Ready for your trip to Oahu? I’ll bet that being ready includes booking your flights and hotels and maybe even a rental car. If I said, “don’t do that, just go walk up and book all that stuff when you get there.” You’d think I was crazy. And you’d be right.
Nobody walks up to the airline ticket counter and says “next flight to Honolulu please.” Even if they did have a seat, what kind of price do you think you’d be offered? Same thing goes with hotels and rental cars. Walk-up means risk of not getting what you want AND certainty of paying the absolute top dollar.
So “ready” means you’ve got everything booked. You probably visited multiple sites to make sure you got not only what you wanted but also got it for the best possible price available. So flights, hotels, transport, all set. And I’m sure you’ve booked all the things you want to do too, right? If you are like most people, your answer here is probably “Well… no. I’ll take care of it when I get there.”
While we all know about the perils of walk up prices in travel, for some reason we’ve got a blind spot when it comes to the reason for travelling in the first place. We wing it when it comes to sightseeing, activities, and other things to do in the place we are headed. Partly this is because booking all that stuff in advance is a bit of a pain. For a destination like Hawaii we might easily be looking at 10 separate bookings (or more). Partly it is because when we travel we like the idea of getting back the flexibility and spontaneity that can be a limited outside of vacations. And partly it is because unlike airfare, most of us wouldn’t know where to go to get a deal on museums or tours or activities (do they even do offer deals?).
So by now you are probably guessing what comes next. The solution that will make everything super easy, maintain flexibility, and save money! Yeah right.
Actually, Yeah. That is right.
The Go Oahu Card is a product designed to solve for all three of those needs. The founders of the company behind the Card recognized there was a big gap in travel planning and saving around things to do. As a result they created a ticketing system and formed partnerships with the best museums, tours, and sights in each destination they cover. Over 425 so far — ranging from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to the San Diego Zoo to Chicago’s Sears Tower, not to mention bike rentals, guided tours, surf lessons, and more.
But back to the Go Oahu Card. It is a “by-the-day” ticket that gets you free admission to 30 of Oahu’s best things to do. So you buy the Card for the number of days you need, and then you have your ticket to all of the participating activities, tours, and museums. The things it covers ranges from the many museums and sights in and around Pearl Harbor (USS Missouri, Pacific Aviation Museum, USS Arizona Audio Tour, etc.) Hawaiian culture sights like the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Bishop Museum, fun in the sun like snorkeling tours and the Diamond Head Crater hike, guided bus tours and sights and activities all over the Island of Oahu.
So with the purchase of the one card, you have your ticket to 30 things all at one go. And because of that, you don’t need to track down and book each one individually, but you also keep you flexibility. You use the card when and where you want to do the things you want. Granted, there are certain activities like Germaine’s Luau that you need to call ahead and make a reservation. But that’s true even without the Card.
As for savings, the Go Oahu Card is priced to save you money compared to buying separate tickets. And that’s not to say you need to do all 30 things to save money. If you did you’d save a bundle – but you’d also need another vacation to recover from the effort. The card is actually priced so that if you do a few things on each of the days you use it, you can save real money. Oh – and you have two weeks to use you days. So you still have time to sit on the beach (although the Go Oahu card can even help with that, with snorkel gear, surf lessons, and so on).
Check out the Go Oahu Card site for full details on what’s included and decide for yourself if it should be part of your trip. You can also read reviews from Go Oahu Card customers.
So to be really ready for your trip to Oahu, get your flights, hotel, AND a Go Oahu card. You’ll be glad you did and will become one of the growing number of smart travelers who know about this handy way to save money and time in 14 different North American destinations.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Pearl Harbor is famous to visitors the world over as the site of the December 7, 1941 attack that pushed the United States into World War II. Not surprisingly, people most often think of the iconic U.S.S. Arizona memorial when they think of Pearl Harbor.
