Top 10 Things To Do In Waikiki For Free

Waikiki in Honolulu is one of the prettiest places on earth. With an abundance of rainforests and beaches, this island boasts a number of national parks and normal parks in general.

If you are seeking reprieve from the sun, go to the nearest park and find a shady soft spot to rest and relax. The best part of this island is that you can choose the location you want to spend your time in per your mood.

For instance, if you are in the mood to spend your leisure doing nothing, you can lay on the beach and soak in the vitamin C, or fix yourself a picnic and spend a day watching people.

But if you are with the company and looking for some fun, get around and stroll around the beach until you find The spot.

Public parks serve as a free oasis from the busy streets and frequented beaches nearby, Therefore, for people in a quest for relaxation, parks are the best!!

Following are some of the parks you can spend your day at, without spending a penny

• Kapiʻolani Regional Park
• Centennial Park Waikiki
• Fort DeRussy Beach Park
• Ala Wai Community Park

Side Note: Most Popular National Historical Park In Hawaii You Should Definitely Visit

If you are wondering about the things to do in Waikiki at night, just grab your essentials and head towards The Hilton Hawaiian Village to attend the weekly Friday night fireworks show.

Viewable from afar, this experience will give you chills as you watch the exhilarating scene from Duke Kahanamoku lagoon and beach.

Reach the venue by 7:40 as the show starts by 7:45 and lasts 10 minutes. It boasts an impressive finale by setting a tune of the music with the crackers.

With numerous things to see and do in Waikiki, enjoy every moment in solace, be it in the shade or the sun and start your weekend with a bang!

Side Note: Have you tried horseback riding? If not, click on the link to learn more about horseback riding in Oahu.

Head towards the south shore of Honolulu if you want to watch the most spectacular view of the sunset. It is one of the best things to do in Waikiki Beach.

As the sun sets around 7 pm during the summer and 5 pm during the winter months, reach the beach early and grab a spot along the beachfront and enjoy the colourful sky while sipping your favourite cocktails.

The vibrant sunset colours of sherbet, fuchsia and sometimes various hues of purple will mesmerize your eyes and make your visit worthwhile.

Mostly, Waikiki is known for its picturesque beaches, but people don't realize that Waikiki is also synonymous with live music and dancing.

Most of the public places with crowds such as shopping centres, hotels and restaurants showcase live entertainment programs in the region. You can watch Hawaiian twist on jazz and rock of the century.

Best Places to Watch the Sunset on Oahu

• Ala Moana Beach Park
• Kakaako Waterfront Park
• Sunset Beach or Shark's Cove
• Tantalus Drive
• Waikiki Beach

Visiting blue lagoon is easily one of the epic things to do in Waikiki Hawaii. You can hop on your ride and park at their parking site, which is also free.

To spot the enticing saltwater lagoon, head towards the beach while walking along the Ala Wai Boat Harbor unless you find the majesty. The perfect spot for picnics, this area is also favourable for lounging and swimming.

Besides, the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is a favourite place for families, water enthusiasts and Instagrammers. Clicking a picture at the lagoon is mandatory for your social media.

Here, the caretakers pump fresh seep seawater every day into the lagoon and the grassy shoreline surrounding the grounds. Watching the visitors enjoying the lagoon is a retreat for locals.

Side Note: Best Beaches In Oahu To Get Married

The Royal Hawaiian Center celebrated Hawaiian culture every day at its premises. The complimentary cultural & art show features music and hula performances.

But the main interest of the event is to showcase the rich heritage of the Aloha state which consists of hula instruction, lauhala weaving, lei-making, and ukulele classes.

One of the classic things to do in Hawaii Waikiki, these iconic luas and Polynesian shows present you with a taste of the warmness the community has to offer.

Regarding the event, the entertainment begins at twilight with a torchlighting followed by conch-shell blowing and a complimentary hula performance on the mound on Kalakaua Avenue near Uluniu Avenue.

The free one-hour show is held 6:30-7:30 pm and 6-7 pm during the winter months.

What other shows in Waikiki are complimentary?

Surprisingly, there are numerous agencies that provide cultural shows on the house. Some of them are as follows-

1. Watch the Kuhio Beach Hula Show for authentic Hawaiian entertainment every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
2. The Royal Grove Hula Show at Royal Hawaiian Center presents a nightly Hawaiian music and hula show Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm.
3. International Market Place Hula Show pays homage to Hawaii’s past monarch, Queen Emma. 
4. The Polynesian show is 30 minutes long starts at twilight( sunset) and is performed nightly. It includes authentic Hawaiian hula and Tahitian dancing. 

Side Note: 15 Popular Female Hawaiian Music Artists To Add To Your Playlist

With miles and miles of stretched beaches, you can openly swim along the shoreline and enjoy the azure-blue Pacific Ocean for hours. Buy a floaty from a nearby store and float along the open ocean.

But make sure you apply bottles of sunscreen and wear a hat that covers your face so that you don't get BURNED!!

Not just for swimming, Waikiki is famous for surfing, snorkelling, stand-up paddling, and catamarans. You could borrow your friend's or purchase new gear and enjoy the water activities.

Never turn your back to the ocean for your safety. And yes, be cautious and aware of your surroundings while swimming in the ocean.

Side Note: Best Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise In Oahu From Waikiki

Often, people forget to take care of themselves during a long vacation. You get skin burns and lots of extra pounds by gulping gallons of Hawaiian cocktails and eating authentic cuisines.

Waikiki is heaven for those immersed in an active lifestyle. Not only this area is open and breezy but the shoreline has an abundance of fitness options.

From beach volleyball to tennis, rugby or soccer, there's something for everyone in this area. Moreover, you can just jog around the beach or vent out to the nearest locations for a hike.

Visit these locations in Oahu for fitness-focused activities:

• Ala Moana Beach Park
• Diamond Head Tennis Center
• Fort DeRussy Beach Park
• Kapiolani Park

Side Note: Top 10 Unconventional Things To Do On North Shore Oahu

Strangely, nearly all the hotels in Waiki have a secret garden in their facility. Not that they are really a secret but they're all painfully overlooked in comparison to gorgeous swimming pools, bars, and beautiful lobbies.

But if you are someone looking for complimentary things without spending a dime on any source of entertainment, look out from your balcony or window to discover the tropical oasis inside the property.

Some people choose "garden view" rooms as a frugal alternative to ocean view to absorb the nightly view of the city's lights which never fails to delight us.

The main reason for the gardens to be overlooked is that people choose ocean-view rooms and they seldom utilize the programs offered by the hotels such as making leis, listening to folklore, carving pineapples, and sunrise yoga, which is often hosted in the not-so-secret gardens.

Even if some activities carry a minimal fee, there are multiple free options to enjoy without opening your wallet. 

Side Note: A List Of Top 11 Campsites In Oahu For Tent Camping

They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, likewise, every overlooked place in Waikiki is a dream place for someone who is interested in the subject.

Generally, people don't opt out for museums and heritage houses but some of the visitors are there, just to learn about the rich history of the Aloha state.

So if you identify as a history buff you will love visiting the US Army Museum & more. While your friends head to the outskirts of Honolulu to visit Pearl Harbor, you can enjoy learning about Hawaii's military history right in Waikiki. 

Explore These Free Museums In or Near Waikiki

• Bishop Museum (sometimes free)
• Hawaii State Art Museum.
• Honolulu Museum of Art
• Honolulu Fire Museum
• Iolani Palace (sometimes free)
• Pearl Harbor National Memorial
• Police Museum
• U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii

Side Note: Best Time To Travel To Hawaii: January To December