Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Honolulu Zoo

    3.7 (1k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Honolulu Zoo Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Honolulu Zoo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cat M.

    The zoo is small but good for a nice morning or afternoon. Spent a few hours here and grabbed a snack, kimchi fries, which weren't bad. They have a few different sections for birds, reptiles and a safari. They were doing construction so it was a little tough to get around with the closed off paths. You had to keep turning around and going back which caused a little bit of congestion while walking around but I'm happy to see they're making improvements. It was nice to spend time here but I likely wouldn't add it to my vacation itinerary if it was under 6 days on island. If you live here or are here for over a week then definitely spending a few hours here will be a nice stop of your trip.

    Lauren D.

    This is my second time this year to the Honolulu zoo and this time around I was much more pleased with my visit. I think a big reason for that is going in winter time... I went today and the weather was much more bearable, and it wasn't so hot in the park. If you come in spring and summer, it is so so so hot here. Additionally, what made this visit so great today was that we went right when it opened at 10 AM. If you're gonna come to the zoo, I highly recommend coming at opening. Not only is it not as hot, but all of the zookeepers are out giving snacks to the animals first thing in the morning and the animals are actually out right in front of you and more active. We saw so many animals right in front of us. Previous trips I came in the afternoon and it was unbearably hot, and the animals are not out. It was really cool seeing the zookeeper put the peanut butter on the bear's toys and watching the bear literally feet from us enjoy a morning snack. What totally made our day was seeing the giraffes 15 feet in front of us eating bamboo. It was an amazing sight to see. I appreciated that the zookeeper talked to us and told us about the animals. Additionally, some enclosures have volunteers that hang out to teach you about the animals, which is a nice added touch to the experience. The only reason I would not give this zoo five stars is that there's not enough parking, and some of the enclosures are empty and not active. Additionally, food inside the park is ridiculously expensive to grab a bite to eat.

    Black Rhino  w/ his faithful pal!
    Birdie H.

    Honestly, it's a nice place to spend some family time. So if you ever have to relieve yourself to settle in house stress or tension within the home... GET TO THE ZOO! You will see more of nature that is well needed, you'll get some sun exposure. And you'll leave with MORE THOUGHTS than you ever had. Is it good or is it bad? Well that's totally up to YOU! Our family had. A nice time because we did have the little one with us. It was also because it was his bday. So, we actually did well to make his day special! I'm happy we all survived the whole day too! We made it before lunch, but, they did cancel a few feeding sessions. A couple exhibits was closed. AND they up the time for the petting zoo and closed it early, so no one had a chance to do the petting zoo. So yeah... it was a bit drab but we did get to see other animals that the little one liked. That was the main point for us! I'm not too sure if tickets are worth for visitors tho. It's accessible online to see the prices. And always check for their updates on the events. But they do have some event in the evenings on Saturdays. Maybe it's something worth trying. I don't know ‍ But, overall for us... WE HAD A GOOD DAY & IMMA RATE A 4 because it's what my family and I totally NEEDED, SERIOUSLY! hehehe we needed to get out into nature with animals! I think it did us some good!

    Chrisy H.

    Great zoo for the whole family. Beautiful setting. All the animals were out. They looked healthy and happy. Lots of walking. Wheelchairs available for $15. Nice gift shop & snack bar. Staff walking around to answer questions. Great friendly customer service.

    Entrance
    Alvin K.

    I hadn't been to the zoo in almost 10 years, and not that much has changed. It's still a nice place to go with family, if you have young children. We took my granddaughter here after lunch so she could burn off energy, and it bright back a lot of memories when I used to come here with my daughter, and when I used to come here with my parents as a kid, back in the 60's. It has definitely undergone several renovations over the years, and there were several still underway, with a some of the exhibits closed. Seeing the large Banyan tree in the center brought back memories of sitting under it with family, having lunch and then swinging on the vines. The cost is still reasonable, for Kama'aina, although a senior discount would be nice (lol). It was fun, and we'd come back again, though maybe not in the middle of summer.

    Tiger
    Michelle L.

