Ep. 207: Top 5 Oahu Experiences You Won’t Forget! (Free and Paid Options)

207_Top 5 Oahu Experiences You Won’t Forget! [Free and Paid Options]

[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: There are no shortages of things to do on the island of Oahu, but that’s really not what we’re after in today’s episode. This is not a do everything list. In this episode, you’ll discover the experiences that actually stick with you after the trip is over. Today we’re gonna be covering a mix of both free and paid experiences that you can do on the island of Oahu.

[00:00:22] Bryan Murphy: So if you have a few days on the island. These are the places that I would highly recommend that you do not miss when you’re visiting

[00:00:34] Bryan Murphy: Loha. And welcome to Hawaii’s best podcast, hoping you plan an unforgettable trip to Hawaii. On this podcast, you get to hear from local voices and you get insider tips about everything you need to experience the Aloha State. My name is Brian, and I am the host and owner of Hawaii’s. Bess, thank you so much for joining me today on episode 2 0 7.

[00:00:57] Bryan Murphy: This episode is especially for first timers to Oahu or for families, or you know, honestly, anyone who feels like they’re just planning too much or looking to save some money, because we’re gonna be talking about some free experiences that honestly feel like they’re paid experiences because they’re that good.

[00:01:16] Bryan Murphy: And I, I know my family knows from personal experiences, so we’re gonna be getting into that. The thing about Oahu is that it rewards pacing, you know, fewer stops, more intention experiences that actually fit your group’s pace and energy for what you’re hoping for out of your vacation. So instead of chasing everything, we’re going to be focusing on choosing.

[00:01:41] Bryan Murphy: The five and, and I got a Bose one at the end, but these are really the five. You know, if I were sitting down with you right now and you’re like, Hey, I’m going to Oahu for the first time, or, I’ve been there before, but it’s been a while. These are the five that I would highly recommend because they’re make mixture of both culture, history, scenery, and they’re designed to not burn you out.

[00:02:01] Bryan Murphy: Feel like you’re doing. Way too much.

[00:02:03] Bryan Murphy: So let’s go ahead and get into it with number one. This is kind of one of my new favorites is Waimea Valley on the north shore of Oahu. Looking for one place on Oahu that combines both nature, history, and culture without turning into a stressful day. This is the place that’s really hard to beat.

[00:02:22] Bryan Murphy: You’re not gonna do a crazy hike here. It’s flat, it’s paved, it’s walkable, it’s accessible, friendly. And it’s within this historic protective valley of y MEA Valley on the North Shore. Within the grounds, along the way, you’ll see some interpretive signs. You get also to join some optional guided experiences that help explain what you’re actually looking at and more about the history and the deep culture of the valley.

[00:02:48] Bryan Murphy: There’s native plants there, traditional Hawaiian land use right there, and you get to learn about how this area has been cared for long before tourism even existed. There’s also a great luau there if you’re looking for a a luau experience. Toa luau, there is a great luau. Highly recommend it. And at the end of this walk is Waimea Falls.

[00:03:11] Bryan Murphy: You can swim underneath it. It’s cool. It’s lifeguarded. It’s one of the very few waterfalls that you can swim underneath. That is actually, uh, lifeguard. My family and I, we did this, uh, two times ago that we are on Oahu and we actually had the executive director of Y MEA Valley on this podcast, and I’ll be sure to link that below.

[00:03:33] Bryan Murphy: He goes through a lot more of the history of Y MEA Valley and talks about some initiatives that they have going on into 2026. This is also a great spot, you know, it’s kind of more of a multi-generational spot. We went with my in-laws, so for some older travelers, for anyone who doesn’t want their vacation to, you know, necessarily feel like a workout, but still get a lot of the sites and feel like they’re in nature, this is a great option.

[00:04:01] Bryan Murphy: It’s safe, intentional, it’s respectful to the land, and I can’t wait for you to hear more about y Mea Valley, what they’re all about. You can check out the episode after this one.

[00:04:12] Bryan Murphy: Number two is, so you’re, you’re already up at the North Shore. Might as well go ahead and explore the North Shore. For reals.

[00:04:19] Bryan Murphy: Here’s the thing about the North Shore of Oahu. It’s not just one stop. It’s a stretch of coastline. It’s a town and a completely different rhythm from the rest of Oahu. It’s pretty much completely the opposite of Waikiki. So directly on the opposite end of the island is this beautiful stretch of coastline.

