Oahu Hawaii Vacation

Affectionately known to residents and visitors alike as "The Gathering Place," Oahu is Hawaii's third largest Island and draws in the most visitors out of all the islands and is also home to %85 of the state's population. It is home to Hawaii's capitol, Honolulu, which features all the attractions, sights and amenities of any large metropolitan area--bustling nightlife, cultural events, and a wide variety of lodging, dining, and shopping options.

Honlulu is the center for all government, transportation and commercial activity throughout the entire state, and it is also home to Hawaii's best known tourist destination, Waikiki beach. This beach is most often associated with with Hawaii, and therefore is almost always packed with visitors. Luaus are held regularly during the evening on the beach though, which have been said to be a real treat.

Like any large city, Honlulu features a number of well visited attractions. The Bishop Museum features a number of cultural, natural and scienctific exhibits centering around Hawaii and the Pacific. They have an extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts, a planetarium and a large simulated volcano in the center of the museum which "errupts" on a regular basis. Hawaii is also home to a large area of art galleries and museums, including the Honolulu Academy of the Arts, home to one of the largest collections of Asian art in America.

Some visiting Hawaii do not really care for Honolulu though. It is a big and busy city, the exact environment that decided to take a Hawaiian vactation to get away from. If you've come to Oahu in order to find peace, serenity and other things typcially associated with an island getaway, there is no need for worry. You just need to know the right places to look. Many resorts located just outside of Waikiki offer more secluded and peaceful surroundings, and natural beauty is able to flourish on Oahu's two mountain ranges--the Koolau and the Waianae. Small shoreside towns, awesome waves and beautiful beaches are all a part of Oahu as well.

The North Shore is home to some of the best beaches for surfing in the world. Visitors who are wanting a beach that is slightly less crowded than the shores of Waikiki regularly choose to go to the North Shore. The area here is much more relaxed and laid back than in Honlulu, and life moves at a slower pace.