hawaii travel packages aaa

Romantic Things to Do in Honolulu

Updated : May 01, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, WA

Table of contents, snorkel with sea turtles and dolphins, nighttime luau and dinner, sunset cruise with cocktails in waikiki, tour the historical waikiki neighborhood, explore lanikai beach, shark cage tour, beachfront dinner at sunset, iolani palace, visit honolulu’s botanical gardens, plan your trip to honolulu with aaa..

As the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu strives to live up to every expectation visitors have when visiting a tropical paradise. Located right on the Pacific coast on the island of Oahu, Honolulu combines white sand beaches, sweeping mountains and grand architecture to create the perfect destination for romantic getaways.

With so much to love, it’s no wonder Honolulu is popular with couples looking for a romantic vacation full of adventure and breathtaking scenery.

With this guide, you’ll discover some of the best date spots in Honolulu along with some unique activities that will create memories for a lifetime. Some activities are leisurely while others are more active, so you can find something to enjoy on any occasion.

• Honolulu, Waikiki

• Active excursion, scenic

Enjoy a romantic day with your partner on a large catamaran complete with a full-bar and snorkel with Hawaiian sea turtles, dolphins and more.

There are many tours available in the Waikiki district and elsewhere around Honolulu and they’re the perfect way to combine sightseeing and adventure. If you prefer not to snorkel, there are also glass-bottom boat tours to help you experience the ocean without swimming.

Reservations are recommended, but not required.

• Nighttime entertainment, dinner, cultural

Luaus are a cultural cornerstone in Hawaii and you can experience an authentic performance complete with hula dancing, singing and a huge meal featuring roasted meats, tropicals fruits and other local cuisine.

Some luau packages provide free transportation and have extra features like headband weaving tutorials and other hands-on experiences, while other packages may only feature the performance and dinner. Regardless of which type you choose, luaus are a great date-night event and are sure to be a highlight of your trip.

• Relaxing, scenic, food and drink

There are few things more romantic than a sunset cruise in beautiful Waikiki and there are many options available that feature on-board cocktails, drinks and delectable appetizers.

Reservations are highly recommended, although you may be able to find a last-minute opening since the region is full of providers.

• Guided tour, sightseeing, daytime activity

Waikiki is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Honolulu and it’s an excellent place to explore and stroll around. From jaw-dropping beaches to historical architecture, boutique shops and tons of restaurants and bars, you could walk here for hours and never run out of new things to enjoy.

Of course, sometimes it’s nice to just relax and experience everything without walking. Tours like the Waikiki Trolley are a great way for you and your partner to visit new places and spend time together without breaking a sweat.

Some of the routes focus on the coast and nature, while others take you to culturally relevant sites plus shops and restaurants, which allows you to customize your experience based on your preferences.

• Active, leisurely, relaxing

While you’ll never find a bad beach in Honolulu, there are some places that are especially romantic and worth the short drive. Lanikai Beach is one of those places and it’s a great location to spend some time with your partner at any hour.

At Lanikai, the waves are calm and the sand is soft and white, making it a picture-perfect tropical paradise. Plus, there are views of nearby islands along with rolling foothills which creates a wonderfully scenic atmosphere.

Bring a picnic and lounge around, or get active with volleyball, swimming and other beach activities.

Some onsite rental options include:

• Paddleboarding

• Windsailing

• Snorkeling

As an additional fun date idea, you can also book a professional photoshoot right on the beach.

• Active, thrilling

If you want an unforgettable, heart-pounding experience you and your partner will never forget, then dive into the ocean in a shark cage to see them up close and personal.

With these tours , you’ll be taken right into shark territory in a floating safety cage complete with metal bars and poly-glass windows. Since the cage floats near the surface of the water, you can simply snorkel instead of scuba diving like traditional cages require.

Some of the types you’ll see include Galapagos and Sandbar sharks and while you wouldn’t want to meet them without a cage, this is an overall safe experience despite the adrenaline you’ll feel when they come close.

Afterward, once your heart rate calms down, you can walk along the beach, grab a nice meal and talk about the amazing experience you just shared together.

• Relaxing, romantic, evening event

Honolulu has a number of great dining options and enjoying an expertly prepared meal on the coast during sunset can make for a perfect romantic evening.

Some top Honolulu romantic spots with great food and incredible ocean views include:

• Bali Oceanfront , which serves seafood and steak.

• Michel’s at Colony Surf , which features seafood and meat dishes with French influences.

• Hoku’s , which blends international and local cuisines into exciting new dishes.

Reservations are highly recommended for these and similar restaurants.

• 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813

• Historical, classical, cultural

The Iolani Palace served as the home for Hawaii’s historic royal monarchs and it now stands as a gorgeous museum and preserved piece of history.

With a grand and classical design, you can find amazing photo opportunities throughout the grounds while also learning about Hawaii’s interesting history and culture.

With such a beautiful atmosphere, this palace is one of the best Honolulu date spots for people who love architecture and history.

• Multiple locations; all free of charge

• Relaxing, scenic

Honolulu has five public botanical gardens that feature an incredible assortment of local plants, birds and other mesmerizing sights.

