Travel Tips: Oahu

Climb Diamond Head (the view of Waikiki is spectacular), Sip a sunset Mai Tai at the Banyan Court on the waterfront at the Westin Ala Moana Surfrider, Eat the fish tacos at Duke’s, Rent a paddle board at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon (it’s easier than it looks), Bodysurf at Sandy Beach Park (the break that Obama made famous on his recent vacation), Visit the Dole Plantation on Hwy 99 en route to the North Shore (slurp a pineapple smoothie in the garden), Order the half-plate Shrimp Scampi and half-plate Lemon and Butter Shrimp at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Hale’iwa (it looks scary—you have to trust me), Scoot by Waimea Bay Beach if the lot is full (it’s not worth messing with parking), Go one mile north just passed Pukukea and have an even more gorgeous beach to yourself, Stop for the Shave Ice in Historic Hale’iwa Town (make sure to get ice cream in the bottom, and try the Azuki beans), Hula down to the nightly Luau at Paradise Cove (though not the most authentic of experiences, it is fun and worth the spend—you’ll feel good about a little culture to balance your beach and Mai Tai splurge).