Friendly staff and tons to see. The grounds and are well-kept and walkable. You'll learn a lot about Hawaiian history and the Pacific region. There's rotating exhibits in the Castle Memorial Building. When I take the kids, I go to the Science Adventure Center to see the volcano simulation. I would spend about 3-4 hours at the museum. If you need to rest, there's benches and water refill stations across the property. The only cafe on-site is Tutu's Place by Highway Inn. The food is good (consistent with Highway Inn quality). It does get packed though, so plan your dining accordingly. read more

Bishop Museum - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Museum entry was complimentary courtesy of our hotel. We knew about it the last time we visited the islands, but didn't have time to make it over to the museum. It's a great place to learn about Hawaiian history and the culture. It also wasn't very crowded and a good way to seek refuge from the sun. I would recommend the planetarium shows (additional charge of $3/person). We spent about 3 hours here including the planetarium show. read more

1000% worth the visit. This museum was recommended to me by the front desk staff at one of the hotels I stayed at, and they were absolutely right. What a fantastic place to learn about Hawaiian history, culture, art, ecosystems, and so much more. A few takeaways from my visit: - Tickets are usually cheaper through Groupon. - This is a very family-friendly museum, please keep that in mind if you prefer super quiet museums - Great activity for rainy days, even though there are also plenty of outdoor areas to explore. - Don't rush your visit, there are so many exhibitions, and it's the kind of museum where you'll want to stop and read every display. Definitely one of my favorite cultural spots I visited in Honolulu. Very thankful for this place read more

Bishop Museum - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha Bricks '26 Stories of Hawai'i exhibit at the Bishop museum last weekend was a real treat. For my oldest who loves Lego building, this exhibit was really fun for her. As an adult, I was amazed at how intricately detailed the pieces were. Some just looking at it me not believe they were made with Legos, especially the paintings. The exhibit is included with general admission tickets. My kids have been here a few times so they spent most of their time in the Lego exhibit. Parking was a bit crowded for the weekend after 10 am so make sure to get there early. If you are hungry, they also have a Tutus cafe with local food- kid friendly too. If you are visiting Hawaii, make sure to check Bishop Museum out to learn about the history and culture of Hawaii. read more

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We came here for a few hours. Several different buildings with several different things to learn about. Unfortunately, we didnt have enough time to visit the whole museum. We started with the history. It was interesting to learn about the history of the island and the kings and how things were back then. It was sad to learn that most of them died very young. There were lots of pictures and artifacts. The artwork was beautiful, We also went into the building blocks building. I think geared mostly towards younger children and folks that like Legos of course. We would have love to check out the rest, and will hopefully get to someday soon. The grounds were beautiful and the people that worked their were friendly and helpful. read more

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Go early. We spent maybe 4 hours here. There's so much to read and see. There is a cafe on site if you get hungry. The museum also has there Lego exhibit going on now. read more

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I had originally intended to take my mom here at an earlier date as her Mother's Day present. We had to reschedule due to some unforeseen circumstances and when I reached out to reschedule, the staff was very accommodating. We came today. My mom really wanted to see the LEGO exhibit. It was so cool! We walked around looking at all of the exhibits and then went to build our own masterpieces. It was so much fun! I have lived in Hawaii for about 11 years and have come to the Bishop Museum on several occasions. There is so much to see and I feel that I never see the same thing twice. This is a great place to learn about the culture in Hawaii, the environment, and seeing the stars at the Planetarium. Whether you live in Hawaii or are visiting, The Bishop Museum is a place that you need to explore and is very keiki friendly. read more

