Home : Areas of Oahu : Honolulu

Honolulu is Oahu’s center of art, history, and culture. Here you will find historic buildings, museums, and royal palaces blocks away from a bustling Chinatown and a vibrant downtown night scene with sleek bars and lounges, restaurants and art galleries.

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Hawaii and walk through Historic Honolulu and visit the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil, peruse local artwork at the Hawaii State Art Museum, and listen to the church bells ringing from the beautiful coral foundations of Kawaiahao Church. Explore further and take a short drive out to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout for a panoramic view of the Koolau Mountains and then make your way to the Bishop Museum which houses the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Hawaii and the Pacific.

When the sun goes down, find your way back to Hip Honolulu. During the day, Chinatown is a colorful marketplace alive with fragrant lei stands, delicious noodle and dim sum factories, bustling open-markets, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants but at night, Downtown Honolulu transforms into a chic art and dining district with galleries, jazz clubs, and epicurean delights from trendy wine bars, to Cuban, Indo-Eurasian to Chinese fusion restaurants.

Downtown – The Heart of Oahu's Art & Culture Scene
First Fridays, Second Saturdays, Third Thursdays, ArtAfterDark
Check out art with an attitude mixed in with live entertainment, fabulous dining and a monthly Mardi Gras atmosphere at First Fridays, get a more intimate art gallery experience and bring the family for Second Saturdays and Third Thursdays and then grab your most outgoing group of friends and dress up at the theme ARTafterDARK events at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on the final Friday of the month. Learn more.