At first glance—say, from the back of a cab on a traffic-choked freeway after a long flight from anywhere—Honolulu could seem like some perverse, tropical re-imagination of everything you hoped you were leaving behind on the mainland. And while Honolulu is in many ways a North American city like any other, this colorful state capital, almost sliding down rugged green hills and into the aquamarine waters of the Pacific, is in fact a place like no other—a thrilling blend of natural beauty and the manmade, where South Pacific, Asian, and European influences collide. Stay in one of the city's classic hotels like Halekulani, The Modern, or the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head. And whether you're in Honolulu for a week or just a perfect weekend, here's what else you should do in Hawaii's capital.
Grab One of Honolulu's Hottest Tables
A new crop of talented chefs and restaurateurs is updating Honolulu's restaurant scene with tasty results. Check out Top Chef all star Leanne Wong's Koko Head Café, late night ramen stop Lucky Belly, or Vietnamese pop-up favorite The Pig and the Lady.
Explore Chinatown
This culturally significant district with a dramatic past is now Honolulu's coolest 'code. Stop at Barrio Vintage for an authentic Hawaiian shirt, Wing for some shave ice, and one of the area's great restaurants like Char Hung Sut, Scratch Kitchen and Bake Shop, or Livestock Tavern.
Take in the Great Outdoors
Honolulu's greatest asset is beyond your hotel room—that kind of natural beauty is hard to come by, so explore it from the mountains, to the beach, to the surf. And then unwind with some yoga in the sand.