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This museum is worth the visit. I would allot at least 2 hours to fully experience the exhibits, garden, and the planetarium. The Bishop Museum houses a vast (if not the largest) collection of the Hawaiian artifacts. Much of my time was spent in the Hawaiian Hall Complex, which has multiple halls and are all connected creating a seamless experience. The architecture of the Hawaiian Hall is simply stunning and features 3 levels. The first floor, Kai Akea (Sea Realm), explores the beliefs of the Hawaii and focuses on the spiritual aspects of the culture. Make sure to take a peek inside the Hale Pili (grass house) in the center of the first floor. The second floor, Wao Kanaka (Realm of Man), displays various farming tools, fishing gear, cloths, and other daily items used. The third floor, Wao Lani (Heavenly Realm), features gods and chiefs with an emphasis on royalty. There are items from the arrival of Europeans and how the contact from the outside world has changed the Hawaiian Society. The Pacific Hall is about the origins and migrations of the Pacific. There are various types of vessels on display showing sea travel across the Pacific islands. The Kahili Room, my favorite exhibit, are the feather symbols of royalty. The Picture Gallery has portraits of royalty and various figures within the Hawaiian culture. Other areas to explore include the Native Garden, Planetarium, and the Science Adventure Center. General admission is around $35.00, however I recommend purchasing tickets online as they offer a 20% discount code for advance purchase. Parking was $16, however there's limited street parking as an alternative. read more

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If you're a history buff, this is the place for you. You could spend the entire day here. Tons of artifacts. Outfits worn by the monarchy. Learn about hawaiian history. The buildings are beautiful. See the lava show where you feel actual lava rocks! Parking on spot at $16/$8. Great for kids and adults read more

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This is a beautiful museum with so much Hawaiian history! We came here on a rainy day and felt like we could of stayed here for more hours. Learned so much about the Hawaiian culture and their ancestors. Lots of kid friendly exhibits as well as its very own science center. Keeps kids entertained for hours. Cafe was decent with asian/Japanese options as well, and regular items - sandwiches, salads, etc. Highly recommend visiting when staying in the Honolulu/waikiki area. read more

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We visited the Bishop Museum while staying at Aqua Palms, so it was free for us, which made it an easy and worthwhile stop. The LEGO exhibit was especially cool and fun to see, and the Hawaiian history exhibits were really interesting and well done. It was a great mix of something fun and something educational, and we left feeling like we learned a lot. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you're already in the area. read more

Bishop Museum - Lego exhibit - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I came here for the first time 15 years ago and it's still an excellent place to learn about traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian history and culture. They have a lot of artifacts, art and explain the beliefs. There's a lot on the royal family too. It is no longer free to park you have to pay $16 by smartphone. It's a little pricey at $38.95 per adult but helps to maintain this wonderful institution. read more

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Bishop Museum is an incredible destination for anyone interested in Hawaiian culture, science, and history. However I'll be covering it from the perspective of an outdoor music festival. The museum's outdoor field provided a fantastic setting for some amazing live music, it was a treat! I may have been exposed to the elements and some sweet Hawaiian rain, but the field and backdrop of Honolulu made it alright. There was standing room, sitting room, blanket room and even more for concessions and drinks. There was enough space for a massive stage, endless food trucks and a giant merch stand. Even better was the availability of onsite parking. I enjoyed it. Overall it's a cool place. read more

Bishop Museum - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Haven't been here in a hot minute but I came for the lego exhibition. They have a pretty good kama'aina discount for both parking and admission. The exhibition was beautiful and I really admired the amount of craft that was put into each piece. They also shared a lot of historically significant places and fauna that made this even more special to locals. read more

We love learning about Hawaiian culture and this was a highly recommended spot during our trip to O'ahu. We arrived around 10am and had pre-purchased tickets which saved us a bit of money. Parking is on the more expensive end- we ended up spending $18.90 through PARKLINQ on a Monday... not sure if the day of the week matters, but the parking lot had plenty of spots. We walked inside and scanned our tickets, you can also purchase planetarium showings and you'll want to check the schedule to see what's being offered around the museums. We started off in the main building, Hawaiian Hall, which is BEAUTIFUL! We got lucky and arrived when they were giving an introductory guided tour of the main floor and learned so much. We ended up spending two hours in this building going through the different floors and learning about the history of Hawaii as well as other Polynesian cultures and how they influence one another and how the sea has influenced everything. Really, there was too much to soak up in just one visit, but we tried. There are also interactive areas that would be more appealing to kids, and during our visit there were some school field trips coming through. Next we walked through the Castle Memorial Building that is currently housing a dinosaur exhibit. They had a bunch of animatronics and information about different dinosaurs and how we've learned more and more about what the dinosaurs look like and act like. The animatronics were not to size, but had signs with how large they would be compared to a human next to them. After the dinosaurs we ended up at the Science Adventure Center that had a lot of interactive and educational exhibits. I wish we had timed this better so we could experience the lava show, but maybe next time. We also missed out on the planetarium, but if we have the privilege of visiting again we'd time it so we could see the planetarium show and the lava show. read more

