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Free Walking Tour Honolulu

Hawaii free tours is the first and only free tour in hawaii and 100% owned and operated by locals., free  honolulu walking tour.

Aloha kākou and welcome!  As Hawaii’s first and only running free tour, Hawaii Free Tour’s mission is to share the rich history, culture, people, food, and the way of this beautiful place that we call home and we feel that sharing Hawaii with visitors from all around the world should not just be quantifiable through a monetary purchase of a tour.  

Come join us as we take you on a short but informative walking tour around some of Hawaii’s most historically significant landmarks.  You will be led by a Hawaii born & raised local guide(s) and they will share the history of Hawaii and some of their insights on Hawaii’s modern day multi-cultural facets.  

In addition to our free walking tour (Offered 3x a week), we also offer other tours as well.  We have two different paid small group food tours for those that want to experience some of the best local food spots on the island and we have a paid hiking + waterfall tour for those that are feeling a little bit more adventurous. 

Regardless of which tour or tours you choose to take, we hope you leave the islands with a better understanding of our history and culture to go side by side of what you already know or see on the internet and TV!

Pictures from our walks

The word aloha on the street of Honolulu

What visitors think about Free  Honolulu Walking Tour?

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How to get to the king kamehameha statue in downtown honolulu, what will i visit during this tour, what if it rains, can i bring my entire entourage and/or family, is it really free, get inspired by the free tour community blog.

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A local guide to transport and how to get around Melbourne, to make the most of your visit.

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San Antonio is the top tourist destination in Texas, but these money-saving hacks will have you navigating the downtown area like a local!

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Hawaiʻi on the Cheap

affordable living and things to do

14 points of interest in Waikīkī are a fascinating self-guided walking tour

Among the high rises in the famous Waikīkī tourist mecca, there is much fascinating Hawaiian history to uncover about the once royal and rural area. Use the following list of tour stops, all located on Kalākaua Avenue for a self-guided tour.

At each tour stop, you will be directed to statues, historic sites, and other points of interest that can enhance your knowledge of Hawai’i and the history of the area. The list is followed by a Google map of the tour stops on this walking tour through the bustling neighborhood.

Begin your tour at the intersection of Kalākaua and Kapahulu Avenues, at the edge of Kapi’olani Park.

Begin your walking tour across from the beach at the intersection of Kalākaua and Kapahulu Avenues – 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Tour stop: Kahi Hali’a Aloha Memorial

• Native Hawaiians have lived in Waikīkī for around 2,000 years. During various modern construction projects, around 200 skeletal remains were unearthed at various places in the area. To dignify and honor those who once lived and died on this land, their remains are laid to rest in the 2001 memorial Kahi Hali’a Aloha (“Place of Loving Remembrance”). You can read a bit more information on the plaque. Like the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater, it is a moment for solemn reflection.
• Nearby Kapiolanʻi Park was dedicated by King Kalākaua to his Queen in 1877 and donated to the people of Hawaiii in 1887. The verdant expanse is a stark contast to the adjacent beach neighborhood and a popular recreational area for residents and visitors.
• Prior to 1920 (when the Ala Wai Canal was built), the Kuekaunahi stream flowed where Kapahulu Avenue is today. Look across Kapahulu Ave to the location that was once the site of Princess (and later Queen) Lili’uokalaniʻs seaside cottage “Ke‘alohilani”, located across from today’s Kūhiō Beach. Later replaced by a modest home for Queen Kapiʻolani, which she named “Pualeilani” and where she lived until her death in 1899.

Kahi Hali’a Aloha (Place of Loving Remembrance) 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Cross Kalākaua Avenue to Waikīkī (actually Queens) Beach and turn right to walk north along Kūhiō Beach.

