A Week on Oahu

Oahu is so stunning that the alii, the kings of Hawaii, made it the capital of the island nation. Below, I've presumed that you are staying in Waikiki; if your hotel is in another location, be sure to factor in extra time for traveling.

Day 1: Arriving & Seeing Waikiki Beach

After you get off the plane, lather up in sunscreen and head for the most famous beach in the world -- Waikiki Beach. If you have kids in tow or you can't handle a whole afternoon in the intense sun, check out Hawaii's water world at the Waikiki Aquarium, or gain insight into Waikiki's past on the Waikiki Historic Trail, a 2-mile trail marked with bronzed surfboards. Be sure to catch the sunset (anywhere on Waikiki Beach will do), and get an early dinner.

Day 2: Visiting Pearl Harbor & Honolulu's Chinatown

Head to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Get here as early as possible -- by the afternoon, the lines are 2 hours long. While here, be sure to see the USS Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. On your way back, stop in Chinatown for lunch and a self-guided walking tour. In the afternoon, take a nap or head for the beach at Ala Moana Beach Park or a shopping spree across the street at the Ala Moana Center. Have dinner in Honolulu or the surrounding area.

Day 3: Exploring the North Shore & the Polynesian Cultural Center

Start your day with a drive to the North Shore. If you're up early, have breakfast in the quaint town of Haleiwa; if not, at least stop and get a picnic lunch before you beach-hop down the coast of the North Shore and choose from some of the world's most beautiful beaches, like Waimea Beach Park. After lunch, head for the Polynesian Cultural Center, in Laie. Allow at least 2 hours to tour this miniglimpse of the Pacific. Continue driving down the coast road to the small town of Kailua. Stay for dinner here to avoid the traffic back to Waikiki.

Day 4: Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay & Visiting Sea Life Park

If it's not Tuesday (when the park is closed), head out in the morning for the spectacular snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. If you have kids, wander down the coast to Sea Life Park. Otherwise, continue beach-hopping down the coastline -- check out Sandy Beach and Makapuu Beach Park to see which one appeals to you. Then turn back to take the Pali Highway home to Waikiki -- and be sure to stop at the Pali Lookout.

Day 5: Hiking a Rainforest, Glimpsing Historic Honolulu & Experiencing Hawaiian Culture

You could probably use a day out of the sun by now, so try a short hike into the rainforest, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. Be sure to wear good hiking or trail shoes for the Manoa Falls Trail, and bring mosquito repellent. Next, head for downtown Honolulu to see some of the city's historic sites, including the Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, and Mission Houses Museum. To see where you've been, go to the top of the Aloha Tower, at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, for a bird's-eye view of Honolulu. Grab lunch at the Marketplace or one of the nearby restaurants. Spend the afternoon at the Bishop Museum to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.

Day 6: Relaxing at Kailua Beach

On your last full day on Oahu, travel over the Pali Highway to the windward side of the island and spend a day at Kailua Beach -- but before you leave Waikiki, drop by MAC 24-7 and pick up a picnic lunch. Kailua is the perfect beach to just relax or snorkel or try something different, such as kayaking or windsurfing. You can spend the entire day here, or you can take an afternoon hike at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden.

Day 7: Shopping & Museum-Hopping

Been having too much fun to shop for gifts for your friends back home? You can find a great selection of stores in Waikiki at the Ala Moana Center, the DFS Galleria, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. If you're more interested in looking than buying, check out the Honolulu Academy of Arts, The Contemporary Museum, or the Hawaii State Art Museum. On your way to the airport, be sure to stop at one of the Maunakea Street lei shops in Chinatown to buy a sweet-smelling souvenir of your trip.