    It's decent in the winter months from the heat. We saw a bunch of animals this trip. Usually the elephants and tigers are regularly spotted. Caught the giraffe feeding up close and the sloth feeding. Otherwise kids play at the playground. Petting zoo closes down for lunch between 11:50 and 1:05 or so.

    They don't have paper maps, so take a photo of this at the entrance.
    Courtney L.

    Seeking a fun activity within walking distance of our hotel, we happily spent a couple hours here. It is $21 per adult which is a reasonable price for a zoo this size. Upon entry, I was under the impression that the zoo would be tiny, but it actually housed many more exhibits than I anticipated. We first walked through the bird habitats since they were closest to the entrance. I particularly admired the toucan, kookaburra, Nēnē and of course the endemic Hawaiian Owl. Nearby, the two sloths were awake and hanging from the branches. One of them was hard to spot since he was camouflaged within the trees, but a kind zookeeper passing by pointed him out to guests. The zoo was very clean with clear paved pathways. There is a cafe and a large children's play area which a ton of kids seemed to enjoy. Unfortunately, a few of the exhibits were closed at the time, including the aviary, goat habitat and chimp enclosure. On top of that, many of the animals were hiding in their dens and couldn't be seen, such as the aardvark, sunbear, fox and porcupine. I don't blame the animals for wanting some privacy or needing some shade, but it was a little disappointing to miss out on seeing so many of them. In addition to the sloths, my favorites were the active gibbon monkeys, elephants and the giant tortoise. It was pretty peaceful walking through this zoo as it was not busy... totally opposite of the San Diego Zoo, for example. In fact, there were many times where we were the only ones at an exhibit. Needless to say, I appreciated the more laid back vibe. You can't go wrong with a visit to the zoo! All you need is your hat, water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

    Who next?
    Dianna R.

    It was at the end of the day, but all the animals were way more active than I remember. The lions were noisy and the giraffe came really close. It was pretty interesting. I do wish they redid the bathrooms. They are pretty gross. The food at the stand is good, but it didn't have a working soft serve machine.

    Jewel Ann C.

    Sorry but I have to give this place a 2. PARKING: Can you guys make the parking area just for the zoo? Or at least half? It's so hard to get parking here since it is a public parking lot for everyone. We went on a Sunday around 1130-12. Sad to say but practically all or most of the animals weren't even out or if so they were sleeping. The only ones we got to see moving around was the elephants, giraffes & the petting zoo area. They also had a lot of renovation area that were closed. Should definitely recommend a time to come because it's a waste to come here if we can't see much of the animals. Definitely bring your own food & drinks. over priced inside & not worth it. I do like the playground area for the kids. General admission: Adults $21 13 y/o & up Children $13 3-12 y/o Kama'aina/Military Adults $10 Children $6 2 y/o & younger FREE

    Rebecca T.

    I like this zoo. The fact that Hawaii even has a zoo is already a great thing because there isn't much land available especially in Waikiki! It's not huge which might not be a bad idea because it wouldn't be overwhelming. If you visit everything, it can probably be done in 2-3 hours. If you live here and have kids, it's worth to get the membership because it's very affordable and the zoo has a playground where kids can go get some outdoor time, given there aren't many nice and safe playgrounds in urban Honolulu. The restaurant also serves some delicious and hot chicken strips, surprisingly. The zoo grounds aren't big but there are a lot of animals packed in the small space, given these animals aren't huge ones. I do wish the elephants and rhinos can get more roaming space though, but it doesn't seem like they aren't happy, at least to my non-zoologist perspective. I like how they had a lot of different terrariums for reptiles. They even have axolotls and an albino snake! i also enjoy sitting on the bench eating and waiting for the kookaburras to laugh. There are quite a number of different birds caged in the zoo, but don't forget to look around for the also equally beautiful wild birds living in Hawaii! I also enjoy the free-roaming peacock as the zoo resident by the playground, usually running after kids' fallen crumbs on the ground. Parking is at the adjacent paid lot, $1.50 per hour. If you pay with a cc, you can enter your phone number and have the option to extend your parking when they send you a text as your parking is close to expiration, which makes it very convenient if you wanna stay longer! However paying with cash would not have that option. Some machines look like they don't work with a black screen, but it might just need you to push some buttons and some patience to activate. Parking during weekends can be crazy and it's better to go there before the zoo opens to a secure parking spot. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. I got a few bites at the playground before. :-/

    Leah H.

    This is a great place for the whole family. Best time to go is the morning before the sun gets too hot!!! It seems to me the animals are the most active in the morning or on cooler days. The playground is a hit with Th the kids as well. If you live here I would say, get a membership. It is a great deal! And this way you can keep coming back!

    Mark T.

    I recently went to Oahu and while there got a chance to visit the Honolulu Zoo. For being just on the outskirts of the city, it was a fun couple hours. There were quite a few animals to see, and enough to do to where you got a chance to have a nice half day of enjoyment. The prices were fine as far as I can tell, nothing overwhelmed me. There was a few quick informative shows or not really shows, but where they fed some animals and talked about them and their habitats while interacting with them. It really was just a peaceful stroll through the park while checking out lots of different wildlife.

    Wendoline B.

    This place is huge! I loved seeing all the different kinds of trees *bonus points if you spot the sausage tree*. All the animals were out and the only thing we weren't able to see were the chimps. I recommend bringing a water bottle and comfortable shoes! With two kids, it took us about 3 hours to see everything as we took plenty breaks.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa W.
    3669
    3461
    18465

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 35
    Thanks 11
    Love this 28
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rebecca T.
    1041
    1626
    8502

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark T.
    1318
    365
    1373

    1 year ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of O. K.
    0
    68
    41

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Neil R.
    0
    22
    15

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt H.
    0
    16
    15

    2 months ago

    We enjoyed seeing the elephants, rhinos, and other animals. We took a few hours and enjoyed the walk through.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1
    Photo of R D.
    0
    12
    0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kenny C.
    2255
    518
    1987

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace B.
    343
    1136
    1267

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle N.
    1
    29
    76

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Imre A.
    1
    47
    26

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of D J.
    19
    495
    518

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 26

    Honolulu Zoo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Honolulu Zoo

    Can you bring your own fold up outdoor chairs/tables to the zoo? We are trying to throw a birthday party for our 1 year old.

    No, they do offer birthday packages. I would call them to inquire more about the packages.

    Is parking free on weekends?

    No it's metered parking by the zoo.

    Busiest hours? And busiest days?

    Weekends and holidays are the busiest. As for hours it slows down closer to the afternoon but less animals are out due to heat. Animals are more active at open.

    Is it Stroller friendly?

    Yes it is! The paved routes around the zoo are pretty flat and well maintained.

    Are there lockers at the zoo?

    Yes. At the front entrance.

    Can you go in without ticket and just shop at the gift shop?

    No, ticket required for entry

    Due to the pandemic are they still allowing outside food and drinks?

    Not at this time

    Do you have to wear masks around the zoo now? Are all the exhibits open?

    The exhibits are open and there is a lot to see. You don't need to wear a mask unless you go indoors.

    On average how much time do people usually spend at the zoo? Planning a trip with our 3yr old and definitely want to stop by wondering if a couple hours would be sufficient.

    We have a toddler and we usually spend a maximum of two hours in the zoo. It goes longer if we are with friends.... We go pretty often - once every three weeks or so - so we know it pretty well and don't spend a ton of time staring at the exhibits.… Read more

    Are a lot of the exhibits still closed/under construction?

    They were when I was there in September and I don't imagine they are that much farther along.

    Do they have Changing tables?

    To be honest I didn’t see one. But they have a kids section near the gift shop. I would be very surprised if they didn’t.

    Can we park in the zoo's lot overnight? Hotel parking is $45!? Thanks!

    Certainly I think that the parking lot beside the zoo can only park for up to 4 hour.

    Do they allow outside food/drinks?

    Yes! You can even bring a blanket/mat and have a picnic in the grassy areas. I would also recommend a hydro flask or reusable water bottle. You can refill at the food booth across the tiger exhibit.