Each garden has its own unique layout, from flowing rivers to mountain views and even a garden right on the coastline.

The gardens include:

• Foster Botanical Garden

• Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

• Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden

• Koko Crater Botanical Garden

• Wahiawa Botanical Garden

If you’re looking for Honolulu romantic things to do, visiting any one of these gardens will make for a great time and they’re all conveniently located near other attractions as well to help complete your day.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Honolulu today. Dream up the perfect trip and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets.

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Teacher Appreciation Week 2024: Freebies, deals, discounts for educators, plus gift ideas

Restaurants and other retailers have deals for teachers and educators for national teacher day, tuesday, may 7, and national teacher appreciation week, which runs monday, may 6, to friday, may 10..

All of us have one or more teachers who assisted, inspired or coached us along on our learning path. Need an excuse to show your gratitude? There are opportunities in the days ahead.

National Teacher Day is May 7, 2024, and Teacher Appreciation Week runs Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. The idea for a week to honor teachers began more than 70 years ago with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The National National Parent Teacher Association has deemed this year's theme "Teachers are Shining Stars," and has an online toolkit with ideas on how to thank teachers. The National Education Association website has suggestions on how to celebrate teachers, too.

"Teachers are the heart and soul of our Nation," President Biden said in a proclamation on Friday, May 3. "They care for our Nation’s students, pass on knowledge to rising generations, and inspire our children to dream up new possibilities for their futures."

National Nurses Week 2024: Chipotle's free burrito giveaway, more deals and discounts

More ways to save: Visit USA TODAY's coupons page for deals from thousands of vendor s

Many restaurants and retailers are showing their appreciation with deals, discounts, specials and freebies . Here's some, but you may want to check social media for local deals, too – try searching for #NationalTeacherAppreciationWeek or #TeacherAppreciationWeek .

