa's verdant tropical valley landscape, complete with hiking trails, an arboretum, and a botanical garden, makes it hard to believe that downtown Honolulu is just 5 miles (8 kilometers) away. A leisurely hike through dense foliage takes you to Manoa Falls, an impressive 150-foot (46-meter) waterfall that’s one of Oahu's most accessible. The quiet neighborhood also houses the University of Hawaii's campus, which features a 200-acre (81 hectare) on-site arboretum with over 5,500 tropical and subtropical flora and fauna, including its own waterfall, ʻAihualama Falls.

Old meets new in Kaimuki. According to Hawaiian legend, the neighborhood gets its name from the Menehune that used to cook ti leaf roots in an underground oven nearby. So it's no surprise that Kaimuki today serves as a culinary mecca for visitors and locals alike. Take a walk along Waiʻalae Avenue, the neighborhood's main drag, and you'll find stalwarts such as Okata Bento—a staple since 1981—and the Crack Seed Store right next to culinary hot spots including Pipeline Bakeshop and Yakitori Ando.