Waikīkī Revisited: Why Hawai‘i’s Most Famous Beach Still Delivers

With gorgeous white sand, excellent surfing and world-class live music, this neighborhood has so much to offer

tall palm trees on a beach with people scattered along the shoreline

Waikīkī, Hawaiʻi, offers the best of all worlds. It’s a legendary district that embodies the aloha spirit and is an ideal choice for milestone trips and multigenerational vacations.

Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Marla Cimini,

AARP

Published February 27, 2026

For many travelers over 50, Waikīkī is often remembered as a romantic honeymoon destination or a favorite family getaway. Located on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi, this legendary beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu is vibrant and bustling. It’s also home to turquoise waves, tropical breezes and the iconic silhouette of Diamond Head rising above the Pacific Ocean.

Whether you’re a first-timer or planning a return visit, you’ll find today’s Waikīkī offers the best of all worlds. It’s a district that embodies the aloha spirit and is an ideal choice for milestone trips and multigenerational vacations.

Home to world-famous sites, including Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial and the buzzing retail shops along Kalākaua Avenue, the island of Oʻahu is by far the most popular Hawaiian destination for tourists. According to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, more than 5 million guests stayed on Oʻahu in 2025. In fact, older adult travelers are placing Hawai‘i at the top of their travel list these days. According to the tourism bureau’s 2024 “Annual Visitor Research Report,” travelers 41 to 59 made up nearly 29 percent of all U.S. travelers by air to Hawaiʻi, and travelers 60-plus made up 20.5 percent of all U.S. travelers by air to Hawaiʻi.

Moana Surfrider, the oldest hotel in Hawaiʻi, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Its recent renovation included modernized guest rooms and a revitalized lobby.

Courtesy The Royal Hawaiian

History and culture by the beach

Once known primarily for its beachfront and surf breaks, Waikīkī has matured into an exciting walkable neighborhood with classic hotels, exceptional dining and many cultural attractions.

Waikīkī’s history is felt just about everywhere, especially in the hotels along the beach, such as the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach. The oldest hotel in Hawaiʻi, it is known as the “First Lady of Waikīkī.” (Rates start at $358.) It’s celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and its recent renovation encompasses 791 modernized guest rooms and a revitalized lobby. Overlooking the ocean, the resort’s courtyard bar is shaded by the property’s majestic 75-foot-tall banyan tree.

Steps away is another elegant landmark, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, also known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.” (Rates start at $392.) This property unveiled a free cultural gallery in 2025 that shares the story of its fascinating 99-year history. Nearby, the Hyatt Regency’s “In the Southern Sun” is an immersive art exhibit celebrating native Hawaiian traditions ($25).

the interior of a resort's cultural gallery

The Royal Hawaiian unveiled a free cultural gallery in 2025 that shares the story of its lengthy history.

Courtesy The Royal Hawaiian

Newer properties include The Ambassador Hotel of Waikīkī, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Ka Laʻi Waikīkī Beach (a full rebrand is scheduled for completion in May 2026). Many hotels feature works by local artists and often include complimentary cultural programming, such as lei-making, hula demos and ukulele classes.

There’s plenty of new entertainment, including the first-ever Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana production in Hawaiʻi, which celebrates the culture in a 15,000-square-foot theater ($86).

For daytime fun, surf enthusiasts adore Waikīkī’s Kūhiō Beach, where you’ll see visitors paying respects to the larger-than-life statue of Duke Kahanamoku, who is considered the father of modern-day surfing. Always a hub of activity, Kūhiō is an optimal place to take a surfing lesson or catamaran ride or paddle an outrigger canoe.

Beyond the waves, there’s an array of enriching experiences at the island’s Bishop Museum ($34 to $39 for adults; $31 to $36 for adults 65-plus), the Honolulu Museum of Art ($25 for adults) and the majestic ʻIolani Palace ($28 to $127; $680 for a Royal Legacy Tour), home to Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarchs. It’s also lovely to stroll through the area’s tranquil outdoor spaces, such as the picturesque Foster Botanical Garden ($5). Design lovers won’t want to miss Shangri La, the incredible Doris Duke estate. Perched above the crashing surf, it was constructed in the mid-1930s and features magnificent modern architecture combined with Islamic elements and a remarkable art collection (advance tickets required: $45).

