Honolulu Travel Forum

My first visit to Hawaii next month and I will have maybe 3 full days to explore. I'll be on my own and using the local bus as my mode of transport. I'm more into natural sceneries like mountains, gardens, waterfalls, and I especially love flowers. But I'm open to suggestions especially for must-see, must-do stuffs. Will be staying at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Your suggestions would much appreciated. Thanks.

You'll really enjoy your stay at the Hilton. We stayed there last year and it's very nice. I enjoyed going to the north shore of Oahu. There is horseback riding on that side of the island as well. We had a rented car so I'm not familiar if the buses go in that direction. By car it's about 45 minutes to an hour drive. Going to Oahu last year was my first visit so we did some touristy things like the Dole Plantation and visited the USS Arizona Memorial. We did a lot or snorkeling - it was amazing. I really enjoyed how comfortable going into the water was - the temperature was pretty warm.
Sorry, I can't suggest too much more, the mountain - gardens - waterfalls are amazing on Kauai. We stayed at the Hilton on Kauai, as well. That was also a very nice hotel.
Have a fantastic trip!

Aloha,
You will enjoy this lovely island as it is jammed pack with things to do. When you arrive to Oahu in the baggage claim area you will see many free for the taking brochures of things to do. They all have maps and coupons for your use. This will help you to see what there is to do that hold your interest.

If you go to Pearl Harbor arrive very early to ensure a short wait time to get in and note due to heighten security they do not allow anything in that cannot fit into your pockets.

You can also check out the Trolley system as well as the Bus. The trolley is a great way to get around and the red and blue lines are great for sightseeing and you can get on and off the trolley as much as you wish.

Aloha and enjoy your stay

Hi
A great place to check out is Honolulu Botanical Gardens http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/hbg/ And for a really Cool view of Waikiki ..climb to the top of Diamond Head Crater ..you will walk right through the old crater and climb the oceanside ridge.. Check out my Diamond Head tips..either on Things to Do or Off The Beaten Path ??: ) Also have fun at a Luau and have some LauLau and Poki and Kalua Pig!!

The Bus does circle the island but you would miss quite alot as it is a little over a 4 hour drive or longer if you were to get off somewhere and some locations it isn't recommended to do so solo.
I would rent a car at least one day and drive around the island the Waimea Audobon Soceity is across the road from the beach and is a nice stop with waterfalls and many plants.
Highway 61 out of Honolulu goes through the Koolua Mtns and has a pulloff called Nuuanu Pali Lookout and you get a great view of the windward side plus it is a Hawaiian historical battlesite.

By the way, would you guys know of a nice orchid farm I could go to both to see and also to buy some plants?