10+ Places to See in Oahu Your First Time

Are you heading to Oahu this year? I recently came back to Oahu for a girl’s trip and here are a few places I recommend checking out on Oahu your first time.

10 things to do in Oahu your first time - Oahu Hawaii - www.emmasedition.com

Oahu is my favorite island in Hawaii because my family has so much history in Oahu. There are so many fun places to see and food spots. I feel like every time I go back, I find a new spot, a new sandwich place, or an acai bowl spot to check out.

Here are 10+ Places to See in Oahu Your First Time:

1. Eat brunch at Barefoot Beach Café @Queen’s Surf

Address: 2699 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

If you’re looking for a breakfast spot on the beach, I recommend stopping by Barefoot Beach Café. The food was delicious!

Brunch Spots in Waikiki Beach - Oahu Recommendations - www.emmasedition.com

2. Grab a poke bowl at Maguro Spot and then eat it at Waikiki Beach

Address: 2441 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

The first day we flew into Oahu, we grabbed our rental car, checked into the hotel, changed into swimsuits, and went to Maguro’s. We grabbed poke bowls and ate them at Waikiki beach.

3. Hike the Lanikai Pillbox Trail

Address: Lanikai Pillbox Trail Kailua, HI 96734

If you’re looking for a short, but steep hiking trail with ocean views, I recommend checking out the Lanikai Pillbox Trail. This trail is short, but it gets challenging because of how steep it is and how crowded it gets. This trail is popular, so I recommend either visiting during the week or getting an early start in the morning.

Things to do in Oahu Your First Time - Oahu Hawaii - Lanikai Pillbox Trail - www.emmasedition.com

4. Grab lunch at the Highway Inn

Address: 680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu, HI 96813

If you’re looking for spot for Hawaiian food, I recommend stopping by Highway Inn. They have a few locations but my family on the island took me to the Ala Moana location. The loco moco was so good!

5. Hangout at Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay in North Shore

Sunset Beach Address: Sunset Beach Park Pupukea, HI 96712

Waimea Bay Address: Waimea Bay beach North Shore, HI 96712

In previous years, I usually go to Waimea Bay when I visit North Shore. It’s one of my favorite North Shore beaches. This year, we decided to stop by Sunset Beach. My family on the island recommended we try that beach. The beach was beautiful, but like a lot of the North Shore beaches, the waves were strong.

6. Grab an acai bowl at the Sunrise Shack in North Shore

Address: 59-158 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa HI 96712

After hanging out at sunset beach, we decided to grab at an acai bowl at the Sunrise Shack. We stopped by the original location right near Sunset Beach.

Sunrise Shack at Sunset Beach - North Shore Oahu

7. Grab breakfast at ARVO Cafe

Address: 324 Coral St Suite 1A-104b, Honolulu, HI 96813

ARVO is such a cute spot for breakfast. We stopped by here before we drove out to the North Shore. My friend Katie and I split a smoked salmon toast and a ricotta toast.

Brunch Spots in Honolulu - Food Recommendations Oahu Hawaii - www.emmasedition.com

8. Walk or drive through the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden

Address: 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is over 400 acres and is open from 9 am-4 pm daily. If you get a chance to even drive through the gardens, I recommend doing so!

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden - Oahu Hawaii - Things to do in Oahu

9. Hangout at Kahala Beach

Address: Kahala Beach Honolulu, HI 96816

If you’re looking for a less crowded beach right outside of Waikiki beach, I recommend checking out Kahala Beach.

10. Stop by Musubi Café in Waikiki

Address: Musubi Café Honolulu, HI 96815

One of my favorite stops during our entire trip was the Musubi Café in Waikiki. This tiny food spot gets super busy in the mornings and in the evenings. If you’re looking for different types of musubi to try, I recommend stopping by here!

girlfriends spring break trip - Oahu Hawaii

Here are a few other favorite spots to check out on Oahu:

Leonard’s Bakery – You must get a malasada if you’ve never tried one. We didn’t end up going because the lines were crazy when we drove by.

Da Cove Health Bar & Café – We didn’t get to stop by here this year but in previous years, I always stopped by Da Cove Health Bar & Café for an acai bowl.

Matsumoto Shave Ice – We didn’t get to stop by here while we were in Haleiwa, but I’ve gone every time in previous years. Shave ice on the island is a must!