Tour stop: Statue “Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole”

• Before the Ala Wai Canal was constructed in 1928, several streams flowed through Waikīkī, including the Kuekaunahi, near todayʻs ‘Ōhua Avenue (located to your right across Kalākaua before you come to Prince Kūhiōʻs statue).
• Stop at the statue of revolutionary and statesman Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole (1871-1922). A descendant of Kauaiʻs last king, Prince Kūhiō joined revolutionaries to restore the monarchy after the 1893 overthrow. Kūhiō was arrested, charged with treason, and imprisoned for a year. After self-imposed exile, he returned to his homeland and served as a non-voting delegate from Hawai‘i to the House of Representatives in Congress from 1902 until his death in 1922. A Hawai‘i State holiday is observed every March 26 to honor his many accomplishments in service of his people. Read more about Prince Kūhiō at the base of the statue.

Waikiki Beach statue of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole – 2020 photo by Carole Cancler

Continue walking north on Kalākaua Avenue.

Tour stop: Pā hula (hula mound) at Kūhiō Beach

• As you continue along Kalākaua Avenue, look for the large banyan tree between Lili’uokalani and Uluniu Avenues. This is one of several banyan trees in Waikīkī. There is another in the courtyard of the Moana Surfrider hotel, planted in 1904. Perhaps more famous is the banyan tree in the International Marketplace, planted sometime in the mid-1800s when it was the site of residences of King Lunalilo (1835-1874) and later Queen Emma (1836-1885), who was the wife of King LihoLiho (Kamehameha IV, 1834-1863). Makai (toward the ocean) behind the tree, you’ll find the pā hula (hula mound).
• A pā hula is a space dedicated solely to the presentation of hula (indigenous Hawaiian dance). The outdoor venue is defined by a lava rock wall surrounding a large grass seating area makai of the hula mound. This is the only authentic pā hula in Waikīkī and was blessed in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony. The free Kuhio Beach Hula Show takes place weekly.  However, the hula shows have been suspended until it is safe for large crowds to gather again.

Banyan tree in Waikiki in front of pā hula (hula mound) – 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Tour stop: Statue “Duke Paoa Kahanamoku”

• Stop at the staute of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (1890-1968). A legend in his own time, Duke was an Olympic champion, winning five medals in swimming at the 1912, 1920, and 1924 Games. “The Duke” is also known around the world as the undisputed “Father of Surfing” and was once appointed the official “Aloha ambassador” for Hawaiʻi. Read more about him at the base of the statue.

Statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku on Waikiki Beach – Depositphotos.com

Tour stop: Public Art “Healing Stones of Kapaemahu”

• The unimposing Healing Stones of Kapaemahu located near the Waikīkī police station date from the 1500s. The stones honor four healers from Tahiti who visited hundreds of years ago and cured many people of various afflictions. It is believed the large, heavy stones were originally quarried in Kaimuki and moved to the Waikiki area in remembrance of the Tahitians. However, the value and meaning of the stones faded over time. They were subsequently moved and misused several times over the years (for example, as foundation material for a building). Finally in 1997, this wahi pana (sacred place) was established to restore the stones in a fitting place, which are said to bestow mana (miraculous power). Read about the healing stones on the nearby plaque.

Healing Stones of Kapaemahu in Waikiki – 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Tour stop: Moana Surfrider

• The stately Moana Surfrider opened in 1901 as the Moana Hotel. Additional towers were added in 1952 and 1969. It is Waikīkī’s oldest hotel and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel has been renovated several times, lastly in 2007.

The Moana Surfrider (pictured in 2019) opened as the Moana Hotel in 1901 and is Waikīkī’s oldest hotel – DepsoitPhotos.com

Tour stop: Beach Right of Way west of Outrigger

• All beaches in Hawai’i are publicly owned or controlled. Therefore, access to the shoreline is provided by Beach Right of Way (BROW) laws, which specify rules for beach transit corridors or BROW pathways. Note that the BROW does not include the right to cross private property, including hotels where you are not a guest, as well as in residential neighborhoods. If you want to get to a beach, you must find the nearest public beach access, which are typically not far apart and clearly marked. You can also use this Map of Public Shoreline and Beach Access Locations

Beach Right of Way (BROW) between the Outrigger Hotel and Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki – 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Tour stop: Kalakaua Avenue & Seaside Avenue

