***Please note that this 7 Days In Honolulu, Hawaii For First-Timers Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

Back in September of 2024, my friend Bryn and I made the long journey across the United States and over the Pacific to visit our friend Maxwell in for 7 days Honolulu, Hawaii. Maxwell recently graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (when we went he was wrapping up his college experience) and has fallen in love with Hawaii during his years in the Aloha State. We couch surfed at his apartment for a week, as he graciously hosted us alongside his roommates and showed us around Honolulu, most of Oahu, and even part of the island of Maui. Needless to say, our trip to Hawaii is by far one of the best trips that I have ever taken. Truly, I will look back on this trip with extreme gratitude and appreciation for the Hawaiian people, culture, and hospitality. At the same time, I want to thank Maxwell for being such an incredible host and tour guide and for welcoming us to Hawaii with open arms. As they say in Hawaii, Mahalo!

In this blog post, I will outline how to plan a weeklong trip to Honolulu, Hawaii including several things to do, places to eat, and what to keep in mind as you fly as a first-timer to the Aloha state! 

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

7 Days In Honolulu, Hawaii For First-Timers Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Where To Stay

Know Before You Fly

Getting There (from the East Coast!)

Getting Around Honolulu (and Oahu!)

What To Do

Where To Eat

Where To Stay:

While in Hawaii, we didn’t do any overnight excursions beyond Maxwell’s apartment in Waikiki (a well-known neighborhood in Honolulu!), but we did take a day trip by plane to the neighboring island of Maui (here) and have the opportunity to explore much of what the island of Oahu aka the home of Honolulu (here) has to offer. However, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to lodging in and around Honolulu. 

 

Know Before You Fly:

Before flying to Honolulu, it’s important to keep these things in mind for your long journey across much of the Pacific:

• If flying domestically within the United States, airlines such as United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines will charge you for a checked bag *even* in Economy fare as Honolulu is within the United States. If you plan to check a bag, be sure to budget for a checked bag in advance.
• On the flight to Honolulu or anywhere in Hawaii, all passengers will be required to fill out a form similar to United States Customs upon entering the state of Hawaii and must list their accommodation on their trip alongside purpose of travel and declare any items brought into the state. The state of Hawaii has a unique ecosystem, so this form is done to ensure that its ecosystem is preserved for us to enjoy for years to come.
• If traveling to/from the United States, you do not need to bring your passport with you to visit Honolulu. United States passports are NOT required to visit Hawaii.
• Upon departing Honolulu, everyone’s luggage must go through an agricultural scan (it takes literally 30 seconds and is super easy!) if flying outside of Hawaii. This agricultural scan will occur upon entering the airport and all bags, including checked bags must go through this quick and easy scanner (similar to that of a scanner at airport security. The purpose of Hawaii’s agricultural scan is to protect its ecosystem as well as our ecosystems back at home from cross-contamination and the spread of infectious diseases.

Above all else, be sure to bring ample blankets, water bottles, snacks, modes of entertainment, etc. for your long flight to/from Honolulu.

Getting There (from the East Coast!): 

We all know that getting to Hawaii is a LOONGGG journey from the East Coast! Bryn and I were coming from different respective cities on the East Coast, too, and wanted to fly together for the longer flights to/from Honolulu. That all being said, we opted for connecting flights to/from Honolulu for the longer stretches in the air and then decided to take a shorter flight back to/from our respective cities. Our amazing host Maxwell is a loyal Delta flyer and sold us on taking Delta this trip as we Delta offers the most meal options and free alcohol (even in Coach!) on the way to/from Honolulu. The fares to/from Honolulu were also cheaper than other airlines, too. On the way there, Bryn and I met up at JFK airport in New York City to take a direct flight from there to Honolulu which is an ~11 hour daytime flight. And, on the way back, Bryn and I took a red eye flight that left Honolulu at 3:30pm their time to Detroit where we caught early morning flights back home via a sunrise arrival back on the mainland United States. Let’s just say that sleep was TOUGH on the way back due to the time difference and my body thinking it was 11pm Hawaiian time as opposed to 5am Eastern time! But, I was so happy to sleep all day in my bed when I got home – LOLLL!! Overall, the trip to and from Hawaii while long, was definitely a fun time navigating the travels with Bryn and making memories on the plane!