    Can you hire wheel chairs here...my husband has limited mobility?

    Yes there are wheel chairs & strollers for rent

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Honolulu Zoo

    Highly recommend the twilight tour bc it's not too hot and lots of the animals are just waking up.

    Mentioned in 32 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Zoos 313 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Waikiki Aquarium - Didn't have a label. Maybe an alligator gar?

    Waikiki Aquarium

    3.5(705 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This was my second visit to the Waikiki Aquarium. I love visiting aquariums and this aquarium…read morethough small it is very unique compared to other aquariums I have visited. The Waikiki Aquarium - is affordable, and focuses on local sea life. I have been to many aquariums with all the same fish. Most of the sea life here are smaller such as fish, jellies, sea horses but they do have a rescue Hawaiian Monk Seal in a large outdoor area. I was 13 the first time I went to this aquarium with my grandparents and I was so captivated by the sea dragons - this was the first place I ever saw them. I still have the stuffed one they bought me on that visit. My boyfriend also commented that he enjoyed this aquarium because it is focused on the local sea life. They are currently having some construction to expand and add some additional exhibits but overall it was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend especially if you have younger children as it isn't a huge aquarium but alot of local sea life.

    Visited in March 2025 while some areas were under renovation. Overall impression: not bad, just…read moreokay. The aquarium is very small, so expectations matter here. If you're visiting with kids, it's a solid, manageable stop. Short, educational, easy to get through without meltdowns. For adults only, though, it's probably not something you need to go out of your way for. That said, it does a good job showcasing local Hawaiian marine life. Lots of native fish and sea urchins, which is cool if you're interested in what actually lives in the surrounding waters rather than big flashy exhibits. The space itself feels a bit dated, and with the renovations happening, some areas felt even more limited. You can tell it's more of a local, educational aquarium than a major attraction. Bottom line: fine for families, quick visit, mildly interesting if you like local marine life. Not a must-do for adults, but not a regret either. Solid.

    Photos
    Waikiki Aquarium - Gift shop goods

    Gift shop goods

    Waikiki Aquarium - Small little Aquarium

    Small little Aquarium

    Waikiki Aquarium

    See all

    Kapiolani Park - Picnic in the park

    Kapiolani Park

    4.5(192 reviews)
    0.1 miWaikiki

    My husband and I recently moved to this area from downtown Honolulu and we haven't really had a…read morechance to explore until this past Sunday. During this exploration, we found Kapi'olani park. This park was amazing!!! The views were beautiful, the park had an awesome vibe, and there are so many things to do. We ended up spending almost five hours there just enjoying the park, the beach, and the atmosphere.. If you're ever in the mood to get away from the hustle of Honolulu, I would highly recommend checking out Kapi'olani Park. It's truly worth it.

    This park has always held a special space in my heart. There's a certain special power at this…read moreparticular park that I can't put my fingers on. Located just across from Kaimana Beach, I come here after my weekday swims to dry off in the sun and immerse in its solitude. When here, the world feels quieter, calmer -- like everything noisy in my head softens to a whisper and the litter of cluttered thoughts melt away with each song of the birds. Maybe it's the mana of the ancients still lingering, guarding the spirit of this cultural sanctuary. A memory of Hawaiʻi from a simpler time, still alive in the bones of the land. Opened in 1877 by King Kalākaua and named for Queen Kapiʻolani, it ranks among the oldest public parks on Oʻahu -- sprawling across about 300 acres. The loop around the park is about 1.7 miles. Originally a Horse Racing Venue, the land was initially created for the Kapiʻolani Park Association, which organized horse racing events for Hawaiian royalty and elite families. The racetrack, called the Kapiʻolani Park Race Track, was a central attraction and helped foster equestrian culture among the aliʻi (nobility). Presently, it's also home to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Shell and the Bandstand, home of the Royal Hawaiian Band. With Diamond Head towering over the park like a gatekeeper, the park is scattered with all kinds of trees -- coconut palms swaying hypnotically in the breeze, monkeypods stretching wide, and banyan trees casting deep shade for anyone escaping the midday sun. These trees also serve as homes to all sorts of birds: the bold Red-crested Cardinal, the bright green Rose-ringed Parakeet, and the graceful Manu o Kū -- Honolulu's official bird. They're pure white seabirds that nest impossibly on bare tree branches. Of all the trees here, the banyan is my fave. They're spectacular in how they grow -- with long roots that drop from their branches like ropes. When those roots touch the ground, they become new trunks, and the tree keeps expanding outward. What starts as a single tree becomes something that looks like an entire forest. To me, the banyan is a living symbol of community. The strongest among us aren't the ones who stand alone -- they're the ones who grow wide enough to support others. Every branch sends down roots, not to separate, but to deepen connection. Over time, what began as one becomes a sheltering canopy for many. Kapiʻolani Park is peaceful during the day, but it comes alive in the evenings. You'll hear the joyful sounds of kids playing soccer and football, people doing yoga under the trees, and families laid out on picnic blankets under the fading sun. There's plenty of metered parking -- just 25 cents for 30 minutes, probably the cheapest in the city -- but fair warning: spots fill up fast in the evenings. Parking is free on the mountain side of the park. But that also fills up quickly in the evenings and weekends. Peace

    Photos
    Kapiolani Park
    Kapiolani Park
    Kapiolani Park

    See all

    Foster Botanical Garden - The open-air butterfly garden is a must see area of Foster Botanical Garden.

    Foster Botanical Garden

    4.5(283 reviews)
    4.0 miKalihi

    What do I want to do on my birthday? Let's go take a walk in the park!…read more With the hustle and bustle of the holiday weekend and events here and there, I wanted somewhere less crowded and quiet. Foster Botanical Garden came to mind. I haven't been here for a very long time! The entrance is located along Vineyard Blvd. - westbound, right after the Kuan Yin Temple. There's plenty of free parking. Out of all the City and County botanical gardens, this is the only one with admission, but it's well worth the price - $5 for adults, $3 for Hawai'i Residents, $1 Children 6-12 (so, 13+ are adults?), and free for kids 5 and under. There is a free docent-led 90-minute tour at 10:30am - every Monday and Wednesday to Saturday - anyone can join. Walk-ins okay if there's space, or make reservations via email or phone. Before heading in, you can grab a map and a bird checklist. The garden itself is very well kept and quite spacious. There are two restrooms - one on the left and another on the right. They were quite clean! All areas, trees, and plants are clearly marked. Be on the lookout for the "exceptional trees" such as the Baobab, which looks like elephant legs; Cannonball Tree, Kapok, and etc. The Orchid Collection in the greenhouse has a nice variety with the infamous Corpse Flower. Overall, a very nice, well-maintained place to visit and worth the admission fee. Even though you're in town, next to the freeway and busy streets around, you still feel a sense of relaxation and calm while connecting with nature and admiring the vast collection of trees and plants. I wouldn't mind getting the annual pass for $25 just to take my lunch here!

    Was still open at the end of the year and New Year's Eve which was lovely for a holiday stroll :)…read moreWas kinda busy which was nice because usually when we got it's kinda empty. People want to come during the holidays :D

    Photos
    Foster Botanical Garden - A closer look inside a Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) flower. These trees are commonly seen around Hindu temples in India.

    A closer look inside a Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) flower. These trees are commonly seen around Hindu temples in India.

    Foster Botanical Garden - The Corpose Plant is one of the most popular specimens in our collection! This endagered species only blooms once every 2 to 5 years.

    The Corpose Plant is one of the most popular specimens in our collection! This endagered species only blooms once every 2 to 5 years.

    Foster Botanical Garden - The Main Lawn located on the norther, mauka most portion of the botanical garden.

    See all

    The Main Lawn located on the norther, mauka most portion of the botanical garden.

    Hawaii Children's Discovery Center - Doctor play!