• Walk into the Royal Hawaiian Center across from Seaside Avenue to the historic coconut grove ( PDF map ). This is the former site of a grove at the home of Kamehameha the Great and some of his successors. The area historically known as Helumoa (which you can find on old maps) included a grove of 10,000 coconut trees.
• Before the construction of the Ala Wai Canal in 1928, the ‘Āpuakēhau stream passed through Helumoa on it’s way to the sea. From the 1400s-1800s, Hawaiians took advantage of the fresh water flowing abundantly through Waikīkī—which by-the-way, means “spouting water” in Hawaiian and now you know why!—to build loko i‘a (fishponds) and lo‘i kalo (taro fields). Over time, the loko i‘a and lo‘i were transformed into rice paddies. In 1928, the wetlands were drained and streams re-routed into the Ala Wai Canal.
• The “pink hotel” beyond the grove is the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, built in 1927. The tower was added in 1969. The hotel was last renovated in 2008.

A few steps from Seaside Avenue, youʻll find a grove in the middle of the bustling Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Looking at this, you’d never guess you are just steps from Kalākaua Avenue, the main thoroughfare through Waikīkī – 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

That completes your walking tour of Waikīkī and several hundred years of Hawaiian history. Hopefully, your visit to this island paradise by knowing a little bit about those who came before and what they did here.

The following Google map lists each tour stop along Kalākaua Avenue and can be used to enhance your self-guided walking tour of the Waikīkī.

Self-guided tour map of Waikīkī

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Home   /  Oahu Hiking Trails   /  Waikiki Walking Tour

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Self-Guided Waikiki Walking Tour

A Self Waikiki Walking Tour is not only fun and great exercise, but allows you to see so many different sides to this exciting city. There are Lots of interesting and important sites along the way…in fact you will see over 15 captivating points of interest along this Oahu hike. You could actually consider this a Waikiki hiking path if you trek all 5 ½ miles around it.

Enjoy walking around Waikiki, passing through Kapiolani Park, the Waikiki Aquarium & Honolulu Zoo, strolling along the 1.5 mile stretch of the Ala Wai Canal, passing by the Army Museum, the International Market Place, and finishing by the Duke Kahanamoku Statue.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

20 Waikiki Points of Interest Starting the Self-Guided Waikiki Walking Tour

Treking to the Diamond Head Lookouts

Waikiki walking tour through kapiolani park, strolling along the ala wai canal, reaching the hilton hawaiian village, selfie at the hawaii army museum, stroll thru the waikiki beach walk, royal hawaiian shopping center & international market place, pass by the moana surfrider hotel, stroll through the waikiki surf racks, waikiki walking tour finish line, 20 waikiki points of interest.

Whether you take on the 5 ½ mile Waikiki Walking Tour challenge or choose a smaller section of this hike around the city, we have a fun route for you to explore. There will be lots of interesting things to see around Waikiki, in fact there are at least 20 significant points of interest worthy of taking note of...we'll point them out to you through this walking route.

We will start off at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue that is located in front of Kuhio Beach.

However, if you are located towards the top of Waikiki near the Hilton Hawaiian Village or somewhere in-between, then it might make more sense for you to start off where you’re staying. I would recommend walking down as far as Kapiolani Park, where it’s much more peaceful and has some beautiful views of the park grounds, Diamond Head, and the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.

The Ala Wai Canal also stretches along this Waikiki stroll a couple extra miles, and while it offers another beautiful side to Waikiki, you could elect to walk just part of it or skip it all together.

Starting the Self-Guided Waikiki Walking Tour

Our Waikiki Walking Tour starts off at the iconic (1) Duke Kahanamoku Statue , which is a famous landmark that stands tall in front of Kuhio Beach. From here, we will walk south along the sidewalk towards Diamond Head.

You will pass other sections of Waikiki Beach including Kapiolani Beach, where you might see a handful of body boarders surfing waves along the (2) Waikiki Wall that stretches into the ocean. Take a quick stroll along the top of the wall where you can get one of the best views of Waikiki and all the surrounding action in the ocean and maybe an Oahu boat cruise in the distance.