[00:04:41] Bryan Murphy: You got surf culture there that really shapes the town, and in winter the waves are. Epic and they draw huge crowds, competitions, and it’s wild. In the summer, the water is calm enough for snorkeling like at Sharks Cove, and the beaches open up in a different way in the summertime. So either season it feels different.

[00:05:02] Bryan Murphy: It’s less hurried. Well, unless there’s this surf competition going on in the wintertime, and by the way, you really don’t want to get in the water. During the winter time, during those winter swells, even though there’s lifeguards up there, it is just so un unpredictable. If you wanna get in the water and you’re traveling during the wintertime, would recommend South Shore sticking to Waikiki or East Side wa.

[00:05:24] Bryan Murphy: Those areas are gonna be a lot less crazy. They’re gonna be more calm than the North Shore. It’s a cute town, Hava, and you know, you could walk around to the shops and just window shop or just go to, uh, there’s food trucks up there we love, we go to, uh, surf and salsa. We were just up there. Highly recommend surf and salsa.

[00:05:45] Bryan Murphy: Say hi to the cat Mango for us. My girls miss her already and we also like to stop at the soap factory up there. North Shore Soap Factory. Always make sure, we always make sure we head that up in wa Lua. Really don’t try to cram the North Shore. Maybe pick a couple spots and just get a feel of the town.

[00:06:04] Bryan Murphy: You can kind of do it for free, but you’re probably gonna end up, I’d highly recommend ending maybe getting some lunch up there. Would recommend. There’s, uh, this restaurant called, um, beach House is great. Uh, sunrise Shack guys are up there. I’ll, I’ll link. We’ve had a couple episodes with Travis from Sunrise Shack.

[00:06:23] Bryan Murphy: I’ll link that below as well. I highly recommend North Shore at least doing that for the day.

[00:06:28] Bryan Murphy: Number three is definitely in my family’s, I’d say top three to five things to do on Oahu, and that is the Al Lucia Botanical Garden. This is actually something, a place I think a lot of people miss, but it sounds like, and it looks like it.

[00:06:45] Bryan Murphy: At least when we’ve been visiting recently, a lot more at traction there because it’s free, it’s beautiful. It sits on the Windward side of the island, so on the east side of Oahu, and it’s backed by the Koola Mountains as you drive in. It’s this epic entrance into the gardens. Be sure to snap a pic as you’re driving in one of the best pictures.

[00:07:06] Bryan Murphy: One of my favorite pictures, at least from traveling to Hawaii, is driving into the entrance of the botanical garden. This is the kind of place it’s great to slow down. There’s a lot of shade. You don’t need tickets, reservations, you don’t need a rush. There’s usually plenty of parking. There’s parking throughout the ground so you don’t have to cram into one area.

[00:07:30] Bryan Murphy: But quick note though, starting in early 2026, which we’re in right now, the garden will be closed. ’cause it usually is open daily, but it will be closed on Thursdays for a while for rest and maintenance. So you wanna plan around that, but any other day, you’re good. I think it’s like 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or the hours.

[00:07:48] Bryan Murphy: You want to double check on that before you visit, but there’s wide pass. Open lawns, quiet spots. It’s a good spot. You’ll be able to find a little nook within the botanical gardens to just be able to, if you just need to chill or take a break, this is a great spot for a picnic as well. Families, a lot of families here.

[00:08:07] Bryan Murphy: Another great multi-generational activity for your group as well.

[00:08:11] Bryan Murphy: Alright, number four, I think might be one of the most important places to visit on ahu, and that is Iolani Palace. I think a lot of people might skip it because they’re not sure what it really represents and the true rich. Complex history of this place.

[00:08:31] Bryan Murphy: It’s really the only royal palace in the US and I say that lightly because there is some, there is some sensitivity into saying that it’s the only royal palace in the US because the Hawaiian kingdom. Is still so much alive and for those who call Hawaii home, who are breathing life into the Hawaiian kingdom, it’s definitely a sensitive topic for sure.

[00:09:00] Bryan Murphy: But walking through this place, it gives you real context for the Hawaiian Kingdom and how that history still shapes Hawaii. Today and the visit isn’t long. It’s not overwhelming. There’s an audio tour and that really does most of the work. As you go through, it’s clear, it’s easy to follow, it’s easy to grasp even if you don’t come in with a lot of background or understanding.