Monkeypod Kitchen, a new restaurant in Waikīkī, features elevated comfort food, such as lamb and margherita pizza.

Smith Collection/Gado/Sipa USA/Alamy Stock Photo

Waikīkī’s diverse dining scene

While history provides the foundation, Waikīkī has an evolved dining scene, attracting food lovers craving creative, local flavors. Restaurants here emphasize quality, local sourcing in island-inspired settings.

Melissa Chang, 60, an O‘ahu-based food blogger, notes that Waikīkī offers something for everyone’s tastes. “For travelers who don’t like surprises, you’ll find mainland chains,” she says. “For those who are more adventurous, you’ll find restaurants that reflect Hawaiʻi’s melting pot,” which blends regional specialties with Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese influences.

Visitors seeking casual light bites are thrilled to discover happy hour specials at establishments just steps from the beach. Many restaurants here are more budget-friendly than one might expect, Chang says.

“Since Waikīkī is a tourist destination, there is a perception that everything is expensive,” she says. “But in recent years, many spots have developed menus with reasonable prices.… For example, in Royal Hawaiian Center, you can find many locals eating at Tim Ho Wan for dim sum, TsuruTonTan for udon … and Island Vintage Coffee, for a wide variety of dishes to suit every taste.”

House Without a Key restaurant, a longtime Waikīkī favorite, sits oceanfront at the Halekulani hotel and showcases nightly music and hula performances.

Alamy Stock Photo

Recent noteworthy restaurant openings include Monkeypod Kitchen, featuring elevated comfort food with stunning ocean views, and Botanico, a refined Italian restaurant with a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere. Fresh fish takes center stage at Hawaiian Style Seafood Co., by celebrity chef Jon Matsubara, who serves up local catch prepared simply.

Waikīkī is also home to longtime favorites, such as House Without a Key, which sits oceanfront at Halekulani and showcases nightly music and hula performances. Post-dinner, head to the cozy Lewers Lounge at the hotel for sophisticated cocktails and live jazz. Other legendary restaurants with daily musical performances include Duke’s, located on the beach and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Chart House, which overlooks the marina and has been known for its stellar sunset views.

Aloha Ambassadors in Waikīkī assist people with directions or information.

Alamy Stock Photo

Easy to get around

One of Waikīkī’s greatest strengths is its manageability. With improved pavements as well as some Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant hotel accommodations, this area is flat, walkable and appealing to travelers who prioritize comfort and ease.

Retired surf instructor Izah Blue, 61, has lived on O‘ahu for more than 35 years. He recently found himself with physical limitations after an accident. “I had to navigate my own mobility challenges and was so thankful that Waikīkī is such an easy place to get around,” he says. “There are many transportation options available, some free or not expensive. There are rental bicycles, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and various shuttle and bus services, public and private.”

Blue notes that “all of the streets, sidewalks, bus stops and resort areas have properly designated access areas.” There are also helpers from the Aloha Ambassadors program, provided by the city, who assist people with directions, information or emergency care, Blue says.

If you wish to explore O‘ahu’s famous north shore and other sites, book a day trip with a locally owned company, such as Oahu Circle Island Tours, Discover Hawaii Tours and Hawaii Rainbow Tours.

%{postComment}%

Marla Cimini is a professional writer with a passion for travel, music, beaches and culinary adventures. She is an avid globe-trotter and frequent Hawai‘i visitor whose articles have appeared in publications such as USA Today, AAA The Extra Mile, Fodors Travel and many others.

Unlock Access to AARP Members Edition

Join AARP to Continue

Already a Member? Login

Most Popular

Benefits Recommended For You

See All