But another Battleship also resides there which represents the end of World War II. The U.S.S. Missouri was the site of the Japanese surrender in 1945 which finally ended the war. The ship sailed right into Tokyo Bay and the surrender proceedings where held on its deck. Some years ago I ask a veteran who had served on the Missouri what his thoughts were as the ship steamed into the Bay that day. “I thought were were going to be blown to Hell for sure,” he told me.
Thankfully his fears were not realized. And the ”Mighty Mo” is now docked not far from where the Arizona rests, and a fitting compliment to any visit to that hallowed spot.
The ship has just come off of 12 weeks and $18 million worth of maintenance and preservation work in Pearl Harbor’s largest dry dock facility. Visitors to touring the ship will get a feel for how the Missouri looked when she was first launched with a brand new coat of paint and a number of improvements to the overall visitor experience.
“We are grateful to have the expertise and resources to drydock the Missouri in Hawaii, thanks to BAE systems and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard,” said Michael A. Carr, president and chief operating officer of the non-profit USS Missouri Memorial Association, which owns and operates the ship as the Battleship Missouri Memorial. “We enlisted a dream team worthy of a national treasure like the Mighty Mo. Now, we look forward to doing what we do best as a memorial — welcoming visitors — beginning Jan. 30.”
The U.S.S. Missouri is included in the Go Oahu Card program, which gets visitors to Oahu into 30 museums, activities, and tours around the Island for one low price. For example, visitors to Pearl Harbor not only get access to the Missouri and an audio tour of the Arizona Memorial, but also receive included admission to the Pacific Aviation Museum and the U.S.S. Bowfin.
If you are headed to Oahu, be sure to visit the freshly restored U.S.S. Missouri.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
For a very private outing rent a tandem kayak, load it on your rental car and head to Kane ohe Bay. Here you can launch your kayak and paddle to a deserted island to swim, sun and snorkel away from the crowds. For a truly special exploration arrange a private custom guided kayak adventure along a secluded, scenic coastline complete with a picnic lunch. Or you can simply join a guided kayak tour to the Mokulua Islands for an equally fun but more budget mined option.
Whatever option you choose the Go Oahu Card has a great selection of kayaking and snorkeling outfitters all available with the purchase of the card. Check out these options:
Each year since 1986, if and when the conditions are just right, the Eddie Aikau surf meet is held at Waimea on Oahu’s North Shore.
Although famed for its big waves, only when there promises to be truly monster surf does the event come together and big wave surfers from all over join the locals in competing in this event. Unlike other big wave competition which allow for surfers to be towed into the waves, competitors here must paddle themselves out through the waves. The result is what many call the purest big wave surfing event around.
It can be hard for outsiders to catch this event — while regularly falling in January, the actual date is determined each year by wave conditions. The 2009/2010 event was held in mid-December and won by Greg Long. But visitors to Hawaii should probably always think about a visit to the North Shore as part of their itinerary. The big draw is the waves, but among other sites there is the North Shore Surf Museum and the pristine Waimea Valley. Both are included in the cost of a Go Oahu Card which is worth picking up no matter what part of Oahu you plan on visiting.
There are some amazing photos and video available of the most recent Eddie Aikau competitions and past events on Quicksilver site.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Anyone visiting Oahu that wants to stretch their legs a bit should be sure not to miss the Manoa Valley. Although just a short trip from the hotels of Waikiki, you’ll feel worlds away as the trail takes you into the rainforest.
This hike is relatively easy and a great way to get into the Hawaiian Rainforest. Hikers are rewarded with views of a 150 foot waterfall in addition to the giant ferns, bamboo, and guava that grace the trail. Many visitors have said it feel like a throwback to the Hawaii of old.
Hikers are advised to remember that this is a rain forest, so although the trek is not very demanding, proper footwear is a good idea. Don’t wear anything that you would mind if its gets wet or muddy. Trails.com has an overview of the hike here.
