Waikiki

Address:Honolulu, Hawaii

Come to Waikiki, Hawaii and step into paradise: the gorgeous mountains, sky-blue seas, famous sunsets and beautiful white beaches are enough reason to visit. Enjoy uniquely Hawaiian shopping and dining experiences, or embark on a number of tours, either by land or sea, and enjoy a great nightlife.

Waikiki is located on the island of Oahu, the third-largest island in the chain of hundreds of islands that make up the state of Hawaii. Waikiki means "sprouting water," signifying the abundant streams and rivers that flow into the area.

Enjoy "Sunset on the Beach" for free, family-oriented movies on a 30-foot screen, on Waikiki Beach; Saturday and Sunday nights around sunset.

Biking is also a great way to see Waikiki as most streets have bike lanes. Ride around on your own or sign up for a bike-and-hike and see Oahu from 1,800 feet above Waikiki. Learn about the culture, plants and geology of the Hawaiian Islands as you ride. After that, leave your bike for a two-mile round-trip hike to a 200-foot waterfall. The bike-and-hike is suitable for kids as well.

Everyone will enjoy the hike to Diamond Head Crater, Hawaii's most famous landmark that was created by a volcanic explosion about half a million years ago. Kids love to look out from the top of the 750-foot volcanic cone, where they have 360-degree views of Oahu. The trip lasts around one and a half hours, so wear good walking shoes and take a flashlight for the walk through dark tunnels. Bring binoculars for better viewing at the crater's top, and don't forget the essentials like water and a hat and of course your camera.

You don't really need a car in Waikiki; the bus can get you where you need to go, or you can join a moderately priced tour or hop on a trolley.

Shop at the Waikiki Town Center. Stroll around the open-air courtyard, which is dominated by a gorgeous fountain. The rest of the center is arranged randomly around the fountain. It has around 50 shops and restaurants that offer souvenirs, Hawaiian and beach clothes and lei-making shops. Specialty shops include Quiksilver Boardrider's Club, Red Dirt Tees and Chin Lan. Restaurants such as the New Hung Yun Kitchen serve inexpensive Asian food. Free hula shows are performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy more shopping at the Waikiki International Marketplace, which is nearly attached to the Town Center. The Marketplace has over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands and is a must-see-and-do for that special gift you're searching for.

The local craftspeople are very friendly and will talk you up with their stories of Hawaii. Take a break from your shopping to take a picture by the cascading waterfall under a century-old banyan tree, and see the Swiss Family Robinson-style tree house, the original home of Donn the Beachcomber. When you get hungry, the International Food Court offers a variety of local and international cuisines. There are all types of street performers along this shopping strip. Sadly, there is no shortage of homeless people that may come up to you, so be prepared.

Waikiki is made up of a string of beaches. The most popular, Waikiki Beach, is home to the world's longest-running beach parties. Only one and a half miles long, Waikiki beach is fantastic for swimming, board and bodysurfing, outrigger canoeing, diving, sailing, snorkeling and pole fishing. Marine equipment is available for rent. There are also showers, lifeguards, restrooms, grills and picnic tables at your disposal. The best place to park is at Kapiolani Park, near Sans Souci.

Waikiki Beach Walk, along Lewers Street, hosts nearly eight acres of activity and accommodations. There's an outdoor entertainment plaza, nearly 50 new retailers, 16 eateries and five hotels. The Beach Walk's design incorporates Hawaii's intimate relationship with the ocean: glass canopies hovering gracefully over the outdoor plaza take their inspiration from the movement of the sea, and supporting beams are reminiscent of the `iako (booms) and ama (float) of the outrigger canoe. The canopies are lighted to create a beautifully illuminated contrast to the night sky.

Watch the famous Hawaiian sunset like a local - with a tropical mai tai drink in hand. The sunset is best viewed from anywhere on the Waikiki-Honolulu-Leeward-side of the island.

After watching a gorgeous sunset, hit the town for the night. Every night there's a torch-lighting ceremony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. People come from other hotels just to watch this amazing ceremony. Young men in Hawaiian attire run throughout the grounds lighting all the torches, followed by a short show with Hawaiian dance and music. Every Friday night is "King's Jubilee Celebration" - a Polynesian extravaganza and oceanside fireworks. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a great place to stay with kids. It offers plenty of fun and educational programs. Afterwards, visit one of several Waikiki bars, see a show, take a night/dinner cruise or enjoy more beachfront activities. Waikiki Shell amphitheater hosts free and paid events like concerts by Jimmy Buffett and the annual Hula fest. The outdoor amphitheater, shaped like a shell, is across the street from Waikiki Beach and within walking distance from the hotels.

Adults and children will enjoy the Waikiki Aquarium for its amazing variety of marine life from the tropical Pacific and Hawaii. Get up-close views of reef sharks, living corals, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, graceful sea jellies, myriads of colorful reef fish, and much, much more.

The new Bishop Museum at Kalia, in the heart of Waikiki, is tailor-made for kids. The interactive mini-museum features various activities, from lei making to thumping an ancient Hawaiian drum made of shark skin.

Your trip won't be complete without a visit to Honolulu Zoo, where you can visit Africa in Hawaii at Waikiki's Kapiolani Park. The lions, giraffes, zebras and elephants delight children and parents alike. The biggest thrill for kids is the Zoo-by-Moonlight tour - where kids can see what really lurks around in the dark.