Honolulu is a great place to visit on your first visit to Hawaii. From beautiful views to great food, you are sure to leave Honolulu happy.
There’s no doubt that Hawaii comes into mind when imagining a tropical vacation. That being said, Hawaii definitely delivers to its expectations.
Honolulu is one of Hawaii’s several islands. It also happens to be the capital of the state (yes, Hawaii is a state). This island is also called Oahu.
There is plenty to explore in Honolulu, and it serves as a benchmark as to what the other Hawaiin islands consist of. From beaches to mountains, the island has something for everyone.
When I visited Honolulu, it was for only three days. It was more than enough time to enjoy the trip in my opinion.
Without further a due, here are some ideas for a three-day trip to Honolulu:
#1: Hike Koko Head Crater
One of Hawaii’s most popular hiking destinations, Koko Head consists of over a thousand steps to reach the top. It is considered a volcanic tuff cone that formed as a result of volcanic activity thousands of years ago.
At the very top of the hike, hikers are rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastline. It is perfect to just let the experience sink in and absorb the great views.
Koko Head is considered one of the more challenging hikes in Hawaii, but it definitely would be worth it.
At a slow pace, the hike can take around 1-2 hours. For those who are faster, the hike can take 45 minutes.
#2: Dole Plantation
For those who love their pineapples, the Dole Plantation might as well be their heaven. From ices to plushies to the pineapples themselves, the Dole Plantation is a great place to visit.
Visitors can enjoy a tour of the plantation when visiting the farm. There is also a maze made of plants, considered to be the largest in the world.
The best part of the experience is probably tasting the fruit itself. There’s no such thing as a sour pineapple on the premises.
Furthermore, the gift shop is an experience in itself, with so many souvenirs to choose from. One can easily spend an hour in the shop alone!
#3: Byodo-In Temple
Not sure how many people know about this attraction in Hawaii, because I know I sure didn’t.
The Byodo-In Temple is a Buddhist temple that was established to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. This was done in 1968. In fact, the temple is a replica of one in Japan.
Byodo-In is full of gardens, architecture, and a large statue of Buddha. It offers a very peaceful vibe and one of reflection on oneself.
Above all, the scenic mountain views behind the temple are stunning. That alone is enough to make the trip worth it.
#4: Kualoa Ranch
Ever wonder where Jurassic Park was filmed? Well, that happens to be in Kualoa Ranch in Honolulu.
If you’ve seen the movie, it’s quite obvious the ranch is home to scenic valleys, mountains, and coastal views.
In fact, the ranch used to be the old hunting ground for Hawaiin royalty centuries ago.
Today, the ranch has many tours on the property, such as horseback riding and ATV tours. The biggest tour is the one that showcases where and how the famous Jurassic Park movie was filmed.
For any outdoor lover or any Jurassic Park lover, Kualoa Ranch is a must on your to-do list.
#5: Green World Coffee Farms
For those who love coffee, Green World Coffee Farms is the place for you. It is a plantation that produces Hawaiin coffee.
Visitors can take tours of the farms to learn about the process that goes into making the coffee. There is also a cafe that brews fresh coffee and other treats.
The plantation also has its own wonderful views of the landscape. Tourists can buy as much coffee as they want and other souvenirs as well.
#6: Waikiki Beach
Honolulu has several beaches, but I personally only tried Waikiki beach.
It lives up to the standard of a beachy vacation environment. The beach is always lively, and the views of the city are just too good to be true.
The best time to visit the beach is before sunset, so you can catch the purple and orange sky in the background. Once it’s dark, you can see the stars in the sky if it’s clear.
To be honest, it doesn’t get much more romantic than that. In addition, the water is good, and it is easy to swim pretty far into the ocean. The two miles of beach are also filled with shops and restaurants on the shore.
Nighttime is pretty alive with tourists, so it feels like a vacation all night long. The streets can get quiet too, so a nice walk in the night is perfect.
I would say Waikiki Beach is more than enough to satisfy any beach cravings you may have in Hawaii.
All in all, Honolulu is a great place to visit in Hawaii. It feels like a vacation and also feels close to home at the same time. It doesn’t get much better than that!
