The Honolulu International Airport every year receives millions of eager visitors who are keen to start their much-awaited vacation. Once they have made their way through the airport they will catch a cab and make their way past downtown Honolulu towards Waikiki. It won’t take long to discover why Waikiki is so popular when you see all the busy streets and marvel at the history contained here. Venturing out in Waikiki can be quite exciting - Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never escape its imaginary borders. Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the very sites that locals find so endearing, remaining within the two square miles of Waikiki.
If you are thinking of visiting Oahu then you should find this interesting.
Magic Island Beach Park – Located just opposite to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, this is a very popular attraction lying west of Waikiki. What are the points of attraction in this park? It has two beaches, a jogging path stretching up to 3 miles, tennis courts and much more. The Hawaiians love this area too and it is quite normal to see their extended families enjoying a meal together in the sun. The beaches are relatively less crowded, so if you want to spend a memorable day, get hold of some barbecue and land at the beaches of Magic Island.
At the top of Makiki Heights Drive there is a tiny museum called the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu where visitors benefit from the fantastic views this place can offer. The exquisite exhibits in this somewhat small museum keep changing in the 5 galleries and when you have finished viewing these, you could go outdoors for a walk in to the sculpture gardens. 5 acres, includes sculptures as well as places for meditation, and can offer an unforgettable view of Honolulu.
Leong’s Cafe - Experiencing a Lu’au is more than just the entertainment it provides as some great traditional, local food can be enjoyed at one of these. However, if you are looking out to taste some delectable foods cooked in typical Hawaiian style, then you can never miss out on Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street. Some of the dishes, which keep the customers coming back, include kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi and more and as incredible as it may sound, this place is visited both by locals as well as tourists, for over 50 years.
Champion Malasadas - there is a local treat that originated in portugal called Malasadas which has become so popular that they even renamed Fat Tuesday to Malasadas day. You can find Champion Malasadas, which is a famous bakery, along South Beretania Street. These light Portuguese hole-less donuts come with and without filling and are absolutely worth the effort in getting them!
Honolulu Chinatown - A walk through the streets of Chinatown in like a walk into another time and place. Everything from dim sum to fresh produce can be found here but it also has more modern treats to like the new Hip Lounge. The things, which you get in these shops and streets, are impossible to get in any American grocer back home. While many visitors take guided tours, it is just as easy (if not more so) to wander through the streets, taking in the atmosphere and stopping whenever you feel the need.
The best way to experience Oahu is to allocate enough time to see outside Waikiki for that is the way locals see it. Move around all or some of the destinations mentioned above and soon you would realize why Hawaii is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
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