Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

  • Destinations
  • Itineraries
  • Guides
  • Packing
  • Travel Blog
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Hacking
    • Travel Gear & Tech
  • Deals
  • Toolbox

2 Day Honolulu Itinerary in Hawaii – Things to See, Do and Eat

Last Updated March 15, 2023 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 2 Day Honolulu Itinerary in Hawaii – Things to See, Do and Eat

Share90
Tweet13
Pin7K
Email
More
7K Shares
This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. For more details, read the disclosure page.

When people think about Hawaii, most people will conjure up thoughts of Honolulu and the island of Oahu with its pristine waters, dramatic lush green mountain ranges, hula dancing, and shaved ice, just to name a few.  Honolulu is never too hot nor is it ever too cold.  When it rains, it sprinkles refreshing droplets from the heavens.

Suffice to say, I really hope you have more than 48 hours to spend in Honolulu, but if you're constrained for time and want to see the best that the island has to offer, follow this 2 day Honolulu itinerary that I followed for a trip with my parents.

Read more about Hawaii

  • Best luau in Kauai
  • Where to stay in Maui
  • Awesome hiking on Oahu
  • Honolulu's best shaved ice
  • 5 budget Waikiki beach hotels

How to get the best deals in travel

  • Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
  • Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
  • Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
  • Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
  • Insurance – Make sure you're covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.

2 Day Honolulu Itinerary

Day 1 Morning – A History Lesson

pearl harbor uss arizona memorial in day 1 of honolulu 2 day itinerary

It's going to be a long day so prepare yourself!  The morning starts off with a visit to Cafe Kaila, the local breakfast favorite.  Known for their scrumptious blueberry cream cheese french toast and Belgian waffles. You better get there when it opens at 7AM or you'll have to wait in line.

Filled up to the brim, it's now time to walk it off.  Make your way over to Pearl Harbor and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument by car and spend the rest of the morning exploring the various exhibits that will get any World War II buff excited.  Make sure you get tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial Tour right when you get there which consists of a 25-minute documentary film and a boat trip out to the Memorial.

Day 1 Afternoon – Hitting the North Shore

romys shrimp truck restaurant in the north shore in honolulu 2 day itinerary

After the somber mood of reflecting over the turning point of World War 2, it's time to hit the road again to take care of that growling appetite. 

Beyond the paradise metropolis of Honolulu, on the other side of the island, is an area known as the North Shore. While some folks know it for its epic surf, most visitors make the drive up to one of two things. 1) Go to Romy's Shrimp Truck and 2) Slurp over the island's famous Matsumoto Shave Ice. Of course, there's Turtle Beach as well, but we'll leave sand and sun for tomorrow.

2 days in honolulu itinerary eating matsumoto shave ice outside the store in the north shore


A critical note about getting to Romy's is that it is farther than you may think. As you drive your way around the northern ring, you'll pass Turtle Beach and you'll be going for awhile, wondering if you've missed it. Trust me, keep going. Don't turn back. Romy's can't be missed on the left side. 

After all that deliciousness, make pit stops as suits your interests and on the way back down to Honolulu, see if there's time to squeeze in the Dole Pineapple Plantation off of Highway 99 which closes at 5PM. It's a little bit of a tourist trap, but still fun just the same, especially for the kids. The pineapple maze is lots of fun as is the Pineapple Express that takes you around the grounds. Most likely you won't have much time though, so I'd recommend checking out the Dole store and indulging a bit more with their pineapple soft serve. 

Day 1 Evening – Hanging Out On The Strip

(Image via Embassy Suites Waikiki)

After an eventful day, it's time to wind down. If you haven't yet check into your Honolulu hotel or rental and if you have, now would be a great time to drop things off and change. 

For dinner, there are so many options in Waikiki, but one restaurant that's a staple for Hawaiians is Roy's. Their menu by Chef Yamaguchi serves up a delectable mix of sushi, seafood, and Asian fusion. I would definitely recommend making reservations here as it does get quite busy. 

After that you're free to roam around Waikiki. If hop on hop off tours are your thing, make sure to check out City Sightseeing. Enjoy the rest of the night before heading back to your hotel. Keep in mind that there are plenty of cheap Honolulu hotels so definitely search around.

Day 2 Morning – Snorkel

hanauma bay for snorkelling activity in 2 day honolulu itinerary

The fun continues on day 2. Start the day off heading towards the east side of the south shore. You can either eat breakfast at your hotel or grab something along the way. Your morning begins with snorkelling in perhaps the most beginner-friendly snorkel place I've ever been to. Hanauma Bay Natural Preserve is a natural ring formed bay that has a diverse population of marine life and rich coral reef. Designated a natural preserve, it's become an extremely popular tourist destination, which is why you're there early in the day. The parking lots are known to fill up quickly.

After the $7.50 admission and mandatory short video on snorkel etiquette, head down to the beach and find a comfy spot to set up for the rest of the morning. Snorkel gear can be rented at a steep price here so I'd recommend bringing your own.

