Hawaii's capital city shouts "Aloha!" from the state's third largest island of Oahu. Honolulu is a residential community sporting a cluster of quieter neighborhoods than nearby Oahu neighbor Waikiki within close proximity to hot tourist districts and the nation's trademark baby blue-watered beaches. Paolo, Kaimuki, Manoa, and Makiki are some of the swankest neighborhoods in Honolulu. Over half of Oahu's population hang their hat in Honolulu. The Hawaiian government and business headquarters maintain a metropolis in the bustling Easter Part of the city dubbed the Capitol District. The twelve block long Art District is wedged just between Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown. The Art District hosts a variety of cultural excursion with an emphasis on creativity, including performing arts venues, art galleries, and the historic Hawaii Theatre. Downtown Honolulu sponsors a monthly art walk on the first Friday of each month. A city lounging in lush green scenery and flowers screaming with bright color, key attractions like the Honolulu 'Iolani Palace, the Royal Structure in America, the Bishop Tower, the Pacific's premier art house, and Kawaiaha'o Church provide tourists with an opportunity to capture a taste of island history from America's sunniest state.

	Top rated hotels
	1. Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel formerly ResortQuest 2570 Kalakaua Avenue (Waikiki) 4. Outrigger Reef on the Beach 2169 Kalia Road (Waikiki) 2. Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 2552 Kalakaua Avenue (Waikiki) 5. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach 2335 Kalakaua Ave. (Waikiki) 3. Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa 2005 Kalia Road (Waikiki) 6. The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort 2259 Kalakaua Avenue (Waikiki) View more Honolulu hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Honolulu 1. Foster Botanical Garden Located just across the street from Chinatown, the Foster Botanical Garden is a fourteen acre green garden oasis surrounded by the iconic high-rises of Downtown Honolulu. Facing Chinatown's North Side, Foster Botanical Garden features a terrace of towering trees, a living museum of living, rare, and endangered plants, an impressive collection of palms, and a hybrid orchid collection. The garden harbors twenty-six "Exceptional" trees protected by Hawaii State Law.  « hide 2. Iolani Palace Located in the Capital District in Downtown Honolulu, the classic Iolani Palace is a four story Italian Renaissance Palace erected by King David Kalakaua in 1882. Iolani Palace is the only state residence of royalty in America. The architectural masterpiece attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually. The Iolani Palace Grand Tour covers the history of the Palace, and the Palace's grounds and history, in ninety minutes. Galleries Tours are self-guided and provide an impressive look at the crown jewels, classic cloaks, and Royal china on display at Iolani. Children under 5 not permitted. Reservations required For The Grand Tour  « hide 3. Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park Honolulu's Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park spans twenty-nine acres and showcases attractions like a bodysurfing wave pool, a pair of sixty-five foot high free fall slides, two water-toboggan bullet slides, and an inner tube floating river. A collection of fast-food restaurants, food carts, and Hawaiian performances round out a day at Hawaiian waters  « hide 4. USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor The USS Arizona is a national memorial commemorating the memory of the 1,177 members of the USS Arizona who died in the December 7th, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. The twentieth century's deadliest act of terror, the Pearl Harbor tragedy marked America's entrance into World War II. The USS Arizona Memorial features onshore exhibits and video dedications recapping the events of that December day in 1941. The memorial Visitor's Center includes dining facilities and a gift shop. The sobering mecca for remembrance is the burial site of many of the bombing victims entombed on what remains of the USS Arizona.  « hide 5. Aloha Festivals Aloha Festivals are Hawaii's ultimate cultural showcase. Recognized statewide on six islands, the Aloha Festivals celebrated music, dance, and history of America's most eclectic island. The first Aloha Festival kicked off in 1946 and has become Hawaii's largest festival and the United States' only statewide celebration. Arts & crafts, food, and live entertainment are crowd favorites during the Aloha Fest in Honolulu. Many of Honolulu's biggest Aloha Festival festives are situated in the heart of Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. The annual Floral Parade, featuring a fragrant arrangement of spotted colors and signature scents, begins it's march in Ala Moana Park and continues travel to Kapiolani Park.  « hide 6. Honolulu Zoo The Honolulu Zoo is forty-three acre animal wonderland in Waikiki featuring a ten acre on-site African Savannah, home to more than forty of Africa's indigenous animals. Rare species, like the Hawaiian Nene Goose, the Hawaiian Pig, and the Mouflon Sheep, are on exhibition at the Honolulu Zoo. The Zoo By Twilight Tour offers visitors the opportunity to venture out for an inside look into the private lives of the residents of the Honolulu Zoo. The Honolulu Zoo sponsors Zoo By Twilight Tours each Saturday from 5:30-7:30.  « hide 7. Victoria Ward Centers An expansive retail retreat just steps from Ala Moana Beach Park showcases a collection of stylish shops and eateries spanning several blocks. Victoria Ward Centers is home to Ward Center, Ward Warehouse, Ward Village Shops, Borders Books & Music, Nordstrom, Pier 1, and a sixteen screen movie house.  « hide 8. Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island is a oceanfront excursion and amusement adventure spaciously lavished across one hundred acres of sandy beachfront on Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. The popular parks attract a lounging crowd eager to take advantage of the park's beaches, picnicking areas, jogging, and paths for biking while sporting spectacular views of the not so distant Pacific Ocean. The Ala Moana Beach Park provides on-site facilities for showering and concession stands for grabbing a quick bite.  « hide View more Honolulu attractions » « View less Honolulu attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Anna Miller's 24-Hour Restaurant Honolulu's own answer to the International House of Pancakes, Anna Miller's 24-Hour Restaurant serves breakfast platters of Steak & Eggs, Stuffed Waffles, and Pancakes around the clock. Burgers and the trademark fresh fruit pie are hot house specials  « hide 6. Liliha Bakery Liliha's Bakery in Honolulu is an old-fashioned charming eatery with a flair for homey faire. Liliha's short-order cooks cater to cranking out breakfasts and burgers. Chocolate Pudding, Cakes, Pies, Brownies, Doughnuts, and other flaky pastries are top-selling dessert delights at Liliha Bakery. NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED  « hide 2. Hau Tree Lanai Tucked beneath a towering Hau Tree beside the water, the Hau Tree Lanai is perched right on a stretch of land reportedly once visited by acclaimed British author Robert Louis Stevenson (The Adventures of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). The outdoor Hau Tree Lanai, housed on the grounds of the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, is one of Honolulu's most coveted spots for a brunch break. Travel & Leisure dubbed the Hau Tree Lanai "Waikiki's most pleasant place to eat." The business-casual crowd flocks to the shady harbor Hau Tree for breakfast delicacies adorned with a touch of fresh island fish and preserved produce. The Grilled Guava, Freshly Baked Muffins, Sweetbread French Toast, Belgian Waffles, and Turkey, Ham, Bay Shrimp, Fresh Spinach, and Cheese Omelets are popular breakfast dishes at the Hau Tree Lanai.  « hide 7. Cafe Sistina Cafe Sistina caters to the cuisine of Northern Italy in a charming cafe tucked away in the heart of Ala Mona. Oven Roasted Eggplant, Caprese, Fettuccine Caprese, Veal Barolo, Scampi San Remo, and Lasagna are kitchen crowd pleasers at the Cafe. Decorated with an assortment of colorfully-splashed classic Italian portraits by head chef, Sergio Mitrotti, Cafe Sistina features live Afro-Cuban jazz on weekends. Bar/Lounge and Private Rooms Available.  « hide 3. Eggs 'n Things The quirky team at Egg 'n Things have been serving up syrupy combos of crepes, pancakes, and waffles to adoring diners since 1974. Egg 'n Things has become a local institution over the last three decades as a popular hangout for local Waikiki residents and employees. Just two blocks from the city's strip of upscale hotels and Convention Center, Egg n' Things offers an extensive selection of Vegetarian and Specially Stuffed Omelets featuring Corned Beef Hash, Spinach, Cheese, Bacon, or Onions as fillings. There is an assortment of pancakes flavored with whipped butter and confectioner's sugar, including Macadamia Nut, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Banana Nut Pancakes. Egg n' Things signature Crepe Suzettes are thinly-sliced pancakes filled with a succulent selection of apple, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, and mango.  « hide 8. Assaggio Assaggio operates a small chain of local South Italy fare eateries in Honolulu. Regulars hit Assaggio for a tantalizing combo of economically priced entrees. Sicilian chicken, pastas, and Caesar salad are savory Assaggio dishes.  « hide 4. Cafe Lauer Cafe Lauer, a pastry hideaway in Honolulu's Kaimuki neighborhood, specializes in a lite lunch and dinner menu starring Ginger Snaps, Turkey, Ham, and Salami Sandwich Platters, Crab Salad Sandwich, Chinese Chicken Salad, and Mini Danish. Cream Puffs, Macadamia Nut Pie, and Chocolate Charlotte Rousse are among Lauer's luxurious desserts.  « hide 9. Caffelatte Italian Restaurant Caffelatte Italian Restaurant is a simple, elegant Waikiki Italian getaway specializing in authentic Old-World eats like Homemade Pasta, Italian Sausage, Gnocchi, and Tiramisu in an outdoor setting  « hide 5. Coffee Gallery The Coffee Gallery is a cozy-casual coffee cafe situated on Honolulu's posh North Shore. Sporting a rustic interior dotted with classic mosaic floors and fragrant sacks of flavored coffee beans, the Coffee Gallery has emerged as a local hangout for North Shore residents where all coffees are brewed on-site. Pure Ka'u Peaberry, Kaui Peaberry, Waialua, and Kona Blend are some of the Coffee Gallery's top-selling brews. The Coffee Gallery serves international blends representing India, Costa Rica, and Brazil.  « hide 10. Duke's Canoe Club A casual Waikiki bar and restaurant, Duke's Canoe Club was named in honor of Hawaii's renowned Olympic surfing Champion Duke Kahanamoku. The bar showcases an eye-catching collection of famed autographs, surfboards, classic posters, and other authentic "Duke" memorabilia. The atmosphere of Old-Hawaii is alive here. Traditional island tunes, sweet cocktails, and fresh seafood add to the purely Pacific ambiance. Duke's Canoe Club, along with companion hangout the Barefoot Bar, is situated on the grounds of the oceanfront Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.  « hide

	Honolulu Insider tips
	1. Visit The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau supplies Honolulu visitors with free maps, brochures, and Accommodations and Car Rental Guide and supplies free brochures, maps, and the Islands of Aloha magazine, the official HVCB magazine. The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is located in Suite 801, Waikiki Business Plaza, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815 tel. 800/GO-HAWAII or 808/923-1811  « hide 2. Free Weeklies Offer Money-Saving Coupons This Week and Guide to Oahu, local weeklies both available around Honolulu and at the airport, are filled with money-saving coupons for discounts on dining, shops, and other island activities.  « hide

	Honolulu nightlife
	In Honolulu 1. Esprit Nightclub Esprit Nightclub, tucked away on the grounds of the Sheraton Hotel Waikiki, showcases breathtaking shots of Waikiki. The comedy club/nightclub/live music venue has become a favorite for daiquiris beneath the sunset. Demanding a chic-stylish atmosphere, the Esprit hosts nightly DJ remixes and live bands playing the sounds of Hip-Hop, Rock, Reggae, and Modern Hawaiian music.  « hide 2. Anna Banana's Anna Banana's is a frat boy-style dive attracting a sizable crowd of college partyers and regulars in the Moiliili section of Honolulu. Anna's is a live music venue featuring the rough sounds of rock and blues, as performed by local bands.  « hide