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Guide to Honolulu, USA - Hawaii
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Honolulu
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Honolulu The sprawling city of Honolulu, located on the busy Hawaiian island of Oahu, is a concoction of beautiful beaches, nature filled scenery, and beautiful weather that will have you wanting to stay much longer than expected. Thought Honolulu may, at first glance, seem like a new oasis of sorts with high-rise hotels, shops, clubs, bars, and trendy resorts the city has a history of more than 150 years, and has a unique charm not found anywhere else, as well as culturally diverse people who are especially friendly to visitors of all kinds. Honolulu is also home to the state capitol and some historic landmarks, making it an ideal location for any type of traveler.
When to go:
The weather in Honolulu is spectacular throughout the year. Neglecting the slight fluctuation in temperatures from winter to summer and vice versa, the weather stays mostly consistent, with exceptions to the summer heat, and the immense spring rains. Youll find that in winter, the tourists flock here in large numbers, so if you wish to avoid the crowds as much as possible, visit during summer and fall. We would have no issue with spring if it didnt rain as much, however, a fresh sprinkling on the land might be just the right thing for you. The prices drop considerably during this time as well.
Getting there and around:
Honolulu itself is a major Pacific destination, both for tourists and travelers on stop-over flights. Honolulu International Airport is not far from downtown (15km), and travel by public bus, shuttle bus, or taxi will take you about 25 minutes, depending on traffic which dies down considerably during the off-season. Also, if you arranged accommodations with one of many resorts, you probably receive free transportation with your travel package.
Getting around Honolulu is somewhat different than your usual city experience. TheBus (yes, the public bus system is called TheBus) is your best way of getting around downtown, and to other parts of the city as well. Youll notice the absence of taxis, other than the ones people hire by phone. If you want to travel by taxi, youll have to book ahead of time, and really, the amount of time it takes to do that, than to just take a bus, is a major nuisance. You can rent a car, of course, though it is unnecessary unless you wish to travel outside the city during your stay on the island.
Attractions:
Your first stop should be the Bishop Museum. Youll find everything here, from history, to contemporary art, to sections that will please science aficionados. The Bishop Museum has been considered the best Polynesian anthropological museum in the world by many for quite some time. Youll immediately notice the 3 expansive floors devoted to the documentation of Oahu Islands cultural history. The museum is stocked with everything from weapons and masks to artwork from not only Pacific cultures, but of Asian and European descent as well. You will learn that there is and has been a wide range of cultural influences in Honolulu since the birth of the city. You will also find that the Bishop Museum houses Hawaiis only planetarium.
Honolulus Chinatown may seem like it is only comprised of multitudes of restaurants and shops, but as you walk through the southern end, youll notice the beautiful Taoist temple which, if you are polite and respectful, you are given access to the inside. Youll also find the Shinto Shrine, and Foster Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful sites in Honolulu, and youll also get to see the Buddhist Kuan Yin Temple nearby.
A visit to Honolulu must not go by without a hike up Diamond Head. It is a cone comprised of volcanic ash formed after a steam explosion that occurred long ago. The views from atop the cone are amazing, and nearby is the famous Hawaiian beach of Waikiki, where youll find countless resorts, hotels, shops, bars, clubs and an aquarium. The shore is perfect with the beautiful white sand and Diamond Head as the backdrop.
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