Call 808-692-6399 to arrange a pick up from your hotel for the ride to the trail head, where you’ll be provided with water, binoculars, and snacks for the trail. The cost is $29.95 or it is free with you Go Oahu Card.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
The Bishop Museum has just completed the first renovation in over 100 years of its Hawaiian Hall. The Victorian style building displayed some of the most advanced ideas of museum design at its original opening in 1903 and the re-opened Hall updates and expands the original goal of the museum to tell its stories with an authentic Hawaiian perspective.
The three floors of the Hawaiian Hall tell the story of the Islands and their people with each floor focused on a particular theme. The First floor covers pre-contact Hawaii with displays and artifacts centered on religion, legends, and the central role of the ocean in the lives of Hawaiians. The second floor centers on daily life and looks at work, culture, and Hawaiians relationship with the land of the Islands. Finally the 3rd floor represents the mountains and looks at the enduring importance of the Chief in Hawaiian culture.
Hawaiian Hall re-opens to the public on August 8th. Entrance to the Bishop Museum is included in the Go Oahu Card. When visiting Hawaii, be sure to check out this wonderful way to get a deeper feel for the Islands, the history and culture of the people.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Head to downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown every first Friday of the month and dive deep into Oahu’s vibrant art scene. At each “First Friday” you can interact with local artists and artisans sharing their work.
From paintings to powerful cultural exhibits, you’ll get to see a diverse sampling of Hawaii’s artists. Art galleries open their doors with exhibits, free entertainment, and light refreshments. There are numerous restaurants and bars open offering great food and live music. Discover a buzz of activity in the streets of Chinatown where people from all over Oahu come to see what’s new on the local art scene.
First Friday runs from 5pm to 9pm, so its a perfect way to wind up your day using a Go Oahu Card. See the First Friday website for all the latest on what’s happening at the next First Friday.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Over 1300 Smart Destinations customers were interviewed by a third party research firm (KRC Research) last Summer. They were asked about their experience with the company’s Go Cards and Explorer Passes.
They found that 94% of the customers surveyed said they were either “satisfied” or “extremely satisfied.” And most of those customers said they were “extremely satisfied.”
The customers were also asked what they valued most about the product. Three answers were the most commonly given:
The quality and quantity of the attractions that accept the card for admission
The fact that it saved them money compared to having to buy separate tickets at each attraction
The fact they card was easy to use
In addition 91% of the customers said they would recommend a Go Card or Explorer Pass to someone else.
So if you are looking into buying a Go Oahu Card, it is nice to know that existing customers gave such positive reviews of the product. To see the Frugal Travel Guy’s review of the Go Oahu Card where you can read one customer’s experience using the card in detail, go here. Or for another point of view, please read Lisa Weber’s review of the Go Oahu Card and the Go Maui Card.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
This is a favorite in Hawaii and with former Hawaiian resident President Barack Obama. His picture eating this Hawaiian delicacy has been shown all over the world. Similar to Snow Cones found elsewhere, Hawaiian Shave Ice tends to be a bit finer in texture and often comes complete with a scope of ice cream over which are added condensed milk and favored ice shavings.
So where can you get real shave ice on Oahu? Listed below are arguably the three best places to sample this treat.
1-Matsumoto’s General Store: 60 years at the same location in Historic Haleiwa Town-66-087 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
2-Island Snow Hawaii: Kailua Beach Center, 130 Kailua Road, Kailua, Hawaii 96734, this is where the President Obama was shot eating his shave ice treat.
3-Waiola Shave Ice: 2135 Waiola Ave, Honolulu Hawaii 96805 (corner of Paani and Waiola)
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Hey everyone, I’m beginning to upload videos all over the internet about the Go Card. You can find them on YouTube, Flickr, and other popular sites. We’re not going to make you scour the web, though. I’ll post them right here! Check out this video about the Makani Catamaran.The promotional footage they gave us included some cheesy background commercial that I also heard on the television in a commercial for acne treatment. No way was I going to use the same music, especially since we’re only posting these videos to the internet. If you liked the video, leave a comment, or check out other Go Card videos at our YouTube page.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
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