Free Places To Visit In Honolulu Near Me

4worldlovers: This tour showcases life and legacy of our last ruling King, who was known as the “Merrie Monarch” and was instrumental in the revitalization of Hawaiian culture during his reign in the late 1800s. The tour will feature historical accounts and personal items belonging to King Kalākaua to help guests better understand not only what Kalākaua achieved locally and globally, but how his tangible vision of ʻIolani Palace, continues to contribute to the Hawaiian way of life and his preservation of hula, history, and tradition.

Reproductions of the suit King Kalākaua wore at his coronation on February 12, 1883, and his masonic apron debuted at ʻIolani Palace on the king’s 185th birthday, Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Created by historic dress designer Iris Viacrusis, the Coronation Suit stands majestically in the Throne Room, while the Masonic Apron is on display in King’s Library on the second floor.

Garments worn by the alii seamlessly integrated Hawaiian culture into European style dress. The Fashion Fit for Royalty specialty tour highlights the wardrobe and jewelry of Hawaiian royalty in the 19th century. Visitors will experience royal fashion at the peak of Hawaii’s monarchy with a closer look at opulent gowns, elegant uniforms, and other precious objects that were worn at formal court occasions.

The Hawaii’s Royal Connection to Japan tour explores how the Hawaiian Kingdom established the relationship with the Asian nation, which continues to present day. This exclusive opportunity brings King Kalakaua’s 1881 journey to Japan to life. During this docent-led tour, guests will have access to restricted areas throughout the Palace for an up-close look at precious objects, learn about people in Kalakaua’s inner circle, and hear stories about the King’s efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the world stage.

During the White Glove Tour, guests will go beyond the stanchions during a private and intimate tour led by the Iolani Palace Historian. Get a closer look at many precious objects in the Throne Room, State Dining Room and King Kalakaua’s Library. Guests will hear stories of the monarchs and learn of their distinguished place in Hawaii’s history as well as their impact on the world. The tour concludes in the Palace attic where guests will slip on a keepsake pair of white gloves for the unique chance to view items in the Palace collection not on display to the general public. They’ll learn about the special care it takes to protect and preserve these precious cultural objects for future generations.

Take a never before seen tour of the Chamberlain’s office suite and other rooms with the new Chamberlain’s Tour. This specialty tour brings a new perspective of life at Iolani Palace through the eyes of the Royal Chamberlain and other members of the Palace staff. The Chamberlain answered directly to the King and Queen and his office revealed what it took to run the royal household. For the first time, guests will be able to step into the Chamberlain’s office and hear insightful and enchanting stories about the monarchs who once walked the halls.

Iolani Palace is a living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity and is recognized as the spiritual and physical multicultural epicenter of Hawaii. Built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, Iolani Palace was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs and served as the official royal residence and the residence of the Kingdom’s political and social life until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.

Registered as a National Historic Landmark since 1962 and the only official royal residence in the United States, the Palace is one of the most recognizable buildings in Hawaii. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, Iolani Palace tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani walked the grand halls.

Just because our doors are closed doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rich culture, history and insights of a Palace visit.

We encourage you to explore the Palace from a new perspective through our various digital resources.

Iolani Palace has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur, featuring original palace furnishings and artifacts that have been recovered, restored and replicated. Open to the public for guided tours, the first floor consists of the public reception areas – the Grand Hall, State Dining Room, Blue Room, and Throne Room – while the second floors showcase the private suites, including the King and Queen’s suites, Music Room, and the Imprisonment Room.

4worldlovers: At the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, learn about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II.


Learn how to make a reservation for the National Park Service facilitated USS Arizona Memorial Program with recreation.gov


Learn how to make a reservation for the National Park Service facilitated Ford Island Bus Tour with recreation.gov.


Using DNA & other technology, the remains of service members lost on the USS Oklahoma on Dec 7, 1941, are being identified & returned home.


Bags are not allowed at the park, but can be stored onsite. Find out more about our bag policy, medical concerns, and safety at the park.

4worldlovers:
Can't visit the garden in-person, or want to know more about this lush, historic location? Check out the Virtual Tour of Foster Botanical Garden, sponsored by the Garden Club of Honolulu: bit.ly/VirtualFosterGarden

A garden in the midst of busy downtown Honolulu? Yes! And here at Foster Botanical Garden, visitors find a refreshing change from the chaos of the city. As the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Foster Garden displays a mature and impressive collection of tropical plants. Some of the magnificent trees in this 14-acre garden were planted in the 1850s by Dr. William Hillebrand. They marked the beginning of a heritage that became The Honolulu Botanical Gardens.

Garden highlights: The Conservatory, Outdoor Butterfly Garden, Palm Garden, Prehistoric Glen Cycad Collection, Exceptional Trees, and Gift Shop.

Click here to download and print a detailed map of the Garden

Self-Guided Tours - Our self-guided tour is a great alternative to explore the Garden at your own pace. It is included with your visitor map.

School Group Tours - Please call 808-768-7135 for more information.

4worldlovers: Whether you're planning a visit for your family, birthday party, or a corporate function we’ve got special zoo experiences you’ll go wild over.

With your support so we can continue to make your zoo a place for laughing, learning and exploring for keiki, kupuna and everyone in between.

Mahalo for supporting the Honolulu Zoo. By becoming a member you're helping to support conservation efforts both here and around the world, enrichment for our animals, training for the Honolulu Zoo and Zoo Society staff, and so much more! Your kokua is greatly appreciated.

If you have further questions, please contact us at: [email protected] or by calling (808) 926-3191 ext. 153