Things to Do Under an Hour from Honolulu with Kids
35 kid-friendly adventures under an hour from Honolulu, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (35)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown Honolulu — Oahu only, since you cannot drive between islands, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “under an hour” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in Honolulu you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 10 min drive
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Honolulu, HI
MuseumWalk the deck and interior of the battleship where WWII ended, from the surrender plaque to the …
about 10 min drive
Bishop Museum
Honolulu, HI
MuseumHonolulu's state museum of Hawaiian history with a walk-through erupting volcano, planetarium, and …
about 10 min drive
Diamond Head State Monument
Honolulu, HI
HikingIconic volcanic crater hike with panoramic Waikiki and ocean views. Paid entry. Best from about age …
about 10 min drive
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Honolulu, HI
SwimmingSnorkel with colorful fish in a volcanic crater bay with protected reef. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 10 min drive
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
Honolulu, HI
Indoor-PlayOahu children's museum in Kakaako with a mini TV studio, a pretend supermarket and a walk-through …
about 10 min drive
Hawaii State Art Museum
Honolulu, HI
MuseumFree downtown Honolulu museum of contemporary Hawaii art with a hands-on family gallery, activity …
about 10 min drive
Honolulu Museum of Art
Honolulu, HI
MuseumCourtyard-built Honolulu art museum with a world-class Asian collection, free child admission, and …
about 10 min drive
Iolani Palace
Honolulu, HI
MuseumThe only royal palace on US soil, with guided tours of the throne room and the upstairs room where …
about 10 min drive
Koko Crater Railway Trail
Honolulu, HI
Hiking1,048-step staircase up a volcanic crater with panoramic coastal views. Free. Better for ages 8 and …
about 10 min drive
Manoa Falls Trail
Honolulu, HI
HikingRainforest hike to a 150-foot waterfall through a tropical jungle near Waikiki. Paid entry. Best …
about 10 min drive
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Honolulu, HI
MuseumRestored seaplane hangars on Ford Island still bullet-scarred from 1941, holding a Japanese Zero, a …
about 10 min drive
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Honolulu, HI
MuseumWalk end to end inside a real WWII submarine at Pearl Harbor, past stacked bunks, torpedo rooms and …
about 10 min drive
Waikiki Aquarium
Honolulu, HI
AquariumSmall Waikiki aquarium of Hawaiian reef life with monk seals, giant clams, a jellyfish gallery and a …
about 10 min drive
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI
SwimmingIconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from …
about 10 min drive
Aiea Loop Trail
Aiea, HI
HikingShaded forest loop with Pearl Harbor views and WWII airplane wreckage. Free. Best from about age 5. …
about 10 min drive
Byodo-In Temple
Kaneohe, HI
NatureBeautiful Japanese temple with koi fish, peace bell, and dramatic mountain backdrop. Paid entry. …
about 10 min drive
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
Kaneohe, HI
NatureFree 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler …
about 10 min drive
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden Camping
Kaneohe, HI
CampingPermit-only weekend tent camping on garden lawns beneath the Koolau cliffs, one of the few quiet …
about 10 min drive
Kualoa Ranch
Kaneohe, HI
NatureJurassic Park filming location with horseback riding, ATVs, and zip lines. Paid entry. Best from …
about 10 min drive
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Waimanalo, HI
HikingPaved coastal cliff trail to a lighthouse with winter whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. …
about 10 min drive
Tide Pools at Makapu'u
Waimanalo, HI
NatureNatural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from …
about 10 min drive
Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo, HI
SwimmingLong uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from …
about 15 min drive
Kailua Beach Park
Kailua, HI
SwimmingAward-winning white sand beach with turquoise water and gentle waves. Free. Works from toddler age. …
about 15 min drive
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Kailua, HI
HikingShort steep hike to WWII bunkers with stunning views over Lanikai Beach. Free. Best from about age …
about 15 min drive
Maunawili Falls Trail
Kailua, HI
HikingJungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
about 15 min drive
Electric Beach (Kahe Point)
Kapolei, HI
SwimmingUnique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for …
about 15 min drive
Ko Olina Lagoons
Kapolei, HI
SwimmingCalm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler …
about 30 min drive
Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)
Waianae, HI
SwimmingRemote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best …
about 30 min drive
Leeward Coast Dolphin Watching
Waianae, HI
NatureBoat tours to see wild spinner dolphins and sea turtles along the leeward coast. Paid entry. Best …
about 30 min drive
Malaekahana State Recreation Area
Laie, HI
CampingBeachfront camping with a wadeable offshore island on the quiet North Shore. Paid entry. Works from …
about 30 min drive
Polynesian Cultural Center
Laie, HI
NatureInteractive Pacific Island cultural park with hands-on activities and evening luau. Paid entry. Best …
about 30 min drive
Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
Haleiwa, HI
NatureReliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from …
about 30 min drive
North Shore Shark Cove
Haleiwa, HI
SwimmingExcellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. …
about 30 min drive
North Shore Surf Lessons
Haleiwa, HI
SurfingLearn to surf on gentle summer waves with certified North Shore instructors. Paid entry. Best from …
about 30 min drive
Waimea Valley
Haleiwa, HI
HikingPaved botanical garden walk to a swimmable 45-foot waterfall. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …