Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Honolulu

THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Honolulu

Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Honolulu

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273 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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Showing results 1-30 of 273

What travellers are saying

  • James G
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are several look out points and lots of history. This is a great hike that people of all ages were able to do. Once in a lifetime experience!
    Written 11 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Voezel
    The Hague, The Netherlands106 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Truly impressive, humbling and informative tour.
    The site can be visited for free! Although you can book via the website ($1,-) or via an expensive operator (+$50…), you can also go directly to the USS Arizona national memorial and enter the site for free. The exhibit onshore is freely accessible; no bags allowed. They have onsite storage ($9,-). For the boat access to the momerial you can try to book online (1% change) or you can go on the standby on site (99% chance), even for larger parties.
    You get the professional navy boat ride to the memorial and are allowed 15 min at the site. A park ranger is available to answer questions.
    As this is an actual last resting place for many sailors, respect and dignity is expected, and fully observed by all visitors on our trip.
    Do take time afterwards to see the movie onsite, and visit the exhibits.
    Written 11 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joseph R
    Fargo, United States23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had the pleasure of being guided by Cindy (former sports writer) who could weave compelling and educational stories into the objects were viewing. Highly recommend going through the Palace to get a deeper sense of Hawaii.
    Written 12 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LoAunia J
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Learned and saw alot of interesting info about Pearl Harbor. Very touching and recommend that everyone see it. Seeing the ship was amazing as well.
    Written 27 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EcoBean
    Kennington, UK331 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a superb experience, and excellent facilities. The Nature Preserve only allows a certain number of people on the beach at the time, so you have to go to their website and purchase tickets online, picking your date and time according to availability. We took a taxi from Waikiki beach which was about US$55 for 4 of us to get to the bay. Once there, you're given an orientation talk to understand the do's and don'ts to preserve the fish and coral reefs, then a short safety talk.

    There are trains taking you up and down the short (but steep) hill down to the bay. They advise (and please listen to them) buying your water/drinks and snacks at the top BEFORE you head down to the bay to save you time and energy. The snacks are limited to toasties and other fast food - so nothing very healthy.

    The bay itself is beautiful and the snorkelling is excellent. Even just a few metres from the shore you'll enjoy seeing fish amongst the rocks. I'd definitely recommend using rubber swim shoes in the water as it gets rocky a bit further out. Beyond the reef the fish get bigger, colourful and more plentiful if you're a confident snorkeler. The waves can be quite strong and there is a current the further out you go.
    Written 10 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alyona S
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was here with my work team and spent a couple days mostly on my own. What I would do differently: I would rent a chairs/umbrella set at the Royal
    Hawaiian hotel. It’s $100 a day but would be well worth it. You can book this online but have to do it ahead of time. There are other vendors that will set up chairs and umbrella for you, I did this but it was late in the day so I was rows behind other people. Wish I secured my spot in the am.
    I stayed at the outrigger Beachcomber - a block away from the beach. They also have a cafe with great baristas.
    Dukes was great for dinner. Surf lanai for breakfast. We also did a party boat which was a ton of fun, highly recommend.
    Written 13 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Achi H
    Hod Ha Sharon118 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful place. Visited during a rainy day, good to have been able to buy shoes suited for mud and a poncho in the shop before the trail. Hike was lovely despite the pouring rain. Sun came up just when I got back down :-)
    Written 6 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Terese L
    31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    54 year old moderately fit female solo hiker. It took me 40 minutes to go up, taking it slow paced and many breaks to take pics and sips of water. It is definitely a good idea to go early. I got there at 8 on a Saturday and parking was easy. The coolness of early morning definitely helps. I found the way down to be much harder than going up. At the top the steepness of the steps was a bit scary for me going down, so I really took my time. It took me as long to get down as it did to go up. About halfway it is much less steep, so I could go faster like regular steps. The views at the top are absolutely worth it! So glad I did it!
    Written 19 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sightseer787284
    3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice walk on paved trail but up, up, up the whole way, very little shade to rest, good view of the ocean and occasional whale spottings, good view of little red-roofed lighthouse on cliff below, parking limited, very busy, and no bathrooms. Did enjoy the walk.
    Written 11 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • WanderingFarmer
    Payson, UT487 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A experience we won't forget. What a a grand old battleship, we spent quite a bit of time wandering down inside. It was amazing to see and get the feel of the crews day to day living space, the offices, the cafeteria etc. Having the time to walk and see it all was what visiting a memorial is all about. We came away awed of the ship and what it did over its lifetime, this is living history you should not miss out on.
    Written 29 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • funnyfarmwest
    Redding, CA55 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had heard of the Bishop Museum and were in the area one afternoon. So, we parked paid for the parking, noticed the sign said parking hours ended at 10 pm. So we walked up to the door. We had no idea the museum closed at 5pm. We walked in and were told there wasn't enough time to tour the museum and they wouldn't sell us a ticket. I guess it was around 4pm when we showed up. I know bad planning on our part, it turned out it was the only opportunity to visit the museum and leave. After we got back to our hotel room my wife called about a refund on the parking fee. She was told that they only give a half hour grace period to request a refund. But they were nice and refunded the parking fee anyway. We were looking forward to the visit while in town mainly because of the artifacts on display and comments made during a circle island tour about what was there to see. (an episode of the Classic 60's Hawaii FIve O might have had some influence too). Nevertheless, we didn't get in. Something to remember next time in town (if it ever happens again).
    Written 2 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shannon C
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was easier than I anticipated. It is all uphill, but there are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath if needed. The views are worth it! We were up and back down in an hour and a half without feeling hurried in any way.
    Written 6 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stacy R
    Dahlgren, IL214 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Huge market. Not a lot of handmade but tons of tshirts, bags and souvenirs. Be ready to walk a lot. Several food trucks served lunch. $2 per person admission. Several vendors had old yard sale clothing on the ground for sale
    Written 2 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • achan60
    Fort Langley, Canada126 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum is located just inside the the Visitor Center, so you can walk to it before / after touring the USS Missouri or the Air Museum on Ford Island. I decided to do a quick tour before getting on the shuttle to Ford Island because it was early in the day & not crowded. If you are a War historian or just curious, its fun to see how men lived and operated on submarines for 60 day tours during WWII and afterwards. I used the GoCity app, so I had access to multiple museum sites for one price, and in this case it included an audio tour. Just a warning -- the doorways in a sub are small & the stairs are narrow & steep, so this is not an easy trek for those with mobility challenges.
    Written 30 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • M&JR
    Fort Worth, TX1,219 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Army Museum with artifacts, displays, and narratives describing the fort and islands from a military perspective. You can spend and hour, two or more reading the displays. The Museum does an excellent job considering admission is free with donations accepted. Wearing my Air Force Veterans cap, I was stopped and held several conversations with other veterans. Well worth the walk to the museum and literally right on the beach.
    Written 28 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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