Getting Around Honolulu (and Oahu!):

To get around Honolulu and Oahu, there are several options at your disposal depending on your budget and preferences:

• If staying in Waikiki, there are multiple beach options according to this resource from Hawaii Aloha Travel, many of which are in walking distance or an easy Uber ride away. 
• Uber is another excellent option within Honolulu/Oahu to get around, especially if you plan to primarily hang out around Waikiki and close to your hotel/resort. 
• If you plan to stay primarily near your hotel/resort and want to venture out to other parts of Oahu including the North Shore without renting a car, then definitely look into some of the many day trip options to choose from.
• If you want to have the option to explore Honolulu and beyond without sticking to a strict schedule via a tour group, then definitely look into rental car options. 

What To Do:

Note that this travel guide will primarily focus on things to do within Honolulu, Hawaii and not beyond. But don’t fret! I outline a few points of interest for exploring around Oahu and beyond Honolulu in this travel guide.

On our Hawaiian journey, Bryn and I opted to do more sightseeing activities as opposed to hanging out at the beach all day. Neither of us are big beach people for more than a day or a few hours and Hawaii has SO MUCH to offer! So, that all being said, we opted to explore much of what Honolulu, Waikiki, and the island of Oahu has to offer.

Visit The Royal Hawaiian Hotel – Ever since I saw Katie of A Touch of Teal (whose blog I ADORE!) share about her experiences staying at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel a few years ago, I knew that it was a must-see for me when in Honolulu! The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” and is located in the heart of Waikiki. Yes, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel IS PINK!!! The Royal Hawaiian offers onsite shops, restaurants, and oceanfront views. If I had more time, I would’ve checked out their Mai Tai Bar (here). Luckily, it was an easy 20 minute walk from Maxwell’s apartment, making it a great option for the photoshoot (here) that I have been fantasizing about for the past few years!

Hike Manoa Falls – Manoa Falls is conveniently located outside of Honolulu. Let’s just say that I am NOT a hiker and nor did a pack the correct shoes for hiking on this trip. Hence, I don’t know if I even have good hiking shoes – haha! SO, the rocky, uphill walk to/from Manoa Falls was intense for me. I did learn though that Manoa Falls is a place of healing, which is something that I fully experienced while on our hike (read more about that here).

Shopping at Waikiki – From luxury fashion to local Hawaiian shops to Hard Rock Cafe to souvenir shops to Tommy Bahama and everything in between, Waikiki has several shopping opportunities! Some of my favorites included the ABC Store for souvenirs and snacks (more on that below!!) as well as the following:

• Blue Ginger – Known for their tropical Hawaiian-made and designed luxury resort wear. The fabric of each garment is made to adapt to the Hawaiian heat and climate. I ended up purchasing a lovely blue robe that I wear on Summer nights!
• Reyn Spooner – Known as the “world’s most collected Hawaiian shirts”, selling high-quality Hawaiian shirts that you won’t find at your average souvenir shop (or most shops back on the mainland!). I ended up purchasing a Hawaiian shirt for my Papa from their line of NFL football team-themed shirts (GO COMMANDERS!).
• Sunshine Swimwear – I happened to walk into this store as I was intrigued by the beautiful swimwear pieces in the store windows! A great place to grab high-quality swimwear for sunny beach days.
• Honolulu Cookie Company – With its Hawaiian beginnings, this delicious cookie shop sells Hawaiian-made cookie delights! Customers can buy cookies to enjoy now, later, or *even* cookie gifts to take back home. They also gave out free samples which are fun to enjoy!!!

Take a sunset cruise with Moana Sailing Company – One of the biggest items on my Hawaii bucket list was getting to take in the lovely sunset on a sunset cruise! I ended up finding Moana Sailing Company via TripAdvisor or Viator (I forget which – whoops!) and was actually pulled into looking into this company a bit more because of the name – LOL! Coincidentally speaking, Moana Sailing Company happens to be one of the top-ranked sunset cruise companies in Honolulu! SO, as Bryn and I were planning out our Honolulu excursions, we knew that a sunset cruise with Moana Sailing Company was A MUST! We ended up paying a bit extra and booked VIP to board early, get a complimentary Terri’s tumbler souvenir cup, and our first drink (or two!) at the bar free (the rest we paid for alongside tips to their Venmo!). The staff was AMAZING and super kind as well as our fellow tourist friends that we met while setting sail!