Continue walking along the oceanfront where, at some point, you will be surrounded by Kapiolani Park on both sides of the sidewalk. It happens to be one of the largest and oldest parks on Oahu and Hawaii for that matter. It’s absolutely beautiful, and is home to many, huge, shady banyan trees.

Banyan trees are not only distinctive with their wide canopy tops that provide shade, but are even better known for their many long roots that grow from the top branches back down to the ground. Sometimes you’ll see kids playing around them and even swinging on them like rope vines.

It won’t be long before you walk past the (3)  Waikiki Aquarium , which happens to be the oldest aquarium west of the Mississippi. Swing back by if you don’t have time to snorkel at Hanauma Bay or other neat snorkeling spots around the island.

Next door to the aquarium is the (4) Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium that was dedicated to the many Hawaii citizens who served in World War I. It was used as an aquatic swim center until the structure became unsafe from disrepair. It’s one of my favorite spots to take a sunset picture through the front decorative iron gates that are still standing tall.

As you continue traveling east, past San Souci Beach (one of farthest sections of Waikiki Beach on the east side), you will pass along the last group of hotels and apartment buildings that stand closest to Diamond Head.

Once you reach the stunning (5) Louise Dillingham Memorial Fountain (which will be hard to miss) that sits in the middle of a roadway roundabout, this will be our crossing point to the other side of the street where we will travel west, back up along Kapiolani Park on the other side.

There is a crosswalk located back near San Souci Beach, if you wish to cross safely across the street. Either way, make sure to always look for oncoming cars before crossing.

You could continue trekking further east along Diamond Head for an additional half mile up the road to reach 3 scenic lookouts.

These road turnouts provide some great views of the (6) Diamond Head Lighthouse , parts of Diamond Head Beach, and surfers riding waves in the distance. The views get better as you reach the (7) 2nd and 3rd Diamond Head lookouts . This is not part of our walking tour, but it’s quite rewarding if you’re up for the short trek.

Walking back up on the other side of (8) Kapiolani Park gives a new perspective with views to all the activity taking place in park that you won’t see from the beach side.

Beyond the trees, park benches, and people watching, you’ll also pass by the (9) Kapiolani Band Stand where many free concerts have taken place, including the Royal Hawaiian Band that plays here regularly.  One of my favorite parts of this park is the extensive duck pond and gardens that surrounds the beautiful pavilion.  Take a moment to stroll through it and enjoy all its beauty.

At the top of the park you’ll walk past the (10) Honolulu Zoo that actually takes up 42 acres of Kapiolani Park. It’s worth a visit if you have young ones, but save it for another time as we continue on our Waikiki Walking Tour.

This is an important juncture as we turn east and head up past Thomas Jefferson Elementary School where you cross the street and continue traveling north along the (11) Ala Wai Canal .

The canal was constructed over 7 years and completed in 1928. Its main purpose was to contain the runoff of mountain water that use to flood the Waikiki area, turning it into a once swampland.

While the Ala Wai Canal is a long 1.5 mile stretch of water to stroll next to, it’s a zenful part of this Waikiki stroll that I recommend exploring. And take note that there are lots of side streets that will connect you back to parts of Kuhio Ave and Kalakaua Blvd if you wish to exit this hike and get back to your starting point.

On the other side of the canal, you should see the (12) Lokahi Canoe Club and the Ala Wai Golf Course that both border this stretch of water.  If you’re lucky, you might see some outrigger crews in the water practicing paddling up and down the canal.  Take note that most clubs practice in the afternoons during the weekdays…

There’s also a stretch of the Ala Wai Community Park that you’ll see before reaching McCully St Bridge.

The McCully St Bridge will be our turning point for our Waikiki Walking Tour to head west (left) back into Waikiki.

This will connect us back up with Kalakaua Blvd, but we’re going to cross the street over to Ala Moana Blvd (near the Waikiki Brewing Co) for a block that will connect us to a few more points of interest on our return walk back to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue.

After trekking a long block along the park, turn left onto Kalia Rd to take you past the entrance to the (13)  Hilton Hawaiian Village .  Take a moment to enjoy the grand waterfall garden in the front that is full of cascading waterfalls off rocks and boulders into a wide pool of water.