    Hawaii Children's Discovery Center

    4.3(342 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    So much here for kids to discover. The cost is now $15 or $12 for kama'aina. & military (under 1 is…read morefree). The hours are very limited (closed Mondays, 9am - 1pm Tues - Fri, 10am -3 pm Sat/Sun. Closed on major holidays. It's always crowded but even my upper elementary kids stay entertained. There's a small Cafe when you enter that sells kid friendly affordable foods like pizza, grilled cheese, hot dogs. There's also a reuse section by entrance selling used clothes, toys, books, baby & kids items that's cheaper than thrift stores! There's Rainforest Adventures room that has a cool hands on water works area. And a large toddler area. Upon entering there's a music play room. Fantastic You has interactive areas about how the body works like heart and teeth health. There's another large play area for toddlers in that area with sailboats & science style games. There's community and job sections like a diner, grocery store, fire station, auto shop, post office, police station, pet clinic. A jungle bridge, theater rooms & puppet play. There's a large fairy tale like reading room. Upstairs has a makeshift Hawaiian Airlines plane where kids can be pilots, passengers, or flight attendants. My kids spent a long time playing the different roles and seemed to be popular with all the kids there. The huge cargo shipz let the kids be captains and cargo crew with hard hats and pulley system. They can direct a sea movie and watch themselves on screen. At the very top floor is Your Rainbow World which has cultural play exhibits that are very Asian inspired but so much to do,, learn and play. The Discovery Center is a very immersive & fun place for kids. Drawback is limited hours & crowded weekends (bc only toddlers are available during week hours). But they also put on events, allow parties & school field trips. If you go alot, its worth it to buy the membership bc prices and up being half off. Overall, a great place for kids to have fun, have cheap eats if hungry & rummage thru the resale items!

    If you have kids ages 5 and below, they would def love this place…read more The price is $15 per person so we paid $45 for the 3 of us. It is pretty pricey for what you get. The parking is spacious. The play areas were kept tidy and quite clean. We saw staff continuously put toys back and wipe down the area. Some of the exhibits looked very old and outdated. There are multiple floors so make sure you goto the 3rd floor also. There's a cool Asian exhibit displaying different cultures like Vietnamese, Korean, etc.

    Photos
    Hawaii Children's Discovery Center - First floor by the bathrooms

    First floor by the bathrooms

    Hawaii Children's Discovery Center - Different make believe area

    Different make believe area

    Hawaii Children's Discovery Center - Super service

    See all

    Super service

    Sea Life Park - Dolphin Lagoon

    Sea Life Park

    3.2(964 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    I was born and raised on Oʻahu, and I've always had this mindset that zoos and places like Sea Life…read morePark were sad environments for animals. It just never really sat right with me. I'm also not a huge wildlife or ocean life person in general, but my boyfriend loves aquariums and anything sea-related. He originally wanted to go to the Waikīkī Aquarium, but I surprised him with tickets to Sea Life Park instead. It was both of our first times visiting, and I'll be honest, I went in with a lot of preconceived notions. I couldn't have been more wrong. From the moment we got there, I was genuinely surprised in the best way. I learned so much about the animals, and you can really see how intelligent they are. What stood out the most to me was how passionate and caring all of the trainers were. It didn't feel like a "show" in a negative sense. It felt educational, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine care. Kekoa the monk seal completely stole my heart. I won't spoil his story, but learning about him is what truly shifted my perspective on the park and the kind of work they do. You can tell they are intentional about the animals they bring in and the role they play in research, rehabilitation, and education. The dolphin show was absolutely phenomenal. I've never seen anything like it before. It was not only entertaining, but also really highlighted the connection between the trainers and the animals. Another thing I really appreciated was the emphasis on education, especially for visitors. It's a popular tourist spot and they make a strong effort to teach people about respecting wildlife, like not touching animals you may encounter on the beach. It meant a lot to see that message being reinforced. If you're planning to go, I definitely recommend arriving right when they open so you can look at the daily schedule and try to catch all of the activities. Overall, this experience completely changed my perspective. I went in skeptical and left with a new appreciation for what Sea Life Park does. It ended up being such a meaningful and memorable day for both of us.