National Teacher Appreciation Week deals

• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• BIC: The pen maker has deals on its BIC 4 Color Ballpoint Pen, with packs of three starting at $6.09 (available on Amazon , Walmart , Target ); BIC Gelocity Quick Dry Gel Pens, 12-pack starting at $12.99 ( Amazon , Walmart , Target ), and Break Resistant Mechanical Pencil, pack of two starting at $4.98 ( Walmart and Staples (2-Count); Amazon (4-Count), and BIC.com (12-Count).
• Buffalo Wild Wings: From Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, teachers and school staff get 20% off their orders with valid IDs on dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders.
• BurgerFi: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• edible: The fruit gift arrangement company is giving teachers, school staff and graduates of all ages a buy-one-get-one dipped fruit cone Monday through Friday until June 7, at local Edible stores.
• Firehouse Subs: The sandwich chain has a week of specials available starting Monday through its Firehouse Rewards loyalty program and app including (on Wednesday) BOGO Hook & Ladder Subs and (on Friday) two medium sandwiches for $12 or two large sandwiches for $18.
• Free Rein Coffee Company: Teachers and educators get 20% off all year long from "Yellowstone" star Cole Hauser's brew brand by verifying with ID.me. Also eligible for the 20% discount: military members.
• The Good Feet Store : The retail chain, which has more than 250 locations, wants you to nominate education professionals – teachers, educators and other personnel including crossing guards – to win a personalized arch support system from The Good Feet Store. Submit applications online starting May 6 and through May 31. There may be one winner for each participating market (there's more than 75), and once selected, each winner will receive their own personalized arch support system.
• The Greene Turtle : All faculty and staff with a valid ID get a free meal (value of up to $15) on Tuesday, May 7, for Teachers Appreciation Day.
• Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream : Teachers get a 10% discount at participating locations from Monday to Friday, May 6-10.
• Hat Creek Burger Company : All teachers and school staff get a free 6-piece order of nuggets on Tuesday, May 7 (just show a valid ID).
• HTeaO: The iced tea chain will give teachers 50% off cups of tea from Monday, May 13, to Sunday, May 26, with a valid professional school ID.
• Huddle House: Teachers get a free meal from Monday to Friday, May 6-10. Students can also nominate a teacher to win free meals for a year (award given at each participating location). Also, get a free kids meal with any purchase of $6 or more.
• Insomnia Cookies: The Philadelphia-based late-night bakery chain with more than 240 locations is giving all teachers and school staff who show a valid ID a free Classic cookie in-store, no purchase necessary, all week beginning Monday, May 6. (Availability varies by location.)
• Jeremiah's Italian Ice: Teachers get a free small treat of their choosing on Tuesday, May 7, for Teacher's Appreciation Day with a valid educational ID at purchase.
• KIND Snacks: Teachers get 15% off their purchases on the website all year long. Customers just verify with ID.me at checkout.
• Learning Resources: The educational toy maker has several classroom products at discounted prices for teachers including a Rainbow Sorting Set Classroom Edition ($42.63; 39% off), Letter Construction Set ($35.45; 11% off) and Weather Tracker Pocket Chart ($26.49; 5% off), all on Amazon.com.
• L ogan' s Roadhouse: Teachers get 20% off their entrée this week. Just show your badge.
• McAlis ter’ s Deli: Teachers and educators can get free tea – either one big Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, ½ Sweet & ½ Unsweet Tea, or ½ Lemonade & ½ Sweet/Unsweet Tea (flavor shots excluded) – at McAlister's Deli from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, with your badge or ID. Offer valid in-store only; no purchase necessary.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill: Cater a Moe's Southwest Grill meal for teachers from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, and when you spend $300 or more, get a $50 E-gift card (use code THANKYOU24). Good at participating locations; not valid with other offers or third-party delivery. Doesn't include tax, tip and fees.
• Noodles & Company: Parents, school administrators, and educators alike can get $15 off catering orders of $100 or more through May 17. Log into your Noodles Rewards account and use the code THANKSTEACHERS at checkout.
• The Parking Spot: The parking company is giving teachers 25% off parking during their trips; just signup with an associated education email account .
• Peter Piper Pizza : Teachers can get a free personal pizza every day Monday through Friday (May 6-10). Redemption is limited to once per day; valid teacher or nurse ID/credentials must be shown.
• Postino: The restaurant chain, with more than 25 locations in five states , will give teachers its $25 Board and Bottle (bruschetta board, plus a bottle of wine) all day every day during the month of May with badge/ID. (The special is usually only available Monday and Tuesday 8 p.m. to closing.)
• Potbelly Sandwich Works: Teachers get a free cookie or fountain drink with the purchase of an entrée by showing their ID Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12. Also, all customers can get free delivery on a catering order over $150.
• Raising Cane's: The fast casual chain is giving 10 teachers an all-expenses-paid summer vacation. Teachers can enter the contest on RaisingCanesTASweepstakes.com Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. Winners get two round-trip tickets to any U.S. destination, two-night hotel stay and a $200 gift card.
• Rock & Brews: Teachers get a free entrée with valid ID through Friday, May 10 (maximum value of $26.99) at the chain's Southern California locations (Corona, Buena Park, Redondo Beach, El Segundo and Tustin).
• Salad and Go: Teachers get free hot or cold coffee Wednesday, May 8, to Friday, May 10, with purchase during breakfast hours (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
• Salata Salad Kitchen: On Tuesday, May 7, educators get 20% off their order when they present their badge at checkout. Also from Monday to Friday (May 6-10) get 20% off catering orders of $200 or more, and get free delivery on orders through DoorDash.
• Scholastic: The publisher has special deals and giveaways in its Scholastic Teacher Store and Book Clubs beginning Monday, May 6. And when you send a Scholastic eGift card through May 10, you'll be entered for a chance to win $550 of new books and resources for an educator of your choice.
• Shipley Do-Nuts: Teachers who belong to the chain's Do-Happy loyalty program can get a free half-dozen box of glazed Do-nuts with any purchase on Monday, May 6.
• Sonic Drive -In : Educators enrolled in the Sonic Teachers’ Circle Rewards program can take advantage of several deals starting Monday, May 6, to May 20; they include BOGO free Sonic Blast, BOGO free entrée, free Sonic cheeseburger with any purchase, free Large Drink or Slush with any purchase, or free small side with any entrée. (To join the rewards program create an account in the Sonic app and select "I'm a teacher" in settings.) Also, from May 6-20, Sonic is donating a portion of every drink, slush, and shake sold to its Limeades for Learning program, which supports local public schools.
• Staples: From Sunday, May 5, to Saturday, May 11, teachers can get free supply kits at Staples stores; kits include markers, pens, pencils, and glue. (20 kits per store while supplies last; limit 1 per teacher with teacher ID.) Teachers also get 20% off in-store purchases with their teacher ID at checkout.
• Stitch Fix: The online personal styling service is giving educators $50 credit to refresh their wardrobe. Between now and May 12, go to the Stitch Fix web site to verify credentials and get a promo code to use before June 30.
• tarte cosmetics: The beauty brand gives teachers and educators 40% off sitewide all year long.
• TGI Fridays: Teachers get a free entrée on Tuesday, May 7, at participating locations; choices include a cheeseburger with fries, half rack of ribs with choice of side, and Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
• The Halal Guys: Teachers get 10% off their meal from Wednesday, May 8, to Friday, May 10, on in-store orders, with proof of a valid teacher ID.
• Twinkl: Teacher subscription service Twinkl has ideas on how to show appreciation for your favorite teachers and is giving teachers a free month trial of its education materials.
• Whataburger: School employees can get a free Taquito, Breakfast on a Bun, or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10 with ID.
• Yogurtland: Through May 14, the frozen yogurt chain is offering free delivery on orders of more than $15 made through the website or mobile app (use code FREEDELIVERY).
• Zaxby's : Teachers can buy one Boneless Wings Meal and get a second one free on May 7 at participating locations (redeemable through the Zaxby's app or website for Zax Rewardz members, while supplies last).
• Zips Car Wash:  Teachers can get a $5 "Pro" Wash at any Zips Car Wash or Rocket Express location across the country through May 19 with wash code 7652.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads:  @mikesnider  & mikegsnider .

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