Oahu Road Trip : Honolulu & Waikiki Beach

I have heard many people warn visitors away from Waikiki Beach, calling it crowded and touristy. While I totally respect their preference for a more authentic beach experience in more remote parts of the island, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach was a fun location to stay for our arrival and departure nights. 

Hilton Hawaiian Village

We spent both nights at one of the largest resort properties, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The resort consisted of multiple towers and is connected to an upscale outdoor shopping area. We were surprised to find everything we needed at the ABC store in the center, including food, drinks, souvenirs and beach supplies all at a relatively affordable cost. 

Our rooms on both stays had incredible views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument further to the south. The extensive grounds offered a variety of activities that would appeal to families with small children. The shallow pond worked well for wading and light water sports (available for an additional fee), but it was very stagnant compared than the nearby oceanfront beach. There were multiple pools on the property, and the one closest to the lagoon offered water slides and seemed to be the most family friendly. 

Waikiki Beach
It was an easy walk by sidewalk or along the beach south, ending at a jetty with great views of Diamond Head. Along the walk I saw crabs, fish and other sea creatures in the pools created by the boulders of the man-made jetty.

Resort Dining and Amenities

There were options for dining in both the resort and within the Hawaiian Village shopping center. On our first night we while we pushed through our jetlag, we ate beachside/poolside at the Hau Tree Bar. On our last morning before heading to the airport we had brunch on the outdoor patio at Tropics Bar and Grill.

Ala Moana Area

Because we hadn’t yet been to a local Hawaiian brewery, we had our last dinner at Waikiki Brewing Company in a warehouse district that had become a recreation area, with dining, indoor sports venues, and shopping and gathering spots. As someone originally from Ohio and from a family of (long-suffering but dedicated) Cleveland Browns fans, it was fun to learn that the spot had become an official “Browns Backer” location after fans informally had gathered there for extended times. 

The Ala Moana Shopping Center filled multiple blocks and floors of the downtown, with shopping available for every price point. With three levels of stores, starting in the basement parking lot, it took some strong navigation skills to find our way. Getting lost was part of the fun, and e were surprised to find art from renowned artists, including Yayoi Kusama, as we strolled through the center.

Foster Botanical Garden

• DAY 1:

  Flight to Oahu, Hawaii from Norfolk, Virginia
  Check-in for a one-night stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach

  

• DAY 2:

  
  Coastal Drive along the Koko Head Area and the Wayward Coast
  Hikes at the Koko Crater Botanic Garden and the Ho’omaluhia Botanic Garden
  Check-in for a 3-night stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa

  

• DAY 3:

  Breakfast at Green World Coffee
  A hula performance, waterfall pool swim and garden tour at Waimea Botanical Garden
  Swim at Sunset Beach on the North Shore

  
• DAY 4:

  Movie Tour at Kualoa Ranch
  Drive along the North Shore
  Snorkel at Shark Cove

  
• DAY 5:

  Dole Pineapple Plantation
  Wahiawā Botanical Garden
  Byodo-In Temple
  

  
• DAY 6:

  Waikiki Beach
  Foster Botanical Garden
  Ala Moana Center
  Flight from Oahu, Hawaii to Los Angeles, California for a 3-night stay at Disneyland
  

  

More Posts about Oahu, Hawaii….