Best places for 9 popular indoor activities in Honolulu
When the sun is shining and temperatures are warm, it's not too difficult to get out of the house and find something to do, whether it's a simple walk around the block or a day trip to the beach. But when temperatures are lower or rain is trickling down your windows, you're probably more likely to stay inside—and that's true no matter your age.
A 2020 survey of about 1,000 people from the National Recreation and Park Association showed that 58% of U.S. adults are less active in the winter. Similarly, a 2016 study out of the University of Cambridge found that average activity levels among children dropped to their lowest levels in February at about 48 minutes per day compared to 65 minutes per day in April, the peak month for activity.
The good news is there are an increasing number of ways to get out and be active, no matter the season and no matter what level of activity you're looking for. There are the longtime staples to visit year-round, from an awe-inspiring and educational visit to an aquarium or planetarium to a culturally stimulating night at the theater to a trip down memory lane at the bowling alley. For the gamers among you—or for those nostalgic for the 1970s, '80s, and '90s—there's always laser tag or an afternoon at the arcade.
Those looking to exercise their minds a bit more than their muscles could try the more recent sensation: escape rooms, which started captivating Americans of all ages in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, people who want to sweat it out a bit can try to get into the skyrocketing success of indoor rock climbing, the bouncing business of trampoline parks, and the more adult activity that is ax throwing.
To motivate you to try a new activity this weekend, weather notwithstanding, Stacker compiled a list of the best places for popular indoor activities in Honolulu using data from Yelp. Data is as of Feb. 21, 2024. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Arcade: HPU Esports Arena
- Rating: 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 1 Aloha Tower Drive Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Arcades, Virtual Reality Centers
- Read more on Yelp
Bowling: Hickam Bowling Center
- Rating: 3.8/5 (56 reviews)
- Address: Luke Drive Bldg 1891 Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Bowling
- Read more on Yelp
Rock climbing: HiClimb
- Rating: 4.2/5 (50 reviews)
- Address: 825 Ilaniwai St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Rock Climbing, Gyms, Yoga
- Read more on Yelp
Museum: Honolulu Fire Department Museum and Education Center
- Rating: 5.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 620 South St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Museums
- Read more on Yelp
Aquarium: Waikiki Aquarium
- Rating: 3.6/5 (650 reviews)
- Address: 2777 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Aquariums
- Read more on Yelp
Planetarium: Bishop Museum
- Rating: 4.3/5 (531 reviews)
- Address: 1525 Bernice St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Museums, Planetarium
- Read more on Yelp
Ax throwing: Blade & Timber Axe Throwing - Honolulu
- Rating: 4.7/5 (222 reviews)
- Address: 506 Keawe St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Ax Throwing
- Read more on Yelp
Escape games: Chambers Escape Games
- Rating: 4.9/5 (455 reviews)
- Address: 550 Halekauwila St. Unit 201 Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Escape Games, Virtual Reality Centers, Team Building Activities
- Read more on Yelp
Theater: Experience Nutridge
- Rating: 4.9/5 (396 reviews)
- Address: 3280 Round Top Drive Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Performing Arts
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 251 metros.