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When I was young, I would walked to the Bishop Museum often to see the exhibition and the large whale hanging from the ceiling. When I stepped back into the Museum, the musty smell and the dim lighting brought back memories of a time that was simpler than it is today. The new exhibits and buildings provide a unique opportunity to see and experience Hawaiian culture. This is a wonderful place to visit and spend a day to immerse yourself in the world of ancient Hawaii. read more

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We returned to see the dinosaur exhibit twice this week. I'm making good use of my membership while my grandchild are visiting. The free parking and free admission are great. The museum is such a wonderful place to spend your day. The dinosaur exhibits pleaser for the Dino lovers. The dinosaurs are quite realistic and so animated. Today they even had a "real live" dinosaur outside the exhibit. It was delightful to take photos either Jim. read more

Great museum. There were a ton of exhibits on Hawaiian history, as well as many interactive items, including books that you could leaf through or read. I could have easily spent an entire day looking through everything if I had the time. There is also an observatory and a science center (although more geared towards kids), which I didn't get the chance to explore. read more

Bishop Museum has much in store to view, learn, appreciate, and create! Become a member! Keanahala Weavers taught us to weave lauhala bracelets. They are so skilled and patient, and wore their own creations from sassy hats, earrings, and bracelets. Nalu taught us bamboo stamping - I gave my stamped card and mulberry paper creations to a tutu to use;) I didn't get to the fresh flower earrings and bouquet making, but they looked beautiful! Mahalo for the warm aloha hospitality and makana, Bishop Museum! The gift shop was filled with local creations, gifts, food, and more! So many wonderful things!!! Wish I had taken more pictures, will have to come back! read more

Bishop Museum - Keanahala Lauhala Weavers, of the Pu'uhonua Society, taught us how to weave our own bracelets! - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I thought the Bishop Museum was one small building, but I was so surprised that there was an entire campus. Our stay at the Prince Waikiki included a free visit to the Bishop Museum and we wanted to take advantage of it. We wanted to go to the Lego exhibit there, which was beautiful. There's a separate building for local Hawaiian exhibits and a giant cross-section of a whale, which was amazing, and another separate building for science-y stuff. There's a big green grass area in the middle for kids to run around in. Overall, such a fun visit and I would definitely set aside at least a couple of hours minimum for a visit to the Bishop Museum! Our 7-year old enjoyed it! read more

What an interesting museum. There were three main buildings designed for guest. 1 started with the science building... lots of interesting facts about local birds also using a volcano simulator. 2. Second active building was reptile & dinosaurs replicas. Nicely done, small but effective. 3. Third, was the main museum. They did a wonderful job on this one. It's full of interesting Hawain history and the different past rulers. Beautiful building full of fascinating information. I tagged onto a I assume docent led tour and it was jam packed with interesting tid bits. 4. Fourth, and last I paid extra $3 for a " Sea & earth" planetarium show. This one was a bit dry for me, but also interesting lesson on how to use the stars for navigation. It was very obvious that the employees have a passion for archeological learning. Insider tip.. you really need a seat in the back to see what's being shown clearly. Highly recommend the museum...definitely worth a few hours. They also have a kid friendly eatery for snacks and a break if needed. Also it is ADA friendly, if you ask they have an elevator. read more

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If you want a break from the sun and have some curiosity about Hawaiian culture and history, Bishop Museum is the place to go! The museum is large and carries a vast collection of artifacts. We spent several hours there and felt like we could have stayed for even longer. read more

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This museum is in a gorgeous old building and full of fascinating artifacts and information about Hawaii's culture and history. To be honest , there was so much that it was overwhelming after awhile. Definitely worth a visit but be prepared to spend a fair amount of time here in order to do justice to this impressive institution! read more

