101 Cheap-or-FREE Fun Things To Do in Oahu

There are many things to do in Oahu: This is just the short list of the least expensive, to help you keep your vacation within budget... Have fun!

ere are 101 things to do in Oahu to see and experience on your affordable, family friendly, tropical Oahu vacation. Discover the sights, sounds, art, culture, history, nature and adventure of the island of Oahu. Find all the family fun without all the spending.

Art, Culture & History

1. Visit the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM), one of the few state sponsored art museums in the country and view the finest collection of works from Hawaii's best artists.

2. Learn about the history of Waikiki on the Waikiki Historic Trail walking tour.

3. Return to Hawaii's nostalgic boat days past and enjoy the Aloha Waikiki Hawaiian Hula show by Tihati at DFS Galleria and send an email postcard to family and friends.

4. Explore Hawaii's maritime history, from voyaging canoes to the Matson steamships, at the Hawaii Maritime Center.

5. Visit Hyatt's Hawaii at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa to see displays of Hawaiian arts and crafts and memorabilia.

6. Discover the history of surfing through photos and memorabilia on the walls of Duke's Canoe Club at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

7. Walk through Chinatown for a fascinating look at noodle factories, herbal shops, markets and gift shops or take a guided walking tour hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

8. Attend one of the many arts and crafts fairs held at Thomas Square, Kapiolani Park and Ala Moana Beach Park.

9. Witness the culture and beauty of the islands as you watch a traditional torch lighting and hula performance on the beach of Waikiki near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at sunset.

10. Stop in at the lei stands that line Maunakea Street and see firsthand how the intricate leis are created.

11. Explore the history of Waikiki through old pictures and collectibles that line the grand staircase in the lobby of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider.

12. Learn about Princess Kaiulani, Hawaii's last and most beloved princess, on the Princess Kaiulani Historical tour at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel.

13. Visit Hilo Hattie, The Store of Hawaii, and enjoy free juice, entertainment, food samples and craft demonstrations.

14. Experience the tranquility of the Valley of the Temples and watch the peacocks show off their colors.

15. Take a scenic drive over the Pali Highway stopping at the historic site with panoramic views at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.

16. Visit the ancient fishponds in Heeia and Kahaluu on the windward side.

17. Learn about the colorful history and diverse culture of Hawaii in a contemporary, family-friendly format at the Native Hawaiian Arts Center

18. Travel around the world through the diverse art exhibits at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

19. Walk through the Mission Homes Museum to see how the first missionaries lived when they came to Hawaii.

20. Learn more about taro and enjoy storytelling, music, dancing, arts and crafts and a farmer's market at the Pacific Island Taro Festival at Windward Community College in August.

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21. Visit Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, a monument built to honor the men who died on the USS Arizona the day World War II began. Click here to book a historic Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial tour.

22. Discover the people and faces of Hawaii and the plantation era at the Hawaii Plantation Villages.

23. Experience a bit of Polynesia at the mini Polynesian Cultural Center display at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

24. Visit the Contemporary Museum on the third Thursday of every month for free admission.

25. Honor soldiers from the Spanish American War to Vietnam at the Memorial of the Pacific National Memorial Cemetery, formerly known as Punchbowl.

26. Step back in time to the Waikiki of yesteryear on the historical tour at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider.

27. View the best collection of Hawaiiana in the world at the Bishop Museum.

28. Learn about the history of pineapple in Hawaii through the multimedia James Dole Story at Dole Cannery Square.

29. Ascend to the top of Aloha Tower, Honolulu Harbor's famous clock tower, which at one time was the tallest building in Honolulu.

30. Take a self-guided tour of Oahu's historic heiau (places of worship).

31.Visit Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil and Queen Emma's summer palace.

32. Visit Fort DeRussy Beach where in addition to picnic tables, volleyball courts and excellent surf, you'll find Battery Randolph Museum on the military grounds.

Nature and Adventure

33. Tour the Waikiki Aquarium and discover the marine life of the Hawaiian waters and the South Pacific.

34. Snorkel among the brightly colored reef fish of Hanauma Bay and look for Hawaii's state fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa.

35. Meet the komoda dragon and other inhabitants of the Honolulu Zoo.

36. Race through the World's Largest Maze at Dole Plantation on the way to the North Shore and afterwards enjoy their signature Dole Whip.

37. Keep your eyes open for humpback whales off Makapuu on Oahu's South Shore or Kaena Point on the northwest side of the island from November through April.

38. Boogie board at the local favorite spot in Waikiki called The Wall or at Waimanalo Beach on the windward side of the island.

39. Hike to Manoa Falls beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest.

40. Count the waterfalls along Highway 3 after a beautiful refreshing rain.

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41. Visit the newly renovated DFS Galleria Waikiki and stroll through The Tube, a 65,000-gallon two-story, walk-through saltwater aquarium and the Waikiki Walk, a promenade of shops with old Hawaii architecture.

42. Hike to the top of Diamond Head, Hawaii's most famous landmark.

43. Sit under a tree at Kakaako Waterfront Park and watch the ships and surfers go by or roll down the hill with childlike abandon.

44. Nap under towering trees at Fosters Botanical Garden.

45. Hike up to the Makapuu lighthouse passing Madame Pele's chair and following the dramatic cliff-lined coast.

46. Drive to the windward side of the island to the charming towns of Kailua and Lanikai to discover why the soft white sand of these beaches makes them two of the world's best beaches over and over again according to Dr. Beach.

47. Visit the Oceanarium Restaurant at Pacific Beach Hotel, where an incredible three-story, 280,000-gallon saltwater fish tank holds hundreds of Hawaii's tropical fish.

48. Swim alongside the honu (turtle) in front of the Sheraton Waikiki, at Turtle Bay Resort or at many of Oahu's 139 beaches.

49. Wear reef shoes and at low tide walk to Goat Island in Laie to explore the tide pools teeming with life.

50. Hike the Maunawili Trail on the Pali Trail or one of many other well-marked trails throughout Oahu.