There are lots of fun things to do in Honolulu for free! If you’re looking to save money on a Hawaii vacation, you’ll want to keep this list handy.
Is it possible to have a Hawaii vacation on a budget? Absolutely! Some costs are unavoidable, but there are so many cheap and free things to do in the islands. And one of the best places to find budget-friendly activities is the island of Oahu.
We’ve gathered some of the best things to do in Honolulu for free. These are long-time favorites and some hidden gems (ever heard of the Capitol Modern?). So read on and get ready to save some money while traveling to Hawaii!
Tips For Finding Free Things to Do in Honolulu
When you’re on vacation, it can feel like everything is a money grab. And of course, lots of things in Hawaii cost money to create and maintain, and many activities are well worth the cost.
But when you’re ready for a reprieve from spending, you’ll be excited to discover the wonderful free things to do in Honolulu. Here are a few places you’ll find no-cost fun:
- Scenic overlooks and smaller historic sites offer education, views, and world-class photo ops.
- Hawaii has beautiful parks, so try out different green spaces (lots of hidden gems are the parks not by beaches!).
- Many hotels have beautiful lobbies and grounds that are free to walk around, and there is often live music in their lobby bars or beachside restaurants.
- Local organizations offer craft fairs and other festivals throughout the year.
Our Favorite Things to Do in Honolulu For Free
Now it’s time to present our favorite free things to do in Honolulu! Avoid spending money at every turn and enjoy these ideas for Honolulu on a budget.
1. Have a Beach Day
One of the best things to do in Honolulu is also free: have a beach day! Some favorite shorelines in Honolulu include Waiʻalae Beach Park, Ala Moana Beach Park, Duke Kahanamoku Beach, and Kahala Beach. Or, if you don’t mind driving outside the city, check out beaches in Kailua, Waimanalo, or North Shore Oahu!
2. Walk Along Kalakaua Avenue
One of the most lively places in all of Hawaii is Kalakaua Avenue. This is the “main drag” of Waikiki, where you’ll find so many shops and restaurants along with beach access. You don’t have to spend much money to enjoy time here. Simply take in the sights, do some people watching, and enjoy being in such an iconic place.
3. Watch a Free Honolulu Hula Show
Want to see a professional hula performance without spending time and money at a luau? Honolulu has lots of great hula shows that are completely free. The most popular one is the Kilohana Hula Show, which is every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 9:30 AM at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. The show lasts 45 minutes and is truly beautiful!
There are also regular free hula performances at various Honolulu shopping centers. Check out the event schedules at Royal Hawaiian Center, Ala Moana Center, and International Marketplace to see when they have free hula shows.
4. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Your budget-friendly Honolulu vacation can also be enriching as you learn about history at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This is a site for remembrance of the 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor, and visiting the grounds and USS Arizona Memorial is free (though you’ll want to make a reservation for $1 in advance!).
There are also paid activities near the memorial, including an aviation museum and submarine tour.
5. Hike to a Waterfall
You may imagine Hawaii’s waterfalls as remote locales that are hard to access, and sometimes that’s true. But you can actually access a waterfall right in Honolulu by taking an easy hike that’s also lots of fun.
Manoa Falls Trail is about 1.5 miles round trip and is a kid-friendly hike that ends with a great waterfall view. You won’t want to swim in this waterfall, but it’s an amazing sight that’s perfect for an afternoon off the beach.
6. Meander Through a Botanical Garden
One of the best ways to admire Hawaii’s rare and beautiful plants is at a botanical garden. And many of Honolulu’s botanical gardens are free!
Our favorite? Lyon Arboretum, which is run by the University of Hawaii. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Or, go beyond Honolulu and discover the beauty of Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.
Here’s a complete guide to the best botanical gardens in and around Honolulu.
7. Stop By the Dole Plantation
Ok, this one is outside of Honolulu, and it can feel like a money-grab if you want to do all the activities onsite. But, if you’re traveling around Oahu and up for a quick stop, the Dole Plantation can actually be a fun and free thing to do near Honolulu.