You might even be able to skip seeing Waimea Falls after this encounter. Just kidding!  Actually let this inspire you to visit Waimea Valley in the North Shore where you will discover one of the best waterfalls on Oahu .

Continue walking along Kalia Road, which leads you along peaceful (14) Fort Derussy Beach Park, and the (15)  Hawaii Army Museum Society .  It’s currently being renovated inside the museum, but there are some impressive tanks in the front that you can take a selfie with, and a military helicopter peering from the roof.

Two more blocks and we turn up Lewers St that will shortly connect us back onto the main strip, Kalakaua Blvd, but not before walking past the (16) Waikiki Beach Walk outdoor shopping area.  This happens to be one of the more popular Waikiki shopping areas, filled with some interesting shops, art galleries, restaurants, and even an ABC Store .

You could easily end your Waikiki Walking Tour here with a little shopping and grabbing a bite to eat.  But take note that you will be passing even more grand shopping & restaurant areas just a few blocks away.

Once you turn right back onto Kalakaua Blvd, the (17) Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center pops up quickly into view and takes up a few blocks of real estate.

Take note that you can grab yourself a Hawaiian shave ice at Island Vintage Shave Ice or an Icy-Dole-Whip like creation served out of a carved out pineapple at a place called Banan.  Not a bad way to reward yourself for completing this Waikiki hike.

Not far down the road is the recently renovated (18) Waikiki International Market Place .   Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, it’s worth passing through the entrance where a grand iconic banyan tree still gives this place its character.  Take the escalator up one level and walk along an elevated platform that leads through a really neat tree house.

Across the street from the International Market Place is (19) Moana Surfrider Hotel , which happens to be the oldest hotel built in Waikiki, constructed back in 1901.  The grand columns that line the front stand out along with the stunning European architecture of this Waikiki hotel.  They also have a special banyan tree that graces their back patio area.

And just like that, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue should start to appear once again.  But before we wrap up, there is one more impressive (20) surfboard alley you should check out on the side of the Moana Hotel, and it leads all the way down to the beach!  Walk to the end and take a right turn if you would like to celebrate at popular Dukes Waikiki .

A nice way to finish the Waikiki Walking Tour in my option.  The towering surfboards are actually long boards owned by individual owners, with many of them residing there over the decades and building more character over the years.

I hope you enjoy this Waikiki walking path that leads to parts of this beach side city, which you might not come across during your stay.  There are lots of Oahu hiking trails around the island worth discovering, and while you are not trekking on mountains or jungles, this Waikiki urban hike has lots to keep you stimulated.

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As Hawaii’s first and only company offering a free walking tour, Hawaii Free Tour’s mission is to share the rich history, culture, people, food, and the way of this beautiful place that we call home.

Our passionate guides will leave you with a better understanding of Hawaii and provide a memorable experience in doing so! ​ We have three tours, one is a free walking tour of historic downtown Honolulu and the other two are Oahu food tours.  

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Free Walking Tour

Come join us as we take you on a short but informative walking tour around some of Hawaii’s most historically significant landmarks. You will be led by a local guide(s) and they will share the history of Hawaii and some of their insights on Hawaii’s modern-day multi-cultural facets. Learn about the best things to do and eat in Hawaii!

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Ranked #1 Food Tour!

Deviate from the typical tourist experience & adventure into Hawaii's exotic and ethnic food scene! This all-inclusive walking food tour provides insights into Hawaii's multi-cultural history and culinary heritage while taking you to small mom & pop eateries that lie off the tourist trail.

Off The Beaten Path Food Tour

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Off The Beaten Path - Hawaii Food Tour

HAWAII'S #1 RANKED FOOD TOUR! Deviate from the typical tourist experience & adventure into Hawaii's exotic and ethnic food scene!

This all-inclusive walking food tour provides insights into Hawaii's multi-cultural history and culinary heritage while taking you to small mom & pop eateries that lie off the tourist trail.

What Our Guests Are Saying!

Meet your passionate local guides who will take you on a unique journey of experiencing authentic Hawaii.