See the Fireworks on Waikiki – Every Friday night at 7:45pm, the Hilton Hawaiian Village at Waikiki puts on a lovely fireworks show! The fireworks are free to see (visitors and hotel guests, alike, must scope out a spot though beforehand!) and a crowd adjoins to see them. Truly, it is magnificent and was a special way for us to end our time and spend our last night in the Aloha State together!

Tour Iolani Palace – Built in the mid-1800’s, Iolani Palace was home to Hawaii’s last remaining monarchs, serving as the only royal Hawaiian residence until the now-state was annexed by the United States in 1898. Iolani Palace is a place that represents beautiful celebratory occasions as well as some dark and sad occasions in Hawaiian history. Moreover, it represents the history of Hawaii (including its time as a monarch-ruled nation) and its people and culture that it preserves to this day.

Visit Pearl Harbor – Bryn and I both agreed that visiting Pearl Harbor was a priority for us while visiting. Pearl Harbor is a naval base where the United States entered into World War 11 with a surprise attack there on December 7, 1941. Today, it is a United States National Historic Landmark offering tours (both guided and self-guided) for visitors to honor those that fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice on that somber day. Pearl Harbor is a true testament to remember to show gratitude to those that have served our nation and have fought for us to have our freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. I highly recommend anyone visiting Honolulu take advantage of visiting Pearl Harbor and pay their respects. Admission is free and can be reserved online (here), however, there is a $1 reservation fee per person to visit the USS Arizona, which we ended up doing while there.

Shopping at Ala Moana Center – Ala Moana Center is Honolulu’s major mall! Many of the shops there are stores that you will usually find at any United States mall, however, it is ALWAYS fun to enjoy them in Hawaii! At the same time, there are also unique aspects to this shopping mall, including the United States Postal Service that has a home here, the flagship Nordstrom store, a Target, and a Marshall’s. I LOVED getting to make a purchase at the Marshall’s here, where the ultra-kind cashier told me that she LOVES working there to see all the vacationers as she says that “everyone is happy on vacation!” HOW WONDERFUL!! Check out the shopping and dining opportunities here.

Visit the ABC Store – No, the ABC Store is not a liquor store as they are back on the East Coast United States here in Hawaii! The ABC Store is rather a convenience store that sells souvenirs, to-go food options and snacks, alcohol, and more. I actually bought two adorable bracelets and a Tervis tumbler at the ABC Store alongside many other souvenirs! ABC Stores are pretty much on EVERY corner here in Honolulu, especially in Waikiki where many tourists come each year. One of the unique traditions that many visitors take part in is taking a shot (many shooters of all liquors are available!) at every ABC Store that you come across. Let’s just say that there are SOOO many ABC Stores in Waikiki where we stayed, so it’s easy to have a good time real fast!

Take a day trip to the North Shore, Lower East Side, or West Shore – I felt SO lucky that Bryn and I had an incredible host in our friend Maxwell! Maxwell has a car being a local for the time being in Honolulu and he graciously showed us some incredible spots across the island of Oahu. In fact, we saw the majority of Oahu on our trip! I will share more about our day trips to the North Shore, Lower East Side, and West Shore in a future blog post, so stay tuned!!

If I had more time, I would’ve loved to have gone paddle boarding and checked out some of the many offerings that the Royal Hawaiian Hotel has to offer (such as mai tai happy hour!).

Where To Eat:

Brunch at Cinnamon’s – My favorite meal of 2024 EVER! Breakfast at Cinnamon’s is a MUST-eat! We enjoyed pink guava-flavored pancakes (guava is a Hawaiian specialty!), alongside a traditional Hawaiian breakfast which includes rice, sausage, and eggs. The pork sausage was AMAZING! Bryn and I were blown away by this recommendation of Maxwell’s, given my strong desire for pink pancakes – LOLLL, that we ended up dining at Cinnamon’s twice!

