Hi all! My husband and I will be travelling to Honolulu, Hawaii end of July-early August. We’ll be there for 11 days so we are going to plan our itinerary soon. Does anyone have any recommendations on activities and sights to see? We will be renting a car so we’re open to driving anywhere. Would love to hear all your recommendations!!! Thanks!

Ruby Grace this guy (https://youtu.be/t-hgUG3e2Jw) does the best job of explaining where the trail starts and how to find it. Its important to go PAST the kulana-ahane sign. The main points for the hike are: bring enough water (we had 6x 500 mL bottles for 2 and we were dying of thirst), some snacks. Budget 3-6 hours depending on fitness level. Wear shoes that have some grip or spikes! You don't want to slide. Do not go on a rainy day or after it has rained. Do not go at night, go early. Plan doing nothing else that day (you'll be dead tired by the end). Don't stress/worry about avoiding the guard at the bottom on your way doing from the stairs, they dont fine you if you come from the back end and they just want you to not go into this gated community nearby, they dont like the hikers/visitors there. If you have any questions, let me know! I went in very worried about parts of the hike and pictures I had seen but we were more than fine with our medium to poor fitness levels at the time and there were many 40+ year olds with average fitness level on the hike and a couple of 60+ year olds. Don't forget to bring a good camera!!

Thanks so much for this! I'll definitely ask you for questions. My friend and I are already gearing up for this hike. Getting excited! Then the video you showed me made me even more excited. Because at first hand I was really worried about that "illegal" hike.

Ruby Grace i had similar worries. If asked, make sure to mention you came from the other side, plus there are no warning signs about tredpassing when you come from the back, so they cant fine you. the guard actually just indicated us the way out through the bamboo forest, no reason to avoid the guard. One more thing i forgot: bring a pair of gloves, like a gardening glove with grip, it helps with the stairs + rope. It's a once in a lifetime experience, you won't regret it

Polynesian Centre and Diamond Head are awesome!
The aquarium is pretty cool too!

The best beach by far, not just on Oahu but possibly all of Hawaii is in Lanikai. Drive out there. Kailua which is just north of Lanikai is also beautiful and it's where President Obama would vacation.

We loved Honolulu and drove around Oahu. Check out some of the highlights at www.vivahappy.com/hawaii

Alice Chan we should visit these places too!

I would highly recommend for you to reach out https://m.facebook.com/therealhawaiitours/

They are the best and will make your trip a mind blowing one. My husband and I were in Honolulu just this past February. We miss it already.

Ellen Wong, we should check these out too.

Checkout Hawaii Revealed app. It is a free app with a lots of great reviews and info. Hawaiirevealed.com.

Rent a car

Rent a convertible and drive around the entire island! so many scenic views

Kailua beach, Waimea bay, hike diamond head

Also check out beaches on the north shore! Read this blog post on places to eat while up there..
http://www.earthyandy.com/restaurants/

Sandy's Sandwiches Food Truck Hawaii best food on the north shore, incredible food from an awesome guy.

Rent a car and a gps- the gps is like a guided tour so it tells you about each stop along the way. My husband and I did the island in 2 days ( we were strapped for time because we did a cruise)

Iolani palace and Bishop museum

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! We'll try to hit up most of the places. We're hoping for good weather so we can try the Stairway to Heaven hike. Wish us luck!

Oahu Nature Tours are the best on the island. We have used them at least 6 times from the north shore to Diamond Head and more

You MUST. Go to Leonard's bakery. I would eat at least one of every malasada there
https://www.leonardshawaii.com/home/

Also! If you get a sunburn - do buy surfer's salve. It was such a godsend. No pain in one application and burn was a tan by morning.