I had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii for a couple of weeks when I was a teen. Every year since, I have been hoping to take my family back for some sun and surf. Waikiki is a beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu, which is on the south side of the island of Oahu. Waikiki is also known as Waikiki Beach and it is a popular destination for families throughout the year.
If you are looking to visit with your family, you will want to check out these great spots. Also, I suggest you make reservations to any restaurants you may want to eat at. Being a popular spot they fill up fast every night!
Here are 5 things that families can do while vacationing in Waikiki:
- Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium opened in 1904, which makes it the second oldest aquarium in the United States. That alone should place it on everyone’s must-see list, but most people go there to see all of the marine life. The aquarium has all of the invertebrates, fish, and reptiles that other aquariums have, but they also have a Hawaiian Monk Seal, which is not usually found in aquariums.
- Visit Hilton Hawaiian Village
Even if a family is not staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, they should still visit to see the exotic birds, waterfowl, turtles, and fish inside the natural sanctuary. The penguins live in the same area as the turtles and the best time to watch them is in the morning when they are being fed. There are also twenty-two-acres that comprise the gardens and it is filled with more than fifty different types of flora.
- Hike Manoa Falls Trail
The Manoa Falls Trail is approximately 1.6 miles round trip and while it is traditionally hiked barefoot, visitors are encouraged to wear shoes, so that they are more comfortable walking on the rocks that line the route. As people get closer to the top, they will hear a bubbling brook and smell guava and wild ginger in the air. At the very top of the stairs is where everyone will see the waterfall that rushes down one hundred feet or more to the rocks below.
- Learn how to hula and make leis
The entire family can learn how to hula dance and make their own leis at either the Royal Hawaiian Center or Beach Walk. At the end of the lessons, everyone will be able to hula dance as often as they wish. and take home a special memory of Hawaii.
- Children’s Discovery Center
Children are encouraged to interact and engage when they are inside the Children’s Discovery Center and they will all make new friends. There are four different areas in the Discovery Center and they include Your Town, Hawaiian Rainbows, Your Rainbow World, and Rain forest Adventures. Each section is filled with educational exhibits that children can touch and play with.
Waikiki has quite a bit of educational attractions for families to visit, but the children will not even realize that they are learning, because they will be having too much fun! When you want to hit the beach it is right there and you will never want to leave!
Have you visited Waikiki before? What did you love most?
It’s been on my bucket list for EVER!!! I want to do it right so want to save up to splurge there
I haven’t visited Waikiki – but Hawaii is a dream destination for my family! My husband went when he was younger and has such fond memories.
Hawaii is a dream destination for us. My good friend just took her family at Christmas for 3 weeks. Her husband retired from firefighting and they surprised him with a Hawaii vacation. I know that they visited Waikiki but they also did several other areas too. Their pictures were incredible. So jealous. But then again if you were a firefighter for 25 years or so and you retired I suppose that is a great reason to do an epic trip like that. I would settle for a week there some time soon. I must make a plan to make that happen.
I absolutely love Hawaii. I lived there for years with my family, and it is just as gorgeous as it looks in pictures and movies.
I went to Hawaii on my honeymoon and it was a great trip. I seem to remember the Hilton Hawaiian Village but it was 18 years ago. Thanks for the memories I have to go back.
That does look like fun. I could really use a vacation right about now too. Hawaii sounds like such an amazing place to visit. I really hope someday I can go there.
This is like a dream vacation for my family. Fun in the sun, with the sand under our toes. Maybe one day we’ll finally make it there.
We were just on the big island last summer but Waikiki is still on our bucket list. The ocean is always calling us to visit.
I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I am hoping to get there in the next few years. It looks like you had a great adventure.
I would love to visit Waikiki. My cousin and I are hoping to make a trip to Hawaii someday.
This looks like an amazing getaway. I am always looking for fun family friendly places to go.
Oh wow, I’d love to take my family to Waikiki, we would do all of those things! Such a beautiful place to visit.
WHen I went to Waikiki about 8 years ago, we loved walking over to the Hilton to see the penguins. We stayed at the Hale Koa. We loved to go to the swap meet and also to the zoo.
Hawaii just looks perfect. I hope to visit soon with my kids
It’s my dream to visit Hawaii with my family. Now I know what to do when we make it there, thank you!
This looks like fun. I would love to take my family to Waikiki. Looks like we need to start saving for that.
I would love to visit Waikiki some day. I want to visit all the tropical places I can. Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit.
This is amazing!! I’ve never been to Waikiki and I think this is the best destination for our next trip!