Are you looking for the best indoor things to do in Oahu? Then, you have come to the right place. Since it’s a Hawaiian island, many immediately assume Oahu only offers outdoor activities. While it specializes in many outdoor excursions, it is also not lacking in indoor activities. And they are not only for rainy days or shoulder months. You will enjoy doing these activities at any time of the year.
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Chat with AI about Oahu Shark Dive Adventures- Tour The Iolani Palace
- Learn About The Pearl Harbor Attack At The Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- See War Artifacts At The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
- Tour The Battleship Missouri Memorial
- Spot Seals And Sharks At Waikiki Aquarium
- Shop Till You Drop At Ala Moana Center
- Learn A Thing Or Two At The Honolulu Museum of Art
- Catch Live Shows At Diamond Head Theatre
- Step Back In Time At The Bishop Museum
- Seek Shelter From Rain Inside The Hawaii State Capitol
- Get Front-Row Seats To Magical Mystery Shows
Tour The Iolani Palace
- Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
We begin our list with the historic Iolani Palace. After King Kalakaua built this palace in 1882, it remained a royal residence until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. It symbolizes Hawaiian national identity, its regal past, and its rich history. The palace’s many rooms are open to the public. It showcases King Kalakaua’s corporation suit in the Throne Room and the Masonic Apron in King’s Library. Other rooms include the Blue Room, the Grand Hall, the State Dining Room, the Music Room, and the Imprisonment Room.
Learn About The Pearl Harbor Attack At The Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Step back into the time at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Time seems to be stopped at this memorial, which commemorates the Second World War atrocities. These include the deadly Pearl Harbor attack that killed over 2,300 Americans and sank 12 ships on December 7, 1941. This event marked the USA‘s entry into World War II. The war museum preserves and commemorates the history and offers insight into how much Oahu was affected during the war.
See War Artifacts At The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
- Address: 319 Lexington Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Your next stop will be the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. It lets you stand on the actual battlefield of World War II. Its historic Ford Island Control Tower offers a bird’s eye view of the Pearl Harbor Battlefield and all the attack points across Oahu. The museum features WWII-era Hangars full of aircraft, artifacts, and exhibits. It has 50+ aircraft on display that have fought in many battles. While it offers VIP tours, you can choose self-guided audio tours in 6 languages, including Japanese, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Tour The Battleship Missouri Memorial
- Address: 63 Cowpens St, Honolulu, HI 96818, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Ticket Prices: General Admission: $39.99 (Adults), $19.99 (Children aged 4-12)
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
We have another Pearl Harbor-related destination on our list of the best indoor attractions in Oahu. The Battleship Missouri Memorial, aka USS Missouri (BB-63), is a former warship that sailed through World War I and II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. It has four large engines with 212,000 shaft horsepower, making it a fast battleship that balances armor and firepower without sacrificing speed. The ship is still in excellent condition and worth looking at least once. It offers General Admission Tickets and two guided tours.
Spot Seals And Sharks At Waikiki Aquarium
- Address: 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Take your kids to the famous Waikiki Aquarium. It has a picturesque location next to a living coral reef on the Waikiki shoreline. This second-oldest US aquarium features over 3,500 sea specimens, including animals and marine plants, in its indoor exhibits. These include giant clams, corals, tropical fish, seahorses, seadragons, and sharks. If you are into the latter, visit the Hunters on the Reef. This exhibit showcases Zebra sharks, Bluefin trevally, and giant groupers. The aquarium also has the Hawaiian Monk Seal Exhibit, which once housed two rare male seals.
Shop Till You Drop At Ala Moana Center
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Treat yourself to retail therapy at the Ala Moana Center. This open-air shopping center features over 350 shops and restaurants, including first-class boutiques, department stores, and 160+ dining options. It also features dog-friendly stores, common areas, and public spaces. Here, you can buy everything from clothes to books, bath & body works, watches, jewelry, and high-branded items. Prices vary from store to store and depending on the product. After a shopping expedition at the mall, head to Alana Moana Beach Park to relax.
Learn A Thing Or Two At The Honolulu Museum of Art
- Address: 900 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Ticket Price: $25 (Adults), $15 (Residents), Free (Members and Children aged 18 and under)
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
What could be better than a museum as one of the best indoor things to do in Oahu? The Honolulu Museum of Art inspires, honors, celebrates, and promotes the Hawaiian community’s beauty and diversity. Initially known as the Honolulu Academy of Arts, it was launched in 1922 and opened to the public in 1927. It features 55,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years. This permanent collection features Asian art, 19th and 20th-century art, Asian textiles, American and European painting and decorative arts, and traditional works from Oceania, Africa, and America.
Catch Live Shows At Diamond Head Theatre
- Address: 520 Makapuu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Ticket Price: $39 – $66
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Indoor activities don’t have to be boring; let’s make it exciting with a live theatrical show at Diamond Head Theatre. Initially named the Honolulu Community Theatre, it is in Honolulu’s Gold Coast District of Diamond Head. It is America’s third oldest continuously running community theatre. The Diamond Head Theatre hosts Broadway musicals, plays, and the Pacific best shows. It also hosts year-round and special guest classes for beginners and professionals.
Step Back In Time At The Bishop Museum
- Address: 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Ticket Price: $16 – $25
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Immerse yourself in rich Hawaii culture and heritage at the Bishop Museum. Charles Reed Bishop launched this museum in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. It features an extensive collection of royal family heirlooms of the Princess, Hawaiian objects, documents, and photographs. The Bishop Museum is the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, with one of the largest natural history specimen collections worldwide. It features the Hawaiian Hall, the Science Adventure Center, and the J. Watumull Planetarium.
Seek Shelter From Rain Inside The Hawaii State Capitol
- Address: 415 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook
While Oahu has limited rainy days in a year, it could ruin your existing travel plans. Then, why not make the best of your time with a visit to the Hawaii State Capitol? This legislative building replaced the original statehouse, the Iolani Palace. It features two cone-shaped legislative chambers (symbolizing volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands), eight columns (resembling royal palm trees), and a reflecting pool (symbolizing the Pacific Ocean). You can choose self-guided tours with a tour brochure or contact the district legislator for guided tours.
Get Front-Row Seats To Magical Mystery Shows
- Opening Hours: 5 PM & 7:30 PM
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Ticket Price: $59 – $169
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening full of magic, mystery, and laughter. The Magical Mystery Show takes audiences back to the Victorian era. It features world-renowned and rising magicians showcasing their magic skills to entertain the audience. This family-friendly show will leave you enjoying magic tricks, laughing, and having fun. It happens at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel at 5 PM and 7:30 PM.
These best indoor things to do in Oahu suit visitors from all walks of life. These activities offer a unique perspective on the island and tell about its history, culture, and people. You will also find many family-friendly activities in Oahu. While it might only be a short trip to the island, its residents, traditions, and values will forever remain etched in a visitor’s memory.