Some of the grounds, along with the gift shop, are free to access, and you’ll be able to see pineapples growing without going on the entire tour.
8. Visit Capitol Modern (Hawaii State Art Museum)
Get out of the heat and admire beautiful artwork at Capitol Modern. This free museum in Honolulu is small but mighty, featuring multiple galleries, Native Hawaiian artists, and a variety of exhibitions.
Find it at the No. 1 State Capitol Building in downtown Honolulu.
9. Catch a Free Concert in Honolulu
Each Friday, The Royal Hawaiian Band presents a free concert outside Iolani Palace. It’s a great way to spend an hour, especially since you can marvel at the beauty of America’s only official royal residence.
10. Explore the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is a 2.5-mile hike that’s super scenic and kid-friendly. The pathway is paved, making the incline a little less treacherous, and you’ll be treated to great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Pro Tip – Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail is not shaded, so it’s very hot and sunny. We recommend going close to sunset for beautiful views and a less scorching experience!
Learn about Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail AND Manoa Falls Trail on our Hawaii Vacation Podcast here!
11. Go Whale Watching in Honolulu for Free
With so many pricey whale watching excursions, you may be surprised to hear that whale watching is one of the best free things to do in Honolulu! Yes, you can get up close to whales when you book a boat tour, but you can also witness the majestic creatures from shore as well.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail, Diamond Head Trail, and Halona Blowhole Overlook are great spots to look for whales during the winter months. But you may also see them as you simply sit on the beach or your hotel balcony!
12. Snorkel Along the Shoreline
Snorkeling is one of our favorite things to do in Hawaii, and it’s also free! You don’t need fancy equipment or a boat excursion to have fun snorkeling. Waikiki Beach has good spots to swim with the fish, but if you head outside the city, you’ll find even more primo beaches (especially if conditions are calm on the North Shore!).
13. Have a Scenic Picnic
You don’t have to visit an upscale restaurant to enjoy a scenic meal in Hawaii. In fact, some of our most memorable dinners in Hawaii weren’t in a restaurant at all!
If you’re looking for a great dinner with great views, here’s what you do: get an easy to-go meal from an affordable restaurant (or make your own “home” lunch), find a picnic table at a Honolulu park, and dine without any fuss and without a pricey menu!
14. Marvel at Fireworks: Free Fireworks Show in Honolulu
Each Friday, there’s a fireworks show in Waikiki that you’ll definitely want to check out! It’s presented by Hilton Hawaiian Village, but you can see it along much of the shoreline. Find a spot on the sand and enjoy the show every Friday at 7:45 PM.
15. Admire Hawaii’s Architecture
First-time Honolulu visitors may be surprised by the intriguing architecture throughout the city. The mix of ornate architecture, plantation-style buildings, and traditional Hawaiian influences makes Honolulu’s buildings a wonder to behold.
Spend an afternoon admiring the city’s many government buildings, churches, hotels, and homes. It’s a free thing to do in Honolulu that may lead you into even more discoveries, like museums, restaurants, and parks.
16. Take a Day Trip For More Free Things To Do Beyond Honolulu
While there are so many fun things to do in Honolulu for free, you’ll discover even more no-cost adventures beyond the city. So hop in your rental car and start exploring the island!
There are hiking trails, beaches, scenic overlooks, and lots of fun scenery you can enjoy from your car. And when you do spend money throughout the island, remember to support local and have fun!
BONUS – Things to Do in Honolulu for Cheap
Still looking for more things to do in Honolulu that won’t break the bank? Here are a few things in Honolulu that aren’t completely free but are still cheap!
- Waikiki Aquarium is $12 for adults and $5 for kids & seniors.
- Diamond Head is a scenic hike in Waikiki. Reserve your hike for $5 per person plus $10 for parking.
- Find Cheap Eats in Chinatown, at 7-Eleven, or at local grocery stores.
- Souvenir Shop at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
- Try Watersports by renting a kayak, stand-up paddle board, or boogieboard.