Chocolate + Wine/Rum Tastings at Manoa Chocolate – Manoa Chocolate offers FREE wine/rum and chocolate tastings every 15-30 minutes to guests. You simply pull up a chair at their bar and get a few delicious samples! The staff were super kind and enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Manoa Chocolate also sells their AMAZING Hawaiian-made chocolate bars and a few select souvenirs at their shop, too! Highly recommend going, especially if you are on the wait list for a table at Cinnamon’s and *just* maybe a bit hangry (like we were!).

Hawaiian Style Breakfast at McDonald’s – Only in Hawaii can you get a traditional Hawaiian breakfast! Including sausage, sticky rice, eggs, and a hash brown, I actually enjoyed the McDonald’s take on Hawaiian breakfast a few times!

Hawaiian Snacks at 7-11 & ABC Store – *Even* the local 7-11 and ABC Stores carry several unique to Hawaii delights to either take on the go or to snack on. These two options are definitely a great option that don’t break the bank and are actually pretty good! Poke aka a traditional Hawaiian delight is sold fresh at these convenience stores, too, and makes for an excellent pick me up that’s not too filling.

Dinner at Tommy Bahama – We did dinner at Tommy Bahama and it did NOT disappoint! The Tommy Bahama restaurant is located on the rooftop of the Tommy Bahama shop on Waikiki and makes for an excellent dinner while out on the town.

Drinks at Sky – To end off our time in Honolulu, we took in the skyline views of Waikiki and greater Honolulu atop this open-air rooftop bar atop a 19-story building. Sky offers drinks and small plates and is great for happy hour, a nice night on the town, or a nightcap after dinner.

Lunch at Foodland Farms – Located inside the Foodland Farms Hawaiian supermarket (we went to the location inside of the Ala Moana Center!), Foodland Farms offers several dining options while you can get your groceries. Having Maxwell’s expertise experiencing Hawaiian poke, he discovered that Foodland Farms offers some of THE BEST poke in Honolulu at their poke bar. Truly, it is like a meat market experience at a local Wegman’s on the East Coast with free samples as you make your final decision to order poke bowls for lunch. I was extremely blown away by the quality of the food and will definitely go back multiple times if/whenever I go back to Hawaii!

Lunch at Maui Brewing Company – With an open air restaurant overlooking its location in the Waikiki shopping district, Maui Brewing Company boasts a variety of local Hawaiian beers as well as your typical East Coast brewery food options (burgers, nachos, etc.) alongside some Hawaiian delights. I ended up ordering fish n’ chips with locally caught Hawaiian fish! Definitely a great lunch break from the hustle and bustle and heat of walking in Waikiki.

Dinner at Noods Ramen Bar – Located inside Honolulu, Noods Ramen Bar dishes up some delicious ramen with innovative flavors. I rarely order ramen for takeout and I was in for a surprise!!

Dinner at The Daley – Located in Honolulu’s Historic Chinatown (which is a unique neighborhood in itself that would be neat to explore given more time to!), The Daley is a local burger spot that serves incredible burgers made-to-order. The Daley also has a delicious signature bourbon-based cocktail and amazing … crinkle-cut fries aka a favorite of mine!

Dinner at Tanaka of Tokyo Central – A hibachi restaurant in Waikiki that was AMAZING! I highly recommend dining here if you want a splurge of a meal on your Hawaiian journey, as it serves hibachi with a unique Hawaiian twist. We happened to sit next to a group of people visiting Hawaii from California that were ultra-kind and made our hibachi experience all that more special, alongside the excellent service and staff!

Dessert at Il Gelato – Authentic Italian gelato in Hawaii?!?! SAY NO MORE! Il Gelato definitely has me covered when it came to some delicious refreshments on those hot Hawaiian days!!

Wrap-Up:

Hawaii is truly an incredible place to visit. From landing in Honolulu to departure from Honolulu, I have indeed never visited such a unique and beautiful place like Hawaii before in my life. Indeed, Hawaiian life and culture has so much to offer and to be immersed into it for even 7 days was such a blessing. It was also great to be able to experience some beautiful places and learn more about Hawaii first hand from a University of Hawaii student and resident: our host Maxwell.

Mahalo, Hawaii, and til next time!!

XOXO – Katie <3