Everyone wants to visit Hawaii. If you’re lucky enough to live here, you already know why it’s one of the greatest states and I’d love to hear your favorite bucket list spots in the comments! Derrick’s uncle lives in Oahu, so we’ll have more detailed information about that island when we visit in December 2017. We plan to spend a few days with his uncle after taking a cruise to scope out even more Hawaiian bucket list items!
Join us as we explore the United States of America’s 50th state!
Hawaii Bucket List
Pearl Harbor – Learn about the history of December 7th, 1941. Tours run daily and include a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Ko’Olina Lagoon – Free to the public, family-friendly with bathrooms nearby, and super clean beaches earn Ko’Olina Lagoon a spot on our Hawaii Bucket List. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to relax and catch a beautiful sunset, this is it.
Dole Pineapple Plantation – There’s a lot to do at the Dole Pineapple Plantation! Take the Pineapple Express Train Ride, where you’ll see plants and fruit trees: jackfruit, lychee, cacao, banana, and more! Enjoy the Pineapple Garden Tour, or get lost in the Pineapple Maze. Dating back to 1950, this now-popular tourist destination actually started as a fruit stand. In 1989, it opened to the public and welcomes more than one million visitors each year. The Dole Pineapple Plantation is fun for all ages. Don’t forget to try the Original Dole Whip before you leave!
Polynesian Cultural Center – Explore authentic villages from 6 Pacific cultures, while learning about their arts, history, music, and games. Enjoy a luau while you’re there.
Waikiki Aquarium – This aquarium is the second-oldest in the nation, and it could use an upgrade (and more parking!), but it’s still worth a visit. Waikiki Aquarium isn’t the biggest aquarium you can find, but the staff is friendly and you’ll learn a lot. My favorites are the seahorses and seadragons. The monk seals are a close second!
Haunauma Bay – Snorkeling at Haunauma Bay is an unforgettable experience. Some would even say it’s the best place in Hawaii to snorkel. Get there early, though, because it gets crowded later in the day.
Waimea Falls – Well, it’s not a trip to Hawaii without some waterfalls, right? I like Waimea Falls because the walk to the waterfall is only about 15 minutes if you walk straight through. Obviously you’ll want to take your time (and lots of pictures!), but it’s a short walk compared to some of the others I’ve been on. Once you reach the falls, you’ll see lifeguards handing out life jackets. If you’d rather not hop in, there’s plenty of rock seating with magnificent views of the falls.
Panalu’u Black Sand Beach – This beach is probably the most famous black sand beach in Hawaii. If you haven’t experienced the joy of a black sand beach yet, make sure you take the time to do so on your trip! It’s nestled among coconut palms, and is known to have Green Sea turtles basking on the beach.
Where’s your favorite Hawaiian spot?
Not sure how to plan your next trip? Read our Beginners Guide to Vacation Planning for tips and advise to move from “one day I will visit Hawaii” to “I’m going to Hawaii next ….”
I’ve never been to Hawaii but it sounds and looks incredible. The Polynesian Culture centre sounds particularly interesting.
It’s a fantastic place to visit.