A Guide to Honolulu Neighborhoods
A Guide to Honolulu Neighborhoods is an invaluable resource since the city is Hawaii’s capital and the most-visited place on the island. It’s the state capital and it’s home to nearly 400,000 people.
There are plenty of activities and things to do in Honolulu, from snorkeling tours to dinner cruises to lounging on the beach.
One of the best, cheapest activities, though, is exploring some of the city’s neighborhoods. This is a great way to get a feel for the city itself and the daily life of the residents.
Here are a few of the top neighborhoods to visit on your next Hawaii vacation. A trip to anyone of the districts will turn into a cherished Hawaii tour.
Waikiki
Of course, Waikiki should top your list.
Many people who take vacations in Oahu stay in Waikiki and spend much of their time here. There is a long strip of sand, where you will usually find sunbathers, surfers, and swimmers. And leading into the neighborhood itself, you’ll see luxurious hotels, beach bars, restaurants, and more.
Waikiki is a neighborhood perfect for tourists. Not only will you find beachfront activities to keep you busy, you’ll also be able to spend load of money on shopping and nightlife.
Chinatown
Honolulu’s Chinatown is located downtown. It is home to a large Chinese American community, as well as a number of other Asian ethnic groups.
This neighborhood offers an eclectic mix of shops, such as herbalists, antique dealers, produce vendors, temples, bars, restaurants, and more. If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, save some room when you visit this neighborhood – there are too many tempting options, from Chinese to Malaysian to Vietnamese.
Chinatown’s tourist attractions include famous temples such as the Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine and the Kuan Yin Temple. The area is also home to a vibrant arts scene, an underground club scene, and live music.
Kahala
East of Diamond Head is Kahala, one of the richest neighborhoods in the city.
Here, home prices average at $2 million, and the highest-priced homes sell for much higher. Most of the houses in the area are more like mansions and are surrounded by tropical, sculpted landscapes.
The shoreline is just as beautiful as the homes behind it, and you can take trails down to the beach. If you wish to go swimming, it’s best to trek to the east end of Kahala, to Waialea Beach Park.
Manoa
Manoa is where the biggest University of Hawaii campus is located. It is a residential neighborhood that has a central shopping area, a farmer’s market, and a wide selection of stores and restaurants.
Since Manoa is a valley, it collects rainfall, so it is very lush and beautiful. One of the best ways to experience this lush vegetation is to take the Manoa Valley Hike, which takes you through gorgeous tropical vegetation to a waterfall. The scenery is so different from the urban Waikiki neighborhood you’ll think you’re in a different city.
Other Manoa activities include shopping at the Manoa Marketplace, touring the university’s campus, and visiting the Manoa Chinese Cemetery, a historic site open to the public.
Are you ready to explore Honolulu’s neighborhoods?
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