Weddingbee Blog

4. Take a tour

Hawaii offers SO many specialized tours. Helicopter, zip-line, kayaking, whale-watching… the list goes on-and-on. While you can definitely try to do all of those things on your own, I would suggest going with the pros at least once on your vacation. It’s nice to be in the hands of someone who does it every day!

Sparks and I went on a guided LOST tour (in a Hummer! Off road!), and it was hands-down the best thing we did in Oahu. The guide took us to places on the island that we would have NEVER found on our own, and I felt like we learned so much!

We went on a 5 hour LOST tour with KOS… it was amazing!

“We have to go back!”

5. Visit Pearl Harbor

Confession: We almost didn’t do this. I know, it’s terrible. But if anyone else out there is thinking about skipping it, I’m here to convince you not to! Here’s why:

• The park, museum grounds, and memorial are absolutely stunning
• It won’t take you all day to do it (I think it took us about 2 hours)
• It’s FREE! (Well, the ferry to the USS Arizona memorial is free, some of the smaller surrounding museums are not)
• It really was incredibly moving

Also, if you go on Wednesday or on the weekend, you can visit the flea market at Aloha Stadium on your way to the memorial. Sparks and I found so many unique and affordable gifts there. I definitely recommend stopping by!

Our tickets to the USS Arizona memorial

Inside the memorial

Tips and Tricks: You absolutely cannot bring ANYTHING but a camera into the Pearl Harbor grounds. Not even a camera bag. So travel light if you go.

The flea market at Aloha Stadium is freakin’ HUGE. Like insanely huge. Sparks and I walked from end-to-end, and take my word for it… everything for sale is pretty much the same on both sides. Don’t feel like you missed out if you didn’t make it through the entire thing.

Checking out the flea market

Fresh island soaps

Next up: Maui! (Then it’s on to wedding recaps!!!)