There are a ton of fish to see and many have spotted turtles here. What makes Hanauma Bay great for snorkelling is that it's shallow almost all the way through to where the buoys are.

Day 2 Afternoon – Volcano Views

For lunch, drive across the street to Koko Marina Center where you'll find a strip mall with an assortment of restaurants.  Kona Brewing Company is great for pub bites and Bubbies is a local favorite for mochi ice cream.

Refueled, it's time to head over to Diamond Head State Park where you'll literally drive into the center of the crater to start the hike up. As one of Hawaii's most recognizable landmark, the 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to summit is steep and strenuous but completely worth it once you see the stunning coastal views and of Waikiki down below.

There is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle. Budget at least 2 hours for the round trip.

Make your way back into Waikiki and stop by a Foodland grocery store to pick up a few supplies for your evening festivities. You'll want to pick up a disposable BBQ set – an all-in-one complete set that comes with charcoal, a foil pan, grill, and stand. On top of the grill, make sure you grab some supplies for drinks, hot dogs, and burgers. I would also recommend buying a flashlight or headlamp if you don't have one packed with you.

Beach Disposable BBQ Grill

Day 2 Evening – BBQ by the Beach

disposable bbq grilling
Image via Flickr by Omar Chatriwala

True, this may sound a little unconventional, but what better way to spend an evening at the beach than to have your own private BBQ? Head down to Waikiki beach and if you're there on a Friday, I would recommend situating yourself closer to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The fireworks start at 7:45PM and you'll be treated to a spectacular “over the rainbow” light show choreographed to music.

Grilling and fireworks – it doesn't get better than that!

For your last evening, take a nice stroll by the beach, pick up last minute souvenirs at the ABC store, and buy some delicious shortbread cookies at the Honolulu Cookie Company.

This 2 day Honolulu itinerary is going to blow by you but as you can see it gives visitors a great glimpse of some of the highlights the island has to offer. It certainly won't be enough to cover everything but hopefully all that means is that you'll start planning your next trip once you get home.

Recommended Hotels in Honolulu

BEST

Hilton Beach Waikiki Resort

HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

The iconic Hilton property along the Waikiki beach that is in the most prime location, has their own fireworks, and doesn't charge a resort fee anymore!

TripAdvisor

CHECK RATES

BUDGET

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

RAMADA PLAZA WAIKIKI

At close to $100 a night, this is a great property to think about if you want to be in Waikiki.  Located only 10 minutes' walk from Ala Moana Shopping Center.

TripAdvisor

CHECK RATES

Looking for ideas for other activities?

Get Your Guide is a recommended activity platform for any type of activities you're looking to do in Honolulu.  The ones highlighted here are likely to sell out so make sure you book and reserve ahead of time as you plan your vacation.

What you should read next

  • 3 of the Best Hikes Near Honolulu
  • 5 Waikiki Beach Hotels That Won't Break the Bank In Honolulu
  • Best Snorkeling on Oahu for Beginners: Your Guide Around the Island
  • Top 10 Things To Do in Waikiki Right Now
  • Romantic Things To Do in Oahu for Couples
Share90
Tweet13
Pin7K
Email
More
7K Shares

Filed Under: Travel Itineraries 5 Comments

About William Tang

William is the Chief of Awesome at Going Awesome Places which is focused on off-the-beaten-path, outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring others to travel, writing detailed trip itineraries to help others plan their own trips, and providing helpful tips and tricks to guide readers to travel better. He is based in Toronto, Canada but you'll find him on the road more often than not. Make sure to learn more about William to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

author will tang going awesome places profile photoHey, my name is Will and I'm here to help you travel to some awesome places around the world and my home country of Canada by providing insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists.

More about me

JOIN TO BE AN INSIDER

Get access to the ultimate packing list, bonus itinerary content, exclusive deals, monthly newsletters, weekly flight deals, and more!

POPULAR POSTS

10 Breathtaking Activities to Do In Maui Without a Car10 Breathtaking Activities to Do In Maui Without a Car1K Total Shares
6 Day Smoky Mountains Itinerary – 2 States, One Grand Adventure6 Day Smoky Mountains Itinerary – 2 States, One Grand Adventure549 Total Shares
When Is The Best Time To Go To Iceland?When Is The Best Time To Go To Iceland?313 Total Shares
Must-Read Guide to Visiting Hawaii for the First TimeMust-Read Guide to Visiting Hawaii for the First Time299 Total Shares
7 Essential Apps for Iceland in 20237 Essential Apps for Iceland in 2023229 Total Shares
The Perfect 2 Day Oxford County Cheese Trail ItineraryThe Perfect 2 Day Oxford County Cheese Trail Itinerary219 Total Shares

Everything I use to travel and link to my travel toolbox

Where do you want to go travel to next? Find your destination

The best travel deals with Going Awesome Places

Learn how to start a travel blog

Find us on social media

YouTube Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Work With Us

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Disclosure Policy · Accessibility