[00:09:22] Bryan Murphy: But I think this fits well for a low energy day. Maybe it’s raining. This is something that our girls haven’t done and we had it on the list to do in this past trip, but we all got sick, so our girls are gonna have to wait to do this next time. But it’s great because it balances out a trip that might otherwise be all about beaches and scenery and attractions and all that stuff.

[00:09:43] Bryan Murphy: So if you want some culture, I definitely would highly, highly recommend this, and it adds some real perspective to your time on the island of Oahu. Number five.

[00:09:52] Bryan Murphy: It’s a paid activity, but I think it is well worth it. Maybe this would be maybe one of the biggest activities that you do, and that would be Coola Ranch on the east side.

[00:10:04] Bryan Murphy: The setting here alone makes an impression. It’s open wide valleys, steep grain, cliffs land that feels untouched compared to most. Of the island, but really sets Ulaa apart is access. You can only explore this land through guided tours, and tours really vary between experiences and prices, but they all focus on the same thing, that this place really matters.

[00:10:29] Bryan Murphy: There’s history here, there’s cultural significance, and there’s an ongoing effort to really malama or care for the land while still letting people experience it. Really works well for families and groups. So if you’re looking for some big group activities, this is something definitely worth looking into.

[00:10:49] Bryan Murphy: You can either choose the something relaxing or you can get more active with, you know, a TV tours and stuff like that. But if you’re going to spend some money on really like one big experience that shows you the site of Oahu, most visitors never see. This is definitely one of the top, if not the top option to do that.

[00:11:08] Bryan Murphy: And as promised, I have a bonus one for you and don’t come after me, but I hear me out. The bonus one is Waikiki. So hear me out. ’cause most people spend time in Waikiki whether they plan to or not, whether they like it or not. And that’s okay. Waikiki makes more sense when you stop treating it like a, a checklist and, and you don’t need to see everything.

[00:11:31] Bryan Murphy: You don’t need to shop every block or every mall, but really the value comes from how you see it. One of my friends, Kaka Peeley, who’s been on the podcast a couple times, actually does tours in Waikiki. They’re walking tours, and it’s all about the history of Waikiki. There’s so much rich history in Waikiki, and I’ll link his tour.

[00:11:54] Bryan Murphy: Below. It’s not an affiliate link or anything like that. He just started it. It’s definitely something that is super unique. Kamaka is just such a, a great guy. I’ll link his episodes below as well. But regardless, Waikiki, the first time I went to Waikiki, it was like standing in a postcard. It’s that postcard look and feel of diamond head off in the distance as you’re standing outside of.

[00:12:17] Bryan Murphy: Dukes and listening to music. Henry Capo playing at Dukes on Sunday, and you’re looking over and you see Diamond Head and the sun is setting it. It is just. There’s not much like it. It’s definitely worth experiencing at least once you can. You can do it relatively cheap, meaning if you know, if you’re not gonna do any shopping or anything like that, you’ll need to pay for parking.

[00:12:41] Bryan Murphy: You can just go to the beach there, maybe go grab some lunch that that’ll cost you. But for the most part, Waikiki, isn. Like the whole trip, but approach intentionally, it becomes an easiest and one of the most accessible parts of being on ahu. Definitely would highly recommend seeing Waikiki Beach at least once.

[00:13:01] Bryan Murphy: So really, what’s the main point in all this? You don’t need to do everything on ahu to have a great trip. Not even close. The island really rewards you when you slow down the pace and choose experiences that fit your group. And really your energy for that trip. So having a mixture of free and paid stops is good.

[00:13:19] Bryan Murphy: You know, a balance of culture, scenery, and some downtime mixed in and s space in the schedule to actually enjoy where you are. So if you’re planning a trip right now, pick maybe one or two of these and build it around your week or however long you’re spending on Oahu. If you’re not sure how many days you wanna spend on Oahu.

[00:13:39] Bryan Murphy: I’ll drop a episode I just did last week below about how many days do you need in Hawaii to really experience Hawaii. So I hope this episode helped you maybe plan a better trip to Oahu. And if it did, I would just humbly ask if you could leave a rating and review on Apple Podcast. It helps other people who love Hawaii just as much as you be able to find this podcast.

[00:14:02] Bryan Murphy: And if you want more planning tools, guides. And our new 2026 planning calculator, you can go to hawaii’s best travel.com and find all that good stuff. So I hope your 2026 is off to a good start, and until next time. As always, live with Aloha

[00:14:25] Bryan Murphy: Mala for listening to this episode of Hawaii’s. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii’s Best is a production of shore break media group with editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends. Stick figure.