Oahu, Hawaii

One of the most famous spots on Oahu is Waikiki Beach. There are endless shops and restaurants, but one of the most unique areas is the International Marketplace.  Originally opened in 1956 and renovated in 2016, it features a 60 foot tall banyan tree in the center which was the former home of Don the Beachcomber's Tree House.  Enjoy a cocktail on the beach at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (the Pink Palace of the Pacific), a historic property which opened in 1927, or catch a ride on the seemingly endless waves.

The surprise attack that occurred at Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941 led to the United States' entry into World War II.  Here you can visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument to learn about what happened on that fateful day. You can step aboard the USS Missouri battleship to explore the bridge and crew's quarters, get an up-close view of the ship's massive guns, and stand on the very spot where the treaty to end WWII was signed.  Take the brief shuttle ride over to Ford Island and the Pacific Aviation Museum, to see several hangers (including one still riddled with bullet holes from the 1941 attack) and authentic WWII-era airplanes.  Then there is the USS Bowfin submarine, known as the Pearl Harbor Avenger, where you can experience what it was like to live and work on a sub. 

Although it is home to some of the biggest and most famous waves on the planet, the North Shore remains a somewhat sleepy locale with food trucks and beach shacks instead of gourmet restaurants and luxury mega-resorts. The beaches and surf breaks are easy to access from Kamehameha Highway, but beware of traffic in the winter during surfing competitions as there is only one lane in each direction.  Summer is much quieter with small waves and excellent snorkeling, and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) can be spotted here year-round. 

Another famous landmark is Diamond Head State Monument, an extinct volcanic cone which can be explored with a short but steep 1.5 hour round trip hike. The well-maintained trail includes numerous sets of stairs that will take you to the summit at 761 feet above sea level, with stunning views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean. 

Known as Hollywood's "Hawaii Backlot", Kualoa Ranch has been used in many feature films and television shows, such as the Jurassic Park films, 50 First Dates, Lost, and Hawaii Five-0.  They offer a variety of sight-seeing and adventure tours including movie sites, a catamaran boat tour, ATV tours, and horseback riding.  After your tour, stop into Aunty Pat's Café for lunch featuring meat and produce that are grown on-site