Things to do nearIolani Palace
Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the only official royal residence in the United States, drawing visitors with its regal architecture, rich Hawaiian history, and poignant stories of the monarchy.
Completed in 1882 under the direction of King Kalakaua, Iolani Palace was conceived as a symbol of Hawaii's sovereignty and its place among the world's modern nations. The building blended American Florentine architectural style with Hawaiian sensibility, and it was notably ahead of its time, equipped with electric lighting and indoor plumbing before the White House had either. Kalakaua used the palace as a center of governance and cultural diplomacy, hosting formal receptions in the ornate Blue Room and conducting state affairs from the throne room, where the royal Hawaiian coat of arms still presides over the gilded space.
His successor and sister, Queen Liliuokalani, was the last to reign here before the monarchy was overthrown in 1893. She was later imprisoned within the palace walls for eight months following a failed counter-revolution, a chapter that gives the building a solemn emotional weight that visitors consistently find moving. After the overthrow, the palace served as the capitol building for the territorial and then state government until 1969, when it was restored to its royal-era appearance.
Today the Friends of Iolani Palace oversee the site as a museum, and their careful stewardship has returned many original furnishings and royal artifacts to the rooms where they once belonged. The basement galleries display the crown jewels, royal regalia, and personal objects belonging to the Hawaiian monarchs, providing context that enriches everything seen on the floors above. Iolani Palace stands as an irreplaceable record of a sovereign nation and a culture that shaped these islands long before statehood, making it one of the most historically significant sites in the entire Pacific.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Iolani Palace
Visit on a weekday morning when crowds are thinner and the palace rooms feel more intimate and easier to explore at your own pace.
Take the audio-guided Grand Tour rather than a self-guided visit to gain access to the furnished interior rooms on the upper floor.
Bring a light layer, as the palace interior is air-conditioned and the transition from Honolulu's outdoor heat can feel abrupt.
Walk the surrounding palace grounds after your tour to see the statue of Queen Liliuokalani and the historic Coronation Bandstand nearby.
Purchase tickets in advance through the palace's official website, as timed entry slots, especially for guided tours, fill quickly on weekends.
Top tours & experiences near Iolani Palace
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour With USS Arizona
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, then tour Honolulu landmarks
Private Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor history with a private guide and tailored Honolulu sightseeing
Explore East Oahu Lookouts & Kailua Private Day Tour
Private East Oahu day tour with 8 scenic stops, including Kailua and Byodo-In Temple
4-Hour Honolulu Night Guided Tour
See Honolulu after dark, from Iolani Palace to Tantalus Lookout
Guided Historical Bike Tour in Honolulu
Cycle Waikiki to Chinatown with Aloha Tower views on a guided history ride
Guided Pearl Harbor Memorial Tour From Waikiki
Trace the story of December 7, 1941 with Waikiki pickup
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Guided Tour
Skip Pearl Harbor ticket lines with reserved admission and guide insight
Circle Island Guided Tour of Oahu in a Convertible
Private 9-hour Oahu circle island tour in a luxury convertible
Private O'ahu Circle Island Tour for Up to 14
Private, customizable O‘ahu tour with a licensed driver and pickup for up to 14 guests
Guided Private Tour of Oahu
Design an Oahu day around cultural sites, outdoor activities, and local stops
Hike Diamond Head & Manoa Falls from Honolulu
Hike Diamond Head and walk to Manoa Falls with a guide and admission included
Private Pearl Harbor Guided Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor privately with a personal guide and transportation for your group
Oahu Scuba Diving: 3-Tank Wreck & Reef Tour
Explore Oahu’s wrecks and reefs on a guided three-tank dive with premium gear included
The Complete Pearl Harbor Experience From Oahu
See all major Pearl Harbor sites in one day with transport and admissions included
USS Arizona Memorial and Historic Honolulu Tour From Oahu
5–6 Hours • Explore Pearl Harbor and Honolulu's Historic Landmarks
Remember the Battleships Tour From Oahu
Explore the USS Arizona and USS Missouri Memorials in a 7-hour tour
6-Hour Pearl Harbor & Honolulu Guided Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor history with local insights and guided transport
Pearl Harbor Guided Tour With Control Tower
Discover Pearl Harbor’s WWII history from the Ford Island Control Tower
Guided Honolulu & North Shore Convertible Tour
Ride a luxury convertible to Honolulu sights and North Shore beach stops
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu Guided Tour
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, then tour historic Honolulu by narrated drive
Private Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour
Discover Pearl Harbor history and Honolulu landmarks in one private day
Waterfall & Dole Plantation Tour on North Shore
Garden entry, waterfall time, and local tastings on a guided North Shore day
Pearl Harbor World War II Guided Tour From Kauai
Fly from Kauai for a guided day at Pearl Harbor’s historic sites
Pearl Harbor World War II Tour From Maui
A Maui-to-Oahu Pearl Harbor day trip with flights and lunch
Explore Pearl Harbor on a WWII Guided Tour
Fly from Kona for a guided Pearl Harbor WWII day
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu Guided Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor history with museums, monuments and narrated transport
Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour in Honolulu
Trace Hawaii Five-0 scenes with local stories across Oʻahu
5-Hour Tour of Historic Honolulu & Windward Oahu
Private limousine sightseeing with local stories and flexible routing
Private Guided Tour of Pearl Harbor & Royal Honolulu
Explore Pearl Harbor history and royal Honolulu by private limousine
Private Guided Tour of Diamond Head & Historic Honolulu
See Honolulu’s royal landmarks and Diamond Head with private limousine service
Pearl Harbor All-Sites Private Guided Tour
See Pearl Harbor’s major memorials and museums with a private guide
Beaches & Historic Sites Tour of Oahu
Customize an East Oahu outing with beaches, lookouts and royal history
Guided Pearl Harbor USS Arizona & Battleship Missouri Tour
Trace Pearl Harbor history from the USS Arizona Memorial to Battleship Missouri
Guided Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial Tour
Private history tour with Honolulu landmarks and memorial reflection
Pearl Harbor & Honolulu Historical Sites Tour
Trace Oahu history from Pearl Harbor to Honolulu landmarks
Oahu Island Tour With Dole Plantation Visit
See Oahu landmarks, Haleiwa Town, and Sunset Beach in one day
Oahu Hawaiian Culture Guided Tour
Explore Oahu’s Hawaiian history through cultural landmarks and local insight
Honolulu Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour
Meet Cousin Flippa over lunch at McGarrett's House
Private Pearl Harbor & Iolani Palace Tour
Explore Pearl Harbor museums, the USS Arizona Memorial and historic Honolulu with a German-speaking guide
Private Pearl Harbor All-Access Tour
See Pearl Harbor’s major memorials, museums and battleships with admissions included