Your Inside Guide to Honolulu

The busiest island of the Hawaiian Island chain, Oahu — home to bustling Honolulu and its main visitor district, Waikiki — hosts thousands of visitors a week on its gorgeous beaches.

Though Honolulu is over 2,000 miles away from another U.S. city, it's actually a fairly short hop from the West Coast — perfect for last-minute romantic getaways or several days with the family. In Honolulu you'll find almost any activity you're looking for (and many others you haven't!). Some of the world's most famous attractions lie on this island: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. This town is also known around the world for its first-class array of international cuisine, fabulous shopping spots, gorgeous golf courses and, of course, its golden beaches. If you've come here for a more relaxed tropical getaway, you'll find that too, with some of the most pristine beaches on the planet for a tranquil oasis. You'll see some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world, with lush green forests just a mile away from turquoise ocean waves. There are plenty of ways for you to get a closer view, by air, water or land. Go on horseback, soar in a glider, or take it all in by boat. Spread a towel on the golden sand and spend your day in the shadows of Diamond Head, learn to hula at a luau, ride the waves with humpback whales, hike an ancient volcano — the only limits you'll have are the ones on your imagination.