Oahu Vacation

Home to "vibrant" Honolulu and "eternally glamorous" beaches,Concierge.com: Oahu Overview the island of Oahu "put Hawaii on the tourist map" thanks to its "best-known neighborhood," Waikiki.Frommer's: Planning a Trip to Oahu

1. Pearl Harbor: Fodor's states that the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri "bookend" U.S. involvement in World War II.Fodor's: Battleship Missouri Memorial Review The Arizona still rests at the bottom of the harbor where it sank after the 1941 attack,Frommer's: USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor while the Missouri—which hosted Japan's surrender in the war—has been transformed into a museum memorial.Frommer's: USS Missouri Memorial
2. 'Iolani Palace: Once the residence of Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, the palace is now a museum with many of its rooms and artifacts still intact.Lonely Planet: 'Iolani Palace
3. Beaches: Though Waikiki Beach is the most popular, Concierge.com also recommends the "pretty" Lanikai Beach and Sunset Beach for its "killer waves."Concierge.com: Oahu Beaches Frommer's also praises Kailua Beach as a "great" spot for swimming, snorkeling and surfing.Frommer's: The Best Beaches in Oahu
4. Haleiwa: Located on the North Shore, this 1920s plantation town is a "fun mix" of the old and new.Fodor's: Haleiwa The town is also home to Matsumoto Shave Ice, a popular snow cone shop that is a "real slice of Haleiwa life."Fodor's: Matsumoto's
5. Diamond Head: Hiking up the "iconic" extinct volcano is considered an experience that "should not be missed" by both Frommer's and Fodor's.Frommer's: Diamond Head Fodor's: Top 4 Reasons to Go to Oahu
6. Chinatown: A "mixed plate" of Chinese culture, the neighborhood is filled with restaurants and "cultural attractions."Fodor's: Top Oahu Experiences

If planning a trip, please see Oahu Hotels, Oahu Restaurants and Oahu Tours.

If you've been to Oahu already and would like to find something different, here are a few lesser-known spots:

• - Makapu'u Beach - On the Eastern part of the island. Beautiful beach perfect for body surfing