Peter Van Buren

Peter's love of Hawaii goes back decades. After many years of work with the U.S. Department of State in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, and elsewhere, Peter returned to his first love, here in these islands he now calls home. Along the way, Peter found time to become one of only a handful of certified New York Pizza Guides, and is always happy to share tips on where to find the best pie on Oahu. ​ An amateur historian, Peter brings a perspective to his tours that seeks to entertain as well as educate. In his spare time, Peter loves to write, care for his rescue dog Momo, volunteer at the Humane Society, and continue to learn more about Hawaii's amazing history and food scene.

Elless Domingo

Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Elless has been dubbed by loved ones as “Mr. Aloha” because of his passion for sharing the aloha spirit with family, friends, and guests to the islands. Elless is an avid surfer, hiker, and all-around waterman. As your tour guide, Elless will show you the true, authentic Hawaii experience that is catered to your individual interests. Get the taste of Hawaii when you let Mr. Aloha take you to local favorite restaurants, bars, and diners. Let Elless take you off the beaten path to experience the Hawaii that you will not get with commercial tour guides.

Susan Hogan

Susan is an artist, teacher, and museum professional. Born in Chicago, she came to Hawai’i to study art at the University of Hawai’i. She felt at home immediately. She lived in the Windward Oahu community of Hauula for several years, and now resides in Honolulu. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, she went on to work for numerous local culture and arts organizations. She has taught art in schools and community settings across the island. She deeply appreciates having had so many opportunities to experience the richness of Hawai’i’s diverse cultures, and enjoys sharing the history and aloha of the Islands with others.

Aloha guests! My name is Victor and I am one of the guides for Hawaii Free Tours. I was born and raised here in Honolulu, Hawaii and worked in Asia for 5+ years and have traveled all over the world and in my humble opinion, nowhere beats Hawaii. In my free time I love to surf and spend time with family and friends. I am passionate about food and history. Although I am not Hawaiian by blood, I consider Hawaii my home and love the people, the culture, and this land. I hope to show you a little bit more about Hawaii than what is seen and heard on TV and online.

Treje Willoughby

Aloha! Meet Treje, who was born and raised in Japan before moving to Oahu for college. Treje has been living on Oahu for 10 years, having fallen in love with the diversity and kindness of the people of Hawaii. With over 6 years of experience working as a tour guide, Treje is eager to share all the knowledge that has been acquired over the years. In Treje's free time, you can often find him surfing or spending time with his girlfriend. Treje's passion for the culture and environment of Hawaii shines through in both work and leisure

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Free Walking Tour Honolulu

Free walking tour Honolulu is a perfect way to explore Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii and is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and rich cultural heritage. The city is home to many popular tourist attractions, such as Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and the Bishop Museum. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as swimming, surfing, and hiking in the nearby mountains. Honolulu is also a popular destination for shopping, with a wide variety of options from high-end designer boutiques to local markets. Visitors can find anything from traditional Hawaiian souvenirs to the latest fashion trends in this vibrant city.

General information

Meet your guide outside of the Iolani Palace

11:00 hrs / 18:00 hrs

Tip only basis

Booking this tour is mandatory

Free Walking Tour Honolulu – Itinerary

Free walking tour Honolulu starts at the Iolani Palace. This palace is the only royal palace in the United States and it offers a great insight into the history and culture of Hawaii.  

Next, visit the Waikiki Beach. This is one of the most famous beaches in the world and it’s known for its beautiful white sand and clear blue waters. Take a stroll along the beach and enjoy the beautiful views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. You can also take a surf lesson or go for a swim.

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After that, head to the Honolulu Museum of Art. This museum is home to a large collection of art from Hawaii and the Pacific region. The museum features works by local artists as well as pieces from around the world, and it’s a great spot to learn about the culture and art of Hawaii.  

Next, visit the Kawaiahao Church. This is a historic church located in the heart of the city. The church is known for its beautiful architecture and it’s a great spot to take in the city’s history and culture. The church has a rich history, and it’s a great spot to learn about the early days of Honolulu.  

