Oahu is a treasure trove of activities and attractions. There's a lot to do in Hawaii that's free. If you're on a budget focus on the hiking, the waterfalls, and the beaches. Here's a list of some must-do experiences.

Some advice about our culture:

- If you're renting a car, make sure to put your belongings inside the trunk of your vehicle (leave nothing visible) when you head-off on your adventure.

- On your vacation, we would not recommend that you go cliff diving. Be careful of blowholes, and rocky areas by the ocean.

- Also note that if you're in the water with turtles, whales, dolphins, or you see a seal on the beach, do not touch them and keep a safe distance.

- Lastly, we highly value our water and our land. We do not litter, we do not honk the horn (unless absolutely necessary), and we shaka when a driver allows us to cut in front of them.

1. Kuhio Hula Show: Authentic Hawaiian music and hula shows by Hawaii’s finest halau hula (dance troupes) and Hawaiian performers. Saturdays and 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month, weather-permitting. 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, diagonally across Kalakaua Ave. from Hyatt Regency hotel at Uluniu Ave. Outdoors, casual, seating on the grass; beach chairs, mats, etc. okay. Cameras welcome. No shows if street closed for parades or block parties.  More info: https://kbhulashow.wixsite.com/official

2. Royal Hawaiian Center Events: Hula shows every Friday and Saturday at 5:30pm. Across from the hotel entrance is the Royal Hawaiian Center. It features a number of places to get food, but also the Royal Grove which is an event center. It has music, stargazing, hula and other events for free to the public. https://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com/events

3. Waikiki Fireworks Shows: Friday Night at 7:45pm. You can see the show from anywhere near Waikiki. Popular locations are the Hilton Lagoon, Waikiki marina or Magic Island. https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/o%CA%BBahu/events/hilton-hawaiian-village-fireworks

4. FREE O Nā Lani Sunset Stories Hula Show: Friday at 6pm at International Marketplace: The O Nā Lani Sunset Stories show honors International Market Place’s rich history and sense of place through Hawaiian and Polynesian song and dance. The show begins at sunset with the ceremonial lighting of the Lamakū Torch Tower on Kalākaua Avenue then proceeds to the Level 1 Queen’s Court stage. O Nā Lani Sunset Stories can be seen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. (March-August) and 6 p.m. (September-February). The entertainment is free to the public. https://shopinternationalmarketplace.com/events/international-market-place-free-o-na-lani-sunset-stories-hula-show-3177bea3-28aa-4f7c-a43f-7c2b2f5cdfbc

USS Arizona Memorial: A poignant tribute to those who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Iolani Palace: The only royal palace in the United States, offering a glimpse into Hawaii's royal history. Their guided audio tour is not to be missed - make sure you book tickets in advance!

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail: A popular hike with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, and in February you'll have a chance to see whales. The hike is paved and at a decent incline, but bring water and sunscreen.

Waikiki Beach: Famous for its golden sands and vibrant atmosphere. It's the most crowded. There are plenty of beaches that are our favorites. The locals will go to Ala Moana Beach Park (location of our daytime BBQ), or on the west side.

Eternity Beach is also a cute get away spot, but there are dozens of beaches that the locals go to that are their personal favorites.

Lanikai/Kailua Beach: Known for its clear turquoise waters and picturesque setting. Parking can be challenging on weekends.

Hanauma Bay: A marine embayment formed within a tuff ring, perfect for snorkeling. Plan ahead since you need to purchase a ticket and reserve a time to enter the park.

Outdoor Activities
Hiking: Trails like the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail and the Koko Head Crater Hike (you'll be really sore the next two days) offer breathtaking views. There are so many hikes though!

Waterfall Hikes: Ask the local dancers about waterfall hikes, or pillbox hikes around the island. Manoa Falls is close by and popular. The locals will often bring you to Lulumahu Falls, so feel free to ask if you want to head out there.

Snorkeling: Spots like Turtle Canyon and Shark's Cove are great for underwater adventures. Our personal favorite is at Electric Beach if you're renting a car. Turtle Canyon is particularly convenient, since there are multiple catamaran tours that will take you there, and rent you the equipment, all close to the hotel. Shark's Cove can have high waves and not be suitable for snorkeling in the "winter" months - always check with a local/life guard before heading into the water!

Surfing: Most people start in Waikiki or Ala Moana. Oahu's North Shore is famous for its massive winter waves, and surfing competitions. It's great for photos and to check it out, but in the winter it can be really intense, and we'd recommend surfing on the south shore if the waves are greater than five feet tall. DO NOT surf or body board at Sandy Beach without significant experience and someone local to go with you.

Cultural Experiences
Polynesian Cultural Center: A living museum showcasing the cultures of Polynesia.

Bishop Museum: Hawaii's premier natural and cultural history museum.

Honolulu Museum of Art: Home to a diverse collection of art from around the world.

Food and Drink:
Here are some of our favorites.

You can also check out the local farmers markets on Saturday morning at KCC and Kaka'ako, or Sunday in Kailua.

Leonard's Bakery: Famous for its malasadas, a Portuguese doughnut. They also have trucks in Pearl Ridge and Hawaii Kai that are usually less busy.

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck: Supposedly, a must-visit for delicious garlic shrimp, but honestly, it's rice and shrimp. If you're on the North Shore, the next option is a must.

Surf & Salsa: Killer burritos, but there are times of the day that the lines are long, so prepare accordingly.
INSIDER TIP: Order online for pick up ahead of time on your way there!

Best burger spot is Boarded Up Burgers - located in Kaimuki, be prepared for a little wait, but total deliciousness!

Best Poke: This can be argued, but most people will send you to Foodland. There's a number of places that will give you a pretty good poke bowl, but the best in our opinion is a local spot near Pearlridge called Ryder's. If you're on the road driving, you'll end up getting close to it on the way back to Waikiki. It's worth the stop!

Best Japanese Fusion is Doraku on Kapiolani Blvd. although there is one in Waikiki as well. There are also a ton of late-night Japanese and Korean Yakiniku places to try.

If you want drinks at a slightly fancier spot, we like Sky Bar for sunset in Waikiki, but it gets busy, and reservations are hard to get. HideOut at the Laylow is also great for happy hour specials, but can be busy as well. Instead, try LBD in Kaka'ako. If you want to go even higher end, then try Podmore in downtown Honolulu. These are also great date spots.

Pizza is a challenge, but we'd recommend Pizza Mamo (walk-in for a slice) in Chinatown, Brickfire Tavern in Kaimuki (restaurant vibe), or Bernini in Kaka'ako (higher end) are the spots. If you want a more laid back vibe, check out Zucchi's Pizza at the food trucks in Kewalo Basin Harbor!

Nightlife
District Nightclub: A popular spot for dancing and live music. It's in the Ala Moana area!

RumFire: An oceanfront bar with a Pacific Rim menu and tropical drinks. In Waikiki.

Buho Y Cantina is a rooftop bar and restaurant that's across the street from the Sheraton.

Mai Tai Bar: Located at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, offering live music and stunning views.

Unique Experiences
Parasailing is an inexpensive experience that will make memories, doesn't take a lot of time, and they'll pick you up from your hotel.

Kualoa Ranch: Offers tours of the famous filming locations for movies like Jurassic Park and stunning views.

Waimea Valley: A beautiful botanical garden with a waterfall you can swim in. Pair this with a stop at Surf n Salsa for burritos since you're already on the North Shore!

Kaneohe Sandbar: A unique spot where you can walk on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean.
Kayaking to the islands off of Kailua is really memorable.