By Karen Sprinkles
With so much to see and do in one place, Honolulu presents visitors with all the best that Hawaii has to offer --- from miles of white, sandy
beaches to cosmopolitan dining and retail destinations, landmark hotels, world-class museums and even a zoo. At night, the city sparkles with excitement; by day, cooling trade winds make for comfortable temperatures year-round. If you only have a week or 10 days to enjoy the Islands, Honolulu will fulfill everything and more on your Hawaii wish list.
Top of Waikiki
The revolving restaurant with a view, Top of Waikiki is a "must do" for sunset cocktails and dinner in Honolulu. Located on the 21st floor of Waikiki Business Center on Kalakaua Avenue., the restaurant offers 360-degree views of the entire city, which is especially breathtaking at night. The reasonably priced menu presents surprisingly excellent cuisine. Bring a map of Honolulu with you so you can identify the sights.
Honolulu Zoo
No one would imagine that giraffes, tigers and elephants find a home in Honolulu, but that's exactly what you'll discover at the Honolulu Zoo, located on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue. Plan to spend several hours visiting this first-rate zoo. Better yet, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the grounds.
The Bishop Museum
The rich story of Hawaii's history is told at the Bishop Museum, which houses 24.7 million items, from feather capes to royal heirlooms. The museum also boasts one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world, including extinct, island birds and insects.
Shopping on Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu attracts multitudes of Japanese tourists who book their trip specifically for the cosmopolitan shopping opportunities on Kalakaua Avenue. From upscale and ritzy to fun and touristy, the shops of Kalakaua Avenue are prolific enough to keep shopaholics occupied for days.
Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian Resort
Stop by the Royal Hawaiian resort for a mai tai at sunset. After your sunset cocktail, take a stroll through the elegant lobby of this legendary "Pink Palace of the Pacific" built in 1927.
About the Author:
Karen Sprinkles has been a freelance writer since 1988. She's currently the managing editor of a luxury home magazine and has written for regional newspapers and magazines. Sprinkles received the Award of Excellence from the Hawaii Book Publishers Association for "The Hawaii Home Book," which reached No. 1 on the Hawaii bestsellers list. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California.