Finally, visit the Honolulu Hale. This is the city hall of Honolulu and it’s known for its beautiful architecture. The building is located in the heart of the city and it’s a great spot to take in the city’s history and culture.

Join the waitlist for my Oahu E-Book here !

Waikiki Now: Narrated Walking Tours of WAIKIKI

Honolulu, Hawaii. There's so much information out there about what WAIKIKI is really like right NOW.  Why not check it out yourself? In these NARRATED videos, we walk through Waikiki showing points of interest: hotels, restaurants, things to do, etc.

There are TIME STAMPS in each video description to make the video searchable.  Most of the walk is narrated to the geolocations below (time stamps).

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my  disclosure  for more info.

WAIKIKI NOW videos come out 2x a month and a great way to get your bearings to see what is near your hotel. Hope this helps take the guesswork out of planning your trip!

NARRATED walking tour: End to End (START HERE)

This is the most comprehensive Waikiki walking tour. It's almost 45-minutes and is fully narrated pointing out points of interest, hotels, and restaurants. We'll walk down Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalakaua Ave. This video is the BEST one to watch if it's your first time to Waikiki and you're looking to get your bearings of the area.

Island: OAHU City: Honolulu Neighborhood: Waikiki

Winter in Hawaii: December

Winter in Hawaii are the months of December, January, and February. Temperatures are still warm but the weather often brings a lot of rain. The two videos below compare how drastically the weather can change from day to to day. On December 1st, it was dumping rain non-stop. Then, the very next day, December 2nd, it was bright and sunny again! 🙂

• Summer (June/July/August): Highs of 88° F (31° C)
• Winter (December/January/February): Highs of 79° F (26° C)

15 Most Common Waikiki Hotel Pick-Ups: Tours & Activities

If you're staying in Waikiki, most tours/activities will pick you up from your Waikiki hotel (or a nearby Waikiki hotel). The video below shows 15 of the most popular spots.

15 Waikiki Breakfast Spots: from $ to $$$

If you're going on an early morning tour/activity, grabbing breakfast in Waikiki is something to work in your itinerary.

Waikiki Block Festivals

Waikiki Parades

Throughout the year, Waikiki has several parades. These parades typically start at ALA MOANA BOULEVARD and continue down KALAKAUA AVE.

Waikiki Now: Friday Fireworks

Waikiki: Shopping Areas

Waikiki: More Walking Videos

Waikiki Now: Walking Videos

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Honolulu Food Tours (walking, guided, and a free tour!)

Foodies rejoice! Enjoy unique Honolulu food tours to experience the flavors and influences that come together to create Hawaii’s food scene. Plus, check out the only free guided tour in all of Hawaii!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here .

Activity Overview

• Departs From: Oahu – Waikiki (Greater Honolulu)
• Duration: 1.5-4 hours
• Included in the price: All food and transportation on the food tours, no cost for the walking tour!

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Honolulu Food Tours Highlights

• 1.5 to 4 hours duration depending on the tour
• All tours begin at 9:00 am
• Monday through Friday, exact days of the week vary depending on the tour, see details below
• Free pick up and drop off from your lodging for the food tours
• Experience the Honolulu food scene like never before with the two food tours
• Enjoy a completely free walking tour guided by a local to learn about some of the rich history of the area
• Children are welcome!

Honolulu Food Tours Details

Each tour offers something a little bit different. On each of the food tours, the ticket price includes all food, (non-alcoholic) drinks, and transportation from Honolulu accommodations! Please note the food tours are not recommended for vegetarians as they are very fish and meat-dominant, but the walking tour is still a great option!

Off the Beaten Path Food Tour

This is a walking tour that takes you beyond the tourist favorites to try unique cuisines that makeup Hawaii’s food scene.

This 3-hour tour runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Pickup and drop off from your Honolulu accommodations are included. The tour will include half a mile of walking around Honolulu’s Chinatown

The Tastings

Come hungry and enjoy 6-8 stops for 13-16 incredible tastings

The Mouthwatering Highlights

Look forward to manapuas (pork pastries made with sweet bread), sashimi & tako (Japanese raw fish & octopus), Vietnamese cured pork snack and pandan cake, Filipino adobo & lumpia, locally grown tropical fruits such as dragon eye & lychee, Chinese dim sum & roast meats, Hawaiian Poke, and more!

