Itinerary help.....second visit

Question

So this is my second visit and would appreciate some feedback. I have already spent a lot of time at Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Byodo In Temple, Ho'omaluhia Botantical Garden, Halona Blowhole/Eternity Beach, brief walk on Lighthouse hike, Lanikai Beach, Haleiwa Town, and Waimea Valley. I am going to repeat some stuff but not all.

This is general plan. Need some feedback on maybe other stuff to consider, have two kids 11 and 13 with. We like a mix of doing nothing and activities. Activities are somewhat condensed from when I have car, Saturday-Tuesday.

Thu, Dec 25 — Arrival - no plans

📅 Fri, Dec 26 — Waikiki Day

Hang out on Waikiki beach.

Dinner: Monkeypod Kitchen

📅 Sat, Dec 27 — East Side (Car Day 1)

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Lanikai Beach (second visit)

Halona Blowhole + Eternity Beach (second visist)

Dinner: Arancino at Marriott

📅 Sun, Dec 28 — Ridge + Ranch (Car Day 2)

Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail

Kualoa Ranch tour/activity? Is this a tourist trap?

📅 Mon, Dec 29 — North Shore (Car Day 3)

Surf watching: Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Sunset Beach

Haleiwa Town

Waimea Valley & Falls (second visit but love this place)

📅 Tue, Dec 30 — No idea.

📅 Wed, Dec 31 — New Year’s Eve

Stay around Waikiki (traffic heavy this day)

Dinner: House Without a Key

Fireworks

📅 Thu, Jan 1 — Recovery / Flex

No idea, may hang out at beach? Could do something close.

📅 Fri, Jan 2 – Sat, Jan 3 — Flex Days

No plans

📅 Sun, Jan 4 — Departure

Answer

Your itinerary looks great, and it's clear you’re planning a well-balanced mix of relaxation and activities for your second visit to Oahu! It’s nice to see that you’re revisiting some of your favorite spots, and I’m happy to offer a few additional suggestions and tweaks to help round out your plans, especially with kids aged 11 and 13. Here's my feedback and a few recommendations:

📅 Fri, Dec 26 — Waikiki Day Spending time on Waikiki Beach is always a good idea, especially with kids. You might also want to consider visiting the Waikiki Aquarium if you haven’t been yet. It’s small but offers an interesting mix of marine life and is conveniently located near the beach. It could be a nice way to cool off and add some educational fun to the day before dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen.

📅 Sat, Dec 27 — East Side (Car Day 1) Your East Side day looks great! Lanikai Pillbox Hike is a wonderful choice for stunning views, and Lanikai Beach is always a hit with families. Since you’re already revisiting Halona Blowhole and Eternity Beach, consider stopping by Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail if you haven’t already—it’s an easy hike with great views and often fewer crowds than the others. If your kids are into a bit of adventure, the Kualoa Ranch can be a fun experience, though it does lean toward the touristy side. The movie tours are particularly popular (Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates), but you could also try the ATV tour or horseback riding, which are a bit more hands-on. It’s not a “trap,” but it does cater to tourists, so just be aware of the crowds. If your kids enjoy history or nature, the Secret Island Beach is a peaceful and less tourist-heavy alternative.

📅 Sun, Dec 28 — Ridge + Ranch (Car Day 2) The Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail is a good choice, especially with the kids—it's not too difficult but offers some great views. If you're looking to add another activity, consider visiting the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden (if you haven’t already) after the hike. It’s a peaceful spot, and kids tend to enjoy walking around the lush grounds and seeing all the different plants. Kualoa Ranch activities are great, but you could also check out the Byodo In Temple in the Valley of the Temples, which is a serene place with a beautiful backdrop, great for a short stop and a photo op.

📅 Mon, Dec 29 — North Shore (Car Day 3) Your North Shore day looks packed! The Waimea Bay, Pipeline, and Sunset Beach are all fantastic for surf-watching. Consider stopping by Shark’s Cove for a bit of snorkeling, as it’s a great spot to see marine life, and the calm waters here are perfect for beginners. If you haven’t been to Waimea Bay’s waterfall, that could be a fun addition as well—it’s an easy walk to the falls, and it’s a hit with families. As for Haleiwa Town, definitely try Leonard’s Bakery for the famous malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts)—they’re a hit with kids! Don’t forget a stop at Waimea Valley & Falls again, as it’s a peaceful place to swim at the waterfall and stroll through the botanical gardens.

📅 Tue, Dec 30 — Flex Day For this day, consider visiting Diamond Head if you haven’t already, or check out Manoa Falls, which is an easy but stunning hike to a waterfall. If your kids are into science and learning, the Imiloa Astronomy Center near Hilo is fantastic, though you might need to check if it’s open that day. If you're looking for something more relaxed, a visit to Waimanalo Beach or Kailua Beach for a laid-back day with maybe a paddleboard or kayak rental could work well.

📅 Wed, Dec 31 — New Year’s Eve It sounds like a fun night with dinner at House Without a Key and fireworks to ring in the new year! You could also consider stopping by Hale Koa Hotel or the Outrigger Canoe Ride in Waikiki before dinner. Both offer iconic Hawaiian experiences, and the canoe ride would be a great activity for the kids (if you haven’t done it already!). Since traffic is heavy that day, be sure to leave early for dinner and get to a good viewing spot for fireworks. You could also explore the Ala Moana Center for some last-minute shopping or a leisurely stroll through the park before heading to dinner.

📅 Thu, Jan 1 — Recovery / Flex Day On this day, you could take it easy at the beach, maybe at Kaimana Beach or Lanikai again for a more relaxed vibe. Alternatively, if you want something simple and easy, head to Kaiona Beach Park for a low-key morning with the kids. It’s much less crowded than Waikiki but offers calm waters and shade for a relaxing day. If you’re looking to do something more interactive, you could also explore Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park for some water slides and pool fun.

📅 Fri, Jan 2 – Sat, Jan 3 — Flex Days These days are a great opportunity to explore more if you want, or just relax. If you’re into art and culture, consider checking out the Honolulu Museum of Art or the Bishop Museum for a more cultural activity. If the kids are into animals, the Honolulu Zoo is a nice visit with a variety of animals, and it’s close to the beach, so you could hit the sand afterward. Another suggestion is to spend the day in Kailua—either visit Kailua Beach or grab a bike and ride around the scenic Lanikai Loop (near Lanikai Beach).

Overall, your itinerary looks fantastic. You’ve already hit many of the best spots, but I’ve added a few more options to make your days even more special. Enjoy your trip, and feel free to ask if you need more help with your planning!

Itinerary help.....second visit

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