Vacation in Hawaii Like a Tourist or a Local: Part 1

Visiting Hawaii as a tourist and visiting Hawaii as a local are two completely different experiences. Although many of the activities you do will overlap, many of the spots you choose to do them will differ. There's a reason for that, and it's all about experience. If you are going to Hawaii for the first time, it is definitely recommended to go do all the tourist things the first couple of days you get there. Once you check all your tourist activities off your list, start diving into more exploration. If you are like most people, you will probably be traveling to Oahu or Maui. Here's our list for traveling like a tourist in Oahu and Maui:

Tourist Travel

Oahu

1. Diamond Head Crater: This natural phenomenon gives you awesome views of the island, gives you a pretty good workout, and will tell you how the islands were formed.
2. Get a surf lesson: When in Hawaii, try surfing. It seems pretty obvious, but it had to be on the list! Make sure to make time to lay on the beach with the turtles and catch some rays too!
3. Bishop Museum: Interested in history? This is a great museum to learn about Hawaii's natural and cultural history. 
4. Iolani Palace: See how the Hawaiian royalty used to live on the island. This palace is another great place to learn about the history of Hawaii.
5. Pearl Harbor: This is a true American monument. Most people know the story of Pearl Harbor, so go see where all the action happened and feast your eyes on the real artifacts. 
6. Hanauma Bay: This bay is a wildlife protected area of the island and is the best place for snorkeling. There is a fee to get into the bay but the money goes toward habitat rehabilitation and protection.
7. Polynesian Cultural Center: Learn about polynesian culture from all the polynesian islands, including Hawaii. Experience authentic food, dancing, canoeing, carving and more. 
8. Kualoa Ranch: This beautiful ranch sits in Ka'a'awa Valley and is used for many famous movie and TV show sites. Taking a tour of Kualoa allows you to learn Hawaii's history and culture. Go ATV-ing or ride horses, and drink in the natural beauty of Hawaii.
9. USS Arizona Memorial: If you like war history, this is a great landmark to include in your tour. It will tell you all about the attacks on Pearl Harbor and how the USS Arizona played an important role in the war. 
10. Dole Plantation: This is one of the most visited places on Oahu. Check out the plantation, the gardens, eat DoleWhip, and even take home a ripe Hawaiian pineapple. 

Maui

1. Maui Ocean Center: Learn about the marine life around Hawaii and watch fish and sharks swim around your head.
2. Haleakala Crater: Beautiful landscapes and views of the island. Go in the morning or late at night to watch sunrises and sunsets.
3. Road to Hana: This extreme winding road allows you to see some pretty beautiful waterfalls and views of the island.
4. Old Lahaina Luau: A traditional luau in full force! Watch amazing dancers while dining on Hawaiian food.
5. Maui Gold Pineapple Tour: Like the dole plantation, you can tour the grounds, taste, pineapple, and take some pineapple home with you.
6. Surf and Snorkel: These two are obvious must do activities, but make sure you take a surf lesson and swim with the fish and turtles!
7. Hike in Iao Valley: This valley has beautiful waterfalls and is lush green and perfect for some exercise. 
8. Lahaina Town: This little town is a must see place with lots of restaurants and shops. This is an old ocean town that has become a tourist destination. There are lots of tourist traps here but lots of cute little gems as well. 

So there are our tourist things to do in Oahu and Maui. There is so much to see and do in the Hawaiian islands, you should definitely take advantage of all of it! If you are interested in how to travel like a local in the islands then stay tuned for our blog post next week. When flying to the islands, don't forget to bring your TravelRest Pillow to sleep on!