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You could spend a couple of days here! A friend who is local recommended it. It's a great look at Hawaiian nature and history. The setting is impressive, too. The buildings have their own history. Loved the gift shop. We got a print by a local artist that will hang proudly in our home. read more

I'm a first time boy mom and when I saw advertisements about the Dinosaur exhibit, I knew that's what I wanted to do to celebrate my son's first birthday. The dinosaur exhibit closed earlier in January 2026. We got matching birthday shirts from Etsy and checked out their dinosaur exhibit. I thought my son would love to see up close "dinosaurs" since he's seen them in cartoons and has a couple dinosaurs trucks... I felt awful that he was scared of them even with us holding him. Toward the end of the exhibit, he was a little more brave and curious but still scared. I haven't been to the Bishop Museum since I was a kid and it was so refreshing to look at everything through new eyes. My son loved the gigantic whale and various weapons from the different exhibits. It was nice being able to immerse ourselves in the rich history and truly appreciate it as adults vs little kids on school field trips. There were other kid friendly exhibits but we'll have to wait until he's older for him to appreciate and participate in them. read more

The Bishop Museum is a very nice museum to learn about the history of Hawaii. I especially liked the exhibit on the 3rd floor that went through the history of the monarchy and all of the changes that happened in the 1800s. The presentation on volcanoes in the science center was also very informative. If you are visiting with kids, the temporary dinosaur exhibit is also likely to be a hit. read more

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The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, designated the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is a museum of history and science in the historic Kalihi district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. Excellent place to learn about traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian history and culture. All the artifacts and the short videos are just nice touches. read more

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Loved it! Such a fabulous place to see and learn the history of this amazing state! There's more to Hawaii than beaches. You have to explore it all. read more

I was surprised the entry fee was so high. For locals, the annual membership is very well priced, but a single ticket is up there. I don't regret it, but I also wouldn't have probably paid it for a whole family. read more

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aMUSEd I wanted to write a brief review of my October 2024 visit to Bishop Museum. Though I had not been to the museum in many years, it was nice to be reminded that we have a place dedicated to Hawaii's history and culture. 1. Yes, there's parking. I'd recommended parking in the larger lot that's to the right as you enter the driveway to the museum. 2. Yes, the parking is costly if you're a non-resident; it's $16. For Hawaii residents, the parking is 50% off the regular rate plus taxes and fees. Scan the QR code and follow the instructions on the vendor site. Residents will have to scan a copy of their Hawaii ID into a verification function. 3. Yes, you can buy your tickets online. Similarly as with the parking fees, there are different price points for non-residents and Hawaii residents. Tickets for residents are around $20, while non-residents will have to pay slightly north of $30. If buying tickets online, residents will have to show their Hawaii ID before entering the museum grounds. 4. Yes, you can view a map of the museum digitally on your phone. 5. Yes, the museum is richly steepd in displaying Hawaii's history prior to statehood, and its place in US history. The exhibit I enjoyed the most was the section about Hawaiian royalty. I loved reading about the life and times of Hawaii's kings and queens. 6. Yes, the museum has a cafe on site. Slightly limited good options, but at least there's a food places. Seating also available, though a section was closed off during our visit. 7. Yes, there is an extra cost to view shows in the planetarium. 8. Yes, there is a gift shop.....of course. BOTTOM LINE A memorable visit to the Bishop Museum. read more

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Wonderful museum with a lot of variety. You enter through a tiny little gift shop and go out into a spacious courtyard where you can access all the buildings that compose of the entire museum. There was a informational science one where they talk about the types of volcanos that formed Hawaii. There's another gorgeous building with historical artifacts and a lot of information. The parking rates were crazy, but there was a whole street you could park on just outside of the parking lot for free. read more

Excellent historical day trip but it takes more than 1 trip to take it all in because you really need to take your time absorbing the knowledge contained here. read more

Bishop Museum is a nice place to visit while in Honolulu, and you have some free time. It was over the top extravagant, but certainly provided a good overview of the history of Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture. We only went through the main building, but understand there are some other buildings with exhibits. The main building took about an hour and a half. It provided a history of Hawaii and had a number of artifacts on display. This is not a "must-do", but, if you have some free time and interested in Hawaii (other than the beaches and Mai Tais) this could be a good stop. read more

