First time with family (Honolulu: hotel, landscaping, centers)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How long will your vacation be? What kinds of activities do you like to do -- sit on a white sandy beach? visit an active volcano? go to museums and cultural centers? hike? scuba dive or snorkel? be where the action is or get away from the crowds?
Oahu is the most populated, the most "touristy" and can be reached by direct flights, so is probably the obvious choice for a first visit.
I have only visited Oahu, with my wife and adult son, and I cannot even remember what 5 year olds are interested in but I imagine you would mostly be concerned with the four adults. There are plenty of great things to do on Oahu, no point in listing them here as there is LOADS of information easily available, but we also delighted in small things the websites don't mention, beautiful landscaping of streets, gorgeous flowers, drystone walls, clouds coming down the valleys, friendly people...
The only things we did not like were buzzing scooters all over town and frequently being solicited in Waikiki to go on tours or go to shooting ranges at gun clubs. Neither of these was a big deal.
Definitely our best vacation in the 38 years we have been married!
OP, you are going to have to be more specific about what you want in a vacation. Each island offers something a little different. What would be "best" for me, might not appeal to your family at all.
Honolulu is the place with the most touristy things to do: luaus, hula shows, zoo, Polynesian Cultural Center, snorkling safely to see tropical fish, great beaches, night clubs on the sand...
Visiting for the first time, 4 adults and 1 child 5 years old. Which Island should we visit?
For first time visitors Oahu should be the first to get used to traveling with your child to Hawaii. You did not mention where you are traveling from, but I'll give you a list of things to do with your child in mind. Here are some of the choices: Lanikai Beach, the Zoo, the Aquarium, the Moana Hotel Keiki hula shows, the sunset music and cocktail hour at the Halekulani, Ko'Olina (little lagoons and a shallow man made pond with small sharks patrolling), Manoa Falls, Diamond Head, Lanikai Bunkers, Old Pali Road, and Tantalus for hiking.
There is also the Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor for the adults and USS Missouri tour which you take a bus ride to Ford Island. Also there is the USS Bowfin WWII Submarine tour next to the Arizona visitor center. Almost too much for one day to do all those tours, usually two days.
The outer Islands are usually visited on a second trip to explore and each have their own likes, and are less crowded. Also pack a lot of Sunscreen, the sun can be intense especially in the summer time, and wear floppy hats, or Baseball caps, to help shield the sunburns to your necks, face and heads for everyone in your party.
Also hydrate a lot (Drink lots of water). Save the alcohol for the evening if your into drinks for dinner and such. The alcohol Dehydrates you big time out in the sun, and you cannot drink on the beaches, State Law.
Hope this helps give you some ideas. Enjoy First Trip to Hawaii.
Scott
Visiting for the first time, 4 adults and 1 child 5 years old. Which Island should we visit?
Aloha!
Each of the six main islands of Hawai'i has a different flavor, a different mood, and a different set of sights and pleasures to choose from. Our official state Tourism website has helpful information and pictures to assist you in making choices for your first trip to Hawai'i.
Quote:
You’ll likely begin your adventure at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu. This is Hawaii's major airport, serving as the entry point for most of Hawaii's visitors. All major domestic carriers and many international carriers serve Oahu, so you can get here from just about anywhere.
There are also direct flights from the U.S. mainland to Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, but for the most part, you may need to connect through Oahu to get to the neighbor islands including Lanai and Molokai.
We've only been to 3 islands (big island, oahu, and maui).
Out of those, we like maui the most, less people, less tall buildings, way less traffic than oahu.
But we are ocean lovers and don't do much else besides going to the beach.
The only times we are in our hotel or around town is because we are too tired or nursing a wound.
Wife also thinks the Canadians in maui are friendlier than the Japanese/Chinese tourists in oahu.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
