How To Travel To Oahu With A Newborn Like A Boss

Written By AK

I’ve been waiting 17 years to come to the island of Oahu…

especially Waikiki. Short story (lol): When I was in 6th grade, I signed up for a pen pal from the back of the magazine of some teen magazine and got a pen pal from Waikiki. We wrote up until college, I had completely forgotten about it until I found the letters unpacking in my new home and already had a planned first family trip to Oahu.

That triggered me to find her on social media and we chatted. Unfortunately, she no longer lives on the island, but I did get some cool places to check out and explore on Oahu. We had an amazing time, check out the images below and the lists of things to do, food, drink, and where to stay.

Things to do…

So if you didn’t know this already, Oahu is the island’s name, Waikiki is a neighborhood in the city of Honolulu, Hawai’i. This city is just like any big city in the U.S., just on a tropical island. You got all the big retail players with storefronts and restaurants in Waikiki. This makes it super easy to travel around with a newborn, but that’s not what you came to see right in Hawai’i, right? lol Well, here is a list of things to do with and without a newborn on the entire island of Oahu…

  • Pearl Harbor $$- With a NB, there are only 2 things you can do here, that cost; the Missouri Battleship and the Aviation Museum. The Monuments and gardens around the visitor center are FREE and Without a NB, you could also check out the Bowfin Submarine and Arizona Memorial on the water.

    * Tip: Bags of any kind are not allowed (yes, even a diaper bag and purse) Use a wristlet or small fanny pack. I would tuck in the diapers/wipe in the stroller, which you’re allowed to bring. We brought our Doona, which doesn’t have storage, and tucked the diapers in the sides of the car seat part, but didn’t bring wipes. (We didn’t bring wipes because I’m breastfeeding and babies don’t poop as much breastfeeding, look it up lol) But guess what, she POOPED! Good thing she smiled and waited until we got back to the car to change her. 😓

  • Duke Kahanamoku Statue FREE - for photo opp. or content for social.

  • Lanikai Beach - Voted Oahu’s Most Beautiful Beach, but we did have trouble parking, it’s best to go in the AM.

  • Kualoa Ranch $$- Yes, this is where they filmed Jurassic Park, along with many other cool movies as well. This one you might want to wait to do when baby is older or get a sitter at the hotel. But if not there are a few tours you could check out. There are so many things to do here, go wild…literally.

  • Byodo In Temple $- Beautiful for photo opp. and social content. *Note this is a real active temple, so you’ll need to be respectful.

  • Diamond Head $- Paying to park, is a bit annoying if you don’t want to be there long. But it’s beautiful nonetheless.

  • Dole Plantation $- With or without a NB, the Gardens, Train, and The World’s Largest Maze. Pretty relaxing experience, except that it sun showered on us. Bring an umbrella (just in case) and a baby carrier for the maze, the ground in the maze is rocky and strollers don’t do well. But don’t freak out if you forget it, you can get a refund at the window pretty easily. You must try the Dole Whip…so tasty! 😋

  • Airbnb Experiences- Since this trip was for my husband’s bday, I got us a picnic on the beach, with a fire show and a photo shoot. It was definitely worth it. An Airbnb Experience is a must-do on every trip we take.

  • Rent a car $$- Drive around the island when planning out what you want to do and see anything outside of Waikiki. Also, book in advance, rental cars are overpriced when booked last minute.

  • Army Museum FREE- Sadly it was closed the week we went, but it was definitely on my list to check out since my father and grandfather are veterans of the Army.

  • Waikiki Beach - The waters are BEAUTIFUL, gentle, and crowded, as you would expect.

Food & Drink…

  • Haleiwa Joe’s at Haiku Gardens$$ - If you drive around the island, the locals suggested this open-air restaurant for a great view of the Ko‘olau mountain range.

  • Tommy Bahama Restaurant $$- Loved this restaurant for dinner in the evening. We brought our daughter in the doona and she fell asleep for the rest of the night. There was LIVE music by a local, a lounge sandpit with tiki torches, giving it a late-night Hawai’ian vibe. Honestly the best food too, and kid friendly.

  • Rum Fire Waikiki Beach $$- This restaurant is located in Sheraton, with pretty good food and drink and a beautiful atmosphere in the evening for dinner overlooking the ocean.

  • Food Trucks on the North Shore $- We were told by the locals to try the shrimp trucks. Sadly we didn’t get a chance to check them out but heard great things.

  • Aloha Melt Waikiki$$ - These gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are DELICIOUS!! Also, an easy walk, if you’re staying at the Sheraton or many hotels right there on Waikiki beach.

  • Hy's Steak House$$ - This steak house has been there for over 40 years, and was highly recommended by locals.

Areas to stay…

Sheraton Waikiki, where we stayed and got the best view of Diamond Head and the beach. Honestly, it’s so close, as in walking distance to a lot of good food and shopping. There is a coffee shop, a couple of restaurants, and a spa. (which was closed due to covid) We choose this one because they offered babysitting services. I’ll list a few others we liked that were either booked or closed due to covid at the time we booked.

AK
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30 Newborn Must Haves!