    Sea Life Park used to be such a thrill as a kid! Watching the dolphin & whale shows, seeing…read morepenguins waddling around & seeing the seal lion show were highlights! It's just not the same as before. There were no shows at all while we were there. Just "educational talks" where someone feeds the animals and or just talks about them. There was one dolphin show but, it wasn't until 12:15p which was after we left. We did see some people swimming with the dolphins and the dolphins did a couple jumps for them that we saw. But, that was it. It's super small and honestly unchanged from when I was a kid. Super run down and outdated. At $25/adult & $20/child Kamaaina rate, is a pretty steep rate for what you get. It's $50/adult & $40/child for non-Hawai'i residents.

    Photos
    Sea Life Park - Dolphin encounter with Noni. Zombie hands! Ask the trainer. Lol. Boys loved it.

    Dolphin encounter with Noni. Zombie hands! Ask the trainer. Lol. Boys loved it.

    Sea Life Park - August 2025

    August 2025

    Sea Life Park - Feeding birds

    See all

    Feeding birds

    Diamond Head State Monument - Shaved Ice

    Diamond Head State Monument

    4.5(2.2k reviews)
    1.3 miDiamond Head

    Vacationed in Hawaii (4/29-4/3 2026) so of course we had to hit up the beautiful island trails!…read moreDiamond Head was on our list so we booked it in advance since you need to make reservations. We did it all through Groupon to get picked up from our hotel and dropped off as well. The trail is definitely a popular hot spot for tourists but we didn't mind the crowd. We did an early one to see the Sun rise, though by the time we got there the sun was out already. Totally okay. Water was provided by our tour guide. He gave us some history on Diamond Head and then dropped us off and gave us 2 hours to explore before getting picked up. Thank you Jonah from Fun Hawaii Group! Aaaand we were on our way! Paths were clean and clear of overgrown plants for the most part. My wife and l hike regularly so we didn't feel the hike was bad at all. Weather was perfect (it rained on us a bjt too which was unexpected but fun) and it wasn't a long hike either. There are steps involved which we enjoyed for the added cardio! When we made it to the top it was breathtaking! The views of the ocean and the mountains were beautiful! Still find myself looking at photos. It was truly magical. We were in paradise!

    Hiking Diamond Head State Monument is honestly one of my favorite things to do when I visit Oʻahu…read more It's about a 1.6 mile round trip hike and took us around 1.5-2 hours, but this can vary depending on stops and crowds. I'd say it's a moderate hike--not super long, but you definitely feel it. There's a pretty significant incline, especially toward the end with all the stairs, so it gets your heart rate up for sure. The path isn't paved, so it's a mix of rocky, uneven ground and dirt trails, and it can get a bit muddy if it's rained recently. There are also these dark tunnels you walk through, which was actually really cool and made it feel a little more adventurous (just use your phone flashlight). The best part is definitely the view at the top. You get these insane panoramic views of Waikīkī and the ocean--totally worth the climb. A couple quick tips: make reservations before you go, get there early because it gets hot fast, bring water, and wear decent shoes (especially if it's been rainy). Also expect a little waiting in tight spots like the stairs near the top. Overall, it's a fun hike and 100% worth it if you're visiting.

    Photos
    Diamond Head State Monument - Top of the crater

    Top of the crater

    Diamond Head State Monument - Super Mommy and Son Son

    Super Mommy and Son Son

    Diamond Head State Monument - Happy Hikers!

    See all

    Happy Hikers!

    Bishop Museum - September 2024

    Bishop Museum

    4.3(620 reviews)
    5.3 miKalihi

    1000% worth the visit. This museum was recommended to me by the front desk staff at one of the…read morehotels 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

    We came here for a few hours. Several different buildings with several different things to learn…read moreabout. 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.

    Photos
    Bishop Museum - Inside the Hawaiian Hall

    Inside the Hawaiian Hall

    Bishop Museum - September 2024

    September 2024

    Bishop Museum - Canoes of the pacific

    See all

    Canoes of the pacific

    Honolulu Zoo - zoos - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...