Da Local’s Food Tour

This is a driving tour that lets you see more of Honolulu than you’re able to get with the Off the Beaten Path Tour.

This 4-hour tour runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Pickup and drop off from your Honolulu accommodations are included. Driving tour around Honolulu

Come hungry and enjoy 4-5 stops for 9-12 incredible tastings

Look forward to different types of Poke, Ahi, Tako (octopus), O’io (raw bonefish paste mixed with limu (seaweed)), local fern, and Ake (raw cow liver poke), garlic shrimp, shave ice, and pastries.

Free Historical Walking Tour

This is the only free tour in Hawaii created and operated by locals!

This 1.5-hour tour runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am-10:30 pm

Meet at the King Kamehameha Statue in Honolulu ( click here for directions ). No pickup/drop off available.

The Highlights

Learn some of Hawaii’s history from its locals for free ! Highlights include the King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, the State Library, Kawaiahao Church, the State Capital, and King Lunalilo’s Crypt.

Honolulu Food Tours FAQ

What should i bring.

For the food tours, bring your appetite! For all of the tours wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and don’t forget your sunscreen !

What is the cancellation policy?

For the paid food tours: to receive a full refund, travelers may cancel or change dates up to 24 hours before the experience start date in the local timezone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

For the free walking tour: If you would like to cancel your booking, please send an email to [email protected] as soon as you’ve decided in case your party is the only one to have booked.

About Hawaii Free Tours

Hawaii Free Tours was created and continues to be operated by locals to help visitors experience Hawaii differently. They established the only truly free guided tour as a way to share the spirit of aloha with anyone who wants to learn.

We are affiliate partners with Hawaii Free Tours which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here . Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!

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You’ll get:

• 4 can’t-miss activities on each island,
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• and famous local grindz (eats)!

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Park of Culture and Leisure

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Park of Culture and Leisure - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.57 mi) Elektrostal Hotel
• (1.00 mi) Yakor Hotel
• (1.31 mi) Hotel Djaz
• (1.41 mi) Mini Hotel Banifatsiy
• (1.45 mi) MTM Hostel Elektrostal
• (0.07 mi) Teremok
• (0.21 mi) Coffee Shop Usy Teodora Glagoleva
• (0.25 mi) Mazhor
• (0.30 mi) Tashir Pizza
• (0.31 mi) Ermitazh

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Guided Walking Tour of the Moscow Metro

Description, good to know.

• Pricing details

Departure place

You would like, admiring the frescoes in kurskaya and komsomolskaya metro stations, marvelling at the architecture of the moscow metro, listening to your guide's commentary, essential information *, duration 1 hour 50 minutes, starting time 2:00 pm.

Set off to discover the most breathtaking stops on Moscow’s beautiful metro system on this walking tour.

Some of the stops on the Moscow metro are real masterpieces. Head underground and admire the Moscow metro with your guide.

During your guided tour, you will get to admire the Ploshchad Revolyutsii , designed by the architect Dushkin. There are no fewer than 72 sculptures in this station!

You will then explore Kurskaya station, built in 1938. The design, mosaics and slogans will immerse you in the era of Stalin. You will also see the frescoes depicting Russian victories in Komsomolskaya station.

Then, continue to one of Moscow’s must-see metro stations, Novoslobodskaya , which resembles an underground palace: marble, stained glass windows...

Join your guide to explore the most lavish and important metro stops in Moscow! 

• Availability: every day (excluding exceptional dates)
• Duration: 1 hr. 50 mins approx.
• Departure point: The Kremlin
• Languages: English
• Please wear comfortable shoes
• Metro tickets are included for the metro stations visited during the activity 
• A valid student card will be requested from participants who have booked the reduced student tariff
• A minimum of 2 participants is required to book this activity

Price includes

• Metro tickets
• The services of an English-speaking tour guide
• The guided tour of the Moscow metro

Price doesn’t include

• Access to stations not included in the tour
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Tips (optional)
• All other extras

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