A vacation in Honolulu will start at the International Airport where millions of visitors start theirs every year. Immediately after landing, visitors hop in to buses or taxis sent by the hotel and zoom past downtown Honolulu to reach their pre-reserved accommodation at a Waikiki hotel. The allure of Waikiki is immediate - the packed streets, sounds of the beach, and exotic histories call to the traveler who soon hits the streets. The excitement of discovering Waikiki is so intense that most visitors never escape its imaginary borders. Every year over 6 million visitors miss out of sights, which local residents find most winsome and all of them lie within a radius of 2 square miles of Waikiki.

If you are thinking of visiting Oahu then you should find this interesting.

Magic Island Beach Park – Located just opposite to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, this is a very popular attraction lying west of Waikiki. It may sound like a theme park but in actual fact it has two beaches, areas to run and play sports like tennis and much more. A leisurely stroll around the park would bring you closer to the essence of Hawaiian culture – where a large family with all the members spends a lively day together amidst delicious food and lots of sun. The beaches are relatively less crowded, so if you want to spend a memorable day, get hold of some barbecue and land at the beaches of Magic Island.

The Contemporary Museum Honolulu – This is located on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive, and as you drive up the ridge, you see some panoramic views of Oahu, which most visitors usually miss. The changing exhibits in this small museum spread across its 5 galleries could be an enthralling experience, and after this you could walk into gardens full of sculptures. 5 acres, includes sculptures as well as places for meditation, and can offer an unforgettable view of Honolulu.

Leong’s Café – Visitors who are hunting for some unforgettable Hawaiian cuisine, treat a lu’au as something more than just entertainment. Leong’s Cafe (along North king Street) can offer this type of experience and is a fantastic place to go if you want to experience the true taste of Hawaiian food. Here they have been serving the Hawaiian population for in excess of five decades with traditional dishes enjoyed by many.

Champion Malasadas - there is a local treat that originated in portugal called Malasadas which has become so popular that they even renamed Fat Tuesday to Malasadas day. The location details, where this venerated and most popular bakery is Champion Malasadas, 1926 South Beretania Street. Worth every penny that you spend on it, these Portuguese donuts do not have a hole and you can have it with or without fillings and they are extremely lightweight.

Honolulu Chinatown - This is a strange and fascinating place where you can believe you are not only in another country but a different time period. This is like being in a small part of China where you can obtain anything you would expect to find in the mainland Country. The shops and streets are unforgettable, offering goods, which you would never find in an average American store. Though guided walking tours are available the best way to explore this historical site is to walk at your own pace stopping whenever you see something that triggers your interest.

In case you are keen to enjoy Oahu the way a local does, spend more time outside Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the spots listed above and see some of what truly makes Hawaii special.