Southwest® flights from Phoenix to Honolulu (Oahu) from $204

Shake up your day-to-day routine and add a trip to Honolulu into the mix. Newcomers will find that beyond the beautiful beaches and hula dancing for which Honolulu is famous, there is rich culture and incredible history waiting to be explored. If you aren’t a newcomer and you’ve been to Honolulu before, you may be looking forward to exploring more of what you missed on your last trip! Honolulu offers some excellent museums, such as the Bishop Museum, which tells the story of the island. The Honolulu Museum of Art, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and Iolani Palace are a few of the other popular museums in the area. Another spot you’ll want to hit (especially if you’re traveling with kids) is the Honolulu Zoo, where you can spend the afternoon meeting some animal friends.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Honolulu. Hiking Diamond Head is a fun adventure, and you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the island at the top of summit. Manoa Falls is another popular hike. Surrounded by lush natural scenery, the trail leads up to a wondrous cascading waterfall—and the hike isn’t too strenuous if you’re looking for an easier journey. If you would like to try something new, take a surf lesson for the first time. Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing, so you’ll find surf lessons, surf camps, and surf tours for island visitors. Not interested in surfing? Paddle boarding is a good time and an even better workout. If you work up an appetite during the day’s activities, check out local joints to grab a bite to eat. Poi, laulau, and Kalua pig are influential dishes in local cuisine. You’ll also find great food in Honolulu’s Chinatown, one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States.