Bishop Museum - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came to an evening event at Bishop Museum - gift shop area to celebrate a wonderful man and his legacy and some items at the shop. We learned how to make a Lauhala bracelet and did some printing with some wood carving. Good food from Highway Inn and good fellowship learning some new things. read more

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Great museum with multiple exhibits that was included in the gocity pass. Originally didn't plan to go here but feel like this is a pretty good place and worth it to at least consider for 1-2 hours or more. Parking is onsite but you'll pay a little, can't remember price exactly. We went during weekday so street parking was actually pretty easy nearby. Entrance has stairs but if you want to roll up, there's ADA ramp just to the side. After paying for admission or scanning the gocity pass, you can exit out and you'll see multiple buildings which each building is an exhibit. We were here when they have a Lego exhibit which I believe is one that changes and is not permanent. Kids really enjoyed that especially since there's play areas including a big one where you build your own with tons of loose Lego pieces. We also were able to see the planetarium show which has a small add on cost, but definitely well worth it. Overall a good time here especially if it's hot out, each building is very cool inside and good to escape the heat. read more

My first year of studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (2012 to 2013 academic year) my Aunt Danette and Grandma Connie came to visit me. They both enjoyed museums, so we decided to make a visit to the Bishop Museum a part of our time together. The museum was straightforward to find and the parking lot easy for all of us to navigate outside the vehicle. Exhibits spanned multiple rooms and covered a variety of topics with a focus on Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands more broadly. I enjoyed the layout of the items and thought the identification system in the cases with the corresponding informational placards was helpful. Text was explanatory without taking a forceful/coercive tone. It was a lot to take in and we left with our tiny brains full to the brim. read more

This past Saturday my fiancé and I came here for the first time. I loved the interior of the main hall and all the wood carvings throughout the interior. I also loved how much information there was to read and learn about. I would definitely like to come back and absorb more information. With the time we spent in Honolulu, we only had 1 day to dedicate to the museum and we had other activities to get to. And after a while I got to a point where I couldn't take in anymore information. One of my favorite rooms was an area off to the side of the Hall where it discusses the other Polynesian groups and how their lifestyles differed (and could be similar) to one another. read more

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7/6/25 PARKING: * $16 per vehicle for non-resident visitors * $8 per vehicle for Hawaiʻi residents * Free for Museum members with valid parking sticker ADMISSION: 1) If you buy your tickets online, you would need to check in at the guest services/gift shop 2) the staff will give you a wristband From Website: 7/6/25 Save 20% on General Admission rates when purchasing your ticket online with the code "DINO20" read more

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Bishop museum is a family favorite! Parking: there's a good amount of parking, however it's $18, so I highly encourage you to find street parking and walk in. You enter from the little gift shop area and pay for admission there. So far the people I've encountered at admissions have been friendly and helpful. My family really enjoys the volcano there and my kids always pick up something new to learn when we go. As of today, 6/14, they have the dinosaur exhibit that will go till January of 2026. We have visited 4x since they started that exhibit! I highly encourage people to visit and check out the dinosaurs! I also love how they have tents up for shade, so we often bring a blanket with us and some food and picnic outside. read more

This is a review based on a organized child group tour: It overall was an ok/good experience. The guide we had didn't really speak up while she spoke. And she didn't allow the kids to ask hardly any questions while doing the guided part of the tour. I appreciate her efforts and knowledge about the museum and its artifacts. I just wish I would have gotten the impression she actually wanted to answer questions, etc. The museum review: The facilities are vast and covers a lot of Hawaiian culture and science. I commend the archivists and museum professionals that are probably working around the clock to keep the facilities up to standard to preserve important artifacts for future generations. I appreciated the various electronic interactive stations for kids and the more tactile non electronic stations for kids. The volunteers at the various building entrances were welcoming and approachable. The gift shop: My daughters enjoyed selecting 2 dinosaur stuffed animals. I was a bit bummed there were no Bishop Museum themed stickers, badges, or pins. I wanted to make an addition to my collection. I mentioned it to the two gift shop employees and they were understanding and recognized it was strange to not have any stickers, badges, or pins with the museum's logo. I appreciated that they were understanding. read more