Highest-rated free things to do in Hawaii, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Hawaii, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Hawaii.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Hawaii using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Hanalei Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,879 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (458 reviews)
- Address: 45-680 Luluku Road Kaneohe, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Ala Moana Center
- Rating: 4/5 (3,133 reviews)
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Waimea Bay
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,300 reviews)
- Address: Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Shark's Cove
- Rating: 4.5/5 (806 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Saddle Road
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,735 reviews)
- Address: Hawaii Highway 200 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Ko Olina Lagoons
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,777 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. North Shore
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,288 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Lahaina Banyan Court Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6,974 reviews)
- Address: 671 Front St. Canal St. Lahaina, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Wai'anapanapa State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,053 reviews)
- Address: Hana Hwy. Near mile marker 32 Hana, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Punalu'u Black Sand beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,812 reviews)
- Address: Ninole Loop Road Pahala, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Ho'okipa Beach Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,626 reviews)
- Address: 179 Hana Hwy Paia, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Rainbow Falls
- Rating: 4/5 (3,984 reviews)
- Address: Waianuenue Ave. Hilo, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Tunnels Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (955 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,432 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Queen's Bath
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,632 reviews)
- Address: Kapiolani Loop Princeville, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Napili Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,757 reviews)
- Address: 53 Hui Drive Lahaina, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Kalalau Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (1,738 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Kailua Beach Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,067 reviews)
- Address: 526 Kawailoa Road Kailua, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,669 reviews)
- Address: Near the Hawaii Kai Golf Course on Kalanianaole Highway Honolulu, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Wailua Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,590 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Poipu Beach Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,964 reviews)
- Address: 2179 Hoone Road Poipu, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Koko Crater Arch Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,638 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Lanikai Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,097 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Hana Highway - Road to Hana
- Rating: 4.5/5 (10,108 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Mauna Kea Summit
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,631 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Ka'anapali Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,454 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Manoa Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,772 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Waikiki Beach
- Rating: 4/5 (18,822 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Waimea Canyon State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (8,632 reviews)
- Address: Waimea Canyon Drive Waimea, Hawaii
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
